NFL Player News

Head coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism Friday that Charbonnet (knee) will play in Sunday's game against the 49ers, despite the running back being listed as questionable for the contest, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Charbonnet and fellow running back Kenneth Walker (oblique) both followed the same practice regimen this week, sitting out Wednesday and then upgrading to limited activity Thursday before practicing in full Friday. Like Charbonnet, Walker also carries a questionable tag into Sunday, and Carroll is optimistic he'll play. Charbonnet's fantasy value will take a big hit if Walker is back in the lineup after missing two games, as anticipated. Assuming both Charbonnet and Walker are active, the two would likely resume the backfield timeshare that had been the norm prior to Walker missing the past two games, an arrangement that typically resulted in Walker dominating the carries while Charbonnet garnered most of the routes and targets. Charbonnet played 87 percent of Seattle's snaps on offense in the Seahawks' first game without Walker in Week 12, and the rookie was then at 76 percent before a knee contusion forced him out of last Thursday's loss to Dallas in the fourth quarter.

Walker (oblique) was a full practice participant Friday, with head coach Pete Carroll expressing optimism that the running back will play in Sunday's game at San Francisco despite being listed as questionable, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Walker and Zach Charbonnet (knee) followed the same practice routine this week, sitting out Wednesday and logging limited sessions Thursday before upgrading to full activity Friday. Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune agrees with Carroll's assessment that Walker is on track to return to action this weekend, though Walker had been ceding about half the running-back snaps to Charbonnet before missing the past two games. The rookie has typically gotten the bulk of his work on passing downs when Walker is available, with the latter handling the majority of carries.

Harris reverted back to the Patriots' practice squad Friday.

Harris was elevated to the team's active roster ahead of Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers but didn't see any snaps in the contest. With Ty Montgomery having been waived by New England on Friday, Harris could be elevated once again ahead of the Patriots' Week 15 game against the Chiefs to provide depth in a backfield that also includes Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), Ezekiel Elliott and JaMycal Hasty.

Johnson (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's game against the Browns.

Johnson was listed as a limited participant in all three of the Jaguars' practices this week, but Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com relays that the 27-year-old running back is likely to play. If available, Johnson would handle his usual duties as the top backup to Travis Etienne (ribs), who is also listed as questionable but in line to play.

Mitchell (knee) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Mitchell didn't practice this week, setting up Jordan Mason for the backup role behind lead back Christian McCaffrey. It's a job that doesn't come with many snaps or touches outside of blowout scenarios, with Mitchell averaging 5.5 carries for 24.8 yards in four games (all wins) since the 49ers' Week 9 bye.

Dowdle (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice and doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Dowdle appeared on Dallas injury reports for each of the past three weeks due to an ankle issue, but he proceeded to play in every contest. Though the Cowboys managed his practice workload once again in Week 14, Dowdle will be ready to handle his usual duties as the team's No. 2 running back behind Tony Pollard this Sunday. Through his 12 appearances on the season, Dowdle has found the end zone three times while averaging 5.3 carries and 0.9 catches for 28.1 scrimmage yards per game.

Perine is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers with a knee injury.

Perine was listed as a full participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday, but he might have suffered a setback at some point along the way after downgrading to no activity Friday. Given the way he ended the week of practice, Perine may not be ready to play Sunday, though official word on his status should come when Denver releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If Perine is out this weekend, rookie Jaleel McLaughlin could be in line for additional snaps behind Javonte Williams, particularly on passing downs.

Miller (ankle) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Miller will be sidelined for a fourth consecutive game after he failed to practice in any fashion this week while he works back from an ankle sprain. According to Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com, head coach Dennis Allen said Friday that Miller has made significant strides in his rehab but has "kind of stalled a little bit." The slower progression in Miller's recovery from the ankle sprain than anticipated likely explains why the Saints didn't initially place the rookie on injured reserve when he suffered the injury in a Week 9 win over the Bears. His continued absence will once again Sunday will leave Jamaal Williams unchallenged for the No. 2 role at running back behind starter Alvin Kamara.

Charbonnet (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The Seahawks gave the same designation to Kenneth Walker, who missed the past two games with an oblique injury. Both Walker and Charbonnet missed practice Wednesday before returning to the field as limited participants Thursday and then full participants Friday. Though the ability of both backs to take full reps Friday bodes well for their chances of playing Sunday, official word on either player's status won't arrive until Seattle releases its inactive list 90 minutes ahead of the 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. Seattle faces a tough matchup against San Francisco, but Charbonnet's large workloads the past two weeks suggest he would make for a solid fantasy start if he's active and Walker isn't.

Walker (oblique) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Walker and Zach Charbonnet (knee) are both taking the same designation into the weekend after returning to practice Thursday as limited participants. The two had been splitting snaps about 50-50 before Walker missed the past two games with an injury, though Walker had a sizable advantage when it came to carry counts. Charbonnet then dominated backfield work in Walker's absence over the past two weeks, with DeeJay Dallas barely playing as the backup until a knee contusion forced Charbonnet out in the fourth quarter of last Thursday's loss to Dallas.