NFL Player News

Demercado (neck) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Demercado thus will benefit from a Week 14 bye and not miss a game as a result of the neck injury that he sustained Week 13 at Pittsburgh. With a full practice under his belt Friday as well, he'll continue to be one of the options out of the backfield alongside Michael Carter behind starter James Conner.

Mitchell (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Jordan Mason will replace Mitchell as Christian McCaffrey's backup for a second straight game. It's a role that comes with minimal playing time apart from blowout situations, though Mason did score a three-yard TD against the Seahawks last week after McCaffrey ripped off a 72-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and needed a breather. Mason played just five snaps thereafter and finished with five touches for 26 yards and the touchdown.

Achane (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Jets after logging a limited practice Friday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

After having been estimated as a non-participant Wednesday and Thursday, Achane was able to work in a limited fashion Friday, which gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. Ideally, added context regarding Achane's Week 15 status will arrive as Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but if he ends up limited or out versus New York, Jeff Wilson would be in line to log added backfield work behind Raheem Mostert (knee).

Etienne (ribs) doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens, Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com reports.

Etienne has been managing a rib injury since getting banged up Week 12, but unlike the last two weeks when was deemed questionable on the Jaguars' final injury reports, the running back's status for this Sunday's game isn't in question. In the team's 31-27 loss to the Browns in Week 14, Etienne carried 14 times for 35 yards and a TD and added four catches for 37 yards, while logging 59 of a possible 76 snaps. This weekend, he'll take aim at a Ravens defense that Kyren Williams ran for 114 yards on (via 25 carries) in Baltimore's 37-31 overtime win over the Rams last Sunday.

Mostert (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Mostert has been listed on Dolphins injury reports for exactly one month due to a knee issue, which contained him to a limited walkthrough Thursday and a capped practice Friday. No matter, he'll continue to be available to the team's backfield, while fellow running back De'Von Achane (toe) is entering the weekend as questionable after making just one limited appearance (Friday) this week. If Achane is inhibited or out Sunday, Mostert would be in line for a heavy workload while potentially yielding reps to some combination of Achane (if active) and/or Jeff Wilson.

Hall (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

After being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, Hall was upgraded to full Friday and is ready to roll for Sunday's divisional tilt. Hall is coming off one of his biggest games of the season after totaling 126 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 18 touches last week in the Jets' upset win over the Texans.

Johnson (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday night's game against the Ravens, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

Johnson has been playing through the knee issue for weeks. He's settled in as Travis Etienne's change-of-pace back and is averaging 6.4 touches per game over the Jaguars' last five contests.

Dowdle (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Dowdle has been playing through the ankle issue for weeks, and Week 15 will be no different. He matched his season high with 12 carries last week against the Eagles, turning them into 46 yards and his fourth touchdown of the season. Dowdle will continue to mix in behind Tony Pollard.

Elliott is expected to handle the lead role out of the New England backfield Sunday against the Chiefs with Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) ruled out for Week 15.

With Stevenson out last week against the Steelers, Elliott played 52 of 57 offensive snaps and handled all 30 backfield opportunities, turning 22 carries into 68 scoreless yards while also logging a 7-72-1 line on eight targets. The matchup with Kansas City is tougher on paper, but Elliott's role makes him a strong fantasy option for Week 15.

Stevenson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Stevenson hasn't practiced since injuring his ankle and now will miss a second straight game. Ezekiel Elliott played 91 percent of snaps in last Thursday's 21-18 win over the Steelers, taking 29 touches for 140 yards and a touchdown on a night when QB Bailey Zappe was the only other Patriot with a rush attempt. Stevenson's next chance to play is Sunday, Dec. 24 against the Broncos (Week 16).