NFL injury updates, latest league news from Friday, Dec. 17

The Miami Dolphins are welcoming two key players back as they prepare to face a division rival.

Running backs Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed have returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list and will return to practice Friday, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported.

Gaskin and Ahmed were both lost to the reserve/COVID-19 list late last week, with Gaskin's placement coming Dec. 10 and Ahmed's following on Dec. 11. The Dolphins were fortunate with the timing of their bye, which prevented them from playing Week 14 with a combination of practice squad elevation Duke Johnson and Malcolm Brown, which is what Miami was planning to do in Week 15.

Instead, they'll get their top two runners -- who have accounted for a combined 675 rushing yards -- back in action. Miami will need their contributions even more after receiver Jaylen Waddle landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.

Injuries/COVID-19

• The Arizona Cardinals officially ruled cornerback Robert Alford (pec) and receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) out for Week 15. Running back James Conner (ankle) and tight end Zach Ertz (hamstring) are questionable.
• Atlanta Falcons linebacker Dante Fowler (calf) is questionable to play against the 49ers.
• Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) was not spotted during the open portion of practice, per multiple beat reporters on the scene. Head coach John Harbaugh said Jackson, who has not practiced all week, "has a chance" to play Sunday. Jackson, receiver Marquise Brown (illness), fullback Patrick Ricard (back/knee) and offensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva (knee) are officially questionable. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell (thigh) is doubtful.
• Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (foot) is expected to play Sunday against the Panthers, per coach Sean McDermott. Edge rusher Jerry Hughes (foot) is also expected to play. Defensive lineman Star Lotulelei (toe), defensive end A.J. Epenesa (ankle) and running back Taiwan Jones (knee) are questionable. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders (knee) is doubtful.
• The Carolina Panthers placed quarterback Matt Barkley on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Receiver DJ Moore (hamstring) is questionable for Week 15 while cornerback A.J. Bouye, who has not practiced all week with a foot injury, has been ruled out.
• The Chicago Bears activated offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Quarterback Andy Dalton and defensive back Duke Shelley were placed on the list. Running backs David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert, tight end Cole Kmet, offensive lineman Teven Jenkins, receiver Jakeem Grant and OL James Daniels all practiced in full after missing Wed. with an undisclosed illness. Tight end Jimmy Graham (knee) and linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) remained limited.
• The Cincinnati Bengals listed cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (illness) as questionable. Linebacker Logan Wilson (shoulder) is out.
• The Cleveland Browns activated linebacker Anthony Walker from the reserve/COVID-19 list and added eight players to the list: running back Kareem Hunt, quarterback Case Keenum, safeties Grant Delpit and Ronnie Harrison Jr., linebackers Jacob Phillips, Mack Wilson and Tony Fields II and cornerback A.J. Green.
• Dallas Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's road game against the Giants. Running back Tony Pollard (foot) is questionable. The team activated wide receiver Ced Wilson from the reserve/COVID list.
• Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson is officially out for the rest of the season after undergoing successful hand surgery on Thursday, per Dan Campbell. Hockenson was later placed on injured reserve. Running back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) was officially ruled out for Sunday; receiver Josh Reynolds (thigh) and defensive end Michael Brockers (knee) are questionable.
• The Green Bay Packers listed receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back) as questionable. Offensive linemen Billy Turner (knee) and David Bakhtiari (knee) were listed as out while WR Equanimeous St. Brown (concussion) is doubtful.
• Houston Texans safety Justin Reid remains in concussion protocol and will not play Sunday, per coach David Culley. Houston placed center Justin McCray on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly (knee/illness) and defensive tackle Grover Stewart (illness) are questionable for Week 15.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars ruled running back Carlos Hyde (concussion) out for Week 15.
• The Los Angeles Chargers announced tight end Donald Parham has been diagnosed with a concussion and is set to be discharged from the hospital today.
• The Los Angeles Rams placed guard Jamil Demby, defensive back Grant Haley, tight end Tyler Higbee and linebacker Justin Lawler on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (back) was upgraded from DNP to limited.
• The New England Patriots downgraded running back Damien Harris (hamstring) and offensive lineman Yodny Cajuste (illness) to out against the Colts on Saturday. Linebacker Ronnie Perkins (ankle) was placed on injured reserve.
• The New Orleans Saints ruled offensive linemen Terron Armstead (knee) and Ryan Ramczyk (knee) out. Running back Mark Ingram was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The New York Giants officially ruled quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) out for Week 15. Offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (ankle) is listed as doubtful. Receiver Sterling Shepard (calf) and defensive lineman Leonard Williams (triceps) are questionable.
• New York Jets running back Michael Carter (ankle) is expected to have a "significant role" on Sunday, per Robert Saleh. Carter was designated for return from injured reserve on Wednesday. Offensive lineman George Fant (knee) is doubtful while OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (ankle) and defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins (knee) are questionable.
• Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice and will be listed as questionable, coach Nick Sirianni told reporters. Sirianni said Hurts is "trending in the right direction."
• Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (foot) is questionable for Sunday.
• San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) and running back Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee) were ruled out for Week 15.
• Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said receiver Tyler Lockett and running back Alex Collins showed symptoms when they tested positive for COVID-19 Thursday but both are feeling much better. Neither has registered a negative test yet.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (ankle) practiced in full after missing the last two practices and is expected to play against the Saints, per Bruce Arians. Fournette and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) are listed as questionable. Cornerback Jamel Dean (illness) was ruled out while CB Richard Sherman (Achilles) is doubtful.
• Tennessee Titans guard Rodger Saffold (shoulder) and cornerback Janoris Jenkins (ankle) will not play Sunday, per Mike Vrabel.
• The Washington Football Team will place quarterback Taylor Heinicke on the reserve/COVID-19 list after he tested positive for the virus, per Rapoport and Garafolo. The team activated center Keith Ismael from the COVID list. Defensive lineman Daniel Wise and practice squad running back Wendell Smallwood were placed on the list.

Roster moves

• The Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Kyle Lauletta, per Lauletta's agent.
• The Cincinnati Bengals signed cornerback John Brannon to the practice squad and released punter Drue Chrisman.
• The Detroit Lions elevated tight end Shane Zylstra from the practice squad as a COVID replacement.
• The New York Giants signed linebacker Jaylon Smith to the practice squad.
• The Washington Football Team are signing quarterback Garrett Gilbert, per Rapoport. The team later announced the signing.