Jones (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones has yet to take the field since injuring his ankle during a Week 17 win at the Jets. Elsewhere in the backfield, the Bucs are preparing both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (hip) for a return from injured reserve, but it remains to be seen if either will be activated by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. Assuming one or both are back on the active roster Sunday against the Eagles, he (or they) will join Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell at running back while Jones likely looks on from the sideline.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that he considers Jones (ankle) doubtful for Sunday's wild-card game against the Eagles, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Even in the unlikely event he manages to play, Jones might not have much of a role with both Leonard Fournette (hamstring) and Giovani Bernard (knee/hip) designated to return from injured reserve earlier Wednesday. The Bucs also have Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell as backfield options in case Fournette and Bernard don't show enough progress in practice to gain clearance for the postseason opener.

Jones (ankle) was ruled out Friday for Sunday's game against the Panthers, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones had a big opportunity with Leonard Fournette (hamstring) on IR for the final three weeks of the regular season, but RoJo was mediocre in his first start (81 yards on 22 touches) and then injured his ankle in the second. The Bucs now have Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell as their top backs for Week 18, with Darwin Thompson and Kenjon Barner potential call-ups from the practice squad, while passing-down specialist Giovani Bernard (IR/hip) doesn't appear likely to be ready. Bruce Arians expects Fournette back for the first round of the playoffs, but the Bucs coach admitted Friday that he's less sure about Jones, who isn't yet able to cut on his sprained ankle, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jones (ankle) wasn't present for Thursday's practice and is set to be listed as a non-participant on Tampa Bay's official report, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering head coach Bruce Arians noted Wednesday that Jones is sporting a walking boot on his injured ankle, the running back's absence from his second straight practice comes as little surprise. Barring a dramatic step forward at the Bucs' final Week 18 practice Friday, Jones won't be ready to go for Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Panthers. Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is ineligible until the playoffs and Giovani Bernard (calf) is also on injured reserve and isn't expected to be available this weekend, potentially leaving Tampa Bay with Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell as its top backfield options.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that Jones (ankle) is using a walking boot and won't try to run until later this week, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones isn't practicing Wednesday, and based on Arians' comments, the running back doesn't seem especially likely to make it back on the field Thursday or Friday. Meanwhile, Ke'Shawn Vaughn's rib injury is said to be minor, potentially making him the lead back for Sunday's game against Carolina. The Bucs also have Le'Veon Bell, and possibly Giovani Bernard (knee), as options at running back for Week 18. Looking further ahead, the Bucs reportedly are optimistic Leonard Fournette (hamstring) will be back from injured reserve for the opening round of the playoffs, per Dianna Russini of ESPN.

Jones (ankle) isn't participating in the early portion of Wednesday's practice, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Buccaneers have yet to disclose the results of the recent MRI that Jones underwent after he suffered the ankle injury in the team's Week 17 win over the Jets. Meanwhile, Ke'Shawn Vaughn (ribs) was spotted on the practice field Wednesday, but veteran Le'Veon Bell may be the only fully healthy running back currently on Tampa Bay's roster.

Coach Bruce Arians said Monday that the team is waiting on results from Jones' MRI to determine the extent of his ankle injury, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones sustained his ankle injury in the third quarter of Sunday's win over the Jets and was unable to return to the field. If Jones can't play in Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Carolina, Ke'Shawn Vaughn (ribs) and Le'Veon Bell could see additional work.

Jones exited Sunday's game against the Jets with an ankle injury, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones had 10 carries for 26 yards and caught his lone target for one yard before suffering the injury during the third quarter. Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Le'Veon Bell should split the backfield work for the Bucs while Jones is sidelined.

Jones rushed 20 times for 65 yards and a touchdown and brought in two of three targets for 16 yards in the Buccaneers' 32-6 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Stepping in for Leonard Fournette (IR-hamstring), Jones shouldered the bulk of the workload for the Buccaneers backfield and acquitted himself reasonably well. The fourth-year back notched his third touchdown in the last six games with a seven-yard scoring scamper late in the third quarter as well, burnishing his outlook ahead of a favorable Week 17 road matchup against a suspect Jets run defense.

Jones is expected to serve as Tampa Bay's starting running back for the final three games of the regular season after the Buccaneers placed Leonard Fournette (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday, Zach Kruse of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Le'Veon Bell and practice-squad member Kenjon Barner could also push for reps down the stretch, particularly on passing downs, but Jones should be locked in as Tampa Bay's lead option on the ground sans Fournette. Though ball-security issues and mental mistakes have been consistent themes in Jones' career, the 24-year-old has been a productive ball carrier, averaging 4.5 yards per tote over 458 rushing attempts. He'll likely continue to pick up solid chunks of yardage while running behind three Pro Bowl linemen, and Tom Brady's proclivity for checking down to running backs could allow Jones to collect at least a few targets per game even if he's subbed out on more obvious passing downs.