With Ezekiel Elliott (suspension) eligible to play Sunday against the Giants, McFadden is likely to serve in a backup role in Week 1, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Elliott's six-game suspension was upheld Tuesday by arbitrator Harold Henderson, but the NFL decided the running back can still play Week 1 because a federal court has yet to rule on the NFLPA's request for a temporary restraining order that would put the suspension on hold while the running back pursues a lawsuit to have it overturned. The court is expected to make a ruling by Friday, at which point there will be some level of clarity regarding Elliott's availability (and McFadden's likely role) this season. McFadden will have a tough time getting more than a handful of touches whenever Elliott is available.