NFL Player News

Walker (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Panthers.

The Seahawks will be without both Walker and DeeJay Dallas (ankle) in their backfield for Week 14. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, the team is hopeful that Walker will be available for Thursday's game against the 49ers, but the rookie second-round pick first will need to take part in practice, which he was unable to do Wednesday through Friday due to his recovery from the right ankle strain he sustained last Sunday at the Rams. In Walker's place, some combination of Travis Homer, Tony Jones and Godwin Igwebuike will man running back for Seattle.

With Michael Carter (ankle) back from a one-game absence and James Robinson inactive, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com relays that the Jets will roll with a Week 14 backfield of Knight, Carter and Ty Johnson.

Though Cimini notes that Carter is in line to see his share of touches in his return and Johnson is a candidate to see third-down work, he suggests that Knight could claim a larger share of the carries Sunday, on the heels of two straight strong efforts filling in for Carter. In such a context, Knight should continue to offer a degree of week 14 fantasy utility versus a Buffalo defense that has yielded an average of 101.8 rushing yards per game to date.

Adam Schefter said on ESPN's broadcast of "Fantasy Football Now" that he expects Tony Jones -- not Homer -- to draw the start at running back in Sunday's game against the Panthers.

The Seahawks list both Kenneth Walker (ankle) and DeeJay Dallas (ankle) as questionable for the Week 14 contest, but neither is expected to play, which leaves Jones, Homer and practice-squad call-up Godwin Igwebuike as Seattle's available backfield options. Schefter expects all three backs to play in the contest, but Jones may garner the start even though Homer has routinely worked ahead of him in games when both backs have been available this season. Even if Schefter's prediction comes to pass, Homer could still end up being the more productive fantasy option of the trio -- particularly in PPR leagues -- since he's likely regarded as the most trusted back on passing downs, where he had routinely spelled Walker in previous weeks. The 5-foot-11, 224-pound Jones is more sturdily built and physically profiles as the better back on early downs, but even his hold on that role may be tenuous. After carrying seven times for just 14 yards in last week's win over the Rams, Jones is averaging just 2.7 yards on 66 career carries over three NFL seasons. Jones could have a short leash in the game plan if he's not able to get going early.

Haskins (hip) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against Jacksonville.

Haskins will miss a second consecutive game due to a hip injury. Chris Board (ribs), who took over as Tennessee's primary kick returner in Haskins' absence last week, is also inactive, so Dontrell Hilliard and Racey McMath are candidates for that gig in Week 14. With Haskins sidelined again, Julius Chestnut has been elevated from the practice squad for a second straight game to operate as a depth option behind Derrick Henry and Hillard.

Adam Schefter said on ESPN's broadcast of "Fantasy Football Now" that he expects Jones to draw the start at running back over Travis Homer in Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Even if Jones is on the field for Seattle's first offensive snap of the game, it doesn't guarantee that he'll be in line for the biggest workload in a backfield that is expected to be without regular starter Kenneth Walker (ankle) and third-stringer DeeJay Dallas (ankle). When all of Walker, Dallas, Homer and Jones have been available, Jones has typically found himself on the inactive list, while Homer has usually served as the top change-of-pace option behind Walker. Expect Homer to at least serve as Seattle's preferred pass-catching back, and he could have the opportunity to poach carries from Jones if the latter struggles to get going early Sunday. Jones carried seven times for just 14 yards in last week's win over the Rams and has averaged 2.7 yards over 66 career carries across three NFL seasons.

Evans (coach's decision) is inactive Week 14 against the Browns.

Evans has been used as a depth running back option this year, but he typically sees most of his work on special teams. With Joe Mixon returning from a concussion this week, the Bengals will elect to keep Trayveon Williams active as the presumed RB3, with Evans now a healthy scratch.

Edwards is one of four running backs who are active for Sunday's game against the Steelers, with J.K. Dobbins (knee) playing for the first time since Week 6 and with Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill also dressing for the contest, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Zrebiec suggests that Hill will likely be used mainly on special teams, while Drake is expected to rank third in the pecking order at running back. However, the return of Dobbins from injured reserve could prevent Edwards from handling an overwhelming share of the early down work, even though Edwards' snap counts had already been managed over the past two games following a three-week absence beforehand. Edwards doesn't shape up as a high-upside fantasy play Week 14, given his lack of a pass-down role and the fact that he now faces more competition for carries.

Sermon (illness) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Giants.

Sermon dealt with an illness during Week 14 prep and will ultimately be sidelined. However, the second-year running back hasn't played in a game since Week 5, so his absence shouldn't impact Philadelphia's game plan.

Carter (ankle) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Carter is back in action following a one-game absence, and with James Robinson a healthy scratch, the former will be part of a Week 14 backfield that also includes Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson. When healthy, Carter had been serving as the Jets' top back since Breece Hall suffered a season-ending knee injury Week 7, but Rich Cimini of ESPN.com suggests that Knight could claim a larger portion of the team's carries versus Buffalo on the heels of two straight strong efforts in relief of injured Carter.

Robinson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Robinson is the odd man out Sunday, with Michael Carter back in the mix after a one-game absence. Also in line to see work in the Jets' Week 14 backfield will be Zonovan Knight and Ty Johnson.