NFL Player News

Williams (knee) was ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Saints, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Williams will miss a second game in a row due to a knee injury, but James Conner (ribs) may be able to avoid that fate, according to head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who told Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com on Wednesday that the second back is a game-time decision. Whether or not an active Conner would lead the backfield remains to be seen, but if he's limited or out Thursday, Eno Benjamin (foot) is line to handle much of the backfield reps after ending Week 7 prep with a full practice.

Benjamin (foot) practiced in full Wednesday and doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game versus the Saints, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

After opening Week 7 prep with back-to-back capped sessions due to a foot injury, Benjamin has gained clearance to lead Arizona's backfield again. Having said that, James Conner, who didn't practice this week due to a rib injury, was termed a game-time decision for Thursday by head coach Kliff Kingsbury, according to Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com. Ultimately, Benjamin's usage likely will come down to whether or not Conner is available, so the Cardinals' inactive list will be of keen interest when it's released about 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff. If Conner joins Darrel Williams (knee) on the sideline, Benjamin would be in line for a similar workload to this past Sunday at Seattle, when he turned 18 touches into 65 yards from scrimmage on 62 of 71 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, rookie Keaontay Ingram earned the other nine plays on offense en route to three carries.

Conner (ribs) didn't practice Wednesday but is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Saints, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Conner hasn't practiced since emerging from a Week 5 loss to the Eagles with a rib injury, but head coach Kliff Kingsbury noted Wednesday that the running back will be a game-time decision Thursday, per Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com. At the latest, Conner's status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he joins Darrel Williams (knee) in street clothes, Eno Benjamin (foot) again will lead Arizona's backfield after capping Week 7 prep with a full practice.

Hines (concussion) practiced fully Wednesday.

Hines was also listed as a full participant this past Friday before being ruled out ahead of the Colts' game against the Jaguars on Sunday. Barring any setbacks, Hines is on track to suit up this weekend against the Titans, though how heavy a workload he might take on hinges in part on the status of Jonathan Taylor (ankle), who was limited at practice Wednesday. Meanwhile, No. 3 back Deon Jackson (quadriceps) -- who led the Colts' Week 6 rushing attack in the absence of Taylor and Hines -- logged a full session.

Swift (shoulder/ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Prior to the Lions' Week 6 bye, Swift missed two games due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Thus, his return to practice Wednesday is a step in the right direction, and Swift himself told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press that he's "pushing towards" playing Sunday at Dallas. Swift's activity level in practices Thursday and Friday will be worth monitoring to get a sense of whether a return to active status is possible this weekend. At the moment, Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds and Justin Jackson are Detroit's healthy members of the backfield.

Jackson (quadriceps) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice.

Jackson was forced out of Indianapolis' Week 6 win over the Jaguars due to a quadriceps injury, but he appears to have avoided a major issue and should be good to go for a Week 7 matchup with the Titans. However, after racking up 39 total touches for 222 yards and a touchdown over his last two appearances, Jackson may drop to third in the backfield pecking order, as Jonathan Taylor (ankle) logged another limited practice and Nyheim Hines (concussion) fully participated Wednesday. Regardless, fantasy managers are still encouraged to monitor the Colts' running-back room this week to see if Taylor and Hines approach Sunday's contest without designations.

Taylor (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Nyheim Hines (concussion) practiced fully and Deon Jackson (quadriceps) was also limited. With that in mind, all three backs have a chance to be available for Sunday's game against the Titans, though in order for Taylor to approach that contest minus an injury designation, he'll presumably need to practice fully by the end of the week.

Head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Homer (ribs) might be able to practice in about a week, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Seattle placed Homer on its injured reserve list ahead of Week 4, and he's required to sit out of Sunday's game at the Chargers as a result, but that could be his final absence before he makes his return to the lineup. When he returns, he'll likely play in a change-of-pace role behind Kenneth Walker, who has taken over as Seattle's lead option on the ground after Rashaad Penny (ankle, fibula) suffered a season-ending injury Week 5.

Edwards (knee) is practicing Wednesday and looks to be closest to a return among Baltimore's players on the PUP and NFI lists, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

The Ravens designated Edwards to return from the PUP list Oct. 5 and have one more week to add him to their 53-man roster. He could have a role if he's ready for this Sunday's game against Cleveland or a Week 8 matchup with Tampa Bay next Thursday, as the Ravens now have J.K. Dobbins dealing with tightness in his surgically repaired knee.

Barkley (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Since hurting his shoulder during the Giants' Week 5 win against the Packers in London, Barkley has had a cap on his practice reps, but he still was able to play this past Sunday against the Ravens, pacing the backfield with 25 touches for 95 yards from scrimmage and one rushing score. Even if he has a similar regimen this week, he doesn't appear to be in danger of sitting out Sunday at Jacksonville, which may be confirmed as soon as the final Week 7 injury report Friday.