NFL Player News

Williams (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) is also expected to play, according to Schefter, so the duo looks set to split the workload in the backfield against the Chargers. Both players were limited participants in practice all week.

Gordon (thumb/hip), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Both Gordon and Javonte Williams (knee) are listed as questionable, though neither player looks in danger of missing Sunday's contest. Assuming both are active, the two would be in line to share carries in Week 17.

Mitchell (knee), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Houston, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Mitchell, who hasn't played since Week 13, returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant. He maintained that level of activity Thursday and Friday, giving the 49ers enough confidence in his health heading into the penultimate game of the regular season. Fantasy managers will still want to confirm Mitchell is good to go when the 49ers release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to the game's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff, but if cleared, he'll presumably step back into a lead role out of the San Francisco backfield.

Brown was elevated from the practice squad Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Brown was elevated prior to Week 6 but ended up being a healthy scratch. If he gets on the field, it will be his NFL debut.

Gibson (hip) remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game against the Eagles, per Field Yates of ESPN and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Washington made multiple roster moves Saturday, but Gibson wasn't activated by the team in advance of Week 17 action. Until the running back, who is also dealing with a hip issue, clears the NFL's COVID protocols, Jaret Patterson is poised to serve as Washington's lead option on the ground, with Jonathan Williams also factoring into the team's backfield mix as well as Wendell Smallwood.

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) ruled out, Williams figures to see added touches in Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Also in mix for increased Week 17 work is fellow RB Derrick Gore, while Jerick McKinnon is now off IR to to provide Kansas City with added backfield depth versus Cincinnati. Though some form a time-share figures to be in play Sunday, Williams has an opportunity log enough touches to merit fantasy lineup consideration in Edwards-Helaire's absence.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

With Edwards-Helaire not in line to travel with the team, look for Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore to head Kansas City's Week 17 backfield, with Jerick McKinnon (hamstring) a candidate to mix in as well after having been activated from IR in advance of Sunday's contest.

McKinnon (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) now out for Sunday's pivotal matchup against the Bengals, McKinnon could provide some valuable depth behind Darrel Williams and Derrick Gore. McKinnon has played just 136 offensive snaps through 11 games and is almost guaranteed to register a career low in carries and receptions.

Williams is expected to drop to second on the depth chart for Sunday's game against the Seahawks with lead back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) making his return to the lineup following a four-game absence, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

In last week's 20-16 loss to the Falcons, Williams made his return from a two-game absence caused by a positive COVID-19 test. While Swift was sidelined for his fourth straight game that week, Williams stepped in as the lead option out of the backfield. Though he still played only 42 percent of the snaps on offense while operating in a timeshare with Craig Reynolds (40 percent), Williams was fed the ball when he was on the field, as he carried 19 times for 77 yards. Reynolds, meanwhile, served mainly as a pass-catching/change-of-pace option, but the return of Swift -- who isn't expected to face restrictions Sunday after practicing fully all week -- may leave Reynolds without much of a role. Williams will see a reduction in usage as well, though he's managed to earn double-digit touches in six of the eight games this season in which both he and Swift have been active.

Reynolds is expected to drop to third on the depth chart for Sunday's game against the Seahawks with lead back D'Andre Swift (shoulder) making his return to the lineup following a four-game absence, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

After serving as Detroit's lead back Weeks 14 and 15, Reynolds moved into a more reduced role in the Week 16 loss to Atlanta with Jamaal Williams making his return from a two-game absence. Williams (19 carries, zero catches) and Reynolds (11 carries, three receptions) both picked up double-digit touches in the 20-16 loss while operating in a timeshare, but the addition of Swift to the backfield mix will cut into the workloads of both players in a significant way. Williams is the safer bet to operate as the No. 2 option behind Swift, and when both players have been available this season, there typically haven't been many snaps or touches left over the Lions' other backs.