NFL Player News

Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged Friday that Elliott has been on a rep count in games for the past month while the running back continues to manage a knee injury that first cropped up in Week 4, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports. "It's part of how we want to play," McCarthy said, while also noting that he believes the Cowboys' 10-day break prior to the team's Week 14 game against Washington will be beneficial for Elliott, according to Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News.

Elliott's restricted snap counts have been evident just by looking at his recent game logs. Including Thursday's 27-17 win over the Saints, Elliott hasn't played more than 70 percent of the Cowboys' offensive snaps in five straight games after topping that percentage in all but two of Dallas' first seven contests. The decline in snaps has come with a small downturn in touches (16.9 carries and 3.7 targets per game Weeks 1 through 8, 11.0 carries and 4.6 targets Weeks 9 through 13), allowing Tony Pollard to take on a more heightened role in the game plan. Though the longer turnaround for the Cowboys' Week 14 divisional matchup is welcome, McCarthy didn't promise that Elliott would be in store for an uptick in snaps and touches. In fact, given that Elliott is averaging a woeful 3.2 yards per carry over the past four games compared to Pollard's 5.7 YPC during that stretch, it wouldn't be surprising if the latter took on more volume in the weeks to come as Dallas looks to secure a playoff spot.

Penny (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Even though Penny was able to practice fully Thursday, the Seahawks evidently aren't convinced that he's fully healthy heading into Sunday's contest. However, unless he experienced a setback coming out of Friday's practice, Penny will most likely be a part of a Week 13 backfield rotation that could include lead ballcarrier Alex Collins (abdomen) and pass-catching specialist Travis Homer (calf), both of whom are listed as questionable. If Seattle has pessimism about at least one of Collins or Penny being available Sunday, the team would likely elevate the newly signed Adrian Peterson from the practice squad to provide a healthier option on early downs.

Evans (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Bengals team reporter Marisa Contipelli reports.

With Evans expected to sit out, Samaje Perine will work as the lone backup to Joe Mixon against the porous Chargers run defense. If Evans can't play Sunday, his next opportunity to take the field would come in Week 14 against the 49ers.

Edwards-Helaire is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos after he missed Friday's practice due to an illness.

Per Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star, Edwards-Helaire was added to Kansas City's Week 13 injury report after he sat out Friday due to a case of the stomach flu. That said, head coach Andy Reid indicated that Edwards-Helaire "should be fine" for Sunday's game, which kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET. In his return from injured reserve Week 11 against the Cowboys, Edwards-Helaire played fewer snaps than Darrel Williams (36 to 30), but the former handily outpaced the latter in touches (14 to 6) and yardage (76 to 26).

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said he's confident in Williams' ability to handle a lead role out of the backfield Sunday in Kansas City while Melvin Gordon (hip) is listed as doubtful for the contest and not expected to play, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.

Williams and Gordon have had a near-even split of the backfield snaps and touches through the Broncos' first 11 games of the season, but Week 13 will likely mark the first time either of the two gets a look in a featured role. At least on a per-touch basis, Williams (4.9 yards per carry, 7.1 yards per reception) has provided reason for excitement, and the prospect of him handling his largest role of the season should make him an appealing lineup option in most weekly season-long leagues. He'll be taking aim at a Kansas City defense that has generally been friendly for running-back production, aside from allowing touchdowns. The Chiefs are permitting 4.38 yards per carry (22nd in NFL), 7.07 yards per target (28th) and an 84.5 percent catch rate (29th) to running backs this season.

Sanders (ankle) practiced fully Friday and doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Jets, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Sanders already looked as though he would be in the clear for Sunday after he practiced fully Thursday, but his ability to do take every rep for the second day in a row erased any lingering concern about his health. At this stage, the main concern for the proficiency of the Eagles' ground game is the health of dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle), who is listed as questionable after a trio of limited practices this week and appears to be a true game-time decision as Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff approaches. Additionally, the Eagles will be without short-yardage specialist Jordan Howard (knee), while change-of-pace back Boston Scott (illness) is listed as questionable. Rookie Kenny Gainwell looms as the lone healthy depth option behind Sanders, who would likely have access to his largest share of the Eagles' rushing workload of the season if Hurts sits out or is limited Sunday. The presence of Hurts (eight rushing touchdowns) and Howard has been especially damaging to Sanders' red-zone opportunities, as the third-year back has yet to find the end zone through nine games.

Williams (calf) won't play in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Williams hasn't seen the field since Week 8. Khalil Herbert will continue to back up David Montgomery against Arizona, with Ryan Nall on hand for additional depth. A Week 14 trip to Green Bay will provide Williams' next opportunity to make his return.

Gordon (hip/shoulder) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Kansas City, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com, in the event that Gordon is likely on the inactive list for Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, Javonte Williams would be in line to head the Broncos' Week 13 backfield. Gordon and Williams have been working in a roughly dead-even timeshare all season, so Week 13 will likely be the first chance either running back gets an opportunity in a clear featured role.

Mostert (knee) announced Friday that he's been cleared to walk without the aid of crutches, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's an early milestone in the recovery process for Mostert, who underwent surgery Oct. 12 to address chipped cartilage in the meniscus of his left knee. Mostert is without a clear timeline to complete his rehab from the unique knee procedure, but he's already ruled himself out from playing again this season and is turning his focus to getting healthy for OTAs. Scheduled to become a free agent this spring, Mostert will likely need full medical clearance from doctors before any team offers him a contract.

Williams is set to led the Detroit backfield this weekend with D'Andre Swift (shoulder) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports.

Williams could be tasked with a heavy workload after finishing with 15 carries and five targets last week, when Swift departed with a shoulder sprain in the second quarter of an eventual 16-14 loss to the Bears. Depth backs Jermar Jefferson and Godwin Igwebuike both picked up a few snaps, but they combined for just two touches (both to Igwebuike), while Williams piled up 20.