NFL Player News

Jones is expected to serve as the Saints' No. 2 running back Thursday against the Cowboys with Mark Ingram (knee) in line to start in his return from a one-game absence, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Alvin Kamara (knee) sits atop the Saints' depth chart and is listed as questionable for Thursday's game, but Jane Slater and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported earlier in the day that the 26-year-old will ultimately be sidelined for a fourth straight game while he contends with a sprained MCL. The Saints won't officially confirm Kamara's status until he's included on the team's inactive list that will be released 90 minutes prior to kickoff, but his absence likely won't be enough to ensure Jones maintains a big role on offense. Jones started in last week's Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bills and carried a team-high 16 times for 27 yards, but he was afforded the opportunity only because Ingram joined Kamara on the inactive list. With Ingram having since returned to practice in full capacity this week, he'll be in the clear to serve in a lead role out of the Saints' backfield, just as he did in the first two games that Kamara missed. Jones was available for the second of those two contests, but he played just 10 snaps on offense and finished with three carries for two yards in the Saints' 40-29 loss to the Eagles in Week 11.

Robinson (heel/knee) was listed by the Jaguars as a limited practice participant Thursday.

Initial reports suggested that Robinson wasn't present for Thursday's practice, but evidently the running back was able to fit some work in after all and thus logged a limited session. If he's able to practice fully Friday, Robinson could approach Sunday's game against the Rams minus an injury designation, a progression that would match how he headed into Week 12 action.

Armah signed with Washington's practice squad Thursday, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Armah has longstanding connections with coach Ron Rivera, who was coaching the Panthers when they drafted the fullback in 2017. While he's more of a blocker than a runner, Armah could get an opportunity with the main roster if the injuries to Antonio Gibson (shin) or J.D. McKissic (concussion) keep either running back out of game action.

Scott (illness) wasn't in attendance for practice Thursday, Chris Franklin of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

A non-COVID-19-related illness kept Scott off the field for the second day in a row, muddling his status as Sunday's game against the Jets approaches. Since Scott isn't dealing with an injury, he at least appears to be a more realistic candidate to play than Jordan Howard (knee), who sat out last week's loss to the Giants and still hasn't returned to practice. Meanwhile, the Eagles' top two contributors on the ground -- lead back Miles Sanders and quarterback Jalen Hurts -- are nursing ankle injuries, but both players were practicing Thursday and have expressed confidence that they'll be ready to suit up Sunday.

Gordon (hip/shoulder) won't practice Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Per Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com, Gordon is considered 50/50 to play this weekend against Kansas City, according to coach Vic Fangio. Given that, it seems likely that the running back will end up being officially listed as questionable for Sunday night's 8:20 ET kickoff. If Gordon ends up out or limited, Javonte Williams would be in line for increased work in Week 13, with Mike Boone also a candidate for added touches.

Robinson (heel/knee) wasn't present for the early portion of Thursday's practice, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

Robinson was limited Wednesday, so his absence from Thursday's session is notable. However, there's a chance that the running back is being rested for maintenance purposes as he continues to manage heel and knee issues. What he's able to do Friday will therefore be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Rams.

Gibson (shin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Limited reps in practice have been the norm for Gibson for most of the season while he manages a stress fracture of his shin, but his availability for Sunday's game against the Raiders doesn't appear to be in any peril. Since Washington's Week 9 bye, Gibson is averaging 24 carries and three targets per contest, suggesting the Football Team is comfortable with his health at this stage. Gibson could be primed for even more work in the passing game this weekend, as pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic (concussion) didn't practice Thursday for the second straight day and looks to be trending toward an inactive status.

Cook (shoulder) isn't present for Thursday's practice, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.

The Vikings haven't definitively ruled Cook out from playing Sunday in Detroit, but the running back looks to be trending toward his third absence of the season while he recovers from a dislocation of his left shoulder. The injury isn't related to the right shoulder injuries that have dogged Cook at various points of his career, but his latest setback on the health front puts him at major risk of missing at least two games, as the Vikings face a quick turnaround for Week 14 with a Thursday matchup with the Steelers. Assuming Cook is officially ruled out ahead of Sunday's contest, Alexander Mattison will step into a lead role out of the Minnesota backfield and should be a strong option in weekly leagues against Detroit's 29th-ranked run defense.

Kamara (knee), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, won't be available to play, Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater of NFL Network report.

An official word on Kamara's status won't come until the Saints release their inactive list 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, but fantasy managers should prepare for the star running back to miss a fourth consecutive contest. Heading into Thursday, Kamara appeared to have a decent chance of playing this week after he was listed as a limited participant on practice reports issued Monday through Wednesday, but the Saints may have wanted him to upgrade to full activity before clearing him to return from an MCL sprain. Meanwhile, Mark Ingram practiced fully throughout the week and looks on track to recapture a three-down workhorse role out of the New Orleans backfield after a bout with knee inflammation prevented him from playing in the Saints' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bills.

Evans (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

It was revealed earlier in the week that Evans will likely be questionable Sunday against the Chargers due to this injury, so his absence isn't surprising. When healthy, the rookie receiving back splits the scraps leftover behind workhorse Joe Mixon with Samaje Perine, so Evans likely won't see enough usage to capitalize on facing the porous Charger run defense.