NFL Player News

Jones (ankle) appears on track to be activated from injured reserve before Sunday's game in Philadelphia, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Jones returned to practice Wednesday after a month-and-a-half absence, and he may now step right back in as the No. 2 running back, this time behind Mark Ingram instead of Alvin Kamara (knee). With both Kamara and slot receiver/scatback Ty Montgomery (finger) ruled out, the Saints are left with Ingram and special teamer Dwayne Washington as the backfield options apart from Jones. Last week, Ingram took on 18 touches and played 85 percent of the snaps in a loss to Tennessee, though Montgomery earned a handful of plays in the backfield before exiting late in the first quarter with a finger injury.

Jefferson (ankle/knee) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Browns, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

For the first time this season, Jefferson will miss a game due to injury after he hurt his left ankle and also dinged his knee in last week's 16-16 tie with the Steelers. Though he typically serves as the Lions' No. 3 back when the team is at full strength, Jefferson's absence could loom larger this week if Jamaal Williams (thigh) -- who is listed as questionable -- ends up missing a third straight game. If Williams joins Jefferson on the inactive list, Godwin Igwebuike would serve as starter D'Andre Swift's top backup.

Kamara (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Philadelphia.

Kamara returned to practice Wednesday in limited fashion but then was held out Thursday and Friday. Mark Ingram is expected to lead the New Orleans backfield for a second straight game sans Kamara, though he could have more competition for snaps if Tony Jones (ankle) is activated from injured reserve after returning to practice Wednesday. Last week, Ingram took 18 touches for 108 yards and a score while playing 85 percent of the snaps, while Ty Montgomery left with a finger injury after taking a handful of backfield snaps in the first quarter. Montgomery is out this week, along with Kamara, leaving Ingram, special teamer Dwayne Washington and possibly Jones as the Saints' backfield options.

Williams (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Williams has been sidelined for Detroit's last two games, but he appears to have a better shot at playing this week compared to the previous two contests after practicing on a limited basis Wednesday through Friday. If the Lions determine that Williams will need another week off, Godwin Igwebuike would be in line to serve as starter D'Andre Swift's clear top backup. The other running back on the Lions' 53-man roster, Jermar Jefferson (knee/ankle), has already been ruled out for the game.

Murray (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears after practicing in a limited fashion this past week.

Murray, who has been sidelined since Week 6, thus has a chance to rejoin the Ravens' backfield this weekend, and if he does, he'd be in line to re-enter the mix in a time-share with Devonta Freeman, with Ty'Son Williams on hand in reserve. It's a context that would make Murray a speculative Week 11 fantasy lineup option, especially with QB Lamar Jackson being such a key cog in Baltimore's rushing attack.

Hasty (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hasty's absence will create a void in the 49ers' backfield on passing downs, but his status is a secondary concern to that of lead runner Elijah Mitchell (finger), who is listed as doubtful for the contest. In the likely event Mitchell joins Hasty on the 49ers' Week 11 inactive list, the team would be left with Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon and Trenton Cannon as their available backs, assuming no other additions at the position prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. Given that neither Sermon nor Cannon has played a snap on offense since Week 5, Wilson could be entrusted with a three-down workhorse role against Jacksonville.

Swift (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Cleveland, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

The Lions are now listing him with a shoulder injury rather than a groin issue, but it shouldn't make much difference as Swift prepares to suit up for a 10th time in 10 games. He does run into a few potential problems this week, with Tim Boyle likely replacing Jared Goff (oblique) at quarterback and Jamaal Williams (questionable - thigh) potentially rejoining the Detroit backfield after a two-game absence. That said, Swift was getting far more work than Williams even before the veteran was injured, and regardless of the mess around him Swift has been one of the more consistent RBs for fantasy production this year.

Green Bay lists Jones (knee) as out for Sunday's game in Minnesota, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Jones was fully expected to miss at least one game after he was diagnosed with an MCL sprain of his right knee following last week's win over the Seahawks, but the Packers didn't officially rule him out for the Week 11 matchup until Friday. The 26-year-old's recovery timeline is estimated at 1-to-2 weeks, so if he's able to get back on the practice field next week, Jones could be ready to go for the Packers' next game Nov. 28 against the Rams. Second-year player AJ Dillon is slated to step in as Green Bay's clear lead back Sunday with Jones out for at least one contest.

Mitchell (finger) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game in Jacksonville, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's been a roller-coaster week in terms of Mitchell's outlook, with early pessimism replaced by optimism Wednesday afternoon when coach Kyle Shanahan said he expected the running back to play. That was one day after Mitchell had surgery on his broken finger, and since then he's been held out of practice and limited to side work with the training staff. Fellow running back JaMycal Hasty (ankle) is also ruled out for Sunday's game, leaving Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon, Trenton Cannon and FB Kyle Juszczyk as the backfield options. Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News and David Lombardi of The Athletic both expect Wilson to get the start and presumably most of the carries, while Juszczyk has often handled third-down work when Hasty's been unavailable this year.

Kamara (knee) doesn't appear to be practicing Friday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Kamara returned Wednesday as a limited participant before dropping back to DNP on Thursday. He now seems unlikely to play Sunday against the Eagles, pending the Saints' final injury report Friday afternoon.