NFL Player News

Dillon rushed 16 times for 78 yards in the Packers' 24-21 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night.

The big-bodied running back paced the Packers in carries on a night when Aaron Jones essentially pulled double duty as a de facto wide receiver due to the team's shortages at the position. Dillon was efficient with his opportunities, and his carry total was a season-high figure. Dillon has shown well on the three occasions on which he's logged double-digit rush attempts this season, which could potentially lead to more consistent opportunities as the second half of the campaign unfolds.

Conner rushed five times for 22 yards and two touchdowns in the Cardinals' 24-21 loss to the Packers on Thursday night.

Conner had seen double-digit carries in five straight contests prior to Thursday, but game script unexpectedly turned against the run despite the Packers' short-handed offense. Conner's red-zone role encouragingly continued as robust as ever, however, with the fifth-year veteran scoring his seventh and eighth touchdowns of the season on two- and nine-yard runs in the second half. Conner will look to get back to his usual rushing volume in a Week 9 road matchup against the 49ers a week from Sunday.

Jones rushed 15 times for 59 yards and a touchdown and secured seven of 11 targets for 51 yards in the Packers' 24-21 win over the Cardinals on Thursday night.

With the Packers down both Davante Adams and Allen Lazard due to COVID-19 protocols -- and with Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring) still on injured reserve -- Jones ended up leading Green Bay in receptions, receiving yards and targets. The star running back also managed to record his first rushing touchdown since Week 3, and he's now recorded at least four receptions in four consecutive contests. Jones' rushing volume was also encouragingly back up after he logged just six carries against Washington in Week 7, and he'll look to exploit a vulnerable Chiefs defense in a Week 9 road showdown a week from Sunday.

Ward exited Thursday's game against the Packers and is being evaluated for a concussion, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ward endured a scary collision while making a tackle on a kickoff late in the third quarter. He was on the field for a lengthy period and was ultimately carted off the field on a backboard. He reportedly has movement in all of his extremities, but the extent of his injuries are otherwise unknown.

Benjamin (coach's decision) is inactive Thursday against the Packers, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Benjamin has suited up for two games this season but has regularly been a healthy scratch. Chase Edmonds and James Conner should see the majority of the work out of the backfield once again.

Ekeler didn't practice Thursday due to a hip issue.

Ekeler, who wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, was the only Charger not to practice Thursday, so his status now is worth monitoring closely as Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET game against the Patriots approaches. Next up for the team's backfield touches should Ekeler be out or limited this weekend are Joshua Kelley, Justin Jackson and Larry Rountree.

Chubb (calf) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Chubb previously noted that he hopes to play this weekend against the Steelers, but his Week 8 availability hinges on how his calf responds to the work he's been getting at practice this week. It seems safe to assume he'll head into the weekend with an injury designation, but once Friday's practice is complete, we should have a better idea of the level of optimism attached to Chubb's status for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Evans was a limited participant at Thursday's practice due to a knee injury, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

The 23-year-old made his season debut Week 7 against the Chiefs after missing the first six weeks of the year with the knee injury, and he's now back on the injury report. It's unclear if Evans aggravated that injury or if he's dealing with a new issue, but the fact he was still practicing in some capacity indicates it may not be a serious concern.

Hines practiced in full Thursday, clearing any concerns over his ability to play Sunday against the Titans.

The running back was dealing with a rib injury to open the week, limiting his participation on Wednesday. He's now primed to play second fiddle to Jonathan Taylor again in Week 8. On the season, Hines has racked up 115 rushing yards and a score while reeling in 16 receptions for 131 yards through seven games.

Williams was limited in practice Thursday by a thigh injury, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

In previous Lions practice reports this season, Williams was listed with chest and hip injuries and also an illness, so a new health concern is bothering the fifth-year running back. Still, both Williams and D'Andre Swift (groin) have been able to suit up for all seven contests this season, which has amounted to 12.4 touches per game for the former versus the latter's 17.1. A similar breakdown between the two is expected Sunday versus the Eagles, assuming both are active.