NFL Player News

Coach Matt LaFleur said a decision on whether Jones (calf) will play this week will come down to the wire ahead of Thursday's game at San Francisco, Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports. "We'll give him up to game time, and then we'll figure it out," LaFleur noted. "So we'll see."

Jones was listed as LP on Monday's practice estimate and officially was a limited participant at Tuesday's walk-through. Ideally, the Packers would like him to elevate to full by Wednesday, but considering the state of their backfield, waiting until a pregame workout Thursday seems like a prudent approach. With both Jamaal Williams (not injury related) and AJ Dillon (illness) on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Jones, Tyler Ervin and practice squad member Dexter Williams are the only running backs available to the Packers. As a result, Jones may have a huge workload this week if he's able to get past (or play through) his strained calf.

Barner completed his four-game suspension and returned to the Buccaneers' practice squad Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Barner was handed a four-game suspension Oct. 6 for violating the NFL's Policy on Performance-Enhancing Substances, but he's now eligible to return to team activities. He's not expected to be called up to the active roster unless one of Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, LeSean McCoy or Ke'Shawn Vaughn suffers an injury.

Gaskin is expected to miss the Dolphins' next three games due to a sprained MCL, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Gaskin has been the team's top RB this season, gaining 585 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 130 touches through seven games. His work on the ground has been modest (3.9 YPC), but he also has gathered in 30 of 35 targets (86 percent catch rate). With such a void to fill in the backfield, Miami dealt for DeAndre Washington before Tuesday's deadline. Washington will join Matt Breida, Patrick Laird (ankle), Lynn Bowden, Jordan Howard and Salvon Ahmed in the backfield.

Jones (calf) was limited at Tuesday's walk-through, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones and Tyler Ervin are the only available running backs on the active roster, with Dexter Williams waiting in the wings on the practice squad, after Jamaal Williams (not injury related) landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list due to being a high-risk close contact of AJ Dillon (illness). Jones seems to have a chance to play Thursday at San Francisco after practicing for the first time since Week 6 prep, but much may depend on how he fares in Wednesday's session. If he's able to prove his health, he likely will be the lead back, with Ervin and potentially practice-squadder Williams taking on complementary roles.

The Packers placed Williams on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Williams won't play in Thursday's game versus the 49ers because he's considered a high-risk close contact of AJ Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, and he'll need to isolate for five days before returning to team activities. With both Williams and Dillon already ruled out, Aaron Jones' (calf) status is even more important for the Packers in an NFC Championship Game rematch. If Jones is unable to play, however, expect Tyler Ervin and practice squad member Dexter Williams to handle the backfield workload.

Thompson tallied four carries for three yards and failed to haul in his lone target Sunday versus the Jets.

Thompson at least saw the field this week after being labeled inactive for Week 7. However, all of his reps came on the last drive with the contest well in hand, so there is little to glean from his effort Sunday other than he's a depth option should either Clyde Edwards-Helaire or Le'Veon Bell miss time.

Williams rushed three times for 19 yards and reeled in his only target Sunday versus the Jets.

Williams saw a slight bump in his workload Sunday after playing just one offensive snap last week. However, that action primarily came on the final drive with the game a blowout, so it may not be worth reading into too much. Both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le'Veon Bell remain ahead of him in the pecking order for reps out of the backfield, which leaves just spare snaps for Williams.

Williams was considered a high-risk close contact of AJ Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, and won't play Thursday at San Francisco, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Any player deemed "high risk" must self-isolate for five days before having a chance to return to team facilities, meaning Williams will be away from his teammates until at least Saturday. Now down both Williams and Dillon for Thursday's NFC matchup, the Packers will evaluate how No. 1 RB Aaron Jones is coming along in his recovery from a strained calf to determine if a return is possible. Aside from Jones, the only healthy running backs in Green Bay are Tyler Ervin and practice squad member Dexter Williams.

Clement rushed five times for 24 yards and caught one of his two targets for four yards in Sunday's 23-9 win over Dallas.

The Wisconsin product saw at least 18 snaps on offense for the second straight week with Miles Sanders still nursing a knee issue. As expected, Boston Scott significantly outpaced Clement with more than double the playing time and touches. He'll likely revert to a role primarily on special teams if Sanders is healthy coming out of the Eagles' bye in Week 9.

Jones rushed seven times for 23 yards and caught all four of his targets for 23 yards in Monday night's 25-23 win over the Giants. He also lost a fumble during the first half.

Jones entered Monday's contest on the back of an outstanding October, but a fumble on his own 15-yard line on the Buccaneers' second offensive drive quickly put a damper on his outing. With Jones also struggling to get much going on the ground, Leonard Fournette led Tampa Bay with 15 carries for 52 yards and caught three passes for 19 yards as well. That involvement obviously wasn't ideal for Jones' stock, but considering his production in the four games prior, it's reasonable to expect Jones to bounce back despite tough competition in Week 9 versus the Saints.