NFL Player News

Jones (calf) isn't at Friday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

A third consecutive absence suggests Jones isn't likely to play in Sunday's game against Minnesota, but it's still possible the Packers list him as questionable or doubtful rather than officially ruling him out on the final injury report. Jamaal Williams played 89 percent of offensive snaps in last week's win over Houston, piling up 114 total yards and a touchdown.

Coach Pete Carroll expects Homer (knee) to play Sunday against the 49ers, Brandon Gustafson of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Meanwhile, Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) are trending toward game-time decisions. It isn't clear Homer will get many touches even if Carson and Hyde don't play, but the second-year pro should at least be on hand for his usual role on passing downs. DeeJay Dallas is the only Seattle running back who has been participating in practice this week, though it sounds like Homer could be back on the field Friday afternoon.

Coach Matt Rhule said Friday that he's hopeful McCaffrey (ankle) can return for Week 9 against the Chiefs, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

A report earlier this week suggested McCaffrey should be back to face the Chiefs in Week 9, after he was cleared to practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain Sept. 20. Mike Davis mostly has done a nice job filling in at running back, but his past three games in the starting role weren't nearly as impressive as the first three. Rhule did say Davis will still get some playing time after McCaffrey is back in the lineup, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

Coach Zac Taylor acknowledged Friday that "it doesn't look good" for Mixon (foot) in terms of the running back playing Sunday against the Titans, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

There's a pretty solid chance that Mixon will be officially ruled out later Friday, and if that's the case, Giovani Bernard will once again lead the Bengals backfield Week 8.

Mixon (foot) won't participate at Friday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 24-year-old is trending in the wrong direction, as he was unable to practice in any capacity this week. Mixon appears poised to miss his second straight contest, and his status will be confirmed when Cincinnati releases its injury report later Friday. Assuming he's unavailable, Giovani Bernard is in line to lead the Bengals backfield again Sunday versus the Titans.

Homer (knee) was held out of practice Thursday, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Homer came out of Sunday's defeat at Arizona with a knee contusion, but the second-year back was "moving better" by Wednesday, as coach Pete Carroll noted to Dugar. Still, the injury has kept Homer off the field so far this week, and position mates Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) also didn't practice Wednesday and Thursday. Clearly, the Seahawks backfield is in flux, with just one healthy RB (rookie fourth-round pick DeeJay Dallas) on the active roster.

Patterson (quadriceps) did not practice Thursday.

Patterson's status for Sunday's contest against the Saints appears to be in legitimate jeopardy now that he's missed back-to-back practices. If Patterson can't go Sunday, Darnell Mooney will stand to take over as the Bears' top return man. Ryan Nall would also slot in as the No. 2 option behind David Montgomery in the backfield.

Jacobs (knee) remained limited at practice Thursday.

With back-to-back limited sessions under his belt, what Jacobs is able to do at practice Friday should determine whether he approaches Sunday's game against the Browns listed as questionable or minus a Week 8 injury designation.

Sanders (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Sanders has yet to step on the field since the end of a 74-yard run Week 6 against the Ravens, the result of a knee injury suffered on the play. On Wednesday, coach Doug Pederson termed Sanders "day-to-day," per Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger, so the running back still may have a chance to suit up Sunday night against the Cowboys. Ultimately, Friday's injury report likely will be telling with regard to Sanders' ability to play this weekend.

Harris (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Harris logged 21 of a possible 52 snaps on offense in this past Sunday's 33-6 loss to the 49ers, en route to recording a team-high 10 carries for 58 yards and adding one catch for 12 yards. With back-to-back limited sessions in the book, there's a pretty solid chance that he'll end up officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills.