NFL Player News

Coach Frank Reich suggested that Wilkins would be in line for a lesser role Sunday against the Buccaneers with lead running back Marlon Mack (hand) available to play, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports. "Not thinking a big pitch count," Reich said of Mack on Friday. "Even when he's humming, we don't hesitate to rotate those guys. We know Marlon's going to get the bulk of those carries. I'm anticipating that all four backs will dress. So it might be a little bit more of a rotation involved."

Mack missed the Colts' past two games with the fractured hand, paving the way for both Jonathan Williams and Wilkins to see increased involvement on the ground. While Williams headlined the backfield in the Week 12 game in Houston, Wilkins -- who played just one snap versus the Texans -- led the rushing attack in last week's loss to the Titans, taking a season-high 11 carries for 47 yards while chipping in two catches for nine yards. Based on Reich's comments, it doesn't sound like Mack will face any significant restrictions in his return to action, so expect Wilkins and Williams to only handle minor complementary roles. Nyheim Hines should retain his usual duties as the Colts' top change-of-pace option, with most of his work coming on passing downs.

Conner (shoulder) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest in Arizona, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Conner's prediction from Thursday has come to pass, meaning he'll miss his fifth game in the past six weeks. While he continues to recover from an AC joint injury in his right shoulder, the Steelers will turn to Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels out of the backfield.

Williams (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at New England, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.

Williams has yet to practice since taking a knee to the left side of his ribs during a Week 11 win against the Chargers, even with the benefit of the Chiefs' late bye. He'll thus miss a second straight game while LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and potentially recent signee Spencer Ware man the backfield.

Jacobs (shoulder) was on the field for the start of Friday's walk-through practice, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Raiders will reveal later Friday if Jacobs was a limited or full participant in the session, as well as noting whether or not the rookie will carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Titans. Jacobs sat out the Raiders' first two practices of the week with what he revealed to be a fractured right shoulder, an injury he's been able to play through since the Raiders' Oct. 20 loss to Green Bay.

Cook (chest) isn't listed on the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Lions, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Cook never returned after his early exit from Monday's 37-30 loss to Seattle, but the Vikings maintained all along that he'd be fine for Week 14. Coach Mike Zimmer didn't sound concerned when he spoke to the media after Friday's practice, noting that the chest injury won't impact Cook's ability to grip the football, per Chad Graff of The Athletic. Even so, it isn't out of the question for Alexander Mattison to see a bit more work than usual, especially if the Vikings are nursing a large lead.

Coach Frank Reich confirmed that Mack (hand) will be available for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, barring any setbacks, Stephen Holder of The Athletic reports.

After experiencing no complications with his fractured right hand following his full practice Thursday, Mack will enter the weekend minus an injury designation and put an end to a two-game absence. Since Mack wasn't sidelined for a long period due to the injury, his conditioning shouldn't be an issue once Sunday arrives, so expect him to slot back into the lead role in the Indianapolis backfield. Jordan Wilkins and Jonathan Williams should see steady downturns in their involvement in the ground as a result, though Nyheim Hines shouldn't lose out on too many snaps on passing downs.

Williams (ribs) wasn't spotted on the field for the early portion of Friday's practice, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

With Williams set to miss his third practice of the week, he looks destined to miss a second straight game Sunday in New England. Williams will receive an official designation later Friday, when the Chiefs issue their final injury report of Week 14. LeSean McCoy and Darwin Thompson are expected to lead the Chiefs' backfield in Williams' stead, while new acquisition Spencer Ware may also have a role in the game plan.

Williams (knee) is practicing Friday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Williams' participation suggests he isn't dealing with a significant injury after being added to Thursday's injury report as a limited participant. An unexpected absence for Sunday's game against Washington would leave Dexter Williams and Tyler Ervin as options to spell Aaron Jones in the backfield.

Patterson caught one pass for 33 yards in the Bears' 31-24 win over the Cowboys on Thursday.

Patterson also lost five yards on his lone rushing attempt, but his 33-yard reception came on a critical third-and-long, and he extended a drive that led to a Chicago score that helped the Bears toward a victory. This was just the second time since Week 2 that he's posted more than 20 yards in a game, and his low-volume role in the offense makes him a weak fantasy option.

Montgomery rushed 20 times for 86 yards and failed to secure his only target in the Bears' 31-24 win over the Cowboys on Thursday. He also lost a fumble.

Montgomery hit the 20-carry mark for only the third time this season, as he was leaned on more than usual in the latter stages of the fourth quarter with the Bears trying to ice the game. The rookie has been productive over his last pair of contests after a pair of lackluster outings in Weeks 11 and 12, as he's garnered 161 rushing yards on 36 carries against the Lions and Cowboys. He'll look to play a significant role again in a Week 15 divisional battle versus the Packers a week from Sunday.