NFL Player News

Ekeler (neck/concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Back-to-back missed sessions do not bode well for Ekeler's chances of playing Saturday against the Ravens, though his Week 16 status is of less import than it has been of late. The Chargers are expected to get Melvin Gordon (knee) back from a three-game absence this weekend, so Ekeler would be relegated to a complementary role in the backfield if he's able to suit up.

Zenner could retain a steady role on offense for the Lions' final two games of the season after Kerryon Johnson (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

With the rookie second-round pick officially out of the picture, Zenner should remain at the front of a backfield committee over the final two weeks of the regular season. He leads the Lions with 22 carries over the past two games, most recently getting the starting nod over LeGarrette Blount in Sunday's 14-13 loss to the Bills. A Week 16 matchup with the Vikings doesn't look too appealing, though Zenner could push for an even larger share of the workload after Blount fell flat on his face (19 carries for 42 yards) the past two games. Either way, Theo Riddick will continue to handle passing downs in a struggling, injury-plagued offense.

Kelly could face competition out of the backfield from the newly signed C.J. Anderson and holdover Justin Davis (shoulder) behind injured starter Todd Gurley (knee), Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.

The new addition hints at legitimate concern about Gurley and/or Davis missing Sunday's game in Arizona. The situation should sort itself out in the coming days, with Kelly potentially finding himself in a workhorse role if both injured teammates end up sitting. Anderson might be the best of the bunch after Gurley, but the 27-year-old won't have much time to learn a new offense. This isn't a situation where the Rams can afford to be extra cautious, as one more loss might push them out of a first-round bye.

Cunningham lost a yard on his only carry during Sunday's 24-17 win over the Packers.

The touch was Cunningham's first since Week 6. He's battled an ankle injury in the interim, but the lack of action is most certainly primarily due to Jordan Howard's and, to a lesser extent, Tarik Cohen's prominent roles in the run game. Cunningham hasn't had more than three carries in a game this season and, even if something were to change Sunday, the 49ers and their top-10 run defense are unlikely to give up much to the veteran back.

Freeman posted four carries for seven yards and hauled in his only target for one yard during Saturday's 17-16 loss to the Broncos.

During the second half of the season, Freeman has served as the primary change-of-pace option to starter Phillip Lindsay, earning between 12 and 36 percent of the offensive snaps over the last five games. After posting 30-plus yards from scrimmage in three of the first four of those contests, Freeman actually posted a career-low eight scrimmage yards while playing 25 percent of the snaps on offense Week 15. Barring an injury to Lindsay or fellow reserve Devontae Booker, Freeman seems to be locked into a minimal role in the Broncos' 18th-ranked offense.

Coach Pete Carroll was noncommittal about Penny's Week 16 availability Monday, the Seahawks' official site reports. "We've got to wait a couple of days here," Carroll said. "We'll see by Wednesday. He's working hard to try to get back, but it's not certain yet if he's going to be able to turn it around or not."

Carroll has been coy about the rookie running back's knee injury, telling Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune last Friday that Penny has undergone MRIs and other tests and doesn't need surgery. Taking Carroll at his word, Penny is doing everything possible to practice this week, with his first chance coming Wednesday. As a possible contingency plan, the Seahawks signed Bo Scarbrough off the Jaguars' practice squad Tuesday. Regardless, Chris Carson and Mike Davis will dominate the backfield as long as Penny is sidelined.

Gordon (knee) was a full practice participant Tuesday.

Gordon's listing on the injury report follows coach Anthony Lynn telling Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com that the running back was "full speed" in Tuesday's session. As a result, the Chargers are slated to have their workhorse running back available for Saturday's matchup with the Ravens' third-ranked run defense (87.6 yards per game). With Austin Ekeler (head/neck) still in the concussion protocol, Gordon may not have as much competition for reps, though Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome will be on hand to give him a breather in his first appearance since Week 12.

The Rams signed Anderson on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

At the moment, the Rams backfield is banged-up -- most notably Todd Gurley, who is dealing with an inflamed knee. Reserve running back Justin Davis also has a shoulder injury, so Anderson arrives to provide a veteran presence with postseason experience. In nine games with the Panthers this season, Anderson averaged 4.3 YPC on just 24 rushes but is one year removed from the only 1,000-yard campaign of his career as a member of the Broncos.

Coach Anthony Lynn said Gordon (knee) was "full speed" at Tuesday's practice, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com reports.

Whether that translates to full participation remains to be seen, but the description of Gordon lines up with Williams' own report from earlier Tuesday, when the running back was "moving well." Because Austin Ekeler (head/neck) remains in the concussion protocol, the Chargers backfield seems to be trending toward Gordon in the lead role, with Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome available for the occasional touch Saturday against the Ravens.

With Aaron Jones (knee) landing on injured reserve, Williams will presumably serve as the lead back in Weeks 16 and 17.

Williams performed well in relief of Jones during Sunday's game against the Bears, running 12 times for 55 yards and a touchdown. His downhill running style juxtaposes with Jones' speed and elusiveness, but Williams is the team's best pass protector and a capable runner in his own right. Kapri Bibbs will slot in as Williams' change-of-pace option out of the backfield, and the Packers could even elect to add a third option before Sunday.