NFL Player News

Breida (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

A limited practice participant throughout the week, Breida appears truly questionable after missing a 20-14 win over the Broncos in Week 14. Another absence would leave Jeff Wilson to handle a large workload, following back-to-back games with 54 or more snaps and 23 or more touches. It will be tough to trust either running back in fantasy lineups if Breida ends up playing, as the 49ers might scale back his workload to decrease the odds of another injury aggravation.

Penny (knee) won't play in Sunday's game at San Francisco, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

The rookie seems to have injured his ankle during Monday's 21-7 win over Minnesota, though he still managed to gain 44 yards on eight carries. Penny's usual allotment of 4-8 carries likely will go to either starter Chris Carson or passing-down back Mike Davis, though J.D. McKissic might also get a few chances. A minor boost to Carson's Week 15 outlook is in order, though he likely will be playing without 340-pound guard D.J. Fluker (hamstring), who is listed as doubtful.

Newsome carried the ball six times for 34 yards and also caught both of his targets for 19 yards in the win Thursday over the Chiefs.

Newsome filled in effectively as the backup running back behind Justin Jackson, lowering the lumber on a handful of carries in the first half. The undrafted rookie free agent figures to fade from the spotlight with the likes of Melvin Gordon (knee) and Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion) nearing their respective returns to the field.

Conner (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

After being held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday, Conner returned as a limited participant to wrap up Week 15 preparations. The appearance indicates he has a chance to play through a mid-to-high ankle sprain this weekend after missing one game as a result of the injury. If he's unable to take on the Patriots' 15th-ranked run defense, Jaylen Samuels and Stevan Ridley are on hand to fuel the ground game.

Drake (shoulder) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Vikings after practicing fully Friday.

Drake will be a go Sunday, as expected, which puts him in line to share Miami's Week 15 carries with Frank Gore. Drake has failed to log more than eight carries in each of Miami's last five contests, but he has made his mark scoring four TDs (a trio via passing plays) over the last three weeks. He'll take aim Sunday at a Minnesota run defense that had trouble stopping Seattle's ground game Week 14.

Williams rushed twice for 13 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers on Thursday.

Williams occasionally spelled Damien Williams in the contest, though he saw just 15 snaps compared to the latter's 44. The rookie back could remain part of the mix if Spencer Ware (hamstring) is unable to take the field against the Seahawks in Week 16.

Williams rushed 10 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns and brought in all six of his targets for 74 yards in the Chiefs' 29-28 loss to the Chargers on Thursday.

The veteran back proved highly capable of shouldering primary-back duties, making excellent use of his rather modest opportunities on the ground. Williams not only averaged an impressive 4.9 yards per tote, he also paced Kansas City in receiving yardage and scored two short touchdowns in the third and fourth quarter, respectively. Williams' opportunity was a result of Spencer Ware being sidelined with a shoulder injury, and it's expected the two will revert to some sort of timeshare arrangement when the latter returns. That could well come as soon as a Week 16 Sunday night battle against the Seahawks, but Williams' play Thursday may certainly have carved him out a larger swath of playing time moving forward.

Penny (knee) was held out of practice Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

With back-to-back absences to open Week 15 preparations, Penny could be in danger of his first absence as a professional Sunday in San Francisco. Over the previous five contests, all of his work has occurred on the ground -- 7.8 carries per game -- so both Chris Carson and Mike Davis could benefit in the event Penny doesn't play or is limited this weekend. Fortunately for Penny, he has another practice to put himself in the running for active status.

Williams will start Thursday night's game against the Chargers, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Williams' expanded role in the team's Week 15 offense is due to Spencer Ware (hamstring) being inactive. Darrel Williams and Charcandrick West (active for the first time this season) are on hand to provide backfield depth for the Chiefs on Thursday night.

Williams is likely to serve as the Chiefs' top backfield option Thursday night against the Chargers, with Spencer Ware (hamstring) inactive for the contest, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Darrel Williams and Charcandrick West are also in the team's backfield mix Thursday, but in Ware's absence Damien Williams figures to have a path to double-digit carries, in addition to a degree of involvement in the Kansas City passing game. It's a context that makes him a worthy Week 15 lineup roll while working within the framework of the league's highest-scoring offense.