NFL Player News

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.

Gordon (knee) is officially inactive for Thursday night's game against the Chiefs.

With Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion) also out, Justin Jackson is in line to head the Chargers' Week 15 backfield, with Detrez Newsome and Troymaine Pope available to work in complementary/reserve duties.

Gordon (knee) will not play Thursday against the Chiefs, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Gordon's status for Week 15 still has not been officially revealed, but this report provides even more proof that he will not return to action Thursday night. With Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion) already ruled out, Justin Jackson is in line to start at running back for the Chargers.

Gordon (knee) appears likely to sit out Thursday night's game against the Chiefs, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.

We'll get confirmation of such an outcome, either way, upon the release of the Chargers' inactives in advance of Thursday's 8:20 ET kickoff. If Gordon is made inactive, Justin Jackson would head the team's Week 15 running attack, given that Austin Ekeler (neck/concussion) is out.

When asked by Omar Ruiz of NFL Network if he was going to play Thursday against the Chiefs, Gordon (knee) "shook his head sideways, indicating a no."

Gordon's status for Thursday's contest will not be official until the Chargers' inactives are released, and there is certainly still a chance he could play, but given that he himself answered the question in regards to his availability, the arrow for him playing is pointing down. Gordon's status will be revealed shortly before 6:00 PM (ET), but the early indication is it will be Justin Jackson starting at running back for the Chargers on Thursday night.

Breida (ankle) remained limited at Thursday's practice, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After taking a week off to give his left ankle a rest, Breida has logged back-to-back limited showings. The activity level doesn't exactly shed light on his availability for Sunday's game against the Seahawks, but Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News suggests the 49ers will make a decision Friday. If coach Kyle Shanahan and company continue to exercise caution with Breida, the backfield would be headed by Jeff Wilson, who has accumulated 47 touches for 230 yards from scrimmage the last two contests.