NFL Player News

Mack had four carries for 17 yards and two receptions for 37 yards on two targets in Saturday's loss at Baltimore.

The Colts never decreased starter Frank Gore's workload to give Mack an extended look in an effort to evaluate him for 2018. It's possible Mack could be featured more in the team's final game next week against Houston, but we wouldn't count on it.

Williams is expected to handle the bulk of the snaps at running back Week 17 against the Lions with Aaron Jones (knee) considered unlikely to play, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones exited Saturday's 16-0 loss to the Vikings with a sprained MCL in his left knee, an injury similar to the one in his right knee that sidelined him for two weeks earlier this season. His absences in losses to the Steelers and Ravens enabled Williams to take hold of lead-back duties in the contest, with the rookie out of BYU accumulating a combined 42 carries for 179 yards and two touchdowns and six receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. With fellow rookie Devante Mays and fullback Aaron Ripkowski the only other ball carriers on the roster and neither likely to see significant snaps in the season finale, Williams looks well positioned to reclaim a 20-plus-carry workload.

Jones (knee) appears unlikely to play in the Packers' Week 17 game against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones was diagnosed with a left MCL sprain after departing Saturday's 16-0 loss to the Vikings in the second quarter. McCarthy confirmed Sunday that the injury was similar to the one that sidelined Jones for two games earlier this season, so the rookie seems unlikely to recover in time to suit up for a mostly meaningless finale. Jones' expected absence against Detroit should leave Jamaal Williams to handle the bulk of the touches out of the backfield, with fellow tailback Devante Mays and fullback Aaron Ripkowski likely in line for only a couple of carries when Williams requires rest.

Oliver carried the ball eight times for nine yards in Sunday's 14-7 win over the Jets.

Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reported starter Melvin Gordon didn't leave Sunday's game unscathed, as the first-time 1,000-yard rusher was seen wearing a walking boot Tuesday. While head coach Anthony Lynn remained guarded talking about his star running back's health come Week 17, if Gordon were to miss any time Oliver is expected to see the majority of the carries, and potentially receiving targets as well given that the team's surprisingly sturdy rookie, Austin Ekeler, broke his ring finger in Week 15. While Ekeler was active Sunday, he didn't see a snap on offense meaning Oliver would in all likelihood be "the guy" against the Raiders if Gordon were to be limited in the final week of the regular season.

Rodgers rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Panthers.

The veteran back's playing time on offense was limited to just two snaps, but he did log his first carry since Week 13. However, given his meager production and lack of playing time, Rodgers' fantasy value is virtually non-existent heading into the regular-season finale versus the Saints.

Sims did not net any yardage on his sole carry, brought in his only target for 19 yards and gained 13 yards on his one kickoff return in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Panthers.

Sims saw a solid 24 snaps on offense, but he garnered just a pair of touches after he'd logged no less than four in any of the previous six contests. The fourth-year back's primary value has come from his work in the passing game, which should continue to be the case in the Week 17 finale versus the Saints.

Head coach Anthony Lynn said Monday that Gordon (ankle) could be a game-time decision for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Raiders, Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com. "He's seeing the doctors tomorrow [Tuesday], and we'll know more about Melvin as we get going here," Lynn relayed. "But he's another guy that's probably going to come down to the end of the week."

In the aftermath of the Chargers' ugly 14-7 win against the Jets on Sunday, it was revealed Gordon hurt his ankle during the game. As of Monday, Gordon's left foot is encased in a walking boot, likely as a precautionary measure than anything nefarious. In any case, his status is worth monitoring as the week goes on, as his services will be needed to put the Chargers in their best position to earn a playoff berth.

Martin rushed six times for seven yards in Sunday's 22-19 loss to the Panthers.

Martin logged only 17 snaps overall and saw fellow back Peyton Barber pace the rushing attack with 13 carries. The fact that he was at least in uniform was a step up from last week for Martin, when he was made a healthy scratch by head coach Dirk Koetter due to a violation of team rules. After solid showings in three of his first four games this season, the six-year veteran has been woefully ineffective on a per-carry basis, averaging over 2.6 yards per tote only once in the subsequent seven contests. He'll head into the Week 17 finale against the Saints hoping to have an opportunity to make one final case for remaining with the team in 2018.

Perine carried 17 times for 53 yards and caught three passes for an additional 21 yards during Sunday's 27-11 victory over the Broncos. He also lost a fumble.

Perine averaged just 3.1 yards per carry on the ground, but a healthy allotment of touches allowed him to pile up 74 scrimmage yards. He left the game briefly in the fourth quarter with an apparent Achilles injury but was able to return to finish off the contest. Perine could be limited throughout the week as a precaution, but his ability to return to the fray bodes well for his availability against a hapless Giants team on New Year's Eve.

Williams supplied 51 yards on 16 carries and reeled in two of three passes for 14 yards during Sunday's 23-0 victory against the Giants.

Williams has maintained a semblance of a ground game since Adrian Peterson was lost for the season due to a neck injury. Over the last four outings, Williams has averaged 18 touches and 77.8 yards from scrimmage per game, but most of his output has come between the 20s. As evidence, only nine of his 69 carries during that stretch occurred in the red zone, a region in which the Cardinals have become bogged down (two TDs versus 10 field goals prior to Sunday). With Drew Stanton taking over for Blaine Gabbert, though, the offense was able to parlay three red-zone visits into one field goal and two TDs, both of them throws to wideouts. Despite the lack of usage near the end zone, Williams won't be lacking for work Week 17 against the Seahawks, who entered this weekend with the 17th-ranked run defense.