NFL Player News

McKinnon carried seven times for 42 yards and caught one of two targets for an additional nine yards during Saturday's 16-0 win over the Packers.

McKinnon averaged six yards per carry, but volume was not in his favor as he received his lowest allotment of touches since Week 4. This may come as a bit of a surprise, considering his team played with a lead throughout the game, but Latavious Murray's 21 totes limited the impact McKinnon had as Minnesota squared the victory away. He could see additional work next week against the Bears if the team is in a position to limit its starters, but it seems unlikely that he'd be too heavily involved if the team already has playoff positioning secured.

Cowboys offensive coodinator Scott Linehan said Elliott would receive "significant touches" in the running back's return from a six-game suspension Sunday against the Seahawks, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Head coach Jason Garrett suggested earlier in the week that it wasn't a lock for Elliott to take on a full-time workload in his return from suspension, but the second-year player apparently allayed any concerns about his readiness to play or his conditioning during the Cowboys' three practices this week. Linehan's comments were more or less supported by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who suggested Elliott could earn 20-to-25 carries in his first game back. With that in mind, it's looking like fantasy owners can start Elliott, who averaged 29.5 touches over his final four games before the suspension, with confidence this week.

Perine (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, is considered a game-time call, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

The rookie expressed optimism a couple days ago that he would be able to suit up for the Week 16 contest, but that shouldn't be taken as a given after the groin issue -- which first surfaced during Thursday's practice -- prevented him from practicing Friday in any capacity. With the Redskins keeping three backup running backs on the roster this week, it's clear Perine's health remains a concern, so the team will wait and see how he looks during warmups before deciding his fate approximately 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. EST kickoff. Kapri Bibbs would likely be in store for a hefty workload if Perine is sidelined.

Williams recorded 15 carries for 58 yards and didn't reel in any of his three targets during Saturday's 16-0 defeat to the Vikings.

Prior to Aaron Rodgers' one-game cameo Week 15, Williams established himself as an all-around threat out of the backfield, racking up 545 scrimmage yards and averaging one touchdown per contest from Weeks 10 through 14. Over the last two outings, though, he mustered 88 yards on 25 carries and saw just the three aforementioned targets. At this point, the Packers have little to play for outside of player development, so Week 17 would seem to be a game in which Williams, rather than Brett Hundley (40 pass attempts Saturday), is the focal point of the offense. Williams' cause would be helped further if Aaron Jones, who was ruled out of Saturday's game with a knee injury, takes a seat in the season finale.

Williams (quadriceps/ribs) is expected to play Sunday against the Giants, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Williams was listed as questionable on the official injury report when he was able to upgrade to a limited practice Friday after sitting out back-to-back sessions to begin the week. Though it sounds like he's not 100 percent, Williams should operate as the Cardinals' lead back if he plays. He draws an attractive matchup against a Giants defense that has surrendered 117.9 rushing yards per game and six rushing touchdowns over the past seven contests.

Murray notched 21 carries for 69 yards and caught his sole target for six yards during Saturday's 16-0 win in Green Bay.

Murray's 22 touches outpaced all of his teammates by a long shot. As evidence, his four first-down runs were exactly half of Jerick McKinnon's entire workload (seven carries, one reception). Murray has now churned out 20-plus rushes in three of the last five games, a span in which he's averaged 76 yards from scrimmage per contest and two touchdowns. Due to the pounding taken during that stretch, he may be given a respite Week 17 if the Vikings lock up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs by the end of this weekend.

Jones (knee) is out for the rest of Saturday's game against the Vikings.

With Jones out, fellow rookie Jamaal Williams will likely play a hefty majority of the snaps in Green Bay's backfield. Jones will finish the game with three carries for 13 yards.

Jones is questionable to return to Saturday's game versus the Vikings due to a knee injury.

Jones' last touch before the announcement occurred on a six-yard run on the final play of the first quarter. If he's unable to reenter the contest, he'll finish with three carries for 13 yards. Expect Jamaal Williams to receive nearly all the running back reps in the meantime.

The Redskins placed Daniels (hand) on injured reserve Saturday.

Daniels fractured his hand at practice Thursday and was lost for the season. The 22-year-old is the fifth Washington running back to land on injured reserve this season. The Redskins signed Kenny Hilliard to the 53-man roster to provide additional depth out of the backfield.

Patterson (hip) was not assigned an injury designation for Monday's game against the Eagles after being listed as a full practice participant Saturday.

It looks like there's a pretty solid chance that fellow wideout Amari Cooper (ankle) will return to action in Week 16, which could limit Patterson's opportunities in the Oakland offense Monday. Alternatively, if Cooper ends up being a surprise scratch in advance of the contest, Patterson could serve as a decent last-minute replacement.