NFL Player News

Williams rushed 21 times for 113 yards and a touchdowns and brought in two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 26-20 overtime win against the Buccaneers.

Williams retained lead-back duties despite the fact Aaron Jones (knee) was active, and he proved up to the task once again with his first career 100-yard effort. The 22-year-old BYU product has logged at least 20 carries in three of his past four games and continues to have a consistent presence in the passing game as well. Sunday's game also marked his first time over 4.0 yards per carry, as Williams found running room much easier to come by than in prior tussles with the Steelers, Ravens and Bears. Given his production, it's expected that the rookie will continue to helm the Packers' ground attack against the Browns in Week 14.

Ellington rushed twice for minus-6 yards while catching five of six targets for 56 yards in Sunday's 24-13 loss to Tennessee.

Ellington saw snaps at wide receiver in his Houston debut with Braxton Miller (concussion) and Bruce Ellington (hamstring) exiting early. The running back's value comes primarily from his contributions catching the ball, as Ellington's totaled 353 receiving yards compared to just 49 rushing yards in nine appearances between the Cardinals and Texans this season.

Anderson rushed 15 times for 67 yards and brought in four of seven targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 35-9 loss to the Dolphins.

Anderson was perhaps the lone bright spot for the Broncos in the dismal loss, posting his best rushing yardage total since Week 8 against the Chiefs. The 26-year-old also equaled the 15 carries he'd seen in that game, while his 43 receiving yards were a season high. Anderson appeared to be on the verge of losing his lead-back role to Devontae Booker after the latter out-touched him on the ground in Week 11, but Sunday's 15-2 advantage for Anderson in carries hints at a significant shift. The fifth-year veteran will look to build on Sunday's effort against the Jets in a Week 14 home matchup.

Green carried 11 times for 51 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 44-20 loss tot he Ravens.

Seeing his first action of the year, Green averaged a respectable 4.6 yards per carry against a stout opponent and found the end zone from six yards out in the third quarter. The absence of Ameer Abdullah (neck) was the driving factor behind Green's involvement, and though the latter could return next week against the Buccaneers, the rookie's performance could earn him some sort of a role moving forward for a team that's struggled to run the ball this season.

Drake rushed 23 times for 120 yards and a touchdown while also hauling in three of five targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 35-9 win over the Broncos.

With Damien Williams (shoulder) sidelined, Drake had lead-back duties all to himself and made the most of the opportunity. The rush attempts and yardage were career bests for the second-year back, who also ripped off his third run of over 40 yards on the season when he scored on a 42-yard scamper with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter. Having clearly proven he can handle a 20-carry workload, the Dolphins could be poised to deploy a more traditional division of labor going forward with Drake receiving the bulk of carries and Williams, once healthy, seeing ample pass-catching work. Drake will look to build on Sunday's effort against the Patriots in a Week 14 matchup on Monday Night Football.

Williams is expected to receive the initial snaps at running back Sunday against the Rams with Adrian Peterson (neck) unavailable, Kyle Odegard of the Cardinals' official site reports.

If head coach Bruce Arians had his druthers, he'd rely on one running back for the majority of the contest, be it David Johnson (wrist) or Adrian Peterson (neck). With the former on injured reserve and the other inactive, Williams would seem to be the first man up in the backfield. That said, Williams will be playing with cracked ribs, which could result in a trickle-down effect for the remaining RBs (D.J. Foster, Elijhaa Penny and Bronson Hill) on the active roster.

Patterson (hip) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Giants.

With Michael Crabtree (suspension) and Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle) out, Patterson figures to be in store for an increased role in the Raiders' passing attack in Week 13. Also in the mix for added looks with the team's top two wideouts sidelined are Seth Roberts and Johnny Holton. Meanwhile, tight end Jared Cook's profile in the team's offense could also expand Sunday.

McCaffrey (shoulder) is listed as active Sunday in New Orleans, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer reports.

McCaffrey began the week with an absence from practice, but limited sessions Thursday and Friday left head coach Ron Rivera feeling optimistic about the rookie's availability. With his status confirmed Sunday, McCaffrey will suit up against a Saints defense that has allowed 138.4 yards from scrimmage per game and six touchdowns to running backs in 11 outings this season.

Zenner should act as the direct backup to Theo Riddick on Sunday in Baltimore due to the absences of Ameer Abdullah (neck) and Dwayne Washington (coach's decision), Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Held out due to a neck injury, Abdullah will yield the initial reps at running back to Theo Riddick, but the surprise DNP of Washington makes Zenner the clear secondary option in the ground game. On the year, Zenner has only earned 11 carries in his six appearances. That said, he received 15 red-zone runs in 14 games in 2016, so short-yardage reps could yield fruit for the third-year pro.

Gillislee is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Injuries or future game plans may call for Gillislee's power running skills to be needed down the road, but for now at least, he's the odd man out, with Dion Lewis, Rex Burkhead and James White set to head the Patriots' Week 13 backfield.