NFL Player News

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.

Washington (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game at Baltimore, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Washington missed the last two games due to a hip injury, but his ability to practice in full this week forecast a return to action Week 13, especially with Ameer Abdullah inactive due to a neck concern. Instead, the Lions will rely on Theo Riddick to lead the backfield at the outset of the contest, with Zach Zenner and Tion Green available for reserve duty.

Abdullah (neck) is listed as inactive Sunday at Baltimore, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

A neck injury conspired to keep Abdullah out of practice until Friday, when he participated on a limited basis. Early Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relayed Abdullah was trending toward his first absence of the season, and the Lions' inactive list revealed as much. The backfield will thus be headed by Theo Riddick, but Zach Zenner can also be expected to see a number of touches with Dwayne Washington a healthy scratch.

Jones (knee) is active Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Jones will suit up following a two-week absence, making his return on the early end of the originally proposed 3-to-6 week timetable. Fantasy owners counting on Jones to aid their playoff push may want to temper expectations, however, as according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, he is expected to take a secondary role in the backfield to Jamaal Williams. It has been Williams who has carried the load in the absence of Jones and Ty Montgomery (ribs), as the fellow rookie back has seen 82 percent or more of the snap share in back-to-back weeks. Look for a heavy dose of Williams again while the team eases Jones back into action, though Jones should ramp up his workload in the coming weeks. He's been Green Bay's most effective runner this season, sporting a 5.3 YPC average across 70 opportunities.

Williams is expected to start at running back Sunday against the Rams, with Adrian Peterson (neck) considered a "long shot" to play in the contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Peterson is questionable and is being regarded as a game-day decision, but the veteran will likely be held out after failing to practice all week. It once looked like Williams might join Peterson on the inactive list while recovering from cracked ribs, but he avoided an injury designation after logging a trio of limited practices. Williams' lack of productivity in Week 2 against the Colts while starting in place of David Johnson (wrist) ultimately spurred the team to acquire Peterson, so Williams wouldn't seem to offer much fantasy upside as he settles back into the top spot on the depth chart this week. Williams is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry on the season and could cede snaps to D.J. Foster or Elijhaa Penny if he fails to spark the Cardinals' ground game early Sunday.

McCaffrey (shoulder), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Rapoport's report essentially supports what Panthers head coach Ron Rivera had suggested Friday following the team's final practice of the week. Though McCaffrey was limited to two practices this week due to the shoulder issue, it's not expected that he'll face a limited snap count in a key divisional matchup. In the two sides' previous meeting in Week 3, McCaffrey was limited to 16 yards on four carries, but had the best game of his young career as a receiver, hauling in nine of 11 targets for 101 yards.

Abdullah (neck), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Ravens, isn't expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Abdullah only managed one limited practice this week due to the neck injury, which he may have picked up in the Lions' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Vikings. While official word on Abdullah's status Sunday won't come until 90 minutes prior to the 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff, fantasy owners planning on starting him should begin exploring other alternatives. According to Rapoport, the Lions plan to treat Theo Riddick as their starting running back in Week 13, though he could cede snaps to Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner in short-yardage scenarios.

Williams is expected to act as the Packers' lead back Sunday against the Buccaneers even though Aaron Jones (knee), who is listed as questionable for the game, is likely to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

After missing the Packers' previous two games with an MCL sprain, Jones returned to practice this week as a limited participant. Though that will apparently be enough for Green Bay to sign off on Jones' return, the rookie was originally projected to miss 3-to-6 weeks with the injury, suggesting that he likely won't be 100 percent healthy Sunday. That will likely result in Packers head coach Mike McCarthy acting judiciously with his usage of Jones, paving the way for Williams to see the overwhelming share of touches out of the backfield, as has been the case each of the past three contests. While Williams turned in his most impressive outing of the campaign in the Week 12 loss to the Steelers (135 total yards, two touchdowns), his efficiency (3.2 yards per carry) this season has left much to be desired. If Jones checks out of Sunday's game fine, he could take back the top spot on the depth chart Week 14 against Cleveland, relegating Williams to a more limited role out of the backfield.

Jones (knee) is expected to play Sunday against Tampa Bay, but Jamaal Williams is expected to still get most of the playing time, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Jones was a limited practice participant all week, which, combined with this report, suggests he will be active. However, it's not clear how much he'll play and he will likely be a risky fantasy option give Williams' current status.