NFL Player News

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.

Jones was waived by the Colts on Saturday.

Jones was promoted to the Colts' active roster in the latter portion of September. He saw the field in three contests and logged five carries for 14 yards in the process. Assuming he clears waivers, the running back will presumably either return to the team's practice squad or look for a new destination.

With Charcandrick West (personal) out Sunday against the Jets, Hunt is line to serve as the Chiefs' No. 2 running back, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports.

He'll work as Kareem Hunt's backup Sunday, with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid noting that no one will be coming up from the team's practice squad to replace West this weekend. Akeem Hunt has logged just three carries and two catches in 10 games this season, but in Week 13, he could make a modest mark in the passing game, an area where West could be missed.

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

Patterson's hip issue limited his involvement in practices throughout the week, but there haven't been any reports that suggest the injury is anything that puts his status for Week 13 in serious peril. In fact, Patterson appears to have one of his better weekly fantasy outlooks of the season, as he'll likely see a heightened role in the Raiders' passing attack with the team's top two wideouts, Michael Crabtree (suspension) and Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle), unavailable for the contest. Patterson made a compelling case for more looks from quarterback Derek Carr through his performance in last week's win against the Broncos, when he hauled in three of his four targets for 72 yards.

Rodgers should benefit from added snaps out of the backfield Sunday against the Packers with teammate Doug Martin (concussion) ruled out for the contest, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Rodgers might end up drawing the start, but Charles Sims will handle passing-down work and Peyton Barber also should have a role, which may include goal-line carries. Furthermore, the Buccaneers recently lost two offensive line starters to injury, just as they prepare to face a Green Bay defense that has mostly been vulnerable to the pass rather than the run this season. Martin hasn't been having much luck in his lead-back role, so there's not much reason to think his replacement will fare significantly better.

Williams could face competition for the lead-back role Sunday against the Buccaneers with teammate Aaron Jones (knee) listed as questionable for the contest, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Williams handled a huge workload the past three weeks, getting at least 18 carries in each game despite averaging only 3.2 yards per tote. While that mark might not seem impressive at first glance, he also caught nine passes for 114 yards and scored a touchdown apiece through the air and ground, all while facing a trio of respectable defenses (Chicago, Baltimore and Pittsburgh). Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans was impressed, noting Thursday that Williams deserves to get snaps even when Jones is healthy. While Jones seems to be trending toward a game-day decision, fellow Packers running back Ty Montgomery (wrist) was placed on injured reserve Friday. The most likely scenario features Williams and Jones in some kind of timeshare to close out the season, though Williams could get another week of workhorse duty if Jones isn't quite ready by Sunday.

Williams (ribs) remained limited at Friday's practice, but he doesn't have a designation on the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Early reports suggested Williams' cracked ribs likely would lead to at least one absence, but it turns out the running back will avoid such a fate. The extent of his role remains to be seen, as he'll be the favorite to handle the lead job if Adrian Peterson (neck) doesn't play, per Urban. Peterson is listed as questionable and expected to be a game-time decision, with his failure to practice at all this week casting serious doubt upon his availability. D.J. Foster and Eliijhaa Penny might also take on added work if Peterson is out, making Williams a risky proposition in any scenario.

Though McCaffrey (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera optimistic the running back will play, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

McCaffrey was held out of practice Wednesday but managed limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Speaking before Friday's practice, Rivera said the team may wait until Saturday before making a decision on McCaffrey's availability. The Panthers' head coach sounded a bit more optimistic after practice, perhaps suggesting that McCaffrey looked good during the session. Rivera's comments provide hope that the final decision will be made public Saturday, rather than in the hours leading up to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. EDT kickoff. Jonathan Stewart likely would get some extra snaps and carries if McCaffrey were to miss the game, while Fozzy Whittaker would be the leading candidate to handle work on passing downs.

Martin (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Martin was unable to practice at all this week, which puts him in danger of missing time beyond Sunday. His absence leaves Jacquizz Rodgers as the likely starting running back, but there's no guarantee the role leads to a large workload, given that Peyton Barber and Charles Sims also should see involvement in the Bucs' game plan.

Jones (knee) remained limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jones was listed as a limited practice participant each day this week, suggesting he has a shot to return at the very front end of his initial timetable for a return, which had been estimated at 3-to-6 weeks. Jamaal Williams seemingly has done enough to stay involved in the offense regardless of his teammate's health, but his workload would still figure to take a major hit if Jones were to make it back on the field. With Ty Montgomery (ribs) already ruled out, the Packers hope Jones can end his string of absences at just two weeks, potentially setting him up as a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EDT kickoff.