NFL Player News

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.

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.