NFL Player News

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.

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.