NFL Player News

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.

Washington (hip) doesn't haven an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Washington will return from a two-game absence, potentially taking on an expanded role if Ameer Abdullah (neck) isn't able to play. While Washington would seem to be first in line for carries if Abdullah is out, history suggests the second-year back would form a volume-limiting committee with Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner.

Abdullah (neck) returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Held out of practice the previous two days, Abdullah gave himself a shot to play this week with Friday's return, but he told reporters afterward that they would have to ask Lions head coach Jim Caldwell if they wanted to know about the running back's availability for Sunday in Baltimore, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. With the famously tight-lipped Caldwell unlikely to provide any hints, Abdullah should be treated as a game-time decision leading up to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EDT kickoff. In the event of an absence, Detroit would turn to some combination of Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner to take on Abdullah's usual snaps and touches.

Drake is on track to handle the lead-back role for the Dolphins in Sunday's game against the Broncos with Damien Williams (shoulder) ruled out for the contest, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Drake and Williams have essentially split the workload in the backfield since Jay Ajayi was traded to the Eagles on Oct. 31, with Drake amassing 44 touches (32 carries, 12 receptions) to Williams' 46 (34, 12) over the past four games. Though Drake was the far superior producer of the two in the first half of November, Williams had better showings from an efficiency standpoint in the last two contests. While Drake will have his best opportunity to date to show what he can do when given extended carries, his two lost fumbles in the last month have prevented him from gaining the complete confidence of the Dolphins' coaching staff, according to Roy Cummings of FloridaFootballInsiders.com. That implies that even with a strong showing Sunday against a tough Broncos run defense, Drake may not necessarily be Option 1A in the team's rushing attack once Williams is cleared to play again.

Williams (shoulder) won't play Sunday against the Broncos, Alain Poupart of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Williams has split the backfield workload with Kenyan Drake the last four games following the trade of Jay Ajayi to the Eagles, but Drake will be the clear-cut lead runner in Week 13. Depth back Senorise Perry is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald, and is thus uncertain for Sunday's contest. As a result, De'Veon Smith could end serving as the primary backup to Drake.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said the team may wait until Saturday to make a decision on whether McCaffrey (shoulder) plays in Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

While the final injury report hasn't been released, Rivera's comments all but assure McCaffrey will be listed as questionable. The running back returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant, and he's back on the field Friday in some capacity. Another update will be available when the injury report is released.

Abdullah (neck) took part in Friday's practice, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports.

It won't be clear until after practice how much work Abdullah was able to get in, but his participation alone is a positive sign after he sat out the previous two days. The Lions could shed more light on his availability for Sunday's game against the Ravens when they release their final injury report of the week later Friday.

Martin (concussion) wasnt present for Friday's practice, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Unless Martin gets in some on-field activity in the closed portion of Friday's session, he'll go down as a non-participant in practice for the third day in a row. With that in mind, it's looking unlikely that he'll clear the concussion protocol before Sunday's game against the Packers, but the team should provide an update on his availability one way or the other shortly after Friday's practice. A backfield committee of Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber would likely be on tap if Martin is sidelined Week 13.