NFL Player News

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said that Jones (knee) would take part in team drills Thursday in what he labeled a "trial return" for the running back, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

While McCarthy's comments would seemingly suggest Jones will be able to do a little more Thursday after being listed as a limited participant Wednesday, it's still possible that the rookie will be shielded from full contact, which could prevent him from putting in a full practice. Nonetheless, it appears Jones may have a realistic shot at returning from the left knee sprain and suiting up Sunday against the Buccaneers, though he may be eased back into the mix in a supplementary role behind fellow first-year back Jamaal Williams. The other running back who has started for the Packers this season, Ty Montgomery (ribs), seems to have made less progress than Jones in his recovery and could be bound for a third consecutive absence in Week 13.

McCaffrey (shoulder) was donning shoulder pads for the start of Thursday's practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

After being listed as a non-participant for the Panthers' first session of the week with a shoulder issue, McCaffrey looks bound to take the field in some capacity Thursday. The Panthers will issue a formal update on McCaffrey's participation level once Thursday's session concludes, but no matter how he's listed, the expectation remains that the rookie running back will be ready to go for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Patterson (hip) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday.

It's an issue that Patterson played through in the Week 12 win over the Broncos, but it doesn't sound like anything that will prevent him from suiting up Sunday against the Giants. With Michael Crabtree (suspension) out this week and Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle) uncertain to play, Patterson will likely be in store for an increased role in the Raiders' passing attack.

Williams (ribs) was limited in practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Williams came out of Sunday's win against the Jaguars with cracked ribs, which was expected to force some type of absence. Instead, he was able to practice Wednesday while Adrian Peterson didn't due to a neck injury. In a press conference following practice, head coach Bruce Arians revealed he has no idea who will comprise the backfield Week 13 against the Rams. If Peterson and Williams are held out Sunday, the Cardinals would be relying on a backfield trio of D.J. Foster, Elijhaa Penny and Bronson Hill.

Martin (concussion) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Entering the concussion protocol Sunday in Atlanta, Martin hasn't reached his baseline marker, which would allow him to take part in portions of practice. If Martin ultimately misses Sunday's game at Green Bay, Jacquizz Rodgers, Charles Sims and Peyton Barber will split the running-back reps in same way, shape or form.

Patterson (hip) got regular first-team work at Wednesday's practice in the absence of Michael Crabtree (suspension) and Amari Cooper (concussion/ankle), Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

With Crabtree already ineligible and Cooper looking doubtful to play, Patterson is on track to serve as one of Derek Carr's leading options in Sunday's matchup with a Giants defense that just placed top cornerback Janoris Jenkins (ankle) on injured reserve. Patterson -- who is working through a hip issue -- has touchdown runs of 47 and 43 yards this season, but his contributions in the passing game had largely been limited to catches near the line of scrimmage until he broke free for a 54-yard gain that clinched a 21-14 win over the Broncos in Week 12. Patterson's rare combination of size, speed and elusiveness has never really translated to big plays through the air, with the 2013 first-round pick averaging a meager 9.8 yards on 153 career receptions. Part of that number can be attributed to a large diet of screen passes, but his inability to consistently gain separation is also a large factor. Johnny Holton and Seth Roberts also could handle expanded roles Sunday, with the former providing a deep threat while the latter mostly works out of the slot.

Jones (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Considering Jones was expected to be a part of the rehab group Wednesday, the development is an interesting one as he works his way past a sprained MCL in his left knee. After suffering the injury Nov. 12, he was handed a recovery timetable of 3-to-6 weeks, so he's clearly trending toward a shorter absence. Whether a return is possible Sunday against the Buccaneers won't be determined until the end of the week. When healthy, Jones has been quite productive with his 70 rushes this season, pacing Packers running backs with 5.3 yards per carry.

Williams' teammate Aaron Jones (knee) returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, potentially providing competition for snaps and touches in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Given that Jones is at the very front end of his recovery timetable, his availability may not actually be an issue for Williams for another week or two. Williams is only averaging 3.2 yards per carry this season, but he's hauled in 13 of 16 targets for 152 yards, and he just scored a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Steelers. Jones owns a far more impressive mark of 5.3 yards per carry, but with only eight catches for 16 yards on 16 targets. Further complicating matters, Ty Montgomery (ribs) may rejoin the mix at some point in the coming weeks, though he wasn't able to practice Wednesday. The Green Bay backfield likely will need to be watched on a day-to-day basis leading up to Sunday's game against the Bucs. Should Jones and Montgomery both end up sitting again, Williams would have a decent shot to reach 20-plus touches for a fourth straight week.

Henry is unlikely to supplant DeMarco Murray atop the depth chart this season, Jason Wolf of The Tennessean reports.

Henry has been far more productive than his veteran teammate on the ground, gaining 520 yards on 114 carries (4.6 average), while Murray has managed just 452 yards on 129 totes (3.5 average). Although a changing of the guard could be in order during the offseason, Murray's solid work as a receiver and pass protector should keep him on the field so long as he stays healthy the rest of the way. Sunday's matchup with Houston could favor Murray in the early going, as the Texans have struggled to defend the pass (7.9 yards per attempt), but have been mostly solid against the run (3.8 yards per carry). Of course, the Titans are comfortable favorites in the contests, and Henry's been the back of choice when the team needs to eat clock in the fourth quarter.

West (calf) isn't on Wednesday's injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions.

West's inactive status the past couple weeks seemingly had more to do with his role than his calf injury. He may now have an opening to rejoin the Baltimore backfield, as Alex Collins missed Wednesday's practice with a calf issue of his own. West likely would be returning to a limited role if active, however, as he hasn't played since Week 5 and didn't do much early in the season.