NFL Player News

Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said Thursday that Drake is worthy of more carries, but suggested the running back isn't expected to encroach further into Damien Williams' workload, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

In the Dolphins' two games since lead back Jay Ajayi was traded to the Eagles, Drake has proven to be a far more explosive runner than Williams, amassing 151 yards on 16 carries while adding eight catches for 45 yards for good measure. Despite Drake's superior production, he's seen the same exact amount of offensive snaps as Williams (62) in those contests, with the Dolphins apparently placing value in the skill sets both players bring. While the lack of a clear lead back could continue to cap the statistical output of both players heading into the Week 11 matchup with the Buccaneers, if Drake is able to continue to turn out efficient, productive outings in his subsequent appearances, it could become increasingly difficult for the Dolphins to justify having him split touches with Williams.

Washington (hip) was absent from practice Thursday.

The Lions will see if Washington can practice in some capacity Friday, but his failure to take the field Wednesday and Thursday casts some doubt on his availability for the Week 11 matchup with the Bears. A short-yardage specialist for the Lions, Washington won't offer much fantasy appeal due to his lack of volume and poor efficiency. He's yet to score in five appearances this season, managing 44 yards on 20 carries.

Cook (knee) began walking without the assistance of crutches last week, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Cook is still in the early stages of his recovery from Oct. 10 surgery to address a torn ACL in his left knee, so while he's ready to begin weight-bearing activities, it could be several months before he's cleared to run at full speed. That being said, with no setbacks in his recovery to date, Cook is tentatively on track to be fully healthy by the time the 2018 regular season commences.

West (calf) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.

West returned to practice during the Ravens' bye week, suiting up with his teammates for the first time since aggravating his calf injury in a Week 5 win over the Raiders. He should be available for Sunday's game in Green Bay, but it's tough to see exactly how he fits in with the offense alongside Alex Collins, Javorius Allen and Danny Woodhead (hamstring), who is expected to be activated from injured reserve. Collins remains the favorite to lead the backfield in carries, though nothing would be too surprising as the Ravens try to feel the situation out.

Elliott's agents issued a statement Wednesday indicating the running back would withdraw his appeal for his six-game suspension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With the latest ruling all but assuring that Elliott misses six games, he's apparently opting to get some closure on the matter and set his sights on a return Week 16 against the Seahawks. He's leaving the country to train while he's prohibited from being around the team, perhaps hoping that some distance will help him get in the right frame of mind. In the Cowboys' first game without Elliott in a Week 10 loss to the Falcons, Alfred Morris led the Dallas backfield with 11 carries for 53 yards, with Rod Smith contributing three carries for 14 yards and four catches for 15 yards (on six targets). Darren McFadden only played one snap and lost two yards on his lone carry.

Washington (hip) didn't practice Wednesday.

Washington was knocked out of Sunday's victory over the Browns due to the unspecified hip injury. His absence Wednesday likely spelled more practice reps for Zach Zenner, who would presumably fill in for Washington against the Bears this Sunday if the second-year tailback's condition doesn't improve as the week unfolds.

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Monday that Jones' left MCL sprain is considered a "multiple-week" injury, with the team subsequently ruling the running back out for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reported that Jones' knee injury would likely sideline him for 3-to-6 weeks, making it highly probable that the rookie will miss additional time beyond Sunday's home date with Baltimore. Along with Jones, Ty Montgomery (ribs) also exited the Week 10 win over the Bears early with an injury, resulting in No. 3 back Jamaal Williams finishing out the contest as the team's lead runner with 20 carries for 67 yards. Since Montgomery is recovering from his second injury in six weeks, it's likely that he'll be limited against the Ravens if he plays at all, potentially paving the way for Williams to pick up a start out of the backfield and handle a three-down workload in the contest.

Williams could be in store for a sizable workload Sunday against the Ravens with Aaron Jones (knee) set to miss the next 3-to-6 weeks and Ty Montgomery (ribs) uncertain to play Week 11, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Williams entered the Packers' eventual Week 10 win over the Bears third on the depth chart at running back, but with both Jones and Montgomery departing the contest with injuries and unable to return, the rookie was forced into extended action. Though he averaged a meager 3.4 yards on his 20 carries, Williams impressed the Packers' coaching staff with his tough running in short-yardage scenarios, with his four-yard gain on a fourth-quarter carry on fourth down proving critical in a one-possession game. Head coach Mike McCarthy has yet to rule Montgomery out for Sunday's contest, but given that he's dealing with his second rib injury in six weeks, Montgomery likely won't be pressed into a featured role if given clearance to play. That should pave the way for Williams to lead the team in touches out of the backfield against a Ravens squad that ranks 28th in the NFL against the run this season.

Anderson rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries and added a one-yard catch in Sunday's 41-16 loss to New England.

It was Anderson's fourth game in five outings with fewer than 12 touches after starting the season with at least 20 touches in three of four games. The Broncos were at their best this season when Anderson served as the team's bell cow. Looking for a spark, the coaching staff has split touches between Anderson, Jamaal Charles and Devontae Booker. Head coach Vance Joseph said that it will be hard to ride any one back until Denver's offense gains some consistency. It looks like we're pretty far off from there at this point.

Magee was signed by the Falcons off the Browns' practice squad on Tuesday, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports.

The Falcons had an open spot on their 53-man roster, and with Devonta Freeman (concussion) likely out for the team's upcoming matchup against the Seahawks, they opted to scoop up Magee. Carries figure to be hard to come by for the 24-year-old, as he will still be the third running back on the depth chart even if Freeman sits out. However, he likely will provide help on special teams to go along with running back depth.