NFL Player News

West was forced out of Sunday's game against the Raiders with a calf injury.

With West out of Sunday's game, the Ravens' Week 5 rushing duties will fall into the hands of Alex Collins and Javorius Allen.

McFadden (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Packers, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

A healthy scratch in every game this season, McFadden will likely be a regular on the inactive list unless Ezekiel Elliott's legal prospects take a turn for the worse. The other options are an injury afflicting either Elliott or Alfred Morris. In the end, McFadden isn't deserving of a roster spot in the majority of fantasy formats.

Jones (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

Jones didn't practice on back-to-back days this week due to a knee injury and won't suit up after carrying a doubtful designation into the Week 5 contest. As expected, Frank Gore will lead a Colts running-back committee that should be bolstered by the return of Marlon Mack (shoulder).

Aaron Jones, not Williams, has been taking first-team reps with the Packers offense during practice this week, suggesting that Williams won't start Sunday's game against the Cowboys, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

With regular starter Ty Montgomery (ribs) listed as doubtful for the contest, there should be sizable roles in the offense for both Jones and Williams, but it appears the former may be first in line for touches. It was Williams who checked in ahead of Jones when Montgomery exited the Packers' Sept. 28 win over the Bears with multiple fractured ribs, but Williams was unable to take advantage of the opportunity, leaving the contest shortly after Montgomery upon succumbing to a knee injury of his own. Williams' departure paved the way for Jones to pick up 49 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, and it looks like that production may have allowed Jones to leapfrog Williams on the depth chart, at least to begin the Week 5 contest. It may be a case where Packers head coach Mike McCarthy decides to ride the hotter hand between Jones and Williams as Sunday's game unfolds.

Jones took most of the reps with the Packers' first unit and could get the start at running back Sunday against the Cowboys with Ty Montgomery (ribs) doubtful for the contest, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

In the Packers' previous game Sept. 28 against the Bears, it was fellow rookie Jamaal Willliams -- not Jones -- who entered the contest after Montgomery was removed for what was later revealed as multiple rib fractures. However, Williams exited shortly after Montgomery with a knee injury of his own, paving the way for Jones to see extended action in the second half, with the Texas-El Paso product gaining 49 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Though Williams practiced fully throughout this week and will likely have a role in the Packers' game plan Sunday, it appears Jones' solid showing a week earlier will allow the latter to get an opportunity to build on that performance. While that's encouraging news for Jones' fantasy prospects, coach Mike McCarthy could elect to ride the hot hand between Jones and Williams as the game unfolds, which would limit the upside of both players.

Jones could be in store for an elevated role Sunday against the Cowboys with teammate Ty Montgomery (ribs) listed as doubtful for the contest, Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jones filled in capably when Montgomery and Jamaal Williams (knee) were both forced from last Thursday's 35-14 win over the Bears, picking up 13 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown. Williams made a quick recovery from his knee injury and is next up after Montgomery on the depth chart, but Jones should nonetheless have a place in the Week 5 game plan. Given that he's the better pass catcher of the two, Jones could end up with more playing time and touches than Williams, especially if the Packers play from behind and are forced to air it out.

Breida (ankle) was a full practice participant Friday and doesn't carry a designation on the 49ers' final injury report heading into Sunday's game in Indianapolis.

With Carlos Hyde (hip) also logging a full practice and getting removed from the injury report, Breida should fill his usual complementary role in the backfield. The undrafted rookie had a season-high 10 touches in last week's 18-15 overtime loss to Arizona, but he had just 15 total touches in the 49ers' first three games.

Ekeler is expected to act as the top backup to starting running back Melvin Gordon in Sunday's game against the Giants with Branden Oliver (hamstring) ruled out for the contest.

Per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn suggested that Andre Williams could be signed from the practice squad to provide an additional option in the backfield in Week 5, but Ekeler should still rank second on the depth chart based on how he's performed in spot duty through the first four weeks. The Chargers have deployed Ekeler primarily as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but he made the most of his lone carry of the season in the Week 4 loss to the Eagles, scoring on a 35-yard run. Though Gordon will presumably handle an overwhelming amount of the snaps Sunday, look for Ekeler to have his largest role in the offense to date, potentially setting him up to permanently leapfrog Oliver on the depth chart with a solid showing.

Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said Friday that he'd like Drake to serve as the top backup to starting running back Jay Ajayi, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Drake and fellow reserve running back Damien Williams both fill important roles on special teams, but neither has been able to distinguish himself on offense in limited supporting duties behind Ajayi. In the team's three contests this season, Drake has logged three carries for three yards, while Williams has toted the ball three times for six yards. Even if Drake ultimately assumes Williams' workload in the weeks to come, it will still likely take an Ajayi injury before Drake sees enough touches to warrant fantasy intrigue.

Elliott (chest) was a full practice participant all week and doesn't have a designation on the final injury report for Sunday's game against Green Bay, Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Elliott's first appearance on the injury report this season never appeared to be much of a concern. He should be fine to handle his usual massive workload come Sunday, with the Cowboys surely not planning to hold back ahead of a Week 6 bye. On the suspension-related front, Elliott may get a decision on the NFL's appeal of his preliminary injunction during the Cowboys' upcoming bye week. It still seems likely he'll be able to play the entire 2017 season.