NFL Player News

Michael (illness) is active for Sunday's game in Chicago.

Impacted by an illness this week, Michael will be available to the Packers' ground game for the fourth consecutive contest. While he may not benefit from James Starks' (concussion) absence due to Ty Montgomery's elevation to lead back, touches will still be there for Michael due to the rotation employed by head coach Mike McCarthy.

McFadden (elbow) is expected to be the backup running back Sunday against the Buccaneers, with Alfred Morris possibly being inactive, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

McFadden was added to the 53-man roster Tuesday, and while his active status Sunday is certainly a step in the right direction, he's unlikely to get enough touches to make a fantasy impact, with Ezekiel Elliott likely to dominate the touches out of the backfield.

Michael (illness) is expected to be the backup running back Sunday against the Bears, though he is likely to get touches behind starter Ty Montgomery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Michael is officially listed as questionable because of the ailment, but the Packers will need him, with James Starks out with a concussion.

Despite being listed as questionable, Asiata (ankle) is expected to play Sunday against the Colts, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

The return of Adrian Peterson (knee) likely hampers Asiata's fantasy value heading into Sunday's matchup as the Vikings are expected to deploy a three-headed backfield, with Jerick McKinnon also mixing in on the action. However given the Colts' relatively porous run defense, there could be opportunities for all three running backs to do damage, with Asiata figuring to take some of the goal line carries.

Jones (illness) is not listed on the team's injury report heading into Monday's matchup against the Panthers, Brian McNally of 106.7 The Fan reports.

Jones did not practice Thursday due to an illness, but returned in a full role the rest of the week. However, he has not played since Week 7, as rookie Robert Kelley has assumed No. 1 back duties. Barring any injuries ahead of him, Jones figures to be a non-factor Monday.

Vereen cleared the league's concussion protocol Saturday, Jordan Raanan of ESPN reports.

Vereen returned after an 11-week absence in Week 14's win over the Cowboys, but came out of the contest with a concussion. However, he is now expected to play Sunday against the Lions after clearing the league's protocol. The versatile running back was limited at practice all week, but figures to be good to go Sunday.

Zenner (concussion) is considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Zenner was limited throughout practice this week, suggesting he's yet to clear concussion protocol following last Sunday's injury. If Zenner is unable to receive clearance prior to Detroit's 1:00 ET kickoff, Michael Burton could be brought into a bigger role behind Dwayne Washington, as starter Theo Riddick (wrist) is listed as doubtful.

Barner will assume all return duties for the Eagles while backing up Ryan Mathews on Sunday at Baltimore, Les Bowen of Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Barner was elevated in the wake of Darren Sproles' concussion via a wicked hit last Sunday against the Redskins. Kickoff returns have been Barner's primary focus this season, as he's scampered for a substantial 31.4 yards per on eight runbacks. He'll also take on Sproles' gig as the punt returning, which Barner has done just twice in 30 career games. Meanwhile, Mathews is expected to handle most of the work afforded running backs, but Barner is averaging a healthy 5.1 YPC in 2016 and has hauled in 14 of 21 passes thrown his way over three years in the NFL.

McKinnon's workload for Sunday's game against the Colts is up in the air due to the expected return of Adrian Peterson (knee), 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reports.

Further clouding the situation is the sudden emergence of Matt Asiata's ankle injury, which held him out of practice Friday. Since Peterson turned his focus from game action to rehabbing a torn meniscus in Week 3, McKinnon and Asiata have combined for 20.3 rushes and 5.5 targets per game over the last 11 contests. It remains to be seen if that workload will be split two or three ways, but because McKinnon is the healthiest of the trio, he could very well assume most of the snaps this weekend.

With Melvin Gordon (hip/knee) ruled out for Week 5, Hillman will be active Sunday against the Raiders, Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

There wasn't much doubt that Gordon would miss at least one game due to the strained hip and sprained knee suffered last Sunday in Carolina. Kenneth Farrow jumped right in and contributed 78 yards from scrimmage as the sole remaining running back last weekend, but Hillman will certainly handle a certain portion of the reps bestowed upon the Chargers' backfield. Unfortunately, Hillman's five-game sample from Minnesota earlier this season featured a 2.8 YPC, which doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in the five-year pro.