NFL Player News

McKinnon rushed for 36 yards on 20 carries, and caught one of three targets for 10 more in Sunday's 31-13 win over Houston.

McKinnon once again led the Vikings in carries, but had a 1-yard touchdown vultured by Matt Asiata. This annoying usage pattern is likely to persist, meaning McKinnon is unlikely to provide owners with many short-yardage scores. Asiata outplayed him in this one, but the 2014 third-rounder is still the more explosive running back in an offense that's committed to maintaining balance.

Cunningham (thigh) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 tilt versus the Bills, the team's official site reports.

The backup running back will take a seat after being limited on Thursday and Friday with the thigh injury he suffered against the Cardinals in Week 4. His absence should open up a handful of reps for rookie Malcolm Brown, who had an impressive preseason, but should also result in an uptick in workload for Todd Gurley.

Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 tilt versus the Rams, the team's official site reports.

The rookie has only three carries for two yards thus far in his rookie campaign. LeSean McCoy, who'd been questionable with a hand injury, Mike Gillislee and Reggie Bush will once again handle running back duties for the Bills on Sunday.

Patterson (hip) returned to the field after exiting with a hip injury, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Patterson exited in the first half on Sunday and was considered questionable to return. Now that he's back, he'll continue as the third or fourth option behind Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen, and Jarius Wright.

Williams is questionable to return to Sunday's game due to illness, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Williams had recorded one carry for three yards and a chunk gain of 58 yards on his one reception before leaving the game. If he is forced to miss the rest of Sunday's contest, expect Kenyan Drake to see an increased workload with the Dolphins already short Arian Foster at running back.

Patterson (hip) is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Texans.

Prior to his departure in the second quarter, Patterson augmented three catches (on four targets) for 30 yards with one carry for seven yards and a kick return for 17 yards. If he joins Stefon Diggs (groin) on the sideline, Sam Bradford will likely look to Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen and Jarius Wright more often in the passing attack.

Zenner will be the Lions' No. 2 running back Sunday versus the Eagles, Tim Twentyman of the team's official site reports.

Zenner will be afforded an opportunity to build upon his 20 career carries with Ameer Abdullah (foot) on IR and Dwayne Washington (ankle) out of commission in Week 5. No matter, Theo Riddick will earn the start, relegating Zenner to work between the tackles.

Washington (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Washington was poised for significant work out of the Lions' backfield, but a serious ankle sprain suffered in Week 4 will cost him at least one game. With Ameer Abdullah (foot) also out of commission, Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner are expected to handle RB duties in Detroit.

Carey (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game against the Colts, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN reports.

Carey's return comes after he missed the past two games due to his hamstring injury. He had been ahead of Jordan Howard on the depth chart prior to his injury but may be the No.2 option in Week 5 after Howard's impressive performances in Carey's absence.

Carey (hamstring) is expected to play Sunday against the Colts, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Carey has missed the last two games due to his injury, and while he was ahead of Jordan Howard on the depth chart before going down, the latter has been solid with the starting job, giving head coach John Fox little reason to move Carey ahead of him again.