NFL Player News

Williams notched three carries for 63 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown run, during Sunday's loss to the Saints.

Digging deep into the playbook with postseason hopes hanging by a thread, head coach Bruce Arians used Williams on the second play from scrimmage, during which the running back fumbled on an aborted play due to offsides on the defense. Five plays later, though, Williams capped the drive with a lengthy dash to the end zone from midfield without one of his shoes. Later, on the Cardinals' first possession of the second half, he lined up in the wildcat formation, handing off to David Johnson for a five-yard gain. Although 12 (of 59) offensive snaps is indicative of his standing in a backfield dominated by Johnson, Williams was the primary running back in situations in which Johnson was lined up as a wide receiver, which could forecast his usage over the final two games of the campaign.

Jones is inactive Monday against the Panthers.

Jones, who last suited up in Week 7, presumably remains an injury away (to Robert Kelley or Chris Thompson) from returning to Washington's backfield mix.

Coach Ben McAdoo relayed Monday that Vereen has re-injured his triceps.

Vereen, who underwent surgery on a torn triceps earlier this season, saw action in two games since coming off IR, but with news that he's aggravated the injury, the running back's status for the rest of the season could be in jeopardy.

Henry rushed nine times for 58 yards and two touchdowns, but wasn't targeted in the passing game in Sunday's 19-17 win over the Chiefs.

Henry found the end zone from four yards in the second quarter, and from one yard out in the fourth. He got half as many carries as starting running back DeMarco Murray, but averaged a robust 6.4 yards per carry and got the important work in close. Murray is still the alpha dog for the Titans, but Henry's powerful running style could make the rookie their preferred option by the goal line down the stretch.

When asked about Gordon (hip/knee) practicing later this week, Coach Mike McCoy noted Monday, "we're going to see how it goes...I know one thing: He's champing at the bit," Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Gordon's status for Saturday's game against the Browns thus remains unclear, but if the running back is able to return to practice this week and feels good in doing so, he could return to action as soon as this weekend after missing just one game. Through 13 games played, Gordon is three yards shy of the 1,000-yard rushing mark.

Vereen (triceps) wouldn't have participated had the Giants practiced Monday.

Vereen cleared concussion protocol to rush twice for 11 yards and catch two passes for nine yards Sunday against the Lions, but he still lands on the Giants injury report to start this week. With only a few days before Thursday's game against the Eagles, it's unlikely any of New York's players will be overextended in the buildup to kickoff, but Vereen's status is noteworthy nonetheless.

Patterson had five receptions for 49 yards on eight targets and four kick returns for an average of 31 yards in Sunday's loss at Indianapolis.

Patterson had the most targets among recievers as Stefon Diggs appeared to be lost in the offense and Adam Thielen suffered a neck injury early in the game. He'll likely remain a second or third option after Diggs and Thielen (if healthy) next week at Green Bay.

McKinnon had three carries for 12 yards and nine receptions for 59 yards in Sunday's loss to Indianapolis.

McKinnon played 34 snaps on offense compared to 12 snaps for Matt Asiata and 12 for Adrian Peterson. It's likely that Peterson will get more snaps next week against Green Bay, but McKinnon likely also got a larger workload with the Vikings falling behind early. McKinnon should still get work as the team's third-down and receiving back. However, his role may sharply decline the next two games with Peterson back from a knee injury.

Asiata (ankle) had just one reception for 20 yards and did not have a carry in Sunday's loss to Indianapolis.

Asiata played just 12 snaps on offense as he became a clear third-string running back with Adrian Peterson back from a knee injury. Asiata may have been more of a factor if the Vikings had goal-line chances or were playing with a lead. Still, he's likely going to have a limited role with Peterson back.

According to Eagles coach Doug Pederson, Barner (hamstring) will not play Thursday against the Giants.

Barner was seen walking with a heavy limp following Sunday's loss to the Ravens, when he was forced into an early exit due to a hamstring problem. That injury will prevent him from being ready to play Thursday, and could ultimately keep him sidelined in Week 17 as well. While Darren Sproles (concussion) is expected to be cleared to play this week, Byron Marshall could slide into Philadelphia's No. 3 running back role with Barner out.