NFL Player News

Jones (hip) remains questionable to play Saturday against the Eagles.

Jones was limited in all three of the team's practices this week after suffering a hip contusion during last week's win over the Bills. While he participated in individual drills, Jones is still bothered by the ailment, and his status could end up being a near game-time call. The rookie out of Florida finished with 10 carries for only 28 yards against Buffalo.

Draughn (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Draughn was unable to practice this week after injuring his knee last Sunday, and the setback will ultimately prevent him from taking the field against the Lions. It's not clear who will be the 49ers' top running back in Draughn's absence, particularly since the player who saw the most snaps at the position last week -- Travaris Cadet -- was released this week, but Kendall Gaskins is likely the favorite for the job.

McKinnon (hamstring) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Giants.

McKinnon landed on the injury report after injuring his hamstring Thursday, but he is set to play Sunday after getting in a full practice session Friday. McKinnon had a chance to see more action in Week 16 with Adrian Peterson sitting out practices Thursday and Friday, but Peterson was able to practice fully Friday and is listed as probable as well, so expect McKinnon to play his usual reserve role Sunday night.

Brown rushed 14 times for 17 yards and a score while catching three of his four targets for 33 yards in Thursday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Raiders.

As expected, Brown was very involved Thursday after Melvin Gordon was placed on IR earlier in the week, but his 1.2 yards per carry left a lot to be desired. He could find the end zone again in the season finale against Denver, but his output next week figures to be very touchdown dependent, as he is unlikely to have much success on a per play basis. Danny Woodhead led the team in total yards, with 55 coming on 11 rushes and 53 via eight catches.

Murray rushed for 79 yards and a score on 19 carries and secured all five of his targets for 38 yards in Thursday's 23-20 overtime win against the Chargers.

Murray was the most productive member of the Raiders offense Thursday, and he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards on the season in the process. He went untouched, thanks to a great lead block from Jamize Olawale, for his 22-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Raiders close out the season next week on the road against a Chiefs defense that surrendered 97 total yards and a score to Murray in Week 12.

Ellington (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Inching toward his first game-day activation since Week 12, Ellington made his earliest practice appearance in a given week, as his recovery from turf toe is allowing him to increase his workload slowly but surely. There's no need to rush him back with David Johnson manning the backfield admirably, but Ellington is making progress befitting of a return. Upon the release of Friday's injury report, the Cardinals will likely list Ellington as questionable for Sunday's contest against the Packers. However, head coach Bruce Arians could place the correct amount of question over Ellington's status with a "game-time decision" pronouncement.

Anderson (back/ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice.

We'd expect Anderson (who logged just four carries in Week 15) to be a go for Monday night's game against the Bengals, though with Ronnie Hillman (14 carries last week) also in the mix, Anderson makes for a speculative lineup option in Week 16.

McKinnon was limited at Thursday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports.

With Adrian Peterson tending to an ankle injury at times Sunday versus the Bears, McKinnon received his most touches and second-most snaps of the season. While McKinnon's seven runs went for a negligible 10 yards, his pass-catching chops were on a full display en route to four catches (on four targets) for 76 yards and one touchdown. Fortunately for the Vikings, Peterson is healing well and expects to suit up this weekend against the Giants, but McKinnon has made a case to be used in a change-of-pace role, if he's able to fend off an ailment of his own.

Draughn won't participate in Thursday's practice, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

For the second day in a row, Draughn will be absent from all drills, leaving Kendall Gaskins, DuJuan Harris, and Bruce Miller as the only healthy running backs in San Francisco. While the training staff tends to Draughn's knee throughout the week, Friday's injury report could inform whether or not he's trending toward an appearance Sunday at Detroit.

Ellington (toe) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, but head coach Bruce Arians is hopeful that the running back will return Thursday, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

Ellington's bout with turf toe is no different from other cases in the history of sports medicine: multiple absences (three) and nary a practice appearance (one limited showing) since sustaining the injury in Week 12. He'll have two opportunities this week to build upon last Friday's completion of individual drills, but his status is entirely up in the air for Sunday's game versus the Packers. If he returns, he would likely be eased into the fold due to the impressive run put together by David Johnson (knee).