NFL Player News

Anderson (ankle) is likely to be very limited if he plays Sunday against the Raiders, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Anderson was unable to practice this week due to the injury, and with Ronnie Hillman fully expected to get the start despite a foot injury, Anderson's fantasy upside appears to be very limited.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians is unsure if Ellington (toe) will be ready to return for a Week 15 matchup with the Eagles, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports.

Given the way turf toe can linger, there's no assurance that Ellington will even play again this season. On the other hand, the issue often becomes manageable after a week or two, with pain tolerance becoming the primary issue. If/when he returns, Ellington will likely work behind David Johnson.

Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said that Thompson's teammate Ronnie Hillman (foot) will start Sunday's game against the Raiders, The Denver Post reports.

Hillman and C.J. Anderson (ankle) are both listed as questionable, but the former is expected to get the start, whereas the latter looks shaky to even suit up. If Anderson can't play, Thompson will be the No. 2 running back, with his role potentially including short-yardage and goal-line carries. Head coach Gary Kubiak suggested earlier in the week that Thompson might start, but it now appears only a late setback would prevent Hillman from playing.

Coach Gary Kubiak relayed Friday that Hillman (foot) "looks fine" and will start at running back for the Broncos in Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Per the Denver Post, Hillman is slated to draw a questionable injury designation this week, but with Kubiak noting that Hillman will start, the focus turns to whether or not fellow RB C.J. Anderson (ankle, questionable) will be available to the Broncos this weekend, after not practicing this week. If he is unable to go Sunday, Juwan Thompson would be in line to see added snaps in tandem with Hillman.

Anderson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders, the Denver Post reports.

Anderson missed all of the Broncos' practices this week, and is still "really sore," per coach Gary Kubiak. That said, Kubiak still believes that Anderson has "a chance" to play Sunday. In any case, though fellow RB Ronnie Hillman is also listed as questionable by the Broncos, Kubiak relayed Friday that Hillman is in line to start Sunday's contest. Meanwhile, Juwan Thompson will also be in the mix to see a portion of snaps in the team's Week 14 backfield.

Draughn will get another start in Sunday's game against the Browns, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

With Carlos Hyde (foot) missing at least one more week, Draughn is primed for another heavy workload, after recording at least 18 touches and 75 scrimmage yards in each of the last four games. His steady volume, especially in the passing game, has largely made up for his lack of explosiveness as a runner.

Mathews (concussion/groin) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Bills, CSN Philadelphia's Geoff Mosher reports.

After logging full practices Thursday and Friday, Mathews is ready to return from a three-game absence. DeMarco Murray, Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner are also in the mix for carries, but with Murray's role shrinking last week, there is some chance that Mathews will lead the way. It's also possible Murray will return to his normal workload, in which case Mathews might be limited to his usual 5-12 carries.

Williams gained two yards on six carries in Thursday's 23-20 win over the Vikings

Williams got a few extra carries when David Johnson briefly left the game with an apparent knee/leg injury, and it quickly became clear why the Cardinals have leaned so heavily on their rookie the past two weeks. Williams missed a couple of obvious holes, then later lost eight yards on a carry when the Cardinals were in position for a go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter. Williams is unlikely to get more than a handful of touches against the Eagles in Week 15, and he may even be released if Andre Ellington (toe) is ready to return.

Thompson's teammates, C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, both missed practice again Thursday, ESPN's Jeff Legwold reports.

The duo's absence has led to added opportunities in practice this week for Thompson, with coach Gary Kubiak going so far as to acknowledge Thursday that "there's a chance" Thompson could start Sunday's game against the Raiders. That said, such a potential outcome remains speculative at this point. With that in mind, hopefully Friday's practice will help add some clarity to the team's Week 14 backfield situation, given that both Hillman and Anderson are expected to participate fully in the session.

Anderson (ankle) did not practice Thursday.

The same applies to fellow RB Ronnie Hillman, with coach Gary Kubiak noting encouragingly Thursday that that both backs are candidates to return to practice Friday. "The expectations are for [Hillman] and C.J. to be full participants [Friday]. We'll see," Kubiak said, adding that if the duo does well Friday, they would both be in position to suit up Sunday against the Raiders. In the event that one or both are limited this weekend, however, Juwan Thompson would be next up for carries in the Denver backfield.