NFL Player News

Ellington (toe), who has been ruled out for Week 13, will see a specialist to evaluate his turf toe, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Recovery from turf toe is unpredictable and Ellington's injury track record is far from encouraging. While that doesn't mean a multi-week absence should be assumed, it is clear that Ellington's no lock to be ready for Week 14, in addition to be already being ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams. David Johnson is set to lead the Arizona backfield Sunday afternoon, with Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams working in relief.

Ellington (toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in St. Louis.

As expected, Ellington will miss at least one game due to the turf toe injury he suffered in Week 12. David Johnson is thus set to serve as the unquestioned leader of Arizona's backfield in Sunday's game, but with Chris Johnson done for the season, Ellington may still get his shot at an increased role. David Johnson will be backed up by Stepfan Taylor and Kerwynn Williams.

Gillislee will be promoted to the Bills' active roster prior to Sunday's game against the Texans, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Gillislee will be brought up from the Bills' practice squad with Karlos Williams (shoulder) out this week. He will work as the team's third running back behind LeSean McCoy and Anthony Dixon.

Mathews (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Patriots.

Mathews has not been able to escape the league's concussion protocol as of yet, so he will sit out for the third week in a row. He still needs to be cleared, but he is able to exercise without concussion symptoms, according to Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, so he could have a chance to return to action in Week 14.

Abdullah had 13 carries for 67 yards in Thursday's 27-23 loss to the Packers.

Abdullah got the start and picked up 12 yards on Detroit's first offensive snap, but Joique Bell and Theo Riddick predictably also had roles. Bell had eight carries for five yards and two catches for 25 yards, with Riddick adding one carry for four yards and five receptions for 27 yards. Riddick actually led the way with 36 snaps, compared to 22 for Abdullah and 15 for Bell, according to Pro Football Focus. While Abdullah has 12+ carries in three consecutive games, there haven't been any signs that the Lions are truly willing to turn their backfield over to the rookie. With Bell still mixing in on early downs and Riddick dominating passing downs, Abdullah doesn't offer much of a weekly ceiling. However, he could perhaps get more work now that the playoff dream is gone, but a Week 14 road matchup with the Rams won't be easy.

Mathews remains in the concussion protocol as of Thursday, the Eagles' official site reports.

Mathews' inability to practice is particularly concerning, as it indicates that he hasn't completed the initial battery of tests in the concussion protocol. If he fails to make an appearance at drills Friday, the Eagles would rely upon DeMarco Murray, Kenjon Barner and Darren Sproles out of the backfield Sunday at New England.

Head coach Bruce Arians said Wednesday that he doesn't expect Ellington (toe) to play Sunday at St. Louis, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

On the other hand, the Cardinals will take a wait-and-see approach with Ellington, who is visiting a specialist in Los Angeles in the near future, according to Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix. If a bout with turf toe indeed sidelines Ellington in Week 13, David Johnson will take the reins of the backfield with Chris Johnson also out of commission due to a fractured tibia.

Mathews (concussion/groin) didn't participate in practice Wednesday.

While Mathews hasn't received clearance from the concussion protocol to take part in drills, he's now also hamstrung by a hamstring injury. It's unclear if he'll need to practice in order to play Sunday at New England, but he'll have two more opportunities to do so before the end of the week.

Anderson will be the backup Sunday against the Chargers, with coach Gary Kubiak announcing Wednesday that Ronnie Hillman would remain the starter.

Anderson vastly outplayed Hillman last Sunday against the Patriots, rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns, including the overtime game-winning 48-yard score, while Hillman rushed for only 59 yards and one touchdown, but it still wasn't enough for the former to grab the starting job. Both players are expected to get touches, however, which somewhat limits their respective upsides against a Chargers defense that is allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game this season, while giving up the third-most rushing touchdowns.

Hillman will start Sunday against the Chargers, head coach Gary Kubiak said Wednesday.

Hillman started the past few games, though C.J. Anderson outplayed him last Sunday against the Patriots, rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns versus Hillman's 59 yards and one score. While Hillman will get the start against the Chargers, who are allowing the seventh-most rushing yards per game and have given up the third-most rushing touchdowns this season, Anderson is still likely to get plenty of touches, which obviously limits the upside of both players.