NFL Player News

Artis-Payne is inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.

Artis-Payne had only been active for four of the Panthers' previous eight games, as he remains behind Jonathan Stewart, Fozzy Whittaker, and Mike Tolbert in the pecking order at running back.

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

Hillman was limited in practice this week and is officially listed as questionable, but head coach Gary Kubiak said Friday that he expected Hillman to be strong enough to start. Despite being at the top of the depth chart, Hillman is expected to split touches with C.J. Anderson, limiting the fantasy upside of both players.

West was released by the Titans on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Towson product appeared in only two games this seas, logging 16 total carries for 51 yards with two lost fumbles. West will look to latch on with another team, but at this point it's unclear whether he'll draw much interest.

The 49ers will use some combination of Draughn, Kendall Gaskins and Pierre Thomas at running back in Sunday's game against the Falcons, CSN Bay Area reports.

The 49ers haven't provided any indication as to which player might start, but Gaskins may have the upper hand because of his time spent in the organization. Draughn and Thomas obviously have more experience, but both players were just recently signed to replace Carlos Hyde (foot) and Mike Davis (hand). Draughn probably has the lowest ceiling of the bunch, as Thomas is the favorite for passing-down work and Gaskins is the favorite to receive goal-line carries.

Gaskins is a strong candidate for any potential goal-line work in Sunday's game against the Falcons, according to Joe Fann of the 49ers' official website.

Though it's still unclear how the workload will be divided between Gaskins, Pierre Thomas and Shaun Draughn, it does make sense that the 240-pound Gaskins would be the first option for short-yardage and goal-line carries. Of course, with the San Francisco offense plagued by both injuries and ineffectiveness, it won't be too surprising if the team doesn't actually provide Gaskins with any opportunities at the goal line.

Hillman (thigh) was limited at practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's 4:25 ET game against the Colts.

That said, the Denver Post relays that coach Gary Kubiak expects the running back to play and start for the Broncos on Sunday. "He's going to be fine. He looked a lot better today than he did yesterday," Kubiak said Friday of Hillman, who absorbed a hard hit during Week 8's contest that limited him in the second half. Though he's now listed as the team's No. 1 running back -- assuming Hillman suits up this weekend -- per Kubiak, he is expected share work in the Broncos' Week 9 backfield with C.J. Anderson.

Williams (thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills.

After being limited earlier in the week, Williams did not practice Friday, so his status for Sunday's game is cloudy, though with Lamar Miller and Jonas Gray both available, and Jay Ajayi a candidate to be activated by the team, Williams' Week 9 status is of more import to the Dolphins' depth at RB than it is to fantasy owners.

Anderson (ankle) will be the backup Sunday against the Colts, with Ronnie Hillman getting another start, the Denver Post reports.

Hillman started last weekend's game and scored two touchdowns, though Anderson rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown himself. The two are likely to split touches in the coming weeks, which limits both of their fantasy upsides.

Mathews (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys.

The Eagles' final Week 9 injury report lists Mathews as a full practice participant Friday, but given the official questionable tag, the running back's status will need to be monitored as Sunday's 8:30 ET kickoff approaches. In seven games for the Eagles this season, Mathews has averaged a healthy 6.1 yards per rush, but the only contest in which he logged double-digit carries occurred in Week 3, when starter DeMarco Murray was unavailable.

Draughn -- who signed with the 49ers on Monday -- indicated that he's preparing as though he'll start Sunday's game against the Falcons, with Carlos Hyde iffy for the contest, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Meanwhile, the report notes that Pierre Thomas -- who joined the team Tuesday -- is also trying to get up to speed with the 49ers' offense. In the event that Hyde is ruled out this week, it's plausible that Draughn's self-described "one cut, get down hill" running style will earn him a share of early down work Sunday, while Thomas sees a fair chunk of work in passing situations.