NFL Player News

Williams (calf/knee) was a non-participant at Monday's walkthrough.

Williams was inactive for Sunday's loss to the Ravens, his second consecutive absence, and he was unable to take the field one day later. The 29-year-old will need to make some progress in his recovery over the next couple days to have a chance of suiting up Thursday at Detroit.

The Cowboys listed Elliott as a limited participant on Monday's estimated practice report with a knee injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Though Dallas didn't hold an official practice as it begins Week 12 prep, the team's estimation of Elliott as a limited participant is a reassuring sign of his chances of being ready to go by the time Thursday's game against the Raiders arrives. Elliott's knee injury -- which he sustained in the first half of Sunday's 19-9 loss when his leg got caught under a Chiefs defender -- is believed to be an aggravation of the one he initially picked up in the Cowboys' Week 9 loss to Denver. Even if Elliott is able to show enough improvement to avoid taking an injury designation into the Thanksgiving Day matchup, it's possible the Dallas coaching staff looks to monitor his workload and have No. 2 back Tony Pollard take on a more pronounced role in the game plan.

The Saints listed Kamara (knee) as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report.

While New Orleans didn't hold a formal practice one day after its 40-29 loss to the Eagles, Kamara's estimated listing means that he wouldn't have been on the field if the Saints held a workout. The Saints face a quick turnaround Week 12 with a Thursday night matchup against the Bills, so Kamara could be hard-pressed to put an end to his two-game absence due to an MCL sprain. He hasn't practiced in any capacity since last Wednesday; he was a limited participant that day and then didn't practice either of the next two days, seemingly hinting at a setback. Mark Ingram would be in line to serve as New Orleans' lead back once again if Kamara is ruled out for Thanksgiving night.

Jefferson (ankle/knee) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice estimation.

Jefferson missed Sunday's loss to the Browns with ankle and knee injuries and has a short week to recover ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Bears. If he's unable to return against Chicago, Godwin Igwebuike would serve as the Lions' No. 3 running back.

Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Carter will miss "a couple weeks" after he suffered a low-grade ankle sprain in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Dolphins, Ethan B. Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Saleh made the announcement minutes after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the injury would sideline Carter for 2-to-3 weeks. While the rookie is out of action for the Jets' Week 12 game in Houston and likely an additional contest to follow, expect the team to rely on the tandem of Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman as its main options out of the backfield.

Carter was diagnosed Monday with a low-grade high-ankle sprain that will likely keep him sidelined for 2-to-3 weeks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter's report indicates that Carter is dealing with either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 sprain after the running back was forced out of Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Dolphins with the injury. After the rookie running back exited the contest early in the third quarter, Tevin Coleman out-touched Ty Johnson by a 4-2 margin. Expect Coleman and Johnson to work in a loose timeshare while Carter is likely out for at least the next two games, with La'Mical Perine -- who was inactive Week 11 -- ranking third in the backfield pecking order.

Sermon rushed 10 times for 32 yards and caught his lone target for 23 yards in Sunday's 30-10 win over the Jaguars.

Elijah Mitchell (finger) and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) were both inactive Sunday, so Sermon -- who had received just one carry over the last five games -- jumped up to second on the depth chart behind fill-in starter Jeff Wilson (19 carries for 50 yards). Neither back made much of a case for deserving more playing time when Mitchell returns, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel (eight carries for 79 yards and a touchdown) looking like the best running back on the field. Sermon is being treated as a last resort by the 49ers' coaching staff in his rookie year, so fantasy managers should do the same heading into an important matchup Sunday with fellow NFC Wild Card hopefuls in the Vikings.

Mattison had three carries for five yards in Sunday's 34-31 win over Green Bay.

Mattison isn't getting many opportunities with Dalvin Cook healthy, as he's had just 20 touches over his last five games. Mattison had more than 100 yards rushing in both spot starts this season when Cook was injured, so he's still one of the more valuable backups in the league.

Taylor had four carries for 11 yards in Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Vikings.

There was talk that another player or two could fill the backup role behind AJ Dillon with starting running back Aaron Jones (knee) inactive for Week 11, but it was Taylor who wound up filling the spot. While Taylor set new career bests in both carries and rushing yards, he was only on the field for 15 snaps, and his four touches paled in comparison to Dillon's 17. Jones has not been ruled out for Week 12, but it seems likely the Packers will hold him out with a bye on the schedule the following week. As such, Taylor figures to handle the backup duties -- which will likely remain minimal -- for another game.

Hubbard played just one offensive snap in Sunday's 27-21 loss to Washington.

Hubbard saw superstar Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Cam Newton combine for 20 of Carolina's 21 rushing attempts, perhaps a sign of things to come going forward. Although him playing just one snap was still rather surprising given his recent production, Hubbard's backup role behind such accomplished runners restricts his fantasy upside, with Sunday serving as a glaring example of that.