NFL Player News

Jones (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Minnesota, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones will miss a second straight game, and his continued absence from practice suggests he may not be ready for a Thursday matchup with the 49ers four days later. Jamaal Williams got 19 carries and five targets on 89 percent snap share in last week's win over Houston, while AJ Dillon was limited to five carries on 23 percent of snaps. It's possible the Packers look to get Dillon more involved, but Williams is still the safe bet to pile up touches and yards while Jones is unavailable.

Patterson (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints.

Held out of practice the previous two days, Patterson returned Friday as a limited participant. He's mostly been serving as David Montgomery's backup in recent weeks, but Patterson could see some extra work as a wide receiver if he ends up playing and Allen Robinson (concussion) doesn't. The Bears are scheduled for a 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday afternoon.

Mixon (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Mixon now will miss back-to-back contests due to a right foot injury suffered Week 6. With a Week 9 bye on tap, he'll aim to return Sunday, Nov. 15 at Pittsburgh, but in the meantime Giovani Bernard will lead the Bengals backfield.

The Vikings have updated their final injury report to list Cook (groin) as questionable for Sunday's game in Green Bay.

The team initially left Cook off the injury report but then deemed him questionable shortly thereafter. However, multiple Minnesota beat writers have said Cook is expected to play, a sentiment echoed by coach Mike Zimmer when he said the running back should be ready for his normal workload come Sunday. Even so, fantasy managers may want to check back Sunday morning when the Vikings release their inactive list at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET.

Cook (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Green Bay.

Chad Graff of The Athletic confirms Cook is expected to play, with him returning to the lineup after a Week 7 bye. Speaking to the media Friday afternoon, coach Mike Zimmer said he anticipates Cook handling his regular workload, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Alexander Mattison will slide back to a reserve role after failing to capitalize on his shot in the starting lineup (Week 6 versus Atlanta).

Jones (calf) isn't at Friday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

A third consecutive absence suggests Jones isn't likely to play in Sunday's game against Minnesota, but it's still possible the Packers list him as questionable or doubtful rather than officially ruling him out on the final injury report. Jamaal Williams played 89 percent of offensive snaps in last week's win over Houston, piling up 114 total yards and a touchdown.

Coach Pete Carroll expects Homer (knee) to play Sunday against the 49ers, Brandon Gustafson of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Meanwhile, Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) are trending toward game-time decisions. It isn't clear Homer will get many touches even if Carson and Hyde don't play, but the second-year pro should at least be on hand for his usual role on passing downs. DeeJay Dallas is the only Seattle running back who has been participating in practice this week, though it sounds like Homer could be back on the field Friday afternoon.

Coach Matt Rhule said Friday that he's hopeful McCaffrey (ankle) can return for Week 9 against the Chiefs, Myles Simmons of the Panthers' official site reports.

A report earlier this week suggested McCaffrey should be back to face the Chiefs in Week 9, after he was cleared to practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain Sept. 20. Mike Davis mostly has done a nice job filling in at running back, but his past three games in the starting role weren't nearly as impressive as the first three. Rhule did say Davis will still get some playing time after McCaffrey is back in the lineup, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press.

Coach Zac Taylor acknowledged Friday that "it doesn't look good" for Mixon (foot) in terms of the running back playing Sunday against the Titans, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

There's a pretty solid chance that Mixon will be officially ruled out later Friday, and if that's the case, Giovani Bernard will once again lead the Bengals backfield Week 8.

Mixon (foot) won't participate at Friday's practice, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 24-year-old is trending in the wrong direction, as he was unable to practice in any capacity this week. Mixon appears poised to miss his second straight contest, and his status will be confirmed when Cincinnati releases its injury report later Friday. Assuming he's unavailable, Giovani Bernard is in line to lead the Bengals backfield again Sunday versus the Titans.