NFL Player News

Williams (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at the Jets, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Williams upgraded to full participation Friday after logging limited practice sessions Wednesday and Thursday. He appears to be locked in for heavy usage, with recently signed Kapri Bibbs the only other running back on Green Bay's 53-man roster in the wake of Aaron Jones' season-ending knee injury. Williams handled an 87 percent snap share in last week's 24-17 loss to Chicago, taking 12 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 42 yards on five targets.

Conner has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Conner didn't practice all week and will be sidelined for the third consecutive game. That paves the way for Jaylen Samuels to act as the lead option out of the Pittsburgh backfield, with Stevan Ridley on hand in a supporting role.

The Chargers downgraded Ekeler (neck/shoulder) from doubtful to out ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Ravens.

Coach Anthony Lynn essentially admitted Thursday that Ekeler wouldn't be able to play this week while he remained in the concussion protocol and was still dealing with weakness in his shoulder as a result of the neck injury, so the Chargers' decision to rule the running back out a day before the game hardly comes as a surprise. With Melvin Gordon (knee) set to return from a three-game absence, Ekeler would have been stuck in a change-of-pace role had he gained clearance to suit up. Instead, those duties will now fall to rookie Justin Jackson in Week 16.

Coach Sean McDermott said Friday the team will decide in the upcoming day about playing time for LeSean McCoy (hamstring), Chris Ivory (shoulder) and Ford during Sunday's game in New England, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

It looks like the two veterans have overcome their injuries and will play against the division rival, but the coaching staff has been saying all along that they would like to keep giving Ford some looks, so expect the rookie to see at least a handful of carries. That said, unless the Bills sit McCoy completely, it's hard to rely on a relative unknown that might be third in the pecking order against a heavily favored Patriots squad.

Mixon (wrist/thigh) practiced fully Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Browns.

With wideout Tyler Boyd (knee) joining A.J. Green and tight end Tyler Eifert on the sideline this weekend, Mixon is once again in line to be the focal point of the Cincinnati offense. He's logged 53 carries for 240 yards and three scores over his last two games and should continue his high-volume ways in Week 16.

Patterson (illness) returned to practice Friday, Doug Kyed of NESN.com reports.

Patterson missed Thursday's practice due to an illness, but now that he's back on the field, he'll likely head into Sunday's game against the Bills minus an injury designation. After logging just five offensive snaps in Week 15, Patterson should see more involvement this weekend with the suspended Josh Gordon no longer in the picture for New England.

McCaffrey returned to practice Friday, Max Henson of the Panthers' official site reports.

McCaffrey was held out of Thursday's session in order to rest, but his presence on the field offers assurance he'll be good to go for the Panthers' Week 16 matchup with Atlanta. For the first time in his career, McCaffrey will have to adapt to a new quarterback, as Taylor Heinicke is set to fill in for the injured Cam Newton (shoulder) over the final two contests.

Penny (knee) was held out of practice Thursday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

With a pair of DNPs under his belt this week, Penny is trending toward a second consecutive absence as a result of a knee injury. He could flip the script Friday by returning to practice in some capacity, making the Seahawks' final Week 16 practice report one to watch out for. With Penny's status still in limbo, Chris Carson (28 touches Week 15) and Mike Davis (13) are poised to handle the bulk of the backfield reps Sunday versus the Chiefs.

Breida (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

In the wake of another aggravation of his ankle injury, Breida has been able to practice in a limited capacity this week, which mostly is par for the course with the 49ers' starting running back. An absence aside Week 14, he's played at least 39 percent of the offensive snaps in 10 of 13 appearances. In his most recent one Week 15 against the Seahawks, he logged a season-best 73 percent of those snaps, which translated to 96 scrimmage yards on 22 touches. If he's at all hindered this Sunday against the Bears, though, Jeff Wilson is on hand to help fuel the ground game.

Conner (ankle) did not practice Thursday.

Conner has missed the Steelers' last two games and back-to-back missed practices this week hint at another absence Sunday against the Saints. If he ends up sitting out that contest, rookie Jaylen Samuels would once again head the Pittsburgh backfield in Week 16, with Stevan Ridley on hand to work in a complementary role.