NFL Player News

Williams could face competition for the lead-back role Sunday against the Buccaneers with teammate Aaron Jones (knee) listed as questionable for the contest, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Williams handled a huge workload the past three weeks, getting at least 18 carries in each game despite averaging only 3.2 yards per tote. While that mark might not seem impressive at first glance, he also caught nine passes for 114 yards and scored a touchdown apiece through the air and ground, all while facing a trio of respectable defenses (Chicago, Baltimore and Pittsburgh). Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans was impressed, noting Thursday that Williams deserves to get snaps even when Jones is healthy. While Jones seems to be trending toward a game-day decision, fellow Packers running back Ty Montgomery (wrist) was placed on injured reserve Friday. The most likely scenario features Williams and Jones in some kind of timeshare to close out the season, though Williams could get another week of workhorse duty if Jones isn't quite ready by Sunday.

Williams (ribs) remained limited at Friday's practice, but he doesn't have a designation on the final injury report for Sunday's game against the Rams, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Early reports suggested Williams' cracked ribs likely would lead to at least one absence, but it turns out the running back will avoid such a fate. The extent of his role remains to be seen, as he'll be the favorite to handle the lead job if Adrian Peterson (neck) doesn't play, per Urban. Peterson is listed as questionable and expected to be a game-time decision, with his failure to practice at all this week casting serious doubt upon his availability. D.J. Foster and Eliijhaa Penny might also take on added work if Peterson is out, making Williams a risky proposition in any scenario.

Though McCaffrey (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in New Orleans, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera optimistic the running back will play, Joe Person of The Charlotte Observer reports.

McCaffrey was held out of practice Wednesday but managed limited sessions Thursday and Friday. Speaking before Friday's practice, Rivera said the team may wait until Saturday before making a decision on McCaffrey's availability. The Panthers' head coach sounded a bit more optimistic after practice, perhaps suggesting that McCaffrey looked good during the session. Rivera's comments provide hope that the final decision will be made public Saturday, rather than in the hours leading up to Sunday's 4:25 p.m. EDT kickoff. Jonathan Stewart likely would get some extra snaps and carries if McCaffrey were to miss the game, while Fozzy Whittaker would be the leading candidate to handle work on passing downs.

Martin (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Green Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Martin was unable to practice at all this week, which puts him in danger of missing time beyond Sunday. His absence leaves Jacquizz Rodgers as the likely starting running back, but there's no guarantee the role leads to a large workload, given that Peyton Barber and Charles Sims also should see involvement in the Bucs' game plan.

Jones (knee) remained limited at Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Jones was listed as a limited practice participant each day this week, suggesting he has a shot to return at the very front end of his initial timetable for a return, which had been estimated at 3-to-6 weeks. Jamaal Williams seemingly has done enough to stay involved in the offense regardless of his teammate's health, but his workload would still figure to take a major hit if Jones were to make it back on the field. With Ty Montgomery (ribs) already ruled out, the Packers hope Jones can end his string of absences at just two weeks, potentially setting him up as a game-time decision ahead of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EDT kickoff.

Washington (hip) doesn't haven an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Washington will return from a two-game absence, potentially taking on an expanded role if Ameer Abdullah (neck) isn't able to play. While Washington would seem to be first in line for carries if Abdullah is out, history suggests the second-year back would form a volume-limiting committee with Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner.

Abdullah (neck) returned to practice Friday as a limited participant and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Baltimore.

Held out of practice the previous two days, Abdullah gave himself a shot to play this week with Friday's return, but he told reporters afterward that they would have to ask Lions head coach Jim Caldwell if they wanted to know about the running back's availability for Sunday in Baltimore, per Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com. With the famously tight-lipped Caldwell unlikely to provide any hints, Abdullah should be treated as a game-time decision leading up to Sunday's 1:00 p.m. EDT kickoff. In the event of an absence, Detroit would turn to some combination of Theo Riddick, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner to take on Abdullah's usual snaps and touches.

Drake is on track to handle the lead-back role for the Dolphins in Sunday's game against the Broncos with Damien Williams (shoulder) ruled out for the contest, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Drake and Williams have essentially split the workload in the backfield since Jay Ajayi was traded to the Eagles on Oct. 31, with Drake amassing 44 touches (32 carries, 12 receptions) to Williams' 46 (34, 12) over the past four games. Though Drake was the far superior producer of the two in the first half of November, Williams had better showings from an efficiency standpoint in the last two contests. While Drake will have his best opportunity to date to show what he can do when given extended carries, his two lost fumbles in the last month have prevented him from gaining the complete confidence of the Dolphins' coaching staff, according to Roy Cummings of FloridaFootballInsiders.com. That implies that even with a strong showing Sunday against a tough Broncos run defense, Drake may not necessarily be Option 1A in the team's rushing attack once Williams is cleared to play again.

Williams (shoulder) won't play Sunday against the Broncos, Alain Poupart of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Williams has split the backfield workload with Kenyan Drake the last four games following the trade of Jay Ajayi to the Eagles, but Drake will be the clear-cut lead runner in Week 13. Depth back Senorise Perry is still in the NFL's concussion protocol, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald, and is thus uncertain for Sunday's contest. As a result, De'Veon Smith could end serving as the primary backup to Drake.

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said the team may wait until Saturday to make a decision on whether McCaffrey (shoulder) plays in Sunday's game against the Saints, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

While the final injury report hasn't been released, Rivera's comments all but assure McCaffrey will be listed as questionable. The running back returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant, and he's back on the field Friday in some capacity. Another update will be available when the injury report is released.