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Ezekiel Elliott RB | LAC
Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott: No more than two series expected Sunday
Elliott isn't expect to log more than a series or two during Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Sal Paolantonio of ESPN reports.
Elliott helped drive the Cowboys to the No. 1 seed in the NFC with his exploits on the ground, but he'll have just a few opportunities, at best, to cap the season on a high note. Once head coach Jason Garrett pulls his stud rookie, the RB picture is clouded by the illness that held McFadden out of practice Friday. If McFadden is hindered or ruled inactive, Alfred Morris would be in line for his first touches since Week 14.
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Darren McFadden RB | DAL
Cowboys' Darren McFadden: Questionable after missing practice
McFadden (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Eagles, David Helman of DallasCowboys.com reports.
McFadden was set to receive the bulk of Dallas' backfield snaps once starter Ezekiel Elliott is pulled from Sunday's game, but after missing Friday's practice due to illness, his status is now in question to even play in Week 17. If McFadden is still sick Sunday, Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar could instead benefit most from Elliott being preserved for the playoffs.
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Zach Zenner RB | NO
Lions' Zach Zenner: To lead Lions backfield
Zenner is expected to serve as the Lions' top tailback Sunday night against the Packers, when Theo Riddick (wrist) will remain sidelined, ESPN's Michael Rothstein reports.
Zenner has emerged as Detroit's best option at running back in Riddick's absence, impressively totaling 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries and catching eight passes for 86 yards across the last three games. While Dwayne Washington should also factor into the mix Sunday, Zenner is set to lead the Lions' backfield charge as they hope to secure the NFC North title on home turf to close the regular season.
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Branden Oliver RB | IND
Chargers' Branden Oliver: Expects to begin running in January
Oliver (Achilles) is expected to start running in January, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Oliver was placed on IR after tearing his Achilles in the preseason, kicking off what would a rocky season in terms of health for Chargers running backs. While Oliver is expected to be ready for spring practices, there's no guarantee he'll be practicing with the Chargers as the 25-year-old is slated to become a restricted free agent following the conclusion of the 2016 season.
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Ronnie Hillman RB | DAL
Chargers' Ronnie Hillman: Likely to get the start Sunday
With Melvin Gordon (knee/hip) ruled out, Hillman figures to get the start Sunday against the Chiefs.
Hillman has played sparingly since joining the Chargers, but the veteran running back will get plenty of opportunities Sunday with Gordon and Kenneth Farrow (shoulder) done for the season. While there's a chance the Chargers opt to use former Giants' running back Andre Williams as an early-down back, Hillman had been seeing time in passing downs already and appears to have a better grasp of the playbook, given that Williams had been toiling away on the Chargers' practice squad prior to his call-up this week. Against a mediocre Chiefs' run defense, Hillman figures to put up enough numbers for a desperate owner to justify using in a standard league.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Chargers' Melvin Gordon: Ruled out prior to Sunday
Gordon (knee/hip) will not play Sunday against the Chiefs.
There was hope that the second-year running back would be able to take the field Sunday for the Chargers' final game of the year, especially considering Gordon was within three rushing yards of hitting the 1,000 yard mark on the season. However after failing to register a full day of practice throughout the week, the Chargers made the decision to protect their star running back, ending his season early. With Kenneth Farrow (shoulder) also out after being placed on injured reserve this week, Ronnie Hillman figures to get the start, while Andre Williams, who was elevated from the practice squad Tuesday, could factor in as a change-of-pace back.
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Darren McFadden RB | DAL
Cowboys' Darren McFadden: No practice Friday
McFadden is not practicing Friday due to illness, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.
McFadden's illness couldn't come at a worse time, as he is anticipated to receive the bulk of the Cowboys' running back duties once starter Ezekiel Elliott is pulled from Sunday's game. Although McFadden obviously still has time to get healthy, he runs the risk of losing snaps to Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar if his sickness doesn't subside by Sunday's 1:00 ET kickoff. As a result, fantasy owners will need to keep an eye on McFadden's condition before cementing their expectations of him.