NFL Player News

Coach Brian Callahan said Monday that Spears is in the concussion protocol, Terry McCormick of TitanInsider.com reports.

Spears was examined for a head injury at the tail end of Sunday's loss to the Vikings, so Callahan's comments merely confirmed that the running back will be subject to league protocol in order to gain clearance for his next game action. The Titans play this coming Sunday in Houston, so the team will reconvene for practice Wednesday, at which point Spears' listing on the first Week 12 injury report will become known. Tony Pollard and Julius Chestnut are the healthy backfield options on Tennessee's active roster.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Sanders (foot/ankle) is considered week-to-week and is unlikely to play Sunday against the Chiefs, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Sanders was carted off the field with the lower-body injury during the Panthers' Week 10 overtime win over the Giants on Nov. 10, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reporting three days later that the running back was viewed as day-to-day. Despite having the benefit of a Week 11 bye to aid in his recovery, Sanders' injury looks to be more significant than the Panthers initially believed, as he wasn't on the field for the team's unofficial practice session Monday, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Sanders has been serving as the top backup to lead back Chuba Hubbard this season, but rookie second-round pick Jonathon Brooks (knee) is poised to make his NFL debut Sunday and could retain the No. 2 role even once Sanders is back to full health.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that he "fully expects" Brooks (knee) to play Sunday against the Chiefs, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Brooks has been out all season while recovering from the torn ACL that he suffered last November during his final collegiate campaign at Texas, but he was a full participant in practices in Weeks 9 and 10 before Carolina went on bye for Week 11. Assuming he experiences no setbacks with his surgically repaired right knee during Week 12 prep, Brooks should be ready to handle a complementary role behind starter Chuba Hubbard. With Hubbard still expected to see the lion's share of the snaps and touches out of the backfield moving forward after inking a four-year, $33.2 million extension earlier this month, Brooks will likely struggle to earn enough volume to make for an appealing option in fantasy lineups.

Brooks was targeted twice and had two receptions for 13 yards in Sunday's 20-19 victory over the Bears.

Brooks did not tally a carry Sunday and was the third Packers running back to enter the contest, but for the third time in as many he finished with more snaps (10) than fellow reserve Emanuel Wilson, who was on the field for only three offensive plays Week 11. One of the two remains the backup behind Josh Jacobs with the return of MarShawn Lloyd (ankle/hamstring/appendix) again delayed, but it's tough to pinpoint exactly who is the No. 2 back.

Mitchell did not get a touch on two offensive snaps Sunday against the Steelers.

The Ravens continue to slow-play Mitchell's reintroduction to the offense. Through two games, Mitchell has zero touches on three offensive snaps. He's been involved in the kick return game, but his role in the offense has been minimal since returning from a significant knee injury last December. The Ravens have two more games before the bye -- at the Chargers in Week 12 and home against the Eagles in Week 13 -- so it's possible that Mitchell will start to get more involved down the stretch. In the meantime, though, Mitchell is buried on the running back depth chart.

Wilson had two carries for 17 yards in Sunday's 20-19 victory over the Bears.

Wilson was the second Green Bay running back to enter Sunday's contest and the only one besides Josh Jacobs to record a carry, but he played only three snaps while Jacobs got 37 and Chris Brooks recorded 10 of his own. It's still a toss-up when determining who the top option behind Jacobs is, as the snap counts suggest Brooks but the overall body of work leans toward Wilson. What is certain is it's one or the other, as MarShawn Lloyd (ankle/hamstring/appendix) will miss at least a couple more weeks.

Hill caught four of seven targets for 28 yards and added two carries for 13 yards Sunday against the Steelers.

This was the most involved Hill has been in the game plan in some time as he drew seven targets and played the same number of snaps (30) as Derrick Henry. The seven targets were one behind his season high of eight in the season-opening loss against the Chiefs. Henry struggled to get much going on the ground other than his 31-yard run, and Pittsburgh's lively pass rush opened the door for Hill to get some work in the short passing game. Hill nearly came down with a massive catch up the sideline, but it was ripped away and intercepted by rookie linebacker Payton Wilson. Hill's lack of effectiveness despite the increased opportunities was a disappointing result for him, though he should remain the No.2 option behind Henry given that the team does not appear ready to give Keaton Mitchell significant snaps yet.

Abdullah caught all three of his targets for 16 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 34-19 loss to the Dolphins. He also gained one yard on his only carry.

Abdullah caught a 10-yard swing pass out of the backfield with less than five minutes remaining in the contest for his second touchdown of the season. The 31-year-old logged a 34 percent offensive snap share as a result of Zamir White (quad) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both exiting the game early. If at least one of White or Mattison are forced to miss the Raiders' Week 12 matchup against the Broncos, Abdullah could see an increased role again, though sixth-round rookie Dylan Laube may also factor into the backfield mix.

Allen rushed twice for six yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Colts.

Allen worked as a distant No. 2 behind Breece Hall, who turned 16 carries and seven targets into 121 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. As long as Hall's healthy, Allen's little more than an insurance policy to be stashed on fantasy benches.

Hasty carried twice for two yards in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Rams.

Hasty logged five of a possible 76 snaps on offense in the contest, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while Rhamondre Stevenson was out there for 58 snaps and recorded 20 carries. As long as Stevenson remains healthy, Hasty remains off the fantasy radar in the change-of-pace role he shares with Antonio Gibson (13 snaps, four carries).