It's Sunday morning of Week 13, and there are some big and medium names not expected to play. Most notably, Adrian Peterson in Arizona, Greg Olsen for Carolina and Ameer Abdullah for the Lions -- none is likely to be active when their teams kick off.
With Peterson (neck) expected out, it should be a Kerwynn Williams and D.J. Foster committee for Arizona. Williams injured his ribs in the last game and was initially expected to miss time. But apparently he's a really tough guy, and/or the injury isn't too bad, as he should be the main runner, with Foster playing in passing situations. Given Williams' own injury issue, Foster (in PPR leagues) might be a better choice for some usable production.
Olsen aggravated that foot injury, and Carolina will apparently hold him out as a precaution. But given that the Panthers are in New Orleans in arguably their most important game all season, it's clearly something they think there's little chance he can play with. So likely no Olsen, and Ed Dickson will be the main tight end and potentially 2nd-most targeted receiver behind Devin Funchess.
In that same game, Marshon Lattimore is expected to try to play through an ankle injury, but he's not 100 percent. Also, Christian McCaffrey is apparently fine after dealing with a shoulder injury earlier in the week. He practiced fully on Thursday and Friday.
Ameer Abdullah isn't expected to play for the Lions. Abdullah didn't look like a great option anyway, and now Detroit will likely run the ball even less than they usually do. It should be lots of passing and lots of Theo Riddick for Detroit.
Aaron Jones is expected to return from a knee injury for Green Bay. Jamaal Williams will likely be the lead back, but his appeal takes a hit with Jones a candidate for at least some work. We're still thinking it will be mostly Williams as the main option, but it's a little riskier with Jones expected to be active.
--Andy Richardson