The Carolina Panthers are desperate for someone to suit up and carry the rock in their injury-riddled backfield.
With DeAngelo Williamsshifting from a walking boot to a cast over his sprained ankle, the veteran runner is all but officially out for Sunday's tilt with the Chicago Bears. Williams has a high ankle sprain and won't play Sunday, the team announced Wednesday. He is set to get the cast removed on Friday.
Coach Ron Rivera is holding out hope that Jonathan Stewart will take his place after missing Sunday's loss to the Ravens with a knee injury, per ESPN's Ed Werder. Even if he plays, look for Stewart to share time with a combination of Darrin Reaves, Fozzy Whittaker and the newly signed Chris Ogbonnaya. Davis was in pads Wednesday, according to the AP.
Held to under 20 points in each of their last two games, Carolina's depleted backfield hasn't rushed for more than 67 yards since the opener.
Other injuries we're tracking around the NFL:
- Tony Romo's regular Wednesdays off have led to back-to-back passer ratings of 116.8 and 137.4. Resting the veteran signal-caller midweek -- as they did today -- has sparked the Cowboys offense, so don't look for Dallas to mess with this formula. Linebacker Bruce Carter (quadriceps) also didn't practice.
- Jeremy Maclin fully participated in Wednesday's practice after missing Tuesday's session. He's on target to play Sunday against the Rams.
- Calvin Johnson said his ankle is feeling better this week than at any point during last week, according to the team. This is a good sign for the Lions after he played roughly 80 percent of the snaps in Sunday's win over the Jets.
- Dolphins running back Knowshon Morenotold The Palm Beach Post that he's "probably got four more weeks" before he'll be ready to return to the team. He's recovering from a dislocated elbow he suffered in Week 2.
- Neither Niners tight end Vernon Davis (back) nor offensive tackle Anthony Davis (knee, ankle) practiced Wednesday. Both were injured during Sunday's win over the Eagles.
- Jaguars wideout Marqise Lee (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game against the Steelers, the Jaguars announced, per ESPN.Â
- Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was in pads Wednesday for the Panthers, according to the AP.
- Browns running back Ben Tate (knee) will be limited in practice Wednesday, according to coach Mike Pettine. He's hopeful that Tate will be able to fully participate later in the week.
- Cowboys playmaker Dez Bryant (shoulder) and linebacker Rolando McClain (groin) both participated in practice.
- A pair of young Chargers were limited Wednesday with hamstring injuries: rookie cornerback Jason Verrett -- who missed Week 4's win -- and third-year tight end Ladarius Green.
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