Jake Locker not expected to play, DeAngelo Williams returns to practice

Locker not expected to play for Titans

The Tennessee Titans have listed Jake Locker as questionable for this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, but that optimism seems to be misleading. Jim Wyatt, the Titans beat reporter for The Tennessean, believes the quarterback is closer to doubtful and doesn't expect him to be active for the game.

If Locker, who is suffering from a sprained throwing wrist, is indeed sidelined, Charlie Whitehurst will make just the fifth start of his nine-year career. The veteran backup hasn't thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2011.

Foster's status still uncertain in Houston

Another 24 hours, and we're no closer to finding out if Arian Foster will play for the Houston Texans this Sunday. In his Friday morning press conference, head coach Bill O'Brian said that the running back is still a game-time decision with an injured hamstring. Foster was a game-time decision last week and ended up sitting out against the Buffalo Bills.

Panthers get Williams back, RBs still a mess

DeAngelo Williams's return couldn't have come at a better time for a Panthers backfield decimated by injuries. Having missed the last two games with a thigh injury, he's been a full participant in practice this week and is penciled in as the starter against the Baltimore Ravens (and he's coming prepared for the "blood and guts" Steve Smith promised).

The rest of the running back depth chart isn't looking so hot. Jonathan Stewart, Williams's oft-injured running mate, went down with a severely sprained knee last week and looks as though he'll miss multiple games. Fullback and short-yardage specialist Mike Tolbert was placed on injured reserve/designated to return, so he'll be gone until at least Week 13. No. 3 running back Fozzy Whittaker was inactive last Sunday with a thigh injury and hasn't practiced yet this week.

That leaves just Williams and recent practice squad promotion Darrin Reaves as the only healthy options on the roster. Desperate for bodies, the Panthers worked out former Cleveland Brown Chris Ogbonnaya this week, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

Chargers without Mathews and Woodhead

The San Diego Chargers can relate to the Panthers' running back woes. With Ryan Mathews sidelined for at least a couple more weeks with a severely strained knee and backup Danny Woodhead gone for the season with a broken leg, the Chargers are thin in the backfield.

They'll turn to Donald Brown and Branden Oliver against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brown, the former Indianapolis Colt, was the primary workhorse after Mathews's early exit last week, toting the ball 31 times for 62 yards. Oliver was a preseason star who drew comparisons to Darren Sproles, but had just three touches last week.

San Diego addressed its depth by signing journeyman Shaun Draughn to a free-agent contract earlier this week.