NFL Player News

Nwangwu returned five kickoffs for 166 yards -- including one for a 97-yard touchdown -- in the Vikings' 33-26 win over the Patriots in Week 12.

Nwangwu was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week on the strength of his big return, becoming the third Vikings player to take home the honor this season. The second-year running back out of Iowa State has played just seven snaps on offense all season but leads the NFL with 620 kickoff return yards.

Jackson failed to record a single rush or target in Monday's 24-17 loss to the Steelers.

Jackson played just four of the Colts' 64 offensive snaps Monday. Meanwhile, Jonathan Taylor handled the vast majority of work out of the backfield, playing all but five offensive snaps in the contest. Taylor rushed 20 times for 86 yards and a touchdown, adding three catches for 12 yards. Barring an injury to Taylor, Jackson should operate as a change-of-pace back going forward. However, the 23-year-old will be extremely difficult to trust for fantasy purposes with such limited opportunities. Fantasy managers should view Jackson as nothing more than a handcuff to Taylor as the Colts are set to visit the Cowboys in Week 13.

Moss carried the ball once and wasn't targeted in Monday's 24-17 loss to the Steelers.

Moss was a complete nonfactor Monday, as the running back played just one of the Colts' 64 offensive snaps. Meanwhile, Deon Jackson played just four snaps in the contest, and Jonathan Taylor played all but five offensive snaps in the contest. With Taylor commanding such a heavy workload out of the Indianapolis backfield, Moss should remain far off the fantasy radar when the Colts visit the Cowboys in Week 13.

McFarland reverted to the Steelers' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

McFarland was elevated for the first time this season with rookie Jaylen Warren (hamstring) ruled out ahead of Monday's win against the Colts. As a result, the third-year running back played 21 offensive snaps behind Benny Snell (28) and ahead of Najee Harris (20), who was forced out early with an abdomen injury. As a result, McFarland wound up recording six carries for 30 rushing yards and two receptions (on two targets) for 11 more yards in his 2022 debut. With the statuses of Harris and Warren now up in the air, McFarland could once again play a prominent role if these two are sidelined versus Atlanta on Sunday.

Hill carried the ball once for three yards in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Jaguars.

Hill operated as the Ravens' No. 3 running back with Gus Edwards active for the contest. The 25-year-old played just 14 of Baltimore's 72 offensive snaps, behind Edwards (36) and Kenyan Drake (18). With Edwards running as the clear lead back and J.K. Dobbins (knee) nearing his return from injured reserve, it stands to reason that Hill's role in the running back rotation is bound to take a major hit going forward. The veteran should remain off the fantasy radar when the Ravens host the Broncos in Week 13.

Drake carried the ball twice for two yards and failed to secure his only target in Sunday's 28-27 loss to the Jaguars.

As expected, Drake saw a major reduction in his role Sunday with teammate Gus Edwards active for the contest. Drake's two carries and two rushing yards were his lowest totals of the season in each category. Meanwhile, Edwards dominated in touches out of the backfield, handling 16 carries in his first game action since Week 8. With J.K. Dobbins (knee) nearing a return from injured reserve, it is fair to assume that Drake should likely see his role diminish even further as a change-of-pace back. Heading in to a Week 13 matchup with Denver, the 28-year-old is extremely difficult to trust for fantasy purposes.

Philadelphia cut Brooks from its practice squad Tuesday.

After joining the Eagles as an undrafted free agent ahead of Week 1, the rookie will now have to seek another opportunity elsewhere. The back was very productive in three seasons at Oklahoma, so he should draw at least some interest around the league.

The Chargers signed Rountree to their practice squad Tuesday.

Rountree was signed to Los Angeles' active roster Nov. 12 but was waived two weeks later when the Chargers' activated Joshua Kelley (knee) from injured reserve. However, Rountree has since returned to the organization and will provide emergency depth on the practice squad.

The Jets signed Ward to a practice-squad deal Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Ward was recently waived from injured reserve by the Cardinals, but his hamstring injury doesn't appear to be serious enough to prevent him from signing with the Jets. New York already has Breece Hall (knee) on IR, and Michael Carter (ankle) is considered day-to-day, so Ward will operate as an emergency depth option on the practice squad.

Brightwell is dealing with an illness Tuesday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Brightwell is coming off a season-high five carries for 31 yards, as well as two catches on two targets for 18 yards in Week 12's loss to the Cowboys. With no one behind Brightwell on the team's positional depth chart, a promotion from the team's practice squad may be in order, if he is unable to suit up Sunday against the Commanders.