NFL Player News

Green carried 10 times for 35 yards but wasn't targeted in the passing game during Saturday's 20-10 victory over the Bears.

Green didn't play much in the first half, as Theo Riddick (wrist) led the pack with 30 offensive snaps, compared to seven for Green and four for Ameer Abdullah. However, Green started the second half and saw more playing time as the game went on, ultimately finishing with 23 reps, compared to 33 for Riddick and eight for Abdullah. With that said, Riddick exited with an injury in the fourth quarter with plenty of time remaining, so the final playing-time distribution is slightly skewed in Green's favor. Regardless, if Saturday's game was any indication, Green seems to have surpassed Abdullah for the No. 2 slot on the depth chart, which is a role that should command eight-to-10 carries on a weekly basis with potential goal-line responsibilities on the side. In Week 16, Green and the Lions will square off with a Bengals defense that's allowed only 6.6 yards per carry this season, sixth-best in the league.

Gordon carried 19 times for 78 yards and a touchdown Saturday against the Chiefs. He also caught six of eight targets for 91 yards in the 30-13 loss.

Gordon churned out yardage to the tune of 4.1 yards per carry against a tough Chiefs front and found the end zone from two yards out in the second quarter. He assumed a pass-catching role as his team got behind on the scoreboard, totaling a season high in receiving yardage thanks in large part to a 49-yard long gain. Despite the disappointing result for his team, Gordon put forth a tremendous effort for his fantasy owners and has now found the end zone in back-to-back weeks. He'll look to carry this momentum into next Sunday's game against the Jets.

Cunningham caught four passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's defeat to the Lions.

Cunningham was largely invisible until the Bears fell behind 20-3 in the second half, then found himself frequently operating as the receiving back in the hurry-up offense. As a result, he was targeted five times, and was able to turn a screen pass into a short touchdown in the fourth quarter. His 33 yards of offense was his highest total since Week 4, and this was the first time he posted 20 yards of offense in any of his last five games. With fewer than 200 total yards on the season, he hasn't been a strong fantasy option.

The Dolphins ruled out Williams (shoulder) for Sunday's game in Buffalo, Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post reports.

After a limited showing at Thursday's practice, Williams seemed to test out the state of his left shoulder, but ultimately a lack of activity Friday and a doubtful designation for Week 15 sealed his fate. Out of the lineup for a third consecutive game, he'll yield the backfield to Kenyan Drake, who has reeled off 334 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown the last two contests.

Washington (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Saturday versus the Bears.

Washington will seemingly be a healthy scratch for the final seven games of the current campaign, barring a barrage of injuries to the backfield. As evidence, he didn't play the last two weeks when Ameer Abdullah was sidelined with a neck concern. With the injury behind him, Abdullah will join Theo Riddick and Tion Green as the Lions' active running backs Saturday.

Zenner (coach's decision) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Bears.

With Ameer Abdullah sidelined the last two games, Zenner was rarely used, instead ceding snaps to Tion Green behind starter Theo Riddick. The Lions have deemed Abdullah healthy enough to return Saturday, leaving Zenner on the outside looking in for the time being.

Abdullah is listed as active Saturday against the Bears, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Abdullah was a legitimate inactive Week 13 due to a neck issue, but there were rumblings he was healthy enough to suit up last Sunday in Tampa Bay, when he logged a second consecutive DNP. Upon his return Saturday, it'll be interesting to see if he supplants Theo Riddick or even Tion Green in the pecking order. That said, Abdullah won't have to worry about Zach Zenner or Dwayne Washington poaching snaps due to both landing on the inactive list.

The Bengals have downgraded Mixon (concussion) to out for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

The Bengals were clearly anticipating this designation, as they promoted fellow rookie running back Jarveon Williams from the practice squad earlier in the day to offer additional depth at the position. Mixon's full practice participation Friday offered some hope that he would be able to return from a one-game absence, but he was unable to receive clearance from an independent neurologist in advance of the Week 15 matchup. With Mixon sidelined again, Giovani Bernard will presumably continue earning the majority of snaps in the Bengals' backfield, making him a solid option in most fantasy settings.

The Cardinals opted to waive Hill on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Hill was promoted to the Cardinals' active roster prior to Week 13, but he has not seen any action in either of their previous two games. With a need for depth at tight end the team opted to let the 24-year-old running back go. He figures to be a likely candidate to rejoin the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers.

Mixon (concussion) practiced fully Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings.

Mixon remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, but his advancement from non-participation in practice to begin the week to a full session Friday implies that he's made some steady progress in his recovery in recent days. The running back will likely be evaluated by an independent neurologist Friday or Saturday, at which point he could gain clearance to play Sunday. If Mixon is given the green light to suit up, the Bengals could opt to ease him back into the backfield mix following a one-game absence, in which case the rookie would likely split work with Giovani Bernard.