NFL Player News

Abdullah rushed 21 times for 48 yards and a touchdown, but also lost one of his two fumbles during Monday's 30-17 win over the Packers. He also caught his lone target for nine yards.

Abdullah was heavily involved, setting a new season high in carries, but his evening produced mixed results. A four-yard touchdown run during the second quarter marked Abdullah's first trip to pay dirt since Week 4, but besides that, Abdullah didn't fare too well. His rushing average of 2.3 yards per carry was his second worst of this season, and Abdullah was pulled during the fourth quarter after fumbling twice earlier the second half. The third-year back will need to prove he can take care of the ball in order to earn a similar workload this Sunday against the Browns.

Rawls is on pace for lead-back duty Thursday in Arizona due to Eddie Lacy's strained groin, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Following Lacy's departure in the second quarter Sunday against the Redskins, Rawls earned 42 of the Seahawks' 83 offensive snaps, the most of any running back. Uncertainty surrounds Lacy's status in advance of Thursday's game, when Rawls would presumably be the No. 1 option if the former takes a seat or his health limits his workload. The Seahawks have an ace of sorts up their sleeves with C.J. Prosise set to return, but he'll likely complement Rawls as a pass catcher rather than outright steal carries. As a result, Rawls is the best bet to head the team's backfield Week 10.

Ellington played 14 of 77 defensive snaps during Sunday's 20-10 win at San Francisco.

Limited in practice in advance of the game, Ellington's usage wasn't a surprise in the least. Moreover, with Adrian Peterson taking on a ridiculous 37 carries, Ellington was relegated to a change-of-pace option, reeling in two of three passes for 14 yards. The preceding development doesn't bode well for many touches in the future, but Ellington seems to be healthier than he has in weeks following a full walk-through Monday, per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site. Because current starting quarterback Drew Stanton has averaged 6.3 yards per attempt in his career, Ellington could be the recipient of regular check downs during the second half of the season.

Breida toted the rock just once for one yard, adding a pair of receptions for 18 yards in Sunday's loss to Arizona.

The three touches tied a season low for Breida. In fact, his two receptions didn't come until the fourth quarter after starter Carlos Hyde was ejected from the game following a brouhaha between the NFC West rivals. Breida's usage -- or lack thereof -- in a relatively close game reaffirms his role as the clear-cut backup to Hyde following the passing of the NFL trade deadline. The speedy rookie should be considered nothing more than a handcuff to Hyde heading into Week 10's tilt against the Giants.

West (calf) is scheduled to practice Tuesday and Wednesday before resting up for the remainder of the Ravens' Week 10 bye, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

West missed his fourth consecutive game Sunday against the Titans due to the calf injury, but his impending return to practice suggests the Ravens are hopeful that he'll be able to play in the team's next contest Nov. 19 against the Packers. Prior to hitting the shelf with the injury, West had averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, and with Alex Collins and Javorius Allen proving to be an effective tailback tandem in recent weeks and Danny Woodhead (hamstring) also on the mend, there may not be much of a role awaiting West upon his return to action.

Clement ran for 51 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and added another score on a 15-yard reception in Sunday's 51-23 win over the Broncos.

The blowout nature of the contest probably played a major factor, but Clement ended up playing 28 of the Eagles' 69 offensive snaps to outpace the team's other four active running backs. Clement was able to capitalize on the opportunities he earned, but unless the Eagles' next contest Week 11 against the Cowboys proves similarly noncompetitive, it's unlikely he'll turn in a third consecutive game of double-digit carries. New pickup Jay Ajayi is expected to gain more familiarity with the Eagles' playbook and take on a larger role in the offense after the bye week, while starter LeGarrette Blount also should be in store for slightly heftier workloads in most weeks than the 16 snaps he managed Sunday. That likely leaves little more than change-of-pace work available for Clement.

Head coach Adam Gase said Monday that the Dolphins will continue to use a two-man backfield of Williams and Kenyan Drake, James Walker of ESPN.com reports.

Following the trade of Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia, Drake was expected to receive first- and second-down reps, while Williams would spell him and also take the field for obvious passing downs. The breakdown was mimicked Sunday against the Raiders and resulted in productive lines for both running backs. Picking up 37 of the 67 offensive snaps, Drake turned nine rushes into 69 yards and posted six catches (on six targets) for 35 yards. As for Williams, he hauled in all six passes for 47 yards and one touchdown while notching seven rushes for 14 yards on 30 offensive snaps. Williams faces a difficult test in the Dolphins' next matchup Monday, Nov. 13 in Carolina, who have allowed just 5.4 YPT to running backs this season.

Head coach Adam Gase said Monday that the Dolphins will continue to employ a two-headed backfield of Drake and Damien Williams, James Walker of ESPN.com reports.

In the aftermath of the Jay Ajayi trade to Philadelphia, Drake was expected to handle first- and second-down reps, while Williams would spell him and also handle obvious passing downs. The preceding came to pass Sunday versus the Raiders and actually yielded fruit for both parties. Earning 37 of the 67 offensive snaps, Drake notched nine carries for 69 yards and gathered in all six passes for 35 yards. As for his counterpart, Williams recorded six receptions (on six targets) for 47 yards and one touchdown to go with seven carries for 14 yards on 30 offensive snaps. Drake faces a more difficult test in the Dolphins' next matchup Monday, Nov. 13 at Carolina, which boasts the league's second-best rush defense (78.4 yards per game).

Sims secured both of his targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 30-10 loss to the Saints.

Sims logged 18 offensive snaps, the same amount as starter Doug Martin. However, both backs were outpaced by Peyton Barber's 23 snaps, and Sims notably failed to see a carry for the second consecutive game and third time over the last four. The 27-year-old's fantasy stock continues to be depressed, as even his usual role in the passing game has been reduced thus far in 2017.

Vereen caught three of four targets for 14 yards Sunday against the Rams. He did not record a single carry.

That Vereen would be used so sparingly for the third straight contest despite game flow favoring the passing game does not bode well for his role in the offense. There's no reason to roster him except in leagues of oceanic depth.