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Zach Zenner RB | NO
Lions' Zach Zenner: Shoulders large workload
Zenner proved capable of playing all of the Lions' snaps at running back during last Sunday's game against the Packers, the Detroit Free-Press reports.
Zenner was the only Detroit tailback to see the field on offense last Sunday, featuring for 64 of his team's 66 snaps. In doing so, he amassed a career-high 69 yards rushing and contributed 41 receiving yards as well. That followed Zenner's two-touchdown first-half performance in Week 16, when his playing time tailed off during the second half after offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter deemed it unsustainable. Whether Zenner keeps teammate Dwayne Washington out of the mix again Saturday versus the Seahawks remains to be seen, but he proved plenty impactful while doing so last Sunday.
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Damien Williams RB | ARI
Dolphins' Damien Williams: Logs 28 combined yards in Week 17
Williams rushed twice for five yards and caught three of four targets for 23 yards during the Dolphins' season finale Sunday versus the Patriots.
Despite checking in as the No. 2 running back on the Dolphins' depth chart, Williams saw less carries than No. 3 option Kenyan Drake in each of the season's last three games. While it isn't clear if Drake is in line to take over Williams' spot, the gap between the two certainly appears to be shrinking. No matter, both players represent risky fantasy options for Sunday's postseason matchup with the Steelers.
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Kenyan Drake RB | GB
Dolphins' Kenyan Drake: Four carries in Week 17
Drake carried four times for 10 yards during the Dolphins' season finale Sunday versus the Patriots.
Despite being listed as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart, Drake out-paced No. 2 runner Damien Williams in each of the past three games to close the season. However, it isn't clear whether the rookie is being afforded an opportunity to claim direct backup duties behind workhorse Jay Ajayi, as Williams has still remained involved in the offense, both on the ground and through the air. Nonetheless, both reserve tailbacks merely project as touchdown-reliant fantasy options for this Sunday's playoff game against Pittsburgh.
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Tim Hightower RB | SF
Saints' Tim Hightower: Finds end zone against Atlanta
Hightower rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown on three carries in Sunday's loss to Atlanta.
Hightower ran a stretch to the left for his third touchdown in as many weeks. Few 30-year-old running backs get much attention in free agency, which is Hightower's next stop. His skill set might translate best down by the Bayou, but don't be surprised if he has a number of suitors given his ability to both barrel through defenders near the goal line and contribute in the passing game.
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Terrance West RB | BAL
Ravens' Terrance West: Held to 35 yards against Bengals
West rushed for 18 yards on five carries and added 17 yards on four catches in Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.
Week 15's tilt against Philadelphia aside, West had as many or fewer touches than rookie Kenneth Dixon from Week 11 on. With offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg now set to come back, it is quite possible that if West returns to Baltimore in free agency, it will be as a complement to the emerging Dixon.
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Christine Michael RB | IND
Packers' Christine Michael: Three carries in win
Michael carried the ball three times for six yards in Sunday's win over the Lions.
Ty Montgomery has solidified himself as the Packers' go-to back late in the season, but the team also turned to fullback Aaron Ripkowski to pound the ball throughout Sunday's win, leaving Michael as the odd-man out in the backfield. It is unknown if the Packers will continue with this new one-two punch for their playoff tilt with the Giants on Sunday, but Michael has seen his carries drop every game since Week 14, so he doesn't seem poised for a major workload.
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Cordarrelle Patterson RB | PIT
Vikings' Cordarrelle Patterson: Just one reception in Sunday's win
Patterson had one reception for 39 yards on two targets in Sunday's win over Chicago.
Patterson started at wide receiver with Stefon Diggs hurt, but wide receivers had just 11 targets as Sam Bradford threw mostly to his tight ends and running backs. Patterson entered the 2016 season relegated to special teams, but revived his career when given a chance at wide receiver. He finished the season with 52 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns. He should find a robust market for his services as a free agent, especially since he may be the best kickoff returner in the NFL (five career touchdowns).
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Matt Asiata RB | DET
Vikings' Matt Asiata: Has 45 total yards in season finale
Asiata had eight carries for 14 yards and three receptions for 31 yards on three targets in Sunday's win over Chicago.
Asiata had a productive season with 402 yards rushing, six touchdowns and 32 receptions for 263 yards. He worked as the goal-line back and the No. 2 running back most of the season with Adrian Peterson missing 13 games. His 3.3 yards per carry wasn't impressive, but he was running behind an injury-depleted offensive line and he's always been more of a sure-handed player than explosive back. He'll likely have a similar role in 2017, but much of his fantasy value depends on whether the Vikings bring back Peterson.
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Ka'Deem Carey RB | CHI
Bears' Ka'Deem Carey: Inactive for final two games of season
Carey was a healthy scratch for the final two games of the season, and ended the campaign with 32 carries for 126 yards while catching five passes for 55 yards
Carey rushed for 3.9 yards per carry on the year, and once Jordan Howard emerged as a rising star, Carey touched the football just 11 times over his last seven games before being deactivated for the final two games of the season. During Weeks 16 and 17, Jeremy Langford saw 21 touches in the two games, though he rushed for just 2.7 yards per carry during that time. Carey's under contract next year, and he'll likely be given a chance to compete for a backup role behind Howard, but based on his 2016 performance, he'll need to significantly improve over the off-season to be considered as a fantasy factor.