NFL Player News

Wilds (hamstring) did not practice Thursday.

With Matt Forte and Bilal Powell also missing practice Thursday, suddenly Brandon Burks is the Jets' healthiest running back in advance of Friday's practice.

Head coach Jay Gruden said he does not expect Jones to play in Sunday's season finale against the Giants, Liz Clarke of the Washington Post reports.

Jones hasn't played since Week 7 loss to the Lions, fumbling twice in the contest, losing one on the goal line that ultimately played a major role in the 20-17 defeat. Since then, the once promising running back has been ruled inactive for the majority of the contests, making way for rookie Rob Kelley. Gruden said he hopes Jones learned the importance of ball security this season. The Redskins still have an opportunity to make the playoffs, so Jones may still get a chance to take the field before the season ends, though it seems like a long shot at this point.

Martin's 2017 guarantee of $7 million can be voided due to his current PED suspension, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The Bucs inked Martin to a five-year, $35.75 million dollar contract in the offseason that included $15 million in guaranteed money, but the agreement included a clause that the 2017 guarantee could be voided in its entirety in the event of "PED violations, substances of abuse and engaging in conduct detrimental to the team," according to Laine's report. While Martin's future with the team is far from decided at this point, the provision represents an escape hatch that's certainly worth being aware of with respect to the fifth-year pro's future prospects in Tampa. Further complicating matters is the fact that journeyman Jacquizz Rodgers has unexpectedly emerged as a viable alternative in the backfield this season, and could potentially be secured for a reasonable investment following the expiration of his current one-year, $760,000 deal. Rodgers has gained 485 yards at 4.3 yards per tote in 2016, and will have a final chance to demonstrate his wares as the clear-cut lead back against the Panthers in Week 17. Meanwhile, Martin's situation will be one to monitor heading into the offseason, with a successful completion of the treatment program he has entered representing the first step to further clarity, and hopefully, an eventual recovery.

Rawls (shoulder) practiced in a full capacity Wednesday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Rawls was knocked from Saturday's loss to the Cardinals due to a shoulder injury, but after an MRI on Monday, his activity level Wednesday implies its lack of severity. As evidence, head coach Pete Carroll told Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR that Rawls' shoulder concern is "very slight," and he should be good to go for Week 17 preparation. On Sunday, Rawls will look to exploit a 49ers defense that is far away the poorest in the NFL against the run, allowing league worsts in yards per game (150.1) and touchdowns (23) to running backs.

Rodgers will be the lead back Sunday against the Panthers due to Doug Martin's suspension and Charles Sims' (pectoral) placement on injured reserve, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin was curiously inactive in Week 16 and ruled out well in advance of the regular season finale, but his absence went unexplained until Wednesday, when it was revealed he would enter treatment after receiving a four-game ban for a violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. With Martin out of the picture, Rodgers figured to be the primary beneficiary. However, the upcoming DNP of Sims will place most of the touches afforded Bucs running backs in Rodgers' hands, while the remainder will filter down to Peyton Barber and potentially Russell Hansbrough. On the season, Rodgers has displayed acuity as both a runner and pass-catcher, tallying 112 carries for 485 yards and two touchdowns and gathering in 12 of 15 targets for 94 yards.

Kelley (knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports.

Although Kelley sustained what was termed a knee sprain during Saturday's win at Chicago, a subsequent MRI revealed no structural damage. Nonetheless, the Redskins will operate under a day-to-day approach with the running back, which yielded work during positional drills Wednesday. If he continues to progress as the week proceeds, Kelley may participate in the team portion of practice and earn a full listing on the injury report. On the other hand, his activity level may continue to be capped, which could place more of the RB workload on the shoulders of Chris Thompson and Mack Brown this Sunday against the Giants.

Carey (shoulder) does not appear on the Bears' injury report Wednesday.

Carey missed last week's tilt versus the Redskins with a shoulder issue. Not even on the injury report to start Week 17 prep, Carey should be fine to play in the Bears' season finale Sunday versus the Vikings.

Martin is leaving the Buccaneers in order to enter a treatment facility, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "I was notified last week of a four-game suspension for violating the league's drug policy," Martin wrote in a statement. "I am starting the suspension immediately so I can enter a treatment facility and receive the help I truly need."

In particular, Martin violated the NFL's policy regarding performance-enhancing substances, precipitating a suspension that will begin this Sunday and extend into next season. Under the rare circumstance that the Bucs earn a playoff berth, the ban will account for those contests. However, he'll more than likely miss the first three games of the 2017 campaign. Considering his bulky salary, he'll likely be handed the No. 1 gig at running back upon his return, but Charles Sims and potentially Jacquizz Rodgers, an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, will cover for Martin during his absence.

Martin is "stepping away from the team to take care of personal issues," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

On both a professional and now a personal level, Martin has turned in an undesirable season rife with ineffectiveness on the ground. Some of the lack of success may be the result of a hamstring injury that forced six absences earlier in the campaign. However, his surprise DNP on Saturday wasn't the result of an injury, so something else in his life was to blame for the downgrade. While neither the Bucs nor Martin is obligated to touch on the nature of his "personal issues," the running back is an unlikely candidate to be jettisoned due to the five-year, $35.75 million deal he inked in the offseason. In the meantime, the backfield will be powered by Jacquizz Rodgers in Week 17 due to Charles Sims' (pectoral) placement on injured reserve Wednesday.

The Buccaneers placed Sims on injured reserve due to a pectoral injury, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Head coach Dirk Koetter relayed that Sims sustained the ailment during Saturday's loss in New Orleans, but there's uncertainty regarding whether surgery will be required to attain full health. In any case, the Buccaneers will be down their top-2 running backs in the season finale, as Koetter has already ruled out Martin for Week 17. With Sims and Martin out of the picture, Jacquizz Rodgers will handle lead back duties Sunday against the Panthers. Sims himself has been dealt an ugly hand on the injury front this season, landing on IR for the second time after missing eight contests early in the campaign due to a knee concern.