NFL Player News

Martin will be inactive for Tampa Bay's final regular season game Sunday against Carolina, the Tamp Bay Times reports.

Tampa Bay plans to sign Russell Hansbrough from the Giants' practice squad to add depth with Martin out. Martin was inactive for last week's game even though he was healthy and health isn't a factor for him missing Week 17, according to head coach Dirk Koetter. Martin's future with the Bucs looks in doubt as a result. Koetter wouldn't disclose his starting running back against Carolina, but Jacquizz Rodgers started in place of Martin last week.

Washington rushed seven times for 22 yards Monday night versus the Cowboys.

Washington took a backseat to Zach Zenner, who led the Lions backfield with 12 carries and ultimately finished with 67 yards and two scores. If Theo Riddick (wrist) is able to return for the Lions' season finale in Week 17 versus the Packers, Washington could be even less involved in the offense.

Zenner compiled 67 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in Monday night's loss to the Cowboys. He also caught two of three targets for 25 yards.

In Theo Riddick's prolonged absence due to a wrist injury, Zenner took the reigns of the Lions' backfield Monday night, out-touching rookie Dwayne Washington 14 to 8. His two touchdowns were just his second and third of the season, though. If Riddick is ruled out for the Lions' season finale in Week 17 against the Packers, Zenner appears to likely to retain lead-back duties but will likely find tougher sledding against a Green Bay defense that is top-10 in rushing yards allowed this season.

Kelley (knee) underwent an MRI on Monday that revealed no structural damage to his knee, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports.

This is good news for Washington's starting back, but head coach Jay Gruden still considers the rookie day-to-day. Kelley was only given the ball five times in the second half of Saturday's win over the Bears because of the injury. Look for more updates to come throughout the week. In the meantime, Washington will rely on Chris Thompson and Mack Brown, who took over Kelley's role for the majority of the second half Saturday, to lead the rushing attack in practice. Former starter Matt Jones may also see a reemergence at practice after spending the past few weeks as an inactive.

The Jaguars claimed Richardson of waivers Monday.

Released by the Steelers in advance of Sunday's game against the Ravens, Richardson was subject to the NFL's claiming process. With the Jaguars, he could make an impact in a backfield dealing with multiple injuries, including T.J. Yeldon, who was placed on IR on Monday due to an ankle injury.

Rawls will have an MRI on his shoulder Monday, Liz Mathews of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Head coach Pete Carroll told John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site that Rawls "thought he was OK" during a conversation earlier Monday. Once the examination is complete, the team will have a better indication of Rawls' upcoming availability, but interested parties may have to wait until practice is held Wednesday to learn the state of his health.

With Melvin Gordon (hip/knee) day-to-dayand Kenneth Farrow (shoulder) on IR, Hillman could be in for an expanded role in Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs.

Hillman carried nine times for just six yards and did not catch a pass in Saturday's loss to the Browns, but if Gordon can't play Sunday, Hillman would be placed in a position where he could bounce back in some fashion in Week 17, simply based on necessity.

Head coach Mike McCoy considers Gordon (hip/knee) "day-to-day," Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Unable to practice since Dec. 9 as a result of a hip strain and knee sprain stemming from the Chargers' Week 14 loss at Carolina, Gordon will likely need to make his presence felt in that realm before game action is considered. His replacement in the interim, Kenneth Farrow, landed on injured reserve Monday due to a shoulder injury, which could help expedite Gordon's return to the field. However, if Gordon is unable to make the requisite progress this week, the Chargers will likely hold him out with nothing but draft position to play for. Such a scenario would place Ronnie Hillman in the driver's seat to touches out of the backfield in Sunday's regular season finale versus the Chiefs.

Rawls' (shoulder) status is up in the air for Sunday's game at San Francisco, the Seattle Times reports.

After gaining no yards during a rush near the goal line at the 2:27 mark of Saturday's eventual loss to the Cardinals, Rawls didn't record another touch, finishing with eight carries for a measly eight yards. His practice participation this week will shed light on his potential to play in the regular season finale, which could yield a first-round bye if a Seahawks win coincides with losses to both the Falcons and Lions. If he's unable to go, though, rookie Alex Collins would serve as the Seahawks' top running back option Sunday.

Coach Jay Gruden relayed Monday that Kelley is day-to-day with a knee injury.

Per the report, Kelley "checked out OK" after undergoing an MRI, but we suspect that, at a minimum, the running back's practice participation in advance of Sunday's regular season finale against the Giants will be impacted by his knee issue.