NFL Player News

With reference to Martin being made inactive Saturday against the Saints, coach Dirk Koetter called the move a "coaches' decision" influenced by Tampa Bay's special teams needs, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.

With the Bucs wanting both Charles Sims and Peyton Barber available on special teams, Martin was the odd man out Saturday, while Jacquizz Rodgers -- who was a healthy scratch last week -- suiting up and serving as the team's lead back in Week 16. "We really only have room for one primary ball carrier right now," Koetter noted. "I felt like it was better for us this game to go with Jacquizz." Martin has missed six games this season with a hamstring injury, but his deactivation Saturday was not injury-related. Rather, a 2.9 yards per carry average on the season (down from his 4.9 YPC in 2015) is a more tangible reason for his surprising scratch. How Koetter handles the team's backfield in Week 17 remains to to be seen, but the Bucs do at least have a wafer-thin chance of making the playoffs.

Kelley suffered a knee sprain in Saturday's win over the Bears, the Washington Post reports.

Kelley finished up the day with 19 carries for 76 yards, but only five of the carries (for 15 yards) came in the second half of the contest. Kelly's status is thus worth monitoring as next Sunday's regular season finale against the Giants approaches. If he ends up out or limited next weekend, Mack Brown and Chris Thompson would be in the mix for carries, with Matt Jones presumably a candidate to be made active in such a scenario.

Hightower gained 29 yards on eight rushes and secured his only target for 11 yards in Saturday's 31-24 win over the Bucs.

Hightower played a clear second fiddle to backfield mate Mark Ingram, as the latter received 10 additional touches on the ground, and two more targets through the air. The 30-year old's involvement in the offense has been on a downward trend in recent weeks, with Hightower seeing single-digit carries in three of the past four games. He did score two touchdowns in the only game during that span in which he saw double-digit totes, Week 15 versus the Cardinals. The veteran will try to close out the season on a strong note against the Falcons in Week 17, but could once again find himself as only a complementary option to Ingram.

Sims totaled 12 yards on three rushes and secured all four of his targets for 30 yards in Saturday's 31-24 loss to the Saints.

Sims was expected to get at least a slight boost in touches with Doug Martin (coach's decision) inactive Saturday, but essentially saw his role and playing time go unchanged. He was once again effective in his typical pass-catching role, while gaining all 12 of his rushing yards on one of his three totes. He figures to slot in for the same type of workload in Week 17 versus the Panthers, irrespective of who he shares the backfield with.

Rodgers totaled 63 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in Saturday's 31-24 loss to the Saints. He also secured both of his targets for 15 yards.

Rodgers suddenly found himself as the lead back in a game pivotal to the Bucs' playoff chances when Doug Martin was declared a surprise inactive. As he'd done earlier this season in Martin's stead, Rodgers was more than serviceable, generating solid production with his relatively modest amount of touches. He was the clear early-down back, outpacing backfield mate Charles Sims by 12 carries overall. If Martin is once again sidelined by coach' s decision in Week 17 versus the Panthers, Rodgers will presumably spearhead the Tampa ground attack again.

McKinnon rushed 11 times for 50 yards and caught five of six targets for 35 yards Saturday against the Packers.

With Adrian Peterson (knee/groin) again sidelined, McKinnon operated as the Vikings' lead back Saturday, out-touching backfield complement Matt Asiata 16 to 9. However, there ultimately weren't many carries to go around with the Vikings playing in catch-up mode most of the day. McKinnon should find easier sledding next week against the Bears when the game script will likely be more conducive to an emphasis on running the ball.

Murray carried 15 times for 40 yards Saturday against the Colts.

The Raiders went with a three-headed attack at running back Saturday that resulted in a 15/12/3 carry distribution between Murray, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard, respectively. Murray was the least effective of the bunch, though, and was the only one not to find the end zone. Things may only get worse before they get better too, as next week brings with it a difficult matchup against the Broncos in a game Oakland may be without starting quarterback Derek Carr (broken leg).

Gillislee gained 91 yards on 11 rushes in Saturday's 34-31 overtime loss to the Dolphins. He also fumbled once but recovered.

Gillislee was able to produce a season-high rushing total despite backfield mate LeSean McCoy amassing 128 yards on the ground in his own right. Gillislee's game-long 35-yard rush also represented his second-longest of the season, and he posted an impressive 8.3 yards per carry. The former Gator has proven himself one of the most capable reserve tailbacks in the league this season, and he'll look to put the finishing touches on a solid season in Week 17 against the Jets.

Henry rushed four times for 13 yards, and caught both of his targets for 22 more in Saturday's 38-17 loss to the Jaguars.

Henry didn't get many opportunities against a Jaguars defense that managed to bottle up lead back DeMarco Murray. The Titans will start backup Matt Cassel at quarterback next week because Marcus Mariota broke his fibula in the third quarter, so expect the rookie out of Alabama to see a few extra touches for what promises to be a run-heavy Tennessee offense against the Texans.

Drake gained 56 yards and scored a touchdown on four carries in Saturday's 34-31 overtime victory over the Bills. He also gained 39 yards on his sole kickoff return.

The rookie turned in a nifty piece of running early in the second quarter, pivoting out from a pile and rumbling down the right side of the field for a 45-yard touchdown, the second of his career. Drake's 56 rushing yards were also a career high, and he's now received a combined nine carries over the last two games.