NFL Player News

Mathews (knee) will return to practice Wednesday, according to coach Doug Pederson.

Mathews has missed Philadelphia's past two games due an MCL problem, but it appears he could reenter the fold for Sunday's game against the Redskins. While his involvement over the course of this week should ultimately dictate his availability, it's promising to hear he'll participate in Wednesday's practice. If Mathews is cleared to suit up in Week 14, rookie Wendell Smallwood would figure to concede some of the extra carries he's been given lately.

Barner did not receive a carry but caught one pass (on three targets) for two yards in Sunday's 32-14 loss to the Bengals.

Even with Ryan Mathews (knee) still out, Barner still failed to make any noise within the Eagles' offense Sunday. Wendell Smallwood received eight carries and was targeted three times in the passing game, while Darren Sproles carried seven times and added six catches for 35 yards. Barner will become the Eagles' fourth running back once Mathews comes back, making the former insignificant in standard formats.

Hightower gained five yards on two carries and four yards on one reception in Sunday's loss to the Lions.

After fumbling twice in key spots in Weeks 7 and 8, respectively, Mark Ingram (toe) had been splitting snaps with Hightower for the most of the second half this year. In Week 13, however, Ingram assumed more of a feature role, garnering 12 touches (seven carries, five receptions) compared to Hightower's three. That said, with the Lions in control for most of the afternoon, neither running back saw much action in this one. While both Hightower and Ingram have generally been effective of late, Ingram's significantly larger workload in Week 13 could signal that the Saints are ready to return Ingram to a feature-back role. Hightower should continue to be rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues because he still has plenty of value as a handcuff to the oft-injured Ingram. Moreover, it still remains possible that Hightower;s meager Week 13 workload was a one-week anomaly. Having said that, he isn't a recommended start Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Hunt returned three kickoffs for 66 yards in Houston's 21-13 loss to the Packers in Week 13.

With Tyler Ervin (chest) inactive against the Packers, Hunt stepped in as the lead returner on kickoffs. Ervin's had his moments in the return game, but he's also lost two fumbles and could be in jeopardy of losing the top spot. Hunt has little chance to impact the offense as long as Alfred Blue and Jonathan Grimes are healthy, but he's got the type of speed and shiftiness that plays well in the return game.

Grimes rushed five times for 43 yards and caught one pass for 15 receiving yards in Houston's 21-13 loss to Green Bay in Week 13.

Both Grimes and Alfred Blue (five carries, two catches) saw action in this game, spelling starter Lamar Miller, but Grimes (31 snaps) got more playing time than Blue (nine snaps). It looks like an assortment of nagging injuries is taking its toll on Miller, who's averaging 16 fewer snaps per game over the past six weeks relative to the first six weeks of the season. At this point, Grimes and Blue aren't a threat to Miller's status as the lead back.

Gordon carried the ball 17 times for 84 yards and a touchdown, while also catching four passes for 54 yards in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers.

Gordon was seemingly the lone bright spot for the dysfunctional Chargers offense, as the second-year back racked up 138 total yards on the afternoon. Just eight yards away from his first 1,000-yard rushing season as a pro, Gordon also became the first Chargers running back since Mike Tolbert in 2010 to rush for at least 10 touchdowns in a season. He should be in line for another successful game when the Chargers take on the Panthers next week.

Draughn gained 20 yards on six carries in Sunday's 26-6 loss to Chicago. He did not haul in either of his targets in the passing game.

It's tough to blame Draughn for his lack of involvement as a receiver when you consider two San Francisco quarterbacks combined for five completions and 39 yards in Sunday's snowy affair. Expect Draughn to remain involved in the passing game under normal conditions, but he isn't more than a deep league PPR option at best.

Rawls carried 15 times for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Sunday's game against the Panthers. He also turned his only target into a 12-yard gain in the 40-7 victory.

Rawls left the game due to concerns about a possible concussion but eventually was installed back into live action. He did the majority of his damage in the first half, racking up 103 yards thanks in part to touchdown runs of eight and 45 yards. He showed terrific lateral mobility and seems to be over the injuries that plagued him earlier in the season, as he reached the 100-yard mark for the first time while making his first two trips to the end zone. Rawls' big game coincided with an excellent performance from the offense as a whole, and his ability to do damage on the ground will be an important factor for the Seahawks moving forward. Next up is a matchup against the Packers next week.

Rodgers (foot) gained 29 yards on seven rushes and gained 21 yards in securing his only target during Sunday's 28-21 win over the Chargers.

The backup running back got back on the field for the first time since Week 8 and looked to be at full health, running decisively in his limited opportunities. Rodgers served as an ideal change-of-pace option from Doug Martin, who found tough sledding on the ground with just 45 yards on 17 carries. Given that Rodgers apparently proved that he's back at 100 percent, it will be interesting to see if he receives an uptick in snaps and touches in the Week 14 tilt against the Saints, notably if Doug Martin (undisclosed) continues to nurse an undisclosed injury he suffered late in this game.

Martin (undisclosed) gained 45 yards and scored a touchdown on 17 carries, while also hauling in his sole target for 23 yards in Sunday's 28-21 win over the Chargers.

Before suffering a so far unknown physical ding, Martin found running room at a premium against an active Chargers front but was also under 3.0 YPC for the third time in the four games since making his return from a hamstring injury. The fifth-year pro did go in from two yards out late in the first half, only his second touchdown of the season. Jacquizz Rodgers also notably made his return Sunday from a foot injury and served as Martin's complement, getting eight total touches out of the backfield, seven of those on the ground. Although Martin did outpace him by a significant margin in snaps and carries overall, it remains to be seen if the workload will inch towards a more balanced stretch during the season's stretch run. For now, assuming that the minor undisclosed injury that Martin suffered late in the game is nothing serious, he'll enter the Week 14 tilt against the Saints as the clear-cut lead back.