NFL Player News

Head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that Michael is expected to be available for next Monday's game at Philadelphia, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports. "We've had enough time now to get him acclimated," McCarthy added. "We'll definitely look to have him part of the offense."

Claimed off waivers last Wednesday, Michael was already behind in the installation of the game plan and proceeded to be one of the Packers' seven inactives Sunday in Washington. With a full week of preparation imminent, he'll join James Starks as the team's two true running backs, which could inspire a more balanced offense moving forward. In nine games with the Seahawks, Michael averaged 4.0 YPC, scored seven touchdowns, and hauled in 20 of 26 passes, surpassing Starks' output by a large margin.

The Vikings waived Hillman on Monday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

In a backfield beset by injury this season, Hillman was unable to make inroads during his five-game stint with the Vikings, notching 18 carries for 50 yards and four receptions for 43 yards. Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata will continue to serve as the team's top two options at running back.

Henry didn't touch the ball Sunday in Indianapolis.

Henry played just three snaps while starter DeMarco Murray was on the field for all but one of Tennesee's 71 snaps on offense. The Titans believe the second-rounder out of Alabama still has some growing to do in the passing game, which is why he was mostly shelved once the Colts jumped out to a 21-0 lead. Expect the rookie to spell Murray more often next week against a Bears team that's unlikely to replicate Indianapolis' fast start.

Patterson had four receptions for 53 yards on eight targets in Sunday's win over Arizona. He also returned a kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown.

It was his fifth career kickoff return for a touchdown. Patterson led the Vikings in targets, although Stefon Diggs had six receptions, as he continues to be key part of the passing game. Patterson and Adam Thielen (five targets) continue to get about equal work as the No. 2 and No. 3 receivers behind Diggs, though Patterson has the added upside of touchdowns from kickoff returns as one to the league's top returners.

Rawls will be the Seahawks' primary running back with C.J. Prosise (shoulder) sidelined "for a while," per head coach Pete Carroll, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

The running backs available to Carroll have experienced a sea change in less than a week. In the wake of Prosise's 153 yards from scrimmage in Week 10, Seattle cut loose Christine Michael due to the impending return of Rawls. The subsequent breakdown was expected to be Prosise receiving the bulk of the work out of the backfield, with Rawls taking on a change-of-pace role, but the former injured his shoulder in the second half of Sunday's game against the Eagles and has received a dour prognosis for fantasy purposes. The development allowed Rawls to lead the squad with 14 carries for 57 yards, to which he tacked on three receptions (on four targets) for 31 yards. Because recent call-up Troymaine Pope suffered a potentially serious ankle injury as well Sunday, the Seahawks boast just two healthy backs -- also Alex Collins -- which should grant Rawls nearly unimpeded access to touches for the foreseeable future.

Hillman had two carries for nine yards and played just six snaps on offense in Sunday's win over Arizona.

Two games ago it looked like Hillman might get significant carries in Minnesota's running game, but he's had just six carries the past two games. He looks like a distant third option behind Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata.

Asiata had five carries for 20 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, in Sunday's win over Arizona. He also had one reception on his only target for seven yards.

Asiata had five carries compared to 16 carries for Jerick McKinnon. He played 21 snaps compared to McKinnon's 31 snaps as he continues his No. 2 role. However, he's the goal-line back so he has viable fantasy value in most formats, but his weekly value is hit-or-miss based on his touchdowns.

Coach Doug Pederson relayed Monday that Mathews is day-to-day with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, fellow RB Darren Sproles is dealing with a rib injury but should play next Monday against the Packers. In the case of Mathews, the day-to-day description indicates that he avoided a serious knee injury Sunday, but for the time being his Week 12 status is unclear. With both Mathews and Sproles banged up in the Eagles' Week 11 loss to Seattle, Wendell Smallwood ended up leading the team with 13 carries for 48 yards. Mathews logged seven carries for 31 yards prior to his exit from the contest.

Williams carried the ball four times for 26 yards during Sunday's win in Cincinnati.

Williams was needed once LeSean McCoy left the game for good with a dislocated thumb. The rookie did well spelling Mike Gillislee, while it was noteworthy that veteran Reggie Bush didn't receive a carry. However, the Bills think McCoy will be able to play through his thumb injury, which relegates Williams back to a No. 3 role.

Kelley carried 24 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday's game against the Packers. He failed to catch either of his two targets in the 42-24 win.

Kelley managed a career-high in yardage, scoring touchdowns from one and four yards out in the latter stages of the fourth quarter after a 10-yard score in the second. The man they call Fat Rob showed a nice burst on a 66-yard run in the latter stages of the game and became the first undrafted rookie to carry the ball at least 20 times in three straight games. Kelley has taken his opportunity head on and appears set to play a large role in the Thanksgiving Day game against the division-leading Cowboys.