NFL Player News

Rodgers, who didn't practice Wednesday, was seen without a walking boot, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rodgers suffered a sprained foot in Week 8, and with only three days before the Buccaneers' next game last Thursday, he was ruled out in advance. The injury was yet another woe to a backfield that has lost Charles Sims (knee) to IR, and another RB (Antone Smith) joined him there following Tampa Bay's Week 9 tilt. While Rodgers exchanged his walking boot for a shoe Wednesday, Doug Martin returned to practice for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 2, meaning the ground game could soon be his domain and relegate the likes of Rodgers to a reserve role.

Martin (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

At the very least, Martin was able to take part in individual drills, showing off his mobility. In a backfield in which seven players have received snaps this season, his return is a welcome relief, but it's unclear if he'll receive clearance in advance of Sunday's game against the Bears. If he does so, a decent workload is likely, as he'll only have to contend with Peyton Barber, Mike James, and Russell Hansbrough for touches.

Hightower and Mark Ingram will likely continue to split carries, ESPN's Mike Triplett reports.

Hightower started Sunday's game in San Francisco and took 23 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, with Ingram adding 171 scrimmage yards and another pair of scores. The sum production will likely be far less in Week 10 against the Broncos, but both running backs figure to have a key role.

Rodgers (foot) looks like a long shot to return for Sunday's game against the Bears, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.

Absent from Thursday's loss to Atlanta, the pint-sized running back missed Monday's practice and was spotted in the locker room with a boot over his injured foot. Rodgers and Doug Martin (hamstring) both look shaky for a second straight week, potentially leaving the Tampa Bay backfield in the hands of Peyton Barber, Mike James and Russell Hansbrough. Antone Smith (knee) is out for the season, but the team could get Charles Sims (knee) back from injured reserve at some point after Week 12.

Gillislee carried eight times for 32 yards and a score during Monday's loss to the Seahawks while catching both of his targets for four yards.

The bigger news is that it looks like LeSean McCoy is getting back to near full health. Gillislee was still a factor Monday, but with the Bills headed toward their bye and McCoy likely to be in better shape by Week 11, the 5-7 carry range seems like it will be the norm for Gillislee down the stretch. On a bright note, the Bills like him around the goal line, and he's up to four rushing touchdowns on the season.

Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter said Monday that he expects Sims (knee) to return from injured reserve this season, WFLA.com's Dan Lucas reports.

Although Koetter didn't mention a timeline, Sims is technically eligible to return as soon as Week 13. He'll likely rejoin the team working in a split backfield, as Doug Martin (hamstring) and/or Jacquizz Rodgers (foot) should also by healthy within the next few weeks. According to ESPN's Jenna Laine, Sims has already been jogging for a while, and he has the best chance to be Tampa Bay's one player brought back from injured reserve.

Michael rushed five times for one yard and a touchdown in Monday night's win over the Bills.

Michael's five totes marked the first time he was handed under double-digit carries this season, and his mere one yard was unsurprisingly his worst total as well. Although Michael salvaged some value with his three-yard scoring run during the second quarter, which game him a seventh score on the whole of this season, his carries and yards have now declined for four straight games. Rookie C.J. Prosise cut into his workload with four touches Monday, and Thomas Rawls (fibula) could return in Week 11, so Michael's fantasy stock appears to be fading going into the second half of Seattle's schedule.

Williams rushed five times for 29 yards and caught two of three targets for 20 yards Sunday against the Jets.

With starter Jay Ajayi operating as a true bellcow right now, Williams was only used to provide a change of pace. However, he appears to have solidified his role as the Dolphins' No. 2 tailback with Arian Foster enjoying retirement and Kenyan Drake almost exclusively contained to special teams.

Zenner did not log an offensive snap Sunday against the Vikings.

With Theo Riddick yanked after blowing an assignment in pass protection, it was rookie Dwayne Washington -- not Zenner -- who took over running back duties for Detroit. This is notable because Washington was a healthy scratch last week while Zenner operated as the Lions' big-back complement. As such, the backfield appears fluid behind Riddick for the time being, but should push come to shove, Washington is the best bet to serve in the No. 2 role moving forward.

Coach Mike Mularkey noted Monday that Henry (strained calf) "may practice Wednesday, or he may be out for two weeks."

"It is really going to depend on how he progresses, and the pain," Mularkey added regarding the running back's status. With that in mind, Henry is looking iffy for Sunday's game against the Packers, at a minimum. For however long he's sidelined, Antonio Andrews and David Fluellen are in line to work behind top back DeMarco Murray.