NFL Player News

Artis-Payne is listed as inactive Sunday in New Orleans, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

The Panthers must have supreme confidence in the health of Jonathan Stewart's hamstring, as Artis-Payne takes a seat for the first time since Week 2. Stewart will thus serve as the team's bell-cow back for the foreseeable future.

Bolden (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Bolden is a key special teamer, but his fantasy value is limited as long as both LeGarrette Blount and James White remain healthy.

Carey (hamstring) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Carey was limited throughout the week in practice, so it's expected that rookie Jordan Howard continues to see the bulk of the touches out of the backfield at this point. Carey has attempted just four total rushes in three games this season, limiting any fantasy value to the deepest of leagues.

Washington (ankle) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Rams, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

As expected, Washington will take a seat due to a serious ankle sprain in back-to-back outings. With Ameer Abdullah (foot) on injured reserve and Theo Riddick (ankle) sidelined, the Lions will entrust Zach Zenner and Justin Forsett with backfield duties in Week 6.

Zenner is expected to split backfield touches with Justin Forsett on Sunday against the Rams, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Lions are dealing with myriad injuries in their backfield, and while Zenner has been able to maintain his health, Forsett is the more experienced back. That being said, the latter was only signed earlier this week, which is why Zenner is still in play. Overall, a split backfield for a team that prefers to throw the ball doesn't lend itself to much fantasy success.

Washington (ankle) will not play Sunday against the Rams, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

With Theo Riddick (ankle) ruled out for Sunday and now apparently Washington as well, the Lions will split carries between Zach Zenner and newly signed Justin Forsett. However, fantasy owners will want to make sure Washington is out when inactives are announced before Sunday's 1 pm ET game.

Zenner will likely share snaps with Justin Forsett and possibly Dwayne Washington (ankle) in Sunday's game against the Rams, ESPN.com reports.

Having already lost Ameer Abdullah (foot) to injured reserve, the Detroit backfield has only gotten messier in recent weeks, with Theo Riddick (ankle) ruled out for Sunday and Dwayne Washington (ankle) considered questionable. Zenner made the team as an undrafted free agent last year, and then stuck around as the No. 4 running back to start this season, after losing out to Washington for the goal-line/short-yardage role. Washington will likely serve as the lead back if he's healthy enough to do so, as Zenner's lack of quickness makes him a poor fit for regular work in a pass-first offense, while the 31-year-old Forsett has only been with the Lions since Tuesday. If Washington can't play, Forsett and Zenner will likely share snaps, with the former a better bet to catch passes and the latter a better bet for goal-line work.

Mathews (illness) does not have a designation on Friday's injury report, setting him up to play in Sunday's game against Washington.

Mathews was excused from Friday's practice feeling under the weather, but the team apparently isn't worried about his Sunday availability, opting not to list him as 'questionable', 'doubtful or 'out'. While the illness could impact his strength and endurance if it lingers into the weekend, Mathews is seemingly still poised to lead the Philadelphia backfield in one of the best matchups conceivable. Washington has surrendered an NFL-worst eight rushing touchdowns, also ranking last in opponents' yards per carry (5.1) and third-to-last in rushing yards allowed per game (130).

Bolden (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Bolden practiced in a limited fashion Friday, which suggests he could potentially suit up Sunday. That said, his fantasy value is limited as long as both LeGarrette Blount and James White remain healthy.

Washington (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

With Theo Riddick (ankle) ruled out for Sunday and Ameer Abdullah (foot) already shelved for the year, the Lions may not be able to afford a patient approach with Washington's injury. The team's other backfield options are plodding 2015 UDFA Zach Zenner, 31-year-old Justin Forsett (who was signed Tuesday) and 250-pound fullback Michael Burton. However, it's quite possible Washington still won't be available, as he just returned to practice Friday as a limited participant, after sitting out last week's win over the Eagles. If he does play, Washington would be the favorite to lead Detroit's backfield, as he passed Zenner on the depth chart without any problems before the season.