NFL Player News

Rodgers gained 75 yards on 17 carries and secured his sole target for four yards in Sunday's 17-16 win over the Panthers.

Rodgers assumed clear-cut lead back duties as expected Sunday, but somewhat surprisingly received less than 20 carries. However, as has often been the case this season, he was productive with his opportunities, posting a solid 4.4 YPC. Heading into the offseason, the running back position for the Bucs is unexpectedly in a relative state of disarray due to Doug Martin's suspension and related personal issues, which thus gives Rodgers a realistic opportunity to return to the team next season in some capacity. Both his history with head coach Dirk Koetter and his strong efforts this season (560 rushing yards, 98 receiving yards) should certainly help bolster his case in this regard.

McKinnon ran 16 times for 89 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's game against the Bears. He also caught three of four targets for an additional 21 yards and a score in the 38-10 win.

McKinnon managed just under five yards per carry and his running helped salt the game away after the team jumped out to an early lead. He opened the scoring with a 16-yard catch in the first quarter and found the end zone again on a one-yard conversion in the fourth. McKinnon showed flashes this season but was somewhat inefficient with an average of just 3.4 yards per carry and four total touchdowns. The Vikings will get Adrian Peterson back and presumably healthy next season, but McKinnon should again be in line to serve as the team's top backup.

Grant rushed 18 times for 122 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Colts.

Grant served as the primary running back in the season finale with Chris Ivory (hamstring) and T.J. Yeldon (ankle) both held out. The second-year man out of Auburn took full advantage of the opportunity, topping 100 yards for the first time in his career. Grant was averaging just 3.0 yards per carry heading into this one, but raised that mark all the way to 5.1 thanks in large part to a 57-yard touchdown run. He finishes the season with 164 yards and a touchdown on 32 rushing attempts, as well as four catches for 35 yards and another touchdown.

McFadden carried seven times for 28 yards and caught two of three targets for 19 additional yards in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.

McFadden started the game with Ezekiel Elliott held out but only received a third of the team's carries in the game, as they distributed the burden in that category among several options. Although his workload was limited, McFadden looked explosive on a couple of different plays, and will be one of the more capable backup runners active during the postseason.

Kelley (knee) is listed as active Sunday versus the Giants.

Although he was limited in his preparation for Week 17, Kelley made a modest bump in his workload Friday, according to head coach Jay Gruden. As a result, Kelley seems poised for his typical workload in a must-win game for the Redskins, who must beat the Giants and hope the outcome of the Packers-Lions game isn't a tie. Since taking over for Matt Jones in Week 8, Kelley has averaged 18.8 touches per game, while reaching the end zone five times across eight contests.

Wilds (hamstring) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

With Matt Forte out, Bilal Powell is in line to start Sunday's game, with Wilds and Brandon Burks on hand to work in complementary roles in the Jets' Week 17 offense.

Carey is inactive for Sunday's contest at Minnesota, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reports.

For the second week in a row, Carey has been included among the Bears' inactives. On this occasion, though, he avoided the injury report all week, so the backfield is seemingly safe in the hands of Jordan Howard and Jeremy Langford in the season finale.

Artis-Payne is inactive for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

As is tradition when Jonathan Stewart is healthy, Artis-Payne won't be available to the Panthers' backfield for the 11th straight contest. Stewart was hindered by a foot injury in practice during Week 17 prep, though, so Fozzy Whittaker (rather than Artis-Payne) could spell the starter at some point during the game.

Richardson (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 17 tilt versus the Colts, the team's official site reports.

Richardson was just claimed earlier in the week by the Jags after his release from the Steelers, with which he'd spent the entirety of the season.

Patterson will start at wide receiver opposite Adam Thielen with Stefon Diggs inactive with a hip injury, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports

Patterson should see an increase in targets with Diggs out, although Charles Johnson could also figure into the wide receiver mix.