NFL Player News

Mathews (knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Redskins, Philly.com reports. "He's good to play," head coach Doug Pederson affirmed. "He's cleared and ready to go... hopefully we can get back to running the ball like we did a few weeks ago."

Mathews missed the past two games due to an injured knee and the Eagles' rushing attack took a step back as a result; the team gained just 134 yards on the ground in both contests combined. While the former first-round tailback projects to regain starter status Sunday, reverting rookie Wendell Smallwood to backup duties in the process, Darren Sproles will almost certainly maintain his role on passing downs. Regardless, each in the trio will look forward to a meeting against a Redskins defense that has allowed 122.5 rushing yards per game when playing on the road in 2016, fifth-worst in the league.

Head coach Jay Gruden said Monday that he wants to get "more of [Kelley] involved" moving forward, CSN Mid-Atlantic reports.

After handling 20-plus carries in each of his first three starts, Kelley's workload has waned over the past two games. On Thanksgiving against the Cowboys, game flow dictated that Kirk Cousins take to the air, which didn't benefit a running back with little to no pass-catching chops like Kelley. In a back-and-forth affair at Arizona this past Sunday, balance wasn't exhibited yet again, and Kelley picked up exactly 14 carries for the second straight contest. With a recommitment to the ground game potentially on the docket, he's a candidate to rebound Sunday against an Eagles defense that has allowed 84.3 yards per game and three touchdowns on the ground to running backs over the last three outings.

Draughn (ribs) was limited in practice Wednesday, Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Over the last three games, Draughn has made an impact as either a receiver or rusher, but never in both realms in a given contest. During that span, he's totaled five carries for 20 yards and nine receptions (on 11 targets) for 92 yards, so he continues to hold some utility as Carlos Hyde's primary backup. As a result, deep league owners should keep an eye on Draughn as the week unfolds.

Cunningham (neck) did not practice Wednesday, Rich Hammond of the Orange County Register reports.

Cunningham has been an afterthought in the Rams' offensive attack as of late. If he's unable to practice this week due to this unspecified neck injury, he could be removed from the game plan entirely.

Washington (ankle) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Washington was carted off the field in the second half of Sunday's win at New Orleans, but not before notching 21 yards on seven carries and 19 additional yards on two receptions. Diagnosed with a sprained ankle in the aftermath, he was nonetheless able to practice Wednesday, which can't be said for starting running back Theo Riddick, who sat out due to a wrist injury. If Riddick is unable to gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Bears, Washington could be pressed to tough it out. Whether that would result in a plurality of touches remains to be seen, but the Lions could entrust Zach Zenner with first and second down reps, while Washington serves as a change-of-pace option.

Although Sims (knee) has yet to be activated from injured reserve, he told Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times on Wednesday that he's "feeling really good. ... I'm just ready."

There's an expectation that the Bucs intend to end the suspense and have Sims at their disposal this Sunday against the Saints for the first time since Week 4. Head coach Dirk Koetter intimated as much Monday, but this was before Doug Martin, who was knocked out of Week 13 with an undisclosed injury, logged an uninhibited practice Wednesday. Sims may still make his long-awaited return this weekend, but the Bucs could entrust Martin with primary RB duties, with Jacquizz Rodgers in reserve, until Sims is fully acclimated to game action again.

Martin practiced fully Wednesday, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin didn't log another snap after he was "bent back" at the end of a third-quarter rush during Sunday's win at San Diego, spurring worry that the running back was dealing with another injury. While he may in fact be banged up, he took on the full array of individual and team drills only a few days later. With little worry about his availability for Sunday's game against the Saints, he may have to contend with both Jacquizz Rodgers and Charles Sims (knee), the latter of whom is expected to be activated from injured reserve this week. If the Bucs trot out the trio, they'll be facing a New Orleans defense that has conceded 135.3 yards per game from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns to running backs this season.

Drake (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Drake's volume has been severely reduced in recent weeks, but he was able to play through the knee issue during Week 13's loss to the Ravens. Jay Ajayi figures to once again receive most of the carries in Week 14 regardless of Drake's availability.

Mathews (knee) practiced in full Wednesday.

After missing two games due to an MCL concern, Mathews handled every practice rep thrown his way to begin preparation for Week 14. Barring a setback, he'll should act as the Eagles' lead back Sunday against the Redskins, usurping some of the workload that Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood have taken on in Mathews' absence.

Wilds was promoted to the Jets' active roster from the practice squad Wednesday, Randy Lange of the team's official site reports.

Wilds will be buried on the team's depth chart at running back behind Matt Forte, Bilal Powell and Khiry Robinson. The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina has yet to play a regular season snap in the NFL.