NFL Player News

Hightower rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and added 41 yards on five catches in Sunday's win over Atlanta.

Prior to November, Hightower hadn't played in a competitive football game since 2011. After the kind of production he put together to close the season, there may be plenty more games in his future. Hightower averaged 114 total yards and a touchdown during the season's final four games for a Saints backfield riddled by injuries. Hightower will be 30 by the start of the 2016 season, but his ability to pound the line of scrimmage and catch the ball out of the backfield should be good enough to earn him a supporting role next season.

Gillislee rushed 24 times for 28 yards and failed to catch his only target during Sunday's 22-17 win over the Jets.

Starting running back Karlos Williams, who got the start in place of the injured LeSean McCoy (knee), was knocked out of the game in the first half with his own knee injury, leaving Gillislee to lead the backfield. While he got plenty of touches, he was remarkably poor with them, especially considering nine of his 28 yards came on one carry. With McCoy and Williams both expected to be healthy well before the start of training camp next year, there likely won't be enough touches for Gillislee to make a fantasy impact.

Toussaint carried the ball 12 times for 24 yards in relief of DeAngelo Williams during Sunday's win over Cleveland. Williams was in a walking boot following the contest, Missi Matthews of Steelers.com reports.

Toussaint more than doubled his season total in rushing yards with his modest production on Sunday. The Steelers have leaned heavily on their lead back all season, first with Le'Veon Bell and then DeAngelo Williams. Should Williams miss next week's Wild Card game, Toussaint would have the advantage of knowing the offense over anyone the Steelers may bring in off the street.

McFadden rushed for 92 yards on 12 carries, and hauled in 5-of-8 targets for 53 yards Sunday against the Redskins.

McFadden closed the season with his fourth straight rushing performance over 90 yards, but his inability to score over that span was reflective of his season-long struggle to get into the end zone. The 28-year-old running back finishes 2015 with just three touchdowns despite topping 1000 rushing yards for just the second time in his eight-year career.

Anderson (back) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

The running back is out there if you need him Sunday, but his fantasy upside continues to be hindered by the time-share in effect in the Denver backfield that exists between Anderson and Ronnie Hillman.

Ellington (toe) is listed as active Sunday versus the Seahawks, Mark Dalton of the Cardinals' official site reports.

A Cardinals win in Week 17 must coincide with a Panthers loss to the Buccaneers in order to achieve home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, if the Panthers hold a noticeable lead early in the game, it may be enough to spur head coach Bruce Arians to sit David Johnson and Ellington in order to preserve them for future weeks. If the preceding comes to pass, the Cardinals would be down to Stepfan Taylor (shoulder) and Kerwynn Williams out of the backfield.

ESPN's Mike Reiss relays that Bolden, who didn't play on special teams the last two weeks, worked on the Patriots' punt unit during warm-ups in advance of Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Bolden is out there Sunday as an option to see some touches in the Patriots' backfield, but with pass-catching back James White on hand, and special teams duty potentially on tap for Bolden, we could see more of newcomer Steven Jackson in Week 17.

Jones (hip) is listed as inactive Sunday in Dallas.

After a limited practice Wednesday, Jones was unable to log any practice reps thereafter, intimating that Washington intended to hold him out in Week 17 with the No. 4 seed in the NFC in hand. Instead, Alfred Morris, Chris Thompson (shoulder), and Pierre Thomas (knee) will compose the backfield.

Abdullah (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game at Chicago, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After fumbling four times (and losing one of them) in the first six games of his career, Abdullah experienced a sudden downturn in usage before working his way into the good graces of head coach Jim Caldwell. In particular, Abdullah has posted a respectable 4.8 YPC over the last six games, though his snap count (20 to 28 during that span) may not allow him to bust out in the season finale.

Martin and the Buccaneers are talking about a contract extension before the running back hits the free agent market, the Tampa Tribune reports. "We've already talked a little bit," Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said. "We will definitely be talking (more). We'd love to have Doug back."

Martin was coming off two seasons marred by injury, when Tampa Bay opted not to pick up his fifth-year option back in May. Now, the fourth-year running back, who trails only Minnesota's Adrien Peterson in rushing yards, has all the leverage. The Bucs are reported to be seeking a two-year deal, but Martin will command a longer-term commitment in the market.