NFL Player News

Hightower rushed 13 times for 54 yards and caught three passes (on four targets) for 31 yards in Monday's loss to the Lions.

Hightower once again enjoyed the bulk of the Saints' backfield work, but with the Saints behind big early Monday, he wasn't afforded anywhere close to the 28 carries he saw in Week 14. Nonetheless, Hightower's 4.2 yards per carry Monday marked an improvement, and he also made a contribution in the passing game with three catches. Given that involvement, Hightower figures to maintain commendable late season value heading into Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Sims is only one of four running backs in the NFL with at least 400 yards rushing and 400 yards receiving in 2015, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The versatile Sims has made significant strides in his sophomore season, after the first half of his rookie campaign was wiped out by a foot injury. Sims joins Devonta Freeman, Mark Ingram and Giovanni Bernard as the only backs in the NFL to have reached the 400/400 yardage milestones, and boasts the fourth-most receptions (39) by a running back in the league this season. His 4.7 yards per carry are also a significant improvement from the 2.8 figure he managed in 2014, and he needs only 116 combined yards over the final two games to reach 1,000 in total offense on the season. Sims has proven to be the perfect complement to starter Doug Martin, and the duo is easily the best Bucs running back tandem since the days when Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott shared the backfield in Tampa.

Abdullah rushed nine times for a career-high 77 yards and a touchdown in Monday night's win over the Saints.

Abdullah also caught two passes (on two targets) for 12 yards, but lost a fumble during Monday's game. Despite committing a turnover, the rookie should generally be pleased by his performance, as Monday not only marked Abdullah's best rushing output yet, but also the first time he scored a touchdown since his first career carry back in Week 1. In addition to Abdullah's 15-yard touchdown run, the Lions' ground game racked up 150 total yards, an improvement that bodes well heading into Sunday's upcoming game against the 49ers.

McKinnon had seven carries for ten yards and four receptions for 76 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown, in Sunday's win over Chicago.

McKinnon got extra work with Adrian Peterson suffering a sprained ankle. Peterson's injury is thought to be minor so McKinnon may return to a smaller role off the bench, but his strong game catching the ball could get him a little more involved in the passing game.

The Colts have waived Tipton, Kevin Bowen of Colts.com reports.

In a corresponding move, the Colts signed fellow running back Trey Williams off the Dolphins practice squad to add some change-of-pace depth to the team's backfield.

Brown is on track to see an expanded workload down the stretch, with Melvin Gordon headed to IR.

Brown gained 90 yards on 12 carries and caught two passes for 14 yards in Sunday's 30-14 win over the Dolphins, but with Gordon (who had 15 carries before being injured in the contest) now out, Brown looks poised to see his share of early-down work down the stretch in tandem with change-of-pace/pass-catching back, Danny Woodhead.

The Chargers plan to place Gordon (knee) on IR.

Once the move is officially made, the Chargers figure to add another running back to the mix, but Gordon's rookie season is now done, which sets the stage for Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead to head the team's backfield in Week 16 and 17.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Gillislee's teammate, LeSean McCoy, tore his MCL on Sunday and is considered week-to-week for the final two weeks of the regular season.

At the very least, McCoy's status is very much in doubt for this week's game against the Cowboys. Earlier in the season, surprising rookie Karlos Williams would have been the no-brainer replacement, but the Bills are easing Williams back from a shoulder injury and Gillislee has been worked into the offense just as much. It's possible the two could split carries this week if McCoy does get ruled out.

Draughn is slated to undergo an MRI on his knee Monday, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Draughn's status for Sunday's game against the Lions is thus uncertain, and while Mike Davis (hand) is eligible to return from short-term IR, that's not a lock to happen, which further clouds the 49ers' Week 16 backfield situation.

ESPN's Mike Reiss suggests that the Patriots' signing of Steven Jackson will will allow the team to play Bolden "more on special teams, where he is most valuable."

Bolden rushed 10 times for 36 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards during Sunday's win over the Titans, while newcomer Joey Iosefa led the team with 14 carries for 51 yards. Meanwhile, the addition of Jackson -- an experienced power back -- to the mix, appears to further hinder Bolden's fantasy upside down the stretch, though he retains plenty of utility to the Patriots, thanks to his versatility.