NFL Player News

Mathews (concussion/groin) parlayed a team-high 13 carries into 38 yards, and caught both of his targets for four yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Bills.

Mathews wasn't especially effective, but it was nice to see him lead the team in carries in his return to the lineup. All three of Mathews (42), Darren Sproles (45) and DeMarco Murray (37) finished with similar yardage totals, but Sproles was by far the most effective on a per-touch basis. The parity among Philadelphia's three running backs limits each particular individual's upside.

Hightower gained 85 yards on 28 carries, including a three-yard touchdown, while also securing his sole target for 10 yards in Sunday's 24-17 victory over the Buccaneers.

Amazingly, Hightower toted the ball a career-high 28 times in only his third game back after a three season-plus absence from the NFL. While he found tough sledding against a Tampa run defense that was the stingiest in the league in yards per carry allowed (3.5) coming in, he showed outstanding stamina and toughness throughout the afternoon and scored his first touchdown in over four years. He also notched his first reception since October 2, 2011 versus the Rams, and certainly had to give the Saints assurance that he will be able to take over the every-down backfield duties that Mark Ingram handled before his season-ending shoulder injury. Hightower will look to find some roomier running lanes in a Monday night home tilt against the Lions in Week 15.

Rawls will miss the rest of the season due to a broken ankle stemming from Sunday's win at Baltimore, Danny O'Neil of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Rawls was removed in the first half with what was merely termed an ankle injury, yielding the backfield to a combination of Fred Jackson and DuJuan Harris. With the severity of the injury known, Harris appears as if he'll benefit that most, after taking 18 carries for 42 yards Sunday. The Seahawks will now likely continue their aerial assault of opponents until Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) is healthy enough to return to action.

Hillman (foot) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, Hillman is slated to start at running back for the Broncos on Sunday, with Juwan Thompson on track to work as the team's No. 2 back, while C.J. Anderson is in uniform, but "would only be used if needed in the game."

Anderson (ankle) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

As is Ronnie Hillman, with ESPN's Jeff Legwold suggesting that the Broncos plan at running back Sunday is to roll with Ronnie Hillman as the starter and for Juwan Thompson to work as the No. 2 back, with Anderson only to be used "if needed" in the game.

Rawls was forced out of Sunday's game against the Ravens with an ankle injury.

With Marshawn Lynch still sidelined and Rawls out for the rest of Sunday's game, Fred Jackson and DuJuan Harris are next up for the Seahawks' backfield looks in Week 14.

Barner (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Barner is coming off a minor breakout game during last week's win over the Patriots, in which he recorded a career-high 39 rushing yards to go along with two receptions. The Eagles have grown frustrated with the lack of production from free-agent signee DeMarco Murray this season, and according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, there's a possibility that Murray could rank as the Eagles' fourth option at running back Sunday. If that's the case, Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews would likely shoulder the bulk of the duties at the position, but Barner should have an opportunity to occasionally mix into the rotation, particularly on passing downs.

Mathews (concussion/groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Mathews' availability was never in much doubt after he practiced fully Thursday and Friday and was given a probable designation heading into the weekend, but it remains unclear what kind of role he might fill Sunday. The Eagles and coach Chip Kelly appear inclined to explore other options at running back rather than free-agent flop DeMarco Murray, who saw only eight of the Eagles' 38 running-back carries last week against the Patriots and could rank fourth on the depth chart for Sunday's game, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. In accordance with Murray's role being de-emphasized, the Eagles figure to deploy a running back platoon that could be headed by either Darren Sproles or Mathews, leaving only limited snaps for Murray and Kenjon Barner. Because of his expected uptick in carries along with his prowess as a receiver, Sproles looks like the most appealing weekly option of any of the Eagles' backs, but those in deeper leagues may still be able to wring some value out of Mathews.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport notes that in the wake of Mark Ingram's season-ending injury, Hightower appears to be on track to step in for Ingram as the Saints' lead back, with C.J. Spiller's workload "likely to be unchanged."

After seeing just one carry in Week 13, Hightower thus appears to be on track to see a significant uptick in work Sunday against the Bucs, and beyond, a scenario that places the 29-year-old back on the fantasy radar down the stretch.

Hillman (foot) is expected to start Sunday against the Raiders, while C.J. Anderson (ankle) will be very limited, if he plays at all, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Friday that he expected Hillman to start despite being listed as questionable, so it's certainly a plus that he didn't suffer any setbacks before Sunday. Anderson was unable to practice this week due to his injury, which could lead to a heavy workload for Hillman if the former is unable to play. Neither back played well against the Raiders when they played in Week 5, though the running game has been much better with Brock Osweiler under center.