NFL Player News

Though he was limited some by a thigh bruise in Thursday's practice, Hillman is slated to earn his second straight start at running back Sunday against the Colts, the Denver Post reports.

While the assignment is an acknowledgment of Hillman's solid work this season, coach Gary Kubiak suggested Thursday that he sees both Hillman and C.J. Anderson as starters and expects the duo to split the team's RB snaps "right down the middle."

Mathews (groin) didn't practice Thursday, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Coming out of the Eagles' Week 8 bye, Mathews was a week and a half removed from the groin injury suffered on Oct. 25 against the Panthers. He proceeded to practice both Tuesday and Wednesday, albeit on a limited basis, making Thursday's absence a curious development. Ultimately, head coach Chip Kelly will have a better handle on Mathews' availability Sunday at Dallas following the final practice of the week.

Brown, who has only been active for two of eight games this season, is ready to step into Branden Oliver's backup role, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Brown's name had been mentioned as a possible trade target before Oliver's season-ending injury, but he is now in the mix for playing time for the Bolts. San Diego features Melvin Gordon on early downs and Danny Woodhead in passing situations, but Brown will serve as the primary backup to both guys, and he is now just one more injury away from seeing significant playing time. Brown is familiar with the Chargers system and is an adept blocker, so the team will not hesitate to use them whenever necessary.

Williams (thumb) did not practice Wednesday, Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Working behind starter Lamar Miller, with Jonas Gray also on hand, Williams is off the fantasy radar, especially with rookie Jay Ajayi poised to enter the Dolphins' backfield mix.

Mathews (groin) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

In the Eagles' last game before a Week 8 bye, Mathews suffered a groin injury, but it didn't stop him from racking up 97 rushing yards on the backs of a 63-yard touchdown run. Although he's limited to start the week, his availability for Sunday night's game at Dallas could receive clarification as the week goes on, especially if he logs a full practice at some point.

Herron's teammates LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams are both healthy again coming out of the bye week.

Herron had a window of opportunity when both players were down a few games ago, but didn't really do much with his 11 carries, averaging just 3.4 yards per. At best, he's now the No. 3 back with Williams ready to return from his concussion.

Sims was in on 29 snaps versus the Falcons in Week 8, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After consecutive games with double-digit carries, Sims only toted the rock six times against the Falcons. The Bucs have clearly settled into a backfield playing time rotation they are comfortable with, and that entails Sims only getting in occasional work in relief of lead dog Doug Martin. Tampa has eschewed the use of third running back Bobby Rainey on plays from scrimmage the majority, at least giving Sims a fairly stable floor in terms of playing time so far in 2015.

Martin was in on 41 offensive snaps in Week 8 versus the Falcons, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin continues to be the unquestioned workhorse back for Tampa, and is on pace for his best yardage total in a season since his rookie campaign in 2012. The fourth-year pro has now carried the ball over 20 times in three out of the last four games, and came up just one short of that benchmark in the fourth contest of that sample size. Martin's three 100-yard rushing games so far in 2015 also exceed his total in that category over the prior pair of seasons combined (two).

Oliver (turf toe) was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday.

Oliver had been serving as the No. 3 running back, getting a few touches per game in relief of Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead. The Chargers will now turn to Donald Brown to fill the aforementioned role, though it's possible Oliver's snaps will just go to Gordon and/or Woodhead. Oliver has shown flashes of starting-caliber play the past two seasons, and he should be back in 2016 to compete for a role in the San Diego backfield. Of course, Woodhead and Gordon are also under contract for next year.

Running back Joseph Randle (back/personal) was released by the Cowboys on Tuesday, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Between injuries, personal issues and a possible looming suspension, Randle already seemed unlikely to play again in 2015. He had the first shot to replace DeMarco Murray in the Dallas backfield, but Randle ultimately managed just 76 carries for 315 yards (4.1 YPC) and four touchdowns in six games behind a top-notch offensive line. Darren McFadden handled most of the workload the past two games and will likely continue to do so in Week 9 against the Eagles, with Christine Michael and Rod Smith providing depth. Randle is unlikely to draw interest from another team this season.