NFL Player News

Raiders running back Latavius Murray (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday.

We'll track Murray's status as the week rolls along, but so far there is nothing to suggest that his status for Sunday's game against the Broncos is in any danger. Murray followed up a big game (26 carries for 139 yards in Week 3) with a 15-carry, 49-yard effort this past Sunday against the Bears.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) was limited at Wednesday's practice, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Coach Bruce Arians relayed that Ellington 'should be ready' to return Sunday at Detroit following a three-game absence due to a sprained PCL.

If he upholds Arians' belief, Ellington's workload would likely be capped to avoid a setback of any kind, allowing Chris Johnson to serve as the Cardinals' top running back yet again. However, the breakdown of reps in Week 5 could receive clarification in advance of the contest.

Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) did not practice Wednesday. Taliaferro missed practice earlier this season with foot and knee issues, though it's unclear if his absence from practice Wednesday is indicative of a setback or simply maintenance-related.

Texans running back Jonathan Grimes (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Colts, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Chris Polk is listed as questionable for the contest, which leaves the Texans' top two backs, Arian Foster and Alfred Blue, as the healthiest components of the Week 5 backfield.

Lions running back Joique Bell (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, according to MLive.com.

Bell's absence on Monday night gave Ameer Abdullah unfettered access to touches out of the Lions' backfield, but the rookie could only muster 33 yards on the ground and two catches for 11 yards against the Seahawks' typically stout defense.

Meanwhile, Theo Riddick took on a pass-catching role, turning five receptions into 31 yards. If Bell remains out of commission, the preceding breakdown of reps between Abdullah and Riddick will likely be replicated.

Running back Jacquizz Rodgers gained 3 yards and two carries and failed to reel in his only target in the Bears' Week 4 win over the Raiders.

For the second consecutive week, Rodgers saw more offensive snaps (nine) than fellow backup Jeremy Langford (three). However, the minimal usage of both players suggests Matt Forte is still on tap for a heavy workload each week.

Even if Forte goes down with an injury, Rodgers' small stature makes him better suited for change-of-pace duty than an every-down role.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims participated in 39 snaps in Week 4, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Sims continues to see the field as frequently as Doug Martin, and paid dividends in the passing game once again in Week 4, securing his second touchdown reception of the season.

The second-year back has already received 15 targets in 2015, and appears to have solidified a role as a change-of-pace back with the opportunity for 10-15 touches on a weekly basis.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was on the field for 38 snaps in Week 4 against the Panthers, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was an increase of seven snaps over what he received in Week 3, but the percentage of total offensive plays that Martin was in on (48 percent) was actually almost identical to the previous game's figure.

Although he and Charles Sims have divided the snaps virtually down the middle over the last two games, Martin continues to be the clear-cut lead back on the ground, receiving 20 carries to Sims' six against the Panthers in Week 4.

Lions running back Zach Zenner carried the ball twice for nine yards and added a four-yard reception in Monday's loss to Seattle.

Zenner's season numbers seem unimpressive - a mere 15 yards on four carries for a 3.8 yards-per-carry average. That is until you notice that the Lions' other three backs have averaged 2.6 yards per carry this season. The undrafted rookie was on the field as the Lions were driving to try to win the game in Seattle, which speaks to the confidence Detroit's coaching staff has in him. With starting running back Joique Bell battling injuries and ineffectiveness, it will be interesting to see whether fellow rookie Ameer Abdullah takes over as the starter with Theo Riddick serving as the third-down back and the bigger Zenner seeing some goal-line carries.

Giants running back Shane Vereen rushed for 21 yards on five carries in Sunday's win over Buffalo. Vereen has now been held without a reception in consecutive games after catching a pass in 23 of his last 24 games as a member of the Patriots.

Unlike Week 3's contest against Washington where he was targeted three times, Vereen didn't see a pass come his way in Buffalo. It is too early to make any sweeping claims about Vereen's role in New York as he caught 12 passes in the team's first two games, but given that he ranks third on the Giants' pecking order for carries, he is likely no better than a bye-week fill-in until further notice.