NFL Player News

Lions running back Ameer Abdullah will start Monday's game at Seattle, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Typical starting running back Joique Bell is tending to the lingering effects of offseason knee surgery, which will hand Abdullah his first opportunity to head the Lions' backfield. On the season, Abdullah has been hit-or-miss with his carries, taking 21 for 82 yards and one touchdown. He's also augmented his line with seven receptions (on 10 targets) for 72 yards and a touchdown, but he could find tough sledding against the Seahawks, one of the most-staunch defenses in the league.

Though the Texans didn't conduct a formal practice Monday, if they had, running back Jonathan Grimes (knee) would have been a non-participant, the Houston Chronicle reports.

After sitting out Sunday's game against the Falcons, Grimes is iffy for Thursday's contest against the Colts, though with Arian Foster back in action now, Grimes' fantasy utility is currently limited.

Chiefs running back Knile Davis didn't touch the ball Sunday against the Bengals.

Davis didn't even see the field offensively for the Chiefs on Sunday, with workhorse Jamaal Charles taking 79 percent of the snaps. It's the second straight week that he's gone without an offensive snap, and it appears Davis will see little-to-no action unless Charles gets hurt.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had one reception for nine yards and was targeted three times in Sunday's loss at Denver.

With Charles Johnson out with a rib injury and Jarius Wright limited with a hand injury, Patterson had an opportunity to get a larger role Sunday. However, he was bypassed by both Stefon Diggs (10 targets) and Adam Thielen (8 targets) on the depth chart. Patterson will primarily work as the kick returner with a very limited role on offense.

The Chargers have re-signed running back Donald Brown.

The Chargers let Brown go this past Saturday in order to add an offensive lineman for Week 4's game, but he was quickly brought back Monday to bolster the team's backfield depth in advance of next Monday night's contest against the Steelers.

According to Bruce Arians, Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) was almost healthy enough to play Sunday against the Rams.

Ellington practiced on a limited basis leading into Week 4, but the relative health of both Chris and David Johnson spurred Arians to exercise caution with his presumed No. 1 running back. If he continues to progress this week, Ellington should take the field Sunday at Detroit, but his workload would be contingent upon the state of his knee.

Chargers running back Branden Oliver did not record a single touch in the defeat of Cleveland on Sunday.

The San Diego running game is clearly a two-man show with Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead taking the meaningful snaps. Consider Oliver nothing more than insurance.

Making his Cowboys debut, running back Christine Michael lost a yard on his only carry in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Saints.

Lance Dunbar exited the game with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, leaving Michael as the No. 3 running back behind Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden, both of whom were ineffective. Dunbar's injury probably won't lead to many touches for Michael, so long as Randle and McFadden stay healthy. Of course, if the Dallas running game doesn't improve, Michael might eventually get a longer look.

Cowboys running back Darren McFadden had 10 carries for 31 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Saints.

Joseph Randle didn't fare any better, carrying 11 times for 26 yards and a touchdown, also without any targets. Either Randle or McFadden, if not both, will have to take on an expanded role in the passing game, as Lance Dunbar appeared to suffer a severe knee injury during Sunday's game.

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle had 11 carries for 26 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Saints.

Randle almost had a completely disastrous night, as his touchdown was initially ruled a fumble. He foolishly tried to dive over the pile on a 1st-and-goal from the one-yard line, but he did make it just barely across before losing the ball. Darren McFadden had 10 carries for 31 yards and Christine Michael lost a yard on his only carry. The big development was Lance Dunbar's knee injury, which appeared to be severe. Randle figures to take on more passing-down snaps in Dunbar's (presumed) absence, but McFadden could also soak up some of the work. The Cowboys have a home date with the Patriots in Week 5.