NFL Player News

As expected, the Patriots ruled four of their offensive stars active for Sunday's divisional clash against Miami in Week 15. Those four include Tom Brady (ankle), Julian Edelman (thigh), Brandon LaFell (shoulder) and Shane Vereen (ankle). Brady was the only one of the four ruled probable leading up to Sunday. The other three were questionable.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Roy Helu, safety Brandon Meriweather, linebacker Keenan Robinson, guard Josh LeRibeus, wide receiver Leonard Hankerson and defensive end Jason Hatcher were ruled inactive Week 15 against the Giants.

The Dolphins ruled running back LaMichael James, linebacker Jelani Jenkins, linebacker Koa Misi, linebacker Jonathan Freeny, linebacker Chris McCain, offensive lineman Nate Garner and offensive lineman Billy Turner inactive for Week 15 against New England.

The Ravens ruled the following players inactive for Sunday's clash with the Jaguars: wideout Michael Campanaro, cornerback Antoine Cason, running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot), linebacker Arthur Brown, defensive tackle Terrence Cody, guard Gino Gradkowski and defensive end DeAngelo Tyson.

Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell (shoulder), wide receiver Julian Edelman (thigh) and running back Shane Vereen (ankle) are all expected to play Week 15 against the Dolphins, despite being listed as questionable on the injury report, according to ESPN.

All three players were limited in practice all week. The Dolphins are yielding 123.5 rushing yards and 203.2 passing yards per game.

While Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (foot), who has missed the last four games, is listed as questionable for Week 15 at San Diego, it might be another week or two before he returns to action, according to NFL.com National Insider Ian Rapoport.

C.J. Anderson, who has thrived in the absence of Hillman and Montee Ball, should pace the rushing attack again Week 15. Anderson has rushed for more than 150 yards in two of the last three games and has five touchdowns (four rushing) in the last three games.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, who is listed as questionable for Week 15 vs. Denver due to an ankle injury, is highly doubtful to play Sunday, a source told NFL.com National Insider Ian Rapoport. Mathews was not able to do much in practice during the week.

Mathews has been limited to six games this season due to injury. Donald Brown and Branden Oliver would likely pick up most of the slack in the running game, if Mathews is sidelined.

The Ravens brought back running back Fitzgerald Toussaint on Saturday, signing him to the 53-man active roster, per the Baltimore Sun. The move was made to give Baltimore depth at running back, as Taliaferro is nursing a foot injury and is questionable for Week 15 against the Jaguars.

In a corresponding move, the Ravens placed offensive lineman Jah Reid on injured reserve with a hand injury. Reid's career in Baltimore could come to an end. He is set to be a free agent at the end of the season.

Patriots defensive lineman Dominique Easley is out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins with a knee injury. The Boston Herald reported earlier in the day the team is considering placing Easley on injured-reserve to have him healthy in 2015. 

The Patriots also listed nine players as questionable for Sunday including: Dont'a Hightower, Cameron Fleming, Brandon LaFell  Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Chris White , Julian Edelman, Dan Connolly and Shane Vereen. 

The Vikings have ruled safety Robert Blanton (ankle, knee), guard Charlie Johnson (ankle), defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee) and linebacker Anthony Barr (knee) out for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (hamstring) was the only player listed as questionable on Minnesota's final injury report. Meanwhile, fullback Jerome Felton (neck), safety Harrison Smith (shoulder), defensive end Everson Griffen (back) and cornerback Jabari Price (hamstring) were all deemed probable for Week 15.