NFL Player News

Two days after being promoted from the practice squad, Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams ran 19 times for 100 yards (5.3 ypc) in the win over the Chiefs. The second-year pro out of Utah State appeared in one game with the Chargers last season.

Williams was not targeted in the passing game. With Andre Ellington (sports hernia) going on injured reserve, Williams could continue to see a heavy workload Thursday at St. Louis.

With Andre Ellington sidelined with a season-ending injury, it was Stepfan Taylor who got the start for the Cardinals in Week 14 against the Chiefs. However, recently-signed reserve Kerwynn Williams was ultimately the team's go-to option in the 17-14 win.

Williams who had no career rushing attempts entering play Sunday, became the fourth running back in as many weeks to top the century mark against the Chiefs. He rushed the ball 19 times for 100 yards, the only back on the team to manage 20 yards or more than six carries.

Williams was a non-factor in the passing game, but Taylor made little impact himself as well. With Ellington going on injured reserved, the Cardinals are going to have to turn to these backs for the rest of the season. Williams impressed Sunday, but he was also cut less than two weeks ago, before returning from the practice squad two days ago, so it's hard to say how high they are on him. 

Williams looks like the back to own at this point, but his limited track record obviously makes it tough to rely on him down the stretch. Still, he is clearly a must-add player on waivers, given how well he ran the ball Sunday. The Cardinals have another tough matchup on the way in Week 15, however, with the Rams on the way. 

The Seahawks backup runners didn't do much Week 14 against the Eagles.

Christine Michael turned in a solid performance, gaining 32 yards on six carries. He did not receive a target in the passing game. Robert Turbin gained just 7 yards on four carries, but did factor into the passing game. Turbin hauled in one pass for 14 yards. 

Both players will hope for more Week 15 against the 49ers. 

Raiders running backs Darren McFadden and Marcel Reece took on lesser roles Week 14 against the 49ers.

Latavius Murray got the bulk of the work, picking up 23 carries. McFadden was limited to just four carries. He gained 5 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game. Reece had just two carries for 2 yards. He was a much bigger threat in the passing game, gaining 64 yards on seven receptions. He managed to haul in a 9 yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Both players will look for more Week 15 against the Chiefs. 

Raiders running back Latavius Murray received the bulk of the carries Week 14 against the 49ers.

Murray got a lot of work, picking up 76 yards on 23 carries. The run game wasn't all that effective for Oakland during the contest, but quarterback Derek Carr made up for that. It was initially unclear how much work Murray would get coming off a concussion, but he looked like the workhorse back during the game. He didn't turn in a strong performance, but the team win might lead to him getting more run Week 15. Murray wasn't a big threat in the receiving game, but did manage two catches for 9 yards. 

He'll take on the Chiefs Week 15. 

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said after Sunday's win that the team will place running back Andre Ellington on season-ending injured reserve due to a sports hernia, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. Ellington missed his first game Week 14 but had been ineffective recently as he dealt with multiple injuries, including foot and hip problems. 

Coach Bruce Arians said Monday he doesn't think Ellington will need surgery on his foot, just the hernia. 

Ellington finishes the year with 660 rushing yards, 395 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.

Broncos running back Juwan Thompson produced 77 yards from scrimmage in spot duty Week 14. He ran four times for 63 yards, including a 47-yard jaunt in the third quarter, and caught his only target for 14 yards.

Thompson visits the Chargers in Week 15.

Nine players on the Patriots' final Week 14 injury report are active for Sunday's game against the Chargers, including quarterback Tom Brady (ankle), running back Shane Vereen (ankle) and wide receivers Julian Edelman (thigh) and Brandon LaFell (shoulder).

Brady and tackle Marcus Cannon (hip) were listed as probable, so their absence from the team's inactive list isn't a surprise. Vereen, Edelman and LaFell all carried questionable tags coming into Sunday. Other questionables who are active against the Chargers include center Danny Aiken (concussion), guard Dan Connolly (ankle), defensive tackle Dominique Easley (knee) and cornerback Kyle Arrington (ankle).

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson fought through a recurring ankle injury Sunday and rushed for three touchdowns in the win over Buffalo. Anderson ran 21 times for 58 yards, scoring from 6, 1, and 3 yards out.

He was not targeted in the passing game.

Anderson has scored six touchdowns in his last five games entering Week 15 at San Diego. 

The Buccaneers ran the ball 14 times for just 26 yards in Sunday's loss to the Lions. Running back Doug Martin had five carries for 22 yards and Charles Sims had five carries for negative four yards. 

Quarterback Josh McCown also had four carries for eight yards. 

The Bucs will try to get their ground game going in Week 15 against the Panthers.