NFL Player News

Grimes had a receiving and a rushing touchdown in Houston's 30-6 victory over Jacksonville in Week 17. He rushed four times for 26 yards and caught four of five targets for 28 yards as the Texans clinched the AFC South title with the win.

Though Grimes has been part of a three-back committee for much of the season, the touchdowns were his only scores in the 2015 regular season. His role expanded when Arian Foster suffered a season-ending groin injury, but he never threatened Alfred Blue to become the team's lead back. He'll continue to get some touches when Houston hosts Kansas City in the opening round of the playoffs.

Sims gained 15 yards on four carries and secured nine of his 11 targets for 74 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Panthers.

The second-year pro put a stamp on his reputation as one of the premiere pass-catching backs in the NFL by hauling in a career-high nine receptions, giving him 51 for the season. With Tampa trailing throughout the second half, Sims received extra opportunity in his role as a passing-down back, a scenario that repeated itself on a few occasions this season when Lovie Smith's defense put the Bucs into the trail position in the latter stages of games. Sims was notably no slouch on the ground either in 2015 despite limited chances, collecting 529 yards on 4.9 yards per tote over 107 carries. He also gained over 40 yards rushing in four of the season's final seven games despite receiving double-digit carries only once in those contests, and could conceivably take over lead back duties should the Bucs and Doug Martin be unable to come to an agreement for 2016. Regardless of his exact role in the backfield pecking order next season, Sims should once again be in a prime position to produce, particularly through the air. With measurables and a skill set similar to Matt Forte, Sims could possibly provide all-around production comparable to that of the Bears' Pro-Bowl back if he ever receives sufficient playing time.

Martin gained 48 yards on 15 carries and also secured all seven of his targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Panthers.

The fourth-year tailback badly scuffled on the ground, gaining 20 yards on his game-long tote and otherwise grinding out 28 yards on his other 14 carries. However, he did his best Charles Sims impersonation (although ironically, he still fell short of his teammate's reception total on the day), securing a season-high seven receptions for a 2015 high-water mark in receiving yardage (60). Martin finished the season with 1,402 yards-- his best haul on the ground since his stellar 2012 rookie season when he amassed 1,454--and the unrestricted free agent's retention will undoubtedly be a priority of the Bucs' front office heading into the offseason. Despite a lackluster final two weeks where he was only able to gain 97 yards on 32 carries (3.0 yards per carry), the 26-year-old ran decisively throughout the season, putting to rest any doubts as to whether his rookie campaign had been an anomaly.

Artis-Payne gained 44 yards on 14 carries and scored a touchdown, while also securing both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 38-10 victory over the Bucs.

The rookie running back equaled the season high in carries he'd received in Week 15 versus the Giants, and scored his first career touchdown on a game-high 11-yard second-quarter rush. Artis-Payne has garnered some valuable reps over the last three games during Jonathan Stewart's (foot) absence, and it remains to be seen how Carolina will deploy their backfield rotation in the postseason.

Brown gained 81 yards on 21 carries and secured two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Broncos.

After a run-in with a suffocating Raiders run defense in Week 16, the seven-year veteran bounced back with a productive effort and led the Chargers in rushing for the second time in the last three games. Brown scuffled to a 1.2 yards per carry average versus Oakland, but found enough running room Sunday to average almost four yards per tote and break off a game-long 20-yard run. Now a free agent, it remains to be seen if San Diego will bring back Brown as veteran insurance in 2016. First-round rookie Melvin Gordon looked like a bust before going on injured reserve late in the season, and Danny Woodhead still projects best as a dynamic pass-catching back that only carries the ball 8-10 times per game. Meanwhile, Brown offers a skill set that combines many of the traits of a conventional feature back and Woodhead's receiving ability, which may help carve out a place for him in the San Diego backfield heading into the Chargers' 2016 training camp.

Abdullah rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries in Sunday's win over the Bears and added a seven-yard catch.

Abdullah didn't set the league on fire in his rookie season and spent plenty of time in head coach Jim Caldwell's dog house. Still, he showed improvement following Detroit's Week 9 bye. Prior to the bye, Abdullah averaged just 3.57 yards per carry and fumbled the ball four times. In the season's final eight games, Abdullah averaged 4.65 yards per carry and fumbled just once. Abdullah found the end zone three times all season and, even if he continues to improve, could be a victim of goal-line vultures given his small stature and history with fumbles.

Hillman rushed 15 times for a season-high 117 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers. He also caught two of three targets for 10 receiving yards.

Backup C.J. Anderson also had a big day, rushing 15 times for 95 yards and a touchdown, as the Broncos relied on their running backs to get them back after they trailed 14-6 in the third quarter. With Anderson playing well of late, rushing for at least 70 yards and a touchdown in back-to-back games, Hillman will likely continue to cede carries, which obviously hurts his fantasy upside heading into the playoffs.

Anderson rushed 15 times for 95 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Chargers. He also caught one of three targets for minus-5 yards and lost a fumble.

The Broncos' running game was dominant Sunday, as not only did Anderson have plenty of success, but starter Ronnie Hillman did too, rushing 15 times for 117 yards and a touchdown as well as adding 10 receiving yards on two catches. Hillman will continue to start, though it's looking more like Anderson will get closer to a 50-50 share of the workload, especially if the two keep running like they did Sunday.

Harris had 16 carries for 67 yards and caught eight of 12 targets for 86 yards in Sunday's 19-16 overtime win over the Rams.

A week after producing a career-high 73 rushing yards, Harris was a major factor again Sunday, easily leading the 49ers in rushing and receiving. The journeyman RB has great speed and a low center of gravity, but with Carlos Hyde (foot) expected to be the featured back in 2016, it's hard to get excited about Harris' prospects for next season.

Cunningham ran the ball four times for 38 yards and caught all three of his targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss at San Francisco.

With rookie sensation Todd Gurley (foot) inactive Sunday, Cunningham posted his most productive game since Week 1. Meanwhile, second-year RB Tre Mason saw most of the work in Gurley's absence, carrying the ball 18 times for 44 yards and a touchdown. Cunningham is a valuable member of St. Louis's offense, but not for fantasy purposes, especially with the emergence of Gurley.