NFL Player News

The Chargers received minor contributions from several role players during Sunday's win over the Ravens in Week 13.

Branden Oliver backed up Ryan Mathews on the day but only registered one carry for a gain of 7 yards. Donald Brown caught his only target for a gain of 6 yards. Meanwhile, Ladarius Green caught both of his targets for only 1 yard.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews found the end zone yet again in Week 13, as he continues to produce solidly since his return from a knee injury.

Mathews finished the game with just 38 yards, but received the goal-line work necessary for a solid Fantasy showing Sunday. The 38 yards are a disappointing total, however, especially coming on the heels of a 105-yard showing on just 12 carries in Week 12, during which he also scored.

The Chargers appear willing to limit Mathews' carries given his injury history, but he's going to get the important carries down in the red zone. You might not get huge numbers from Mathews if he's only getting 15 or so carries every game, but he's still productive enough that you have to keep him active moving forward. 

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews scored a rushing touchdown but was unable to make much else of an impact on the ground during Sunday's 34-33 victory in Week 13.

Mathews ripped a 14-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for his third touchdown of the season. He finished the game with 38 yards n 13 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per attempt. He has 284 rushing yards this season.

Mathews will look to get back on track Week 14 against New England.

Running back Matt Asiata was held to 52 rushing yards on 14 attempts during the Vikings’ 31-13 win over the Panthers Sunday.

Asiata hauled in all four of his receiving targets for five yards. The 14 rushing attempts were the most Asiata received since Oct. 2.

The Vikings face the Jets Week 14.

The Broncos have listed the following players as inactive for Sunday night's game against the Chiefs: tight end Julius Thomas (ankle), cornerbacks Aqib Talib (hamstring) and Kayvon Webster (shoulder), running backs Montee Ball (groin) and Ronnie Hillman (foot) and tackles Michael Schofield and Chris Clark.

Thomas and Talib were questionable to play, while Ball, Hillman and Webster had all previously been ruled out.

The Broncos will have safety Quinton Carter (ankle) available for the game after he was listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report. The team also had five players listed as probable and all are active, including safety David Bruton (finger), tight end Virgil Green (calf), linebacker Brandon Marshall (concussion), defensive end Quanterus Smith (ankle) and running back Juwan Thompson (knee).

Running back Charles Sims led a small contingent of Buccaneers who pitched in offensively to a Sunday loss to Cincinnati. He tied for the team lead with four catches for 49 yards, but was held to just six yards on five carries.

Fellow back Bobby Rainey managed just one run for 11 yards, but had a 29-yard reception down on a failed last-ditch drive down the stretch. Tight end Cameron Brate managed his first NFL reception that went 17 yards while wideout Louis Murphy was held to just one catch for seven yards.

Fullback Marcel Reece was the most productive member of the Raiders' backfield Week 13 at St. Louis. Reece ran four times for 12 yards and caught six of eight targets for 48 yards.

Running back Darren McFadden carried 11 times for 27 yards and caught both his targets for 18 yards. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew rushed five times for 21 yards and secured three of four targets for 23 yards.

Oakland played without impressive second-year back Latavius Murray, who's recovering from a concussion. The Raiders face the 49ers in Week 14.

St. Louis blew out the Raiders 52-0 on Sunday, and several Rams joined in the fun. Wideout Tavon Austin found the end zone for the second straight week, scoring on an 18-yard run in the first quarter. He rushed twice for 24 yards and caught two of five targets for 11 yards.

Zac Stacy carried seven times for 25 yards, and running back Benny Cunningham had a 5-yard carry.

Kenny Britt caught his only target for 13 yards. Tight end Cory Harkey secured both his targets for 12 yards and a score. They'll all visit the Redskins in Week 14.

The Ravens received some contributions from several role players during Sunday's 34-33 defeat to the Chargers in Week 13.

With Steve Smith held in check and Torrey Smith injured late, Kamar Aiken and Jacoby Jones stepped up in the aerial attack. Aiken came down with three of his four targets for 51 yards and Jones caught all two passes thrown his way for 35 yards. Owen Daniels hauled in two passes for 30 yards.

Meanwhile in the running game, Bernard Pierce carried the ball six times for 16 yards and was held without a grab in the passing game despite being targerted once.

The Browns rookie backfield duo of Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West struggled mightily Sunday in Buffalo.

Crowell managed just 29 yards on 17 carries for a 1.7 YPC average and added one catch for 15 yards. West contributed only 14 yards on six attempts until a garbage-time 18-yard run and managed one reception for four yards. More damaging was a fumble on the left sideline that was returned for a touchdown that gave the Bills a 14-6 lead.

The two likely must perform better if the Browns are to have any shot at defeating the visiting Colts next Sunday.