NFL Player News

Bears running back Ka'Deem Carey received limited reps Week 12 against the Bucs.

Carey carried the ball three times, gaining 3 yards. He was targeted in the passing game once, but could not come up with a reception. Carey will take on the Lions Week 13. 

The Buccaneers backup running backs did little Week 12 against the Bears.

Charles Sims got the most work, gaining 22 yards on six carries. He also caught two passes for 11 receiving yards. Bobby Rainey received just one carry, gaining 3 yards. He was a much bigger threat in the passing game, picking up three receptions for 18 yards. Fullback Jorvorskie Lane carried the ball one time for 2 yards.

They'll take on the Bengals Week 13. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin did little in his return Week 12. 

Martin carried the ball 11 times, but only gained 27 yards. He managed to haul in one pass, gaining 4 receiving yards. Though the game was mostly close early, and the Bucs had a 10 point lead coming into the second half, the team didn't give Martin a lot of work. 

He'll look for more Week 13 against the Bengals.

Vikings wideout Cordarrelle Patterson did little Week 12 against the Packers.

Patterson finished with two catches for 18 yards during the contest. He dealt with ankle and knee issues throughout the game. Patterson left twice due to injury, but was able to return both times.

The rest of the team's backup pass catchers failed to do much as well. Rhett Ellison caught two passes for 11 yards. Chase Ford had just one catch, but gained 13 yards. 

They'll look for more Week 13 against the Panthers. 

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers didn't make much of an impact in the running game Week 12 vs. Cleveland, totaling three carries for 16 yards. However, he made his presence felt in the passing game by hauling in a touchdown during a 26-24 loss.

Rodgers gave Atlanta a 14-13 lead with 55 seconds left in the first half thanks to an 8-yard touchdown catch. He finished with three catches for 11 yards in the loss.

Rodgers had his first receiving touchdown this season and fifth in his career. He now has two touchdowns (one rushing) in 11 games this season. The Falcons are back in action Week 13 vs. Arizona.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer gave rookie running back Jerick McKinnon a vote of confidence this week, and followed it up by giving him the bulk of the work in Week 12's 24-21 loss to the Packers Sunday.

McKinnon received 15 of the team's 25 carries Sunday, and little-used reserve Joe Banyard was the only other running back to touch the ball Sunday, receiving just five carries. McKinnon didn't have a great game against a tough defense, rushing for just 54 yards, but the fact that he was the go-to option should be a good sign on its own.

Of course, McKinnon was helped by Matt Asiata's absence and Ben Tate's lack of knowledge of the offense, so we'll see how he is used moving forward. McKinnon has been the team's best back since Adrian Peterson's suspension began, and it's not like Tate or Asiata have done much to inspire confidence.

McKinnon should continue to see plenty of playing time moving forward, but his value might still have a ceiling, given how little faith the team seems to have in him near the goal line. Keep an eye on reports about the team's plans heading into Week 13 against the Panthers. .  

Browns running back Terrance West rushed for 62 yards on 14 carries during a 26-24 win Week 12 at Atlanta, while fellow running back Isaiah Crowell rushed for a team-high 88 yards and two touchdowns.

West added one catch for 9 yards in the win. The Browns are back in action Week 13 at Buffalo.

Vikings running back Joe Banyard received some work Week 12 against the Packers.

Banyard carried the ball five times for 26 yards. He also played a role in the passing game, hauling in all three targets for 19 yards. Banyard will look for more Week 13 against the Panthers. 

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon was held in check Week 12 against the Packers.

McKinnon gained 54 yards on 15 carries during the contest. He also caught three passes, gaining 9 yards. The Packers seemed pretty content to force quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to beat them. As such, the team was able to stop McKinnon before he could really get going. While the game remained close, Minnesota didn't really pound the rock.

McKinnon will look for more Week 13 against the Panthers. 

Just a week removed from a dominant 201-yard, four-touchdown performance, Patriots running back Jonas Gray was benched for not arriving to practice on time earlier in the week. As a result, Gray watched his new running mate LeGarrette Blount rumbled into the end zone twice in New England's 34-9 victory over the Lions in Week 12.

"We do what we think is the best. That’s what we did today," coach Bill Belichick said.