NFL Player News

Hightower received a "Mark Ingram-like snap count" in the Saints' win in Tampa Bay on Sunday, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Hightower assumed the role of the Saints' featured tailback, playing 58 of the team's 82 snaps (71 percent) against the Buccaneers, while C.J. Spiller remained in his sparse role with 15 snaps (18 percent). Hightower only averaged three yards per carry against a stout Tampa Bay run defense, but his usage was sky-high, as he toted the ball a whopping 28 times. Although the Saints' Week 15 opponent, Detroit, has played pretty well defensively over the last month, as the de facto bell cow running back in New Orleans, Hightower should merit starting consideration in many fantasy leagues.

The Jaguars are signing Gray off the Dolphins' practice squad, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

With T.J. Yeldon (knee) unable to finish Sunday's win over the Colts, the Jaguars were left with Denard Robinson and Joe Banyard in the backfield. The early-week transaction is a bad sign for Yeldon's chances of suiting up for Sunday's game against the Falcons, but it is also possible that the Jaguars are just being cautious. Robinson will get most of the work if Yeldon misses time, with Gray and Banyard perhaps chipping in.

Vereen caught one of his two targets for 10 yards and had one carry for no yards Monday night against the Dolphins.

The Giants leaned heavily on Rashad Jennings and Vereen didn't see many snaps. Perhaps Vereen will have a bigger role against the Panthers in Week 15 given the likely game-flow.

Harris and Bryce Brown, who was signed Monday, will compete to start Week 15 against the Brown with Thomas Rawls out for the season, Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR reports.

Harris, who was signed off the practice squad only three weeks ago, took over the Seahawks' ground game following Rawls' injury Sunday in Baltimore, turning 18 rushes into 42 yards. He was decent but certainly doesn't have a lock on the starting job. More likely, it will be a committee situation with even perhaps fullback Derrick Coleman, who played tailback at UCLA, getting involved. Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Fred Jackson will remain in his third-down role. Marshawn Lynch likely will not return from a hernia for the regular season.

Davis carried the ball one time for six yards against the Chargers on Sunday.

Davis continues to see very limited work, sitting behind both Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware on the Chiefs depth chart. He saw just two snaps in Sunday's game even though Ware left for part of the game due to a rib contusion. It appears Kansas City has nearly given up on Davis altogether, as he hasn't really seen any opportunities even in the absence of star running back Jamaal Charles. If Ware were to miss next Sunday's game against the Ravens, it would provide a sliver of hope that Davis could receive some added touches, but it likely won't be enough to make him a viable fantasy option.

Herron had four carries for 16 yards and two receptions for five yards in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.

Herron looks set to get consistent carries as Frank Gore's backup with Ahmad Bradshaw (wrist) placed on injured reserve. However, he's not getting enough touches for viable fantasy value in most formats.

Cunningham toted the ball three times for 14 yards and caught an eight-yard pass in a 21-14 victory against Detroit on Sunday.

Cunningham looked a bit more effective Sunday than Tre Mason, who had stolen some of Cunningham's targets the past few weeks. That being said, Sunday's game isn't much lower than Cunningham's ceiling, and his fantasy worth is close to zero.

Grimes had seven carries for 53 yards and two receptions for nine yards (on two targets) in Sunday's 27-7 loss to the Patriots.

According to Pro Football Focus, Alfred Blue didn't get any snaps, leaving Grimes (23 snaps) and Chris Polk (22) to split the workload, with Akeem Hunt (seven) also pitching in. Grimes had an impressive 37-yard carry early in Sunday's game, but he's still part of a timeshare in one of the NFL's least productive backfields. The Texans have a crucial Week 15 matchup with the Colts.

With LeGarrette Blount forced out by a hip injury, Bolden had a season-high 16 carries for 51 yards in Sunday's 27-6 win over the Texans.

Blount was removed in the second quarter, leaving Bolden to serve as the power back. Though he averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, Bolden did have a few impressive runs against a tough Houston defense. James White took his only carry for a two-yard touchdown on a draw play, adding four catches for 38 yards on six targets. According to Pro Football Focus, White played 27 of the 69 offensive snaps, compared to Bolden's 35. Bolden will likely take over Blount's role if the 250-pounder misses time beyond Sunday, but White might also get some extra work.

Abdullah rushed for 23 yards on seven carries and added 21 receiving yards off of two catches in Sunday's loss to St. Louis.

Abdullah had come into Sunday's game averaging just under 14 yards per carry over the previous three games, leading the team in each contest. That run was short lived, as Abdullah shared a modest load with Joique Bell during Sunday's game, each totaling nine touches, but with Bell out-gaining his younger counterpart 75 to 44. Abdullah was hardly worthy of a start when he was getting the majority of the Lions' carries, having failed to top 75 yards in any contest during the three-game stretch and having not found the end zone since Week 3. Now that his role is less clear, his value should dip further.