NFL Player News

Buccaneers rookie running back Charles Sims will not play Sunday against the Browns, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Sims was activated from the short-term injured reserve list Saturday after having ankle surgery right before the start of the regular season. With Doug Martin unlikely to play, the team will turn to Bobby Rainey and Mike James in Week 9.

Although Buccaneers rookie running back Charles Sims was activated from short-term IR, the team could hold him out of Sunday's game at Cleveland, reports ESPN's Adam Caplan. Instead the Bucs might give running back/receiver Marcus Thigpen some carries behind Bobby Rainey, the report said.

Thigpen just got promoted from the practice squad. Running back Doug Martin (ankle) is not expected to play.

The Buccaneers officially activated running back Charles Sims from the short-term injured reserve Saturday, per the team's official website.

With Doug Martin likely to sit out with an ankle injury, Sims could split some work with Bobby Rainey during his season debut against the Browns. The Bucs also waived wide receiver/kick returner Trindon Holliday, along with promoting wide receiver Marcus Thigpen and defensive tackle Matthew Masifilo from the practice squad.

The Cowboys are concerned whether running back Joseph Randle will be an impediment to team chemistry if he remains on the roster, ESPN reports.

Coach Jason Garrett reportedly met with Randle and wide receiver Dez Bryant after a loud verbal disagreement between the two players carried over to the practice field Friday, then discussed the subject with the whole team Saturday. The running back has apparently been ostracized by some teammates for remarks made to the police while being booked for shoplifting charges.

A source quoted in the report said, "Randle is staying for now," but the backup to DeMarco Murray could be on tenuous ground with the team.

The Chargers signed safety Adrian Phillips to the active roster from the practice squad Saturday, releasing running back Shaun Draughn in a corresponding move.

Phillips was signed to the practice squad after being cut in August. Draughn rushed for just 19 yards on 10 carries.

The Cardinals promoted running back Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad Saturday and released defensive tackle Bruce Gaston.

The team will be without Stepfan Taylor (calf) Sunday, and Robert Hughes has been moved to fullback, necessitating a need for running-back depth. Williams should be active for Sunday's game against the Cowboys.

The Buccaneers will activate rookie running back Charles Sims from the short-term injured reserve Saturday, NFL.com reports.

Sims will make his season debut Sunday and could carve out a significant role with Doug Martin sidelined and the Tampa Bay running game stagnant. He was a third-round pick in this year's draft after rushing for 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns on 208 carries and catching 45 passes for 401 yards and three touchdowns in his senior season with West Virginia.

With Doug Martin expected to sit out with an ankle injury and Charles Sims' debut possibly another week away, Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey could be in line for a big workload in Week 9 against the Browns this Sunday.

Rainey has been the team's best back this season, even if he hasn't been able to earn the role that would come with that. He should get the chance Sunday, and has a good matchup to show off against a Browns defense that ranks among the 10-worst in the league against running backs, allowing 20.4 Fantasy points per game.

The Browns held the Raiders' backs in check last week, limiting them to just 10 Fantasy points, but that came a week after they surrendered 28 to what had previously been a hapless Jaguars ground game. Rainey doesn't have much of a track record, but he still makes for a solid starting option this week, though more as a No. 2 back. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman should play Week 9 against the Patriots.

Hillman is listed as probable on the injury report due to a shoulder injury. He was a full participant in practice Friday, and is expected to play.

The team also listed Lamin Barrow, Omar Bolden, Chris Harris Jr., Brandon McManus, Juwan Thompson, Louis Vasquez and Webster Kayvon as probable for the contest. 

Running back Stepfan Taylor (calf), who has been ruled out as expected by the Cardinals for their Sunday game in Dallas, is the lone no-go. Safety Tony Jefferson (knee) and tight end Troy Niklas (ankle) are questionable.

The rest on their Friday injury list are probable, including standout cornerback Patrick Peterson (concussion). They are defensive end Calais Campbell (knee), linebacker Kenny Demens (knee), running back Andre Ellington (foot), wideout Michael Floyd (knee) and safety Rashad Johnson (knee).