NFL Player News

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was in a walking boot Wednesday as he recovers from a sprained left ankle, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay visits Cleveland on Sunday.

Vikings wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, who bruised his left ankle on a kickoff return Sunday, will practice all week, coach Mike Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Patterson will be fine for Week 9 against the Redskins.

The Buccaneers haven't gotten the job done when trying to run the football this season, and from the sounds of it, coach Lovie Smith is looking for new answers. And one answer could come in the form of rookie Charles Sims.

"Very [excited about Sims' return]," Smith said in a press conference Monday. "As I talk about not being able to get more from our running game, of course it's just not on the front -- we say it starts up front. A lot of the big plays you see happening in the league in the running game is based on yards after contact -- making someone miss in the open field. That's all a part of it also."

Sims has yet to play in the NFL after undergoing ankle surgery just before the start of the season, so there isn't much to go on here. Still with Doug Martin stuck in neutral, there is a chance for the talented rookie to get on the field, especially with his talents as a pass-catcher.

Sims has an uncertain road ahead of him if he is going to climb up the depth chart, especially with Bobby Rainey doing a solid job when getting the chance. Still, Sims might have the highest upside here, and the Bucs don't really have much of a reason not to give him a chance with their record sitting at 1-6.

There is no guarantee Sims will even have a role waiting for him as he is brought back from injured reserve, but there is a reason the team invested a third-round pick in him and designated him to return from the IR. If you have an open roster spot and are looking for a high-upside flier, Sims might be worth a look on waivers. 

With the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline approaching, the Buccaneers will listen to offers for running back Doug Martin, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Martin is averaging 2.9 yards per carry in five games.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher indicated he has no problem with continuing to split carries among running backs Zac Stacy, Benny Cunningham and rookie Tre Mason. In Sunday's loss at Kansas City, Mason got seven carries, Stacy received five and Cunningham, four.

"When they got their opportunities they all were productive," Fisher said. "The average per carry is about the same. We'll see. We may settle into something this week."

Fisher said the committee approach won't make it harder for his backs to get into a rhythm. St. Louis visits the 49ers in Week 9.

Several Cowboys contributed in the Week 8 loss to the Redskins. Among them, backup running back Joseph Randle ran three times for 23 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry, but lost a fumble.

Backup running back Lance Dunbar added a 6-yard rush and an 11-yard catch. Wideout Cole Beasley secured one of two targets for 11 yards, and tight end James Hanna made a 7-yard grab. They'll all face the Cardinals in Week 9.

The Redskins got a slew of offensive contributions in Monday's overtime win at Dallas. Among them, running back Roy Helu ran five times for 29 yards and caught both his targets for 14 yards. Running back Silas Redd had a 5-yard rush.

Tight end Niles Paul caught all three of his targets for 27 yards, and fullback Darrel Young had a 12-yard catch. Wideout Andre Roberts secured just one of his five targets for 11 yards. They'll all visit the Vikings in Week 9.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano told reporters in his Monday news conference that running back Trent Richardson should be back this week against the Giants, according to TheIndyChannel.com.

Richardson was active Week 7 at Pittsburgh, but was viewed as the team's emergency third string running back, behind Ahmad Bradshaw and Dan Herron. Richardson has rushed for 358 yards and two touchdowns on 101 attempts, averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson is no longer in a walking boot Monday after wearing one on his right foot/leg following Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Zimmer said Patterson has just a bruise and he is OK.

Patterson, who apparently suffered the injury on a kickoff return, said Sunday that he was "fine." Patterson had one of his best games of the season Week 8, totaling six catches for 86 yards in the 19-13 overtime win.

Vikings rookie running back Jerick McKinnon continued to distance himself from Matt Asiata Week 8 at Tampa Bay, getting more than three times as many carries as his predecessor for a third straight game. And he once again did fine with those carries, all 16 of them, picking up 83 yards.

But his Fantasy owners were once again left wanting for more. Why? He didn't get in the end zone and in fact hasn't as either a rusher or receiver all season.

Week 8 seemed like the perfect time to end that drought. The Buccaneers entered the day ranked 25th against the run and have a poor defense in general. And yet they limited the Vikings to 19 points, six of which the defense provided in overtime.

That's sort of the problem for McKinnon. The Vikings, with their other shortcomings on offense, don't put him in position to score all that often, and whenever they do, they may opt for the more powerful Asiata instead. We don't really know because they haven't had many chances to tip their hand since McKinnon took over.

Certainly, McKinnon's performance the last few weeks has been encouraging enough for you to start him in Fantasy, but he's a better fit as a flex option than a second running back.