NFL Player News

The Ravens have listed the following players as inactive for Sunday's Week 8 matchup with the Bengals: tight end Owen Daniels (wrist), defensive lineman Chris Canty (wrist), running back Bernard Pierce, cornerback Chykie Brown, linebacker Arthur Brown and offensive linemen Gino Gradkowski and Jah Reid.

Pierce's de-activation comes as a surprise, but he's averaged 2.1 and 2.6 yards per carry in the team's last two games, though he's scored a touchdown in each. The Ravens' goal-line looks could shift to Lorenzo Taliaferro with Pierce unavailable.

Daniels and Canty had already been ruled out, but the Ravens are otherwise very healthy heading into the key matchup against the Bengals. Four players listed as probable are active for the game, including Steve Smith (not injury related), linebacker Daryl Smith (not injury related) and offensive linemen Eugene Monroe (knee) and Kelechi Osemele (knee).

The following players were deemed inacitve for the Jaguars Week 8 against the Dolphins: Alan Ball, Peyton Thompson, Storm Johnson, Tyler Shatley, Mike Brown, Andre Branch and Josh Wells.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen is active Week 8 against the Bears.

Vereen missed practice Friday due to an illness, but has recovered enough to play Sunday. With Stevan Ridley out, Vereen is expected to receive the bulk of the carries against Chicago.

The Patriots should have most of their questionable players available Week 8.

Dan Connolly, Dominique Easley, Matthew Slater, Bryan Stork and Shane Vereen are all active for the contest. Both Connolly and Stork have been dealing with concussions, but will attempt to play. 

Trading running back Doug Martin could be a possibility for the Buccaneers leading up to Tuesday's deadline, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason la Canfora.

Martin is off to a slow start this season and could be pushed out in favor of rookie Charles Sims or Bobby Rainey if he's traded. Martin has rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown on 48 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per attempt this season.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen was spotted at Gillette Stadium Saturday as the team went through its walk-through preparation for Sunday's game against the Bears. Vereen, who was added to the injury report Friday because of an illness, is expected to play Week 8, according to ESPN. 

Vereen is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring twice and registering 114 yards of total offensive in a Week 7 victory over the Jets.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen is expected to play Week 8 against the Bears.

Vereen missed Friday's practice due to an illness, and is considered questionable for Sunday's game. Despite the illness, it would be a surprise if Vereen did not play, according to the report. Vereen scored two touchdowns Week 7 against the Jets. 

There's a chance Chargers running back Ryan Mathews will return Week 9, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"That's in my head," Mathews said. "I'm just going keep doing my treatment this week, come back on Monday, and see what they say." Mathews has missed six straight games due to an MCL sprain. Mathews was able to put in some work prior to Thursday night's game, though he was not a candidate to play. He seemed to handle the workout well. 

The Chiefs have labeled wide receiver Donnie Avery (groin) and cornerback Chris Owens (knee) out for Sunday's Week 8 clash against the Rams.

Junior Hemingway (hamstring) was the only player listed on the final injury report as questionable. Meanwhile, Travis Kelce (ribs), Sean Smith (groin), Cyrus Gray (hand) and Justin Houston (ankle) were all full participants in Friday's practice and were officially deemed probable.

Cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson are questionable with knee injuries, according to the injury report released Friday by the Rams for their Sunday game at Kansas City.

The only other non-probables are defensive back Brandon McGee (foot) and center Tim Barnes (shoulder). Both have been ruled out.

Deemed probable are wideout Kenny Britt (ankle), running back Benny Cunningham (knee), linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar (toe), defensive linemen Ethan Westbrooks (hand) and William Hayes (illness), safety T.J. McDonald (concussion), tackle Rodger Saffold (knee) and kicker Greg Zuerlein (illness).