NFL Player News

You may have been tempted to start Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon in Week 7 after he appeared to wrestle the starting job away from Matt Asiata in Week 6, but a bad matchup coupled with a shortage of information made it too risky to justify in most leagues. But after he once again carried the load with 19 rushes for 103 yards -- and against the Bills, no less -- the time has come to activate McKinnon in Fantasy.

And you couldn't ask for a better matchup for it. In Week 8, the Vikings visit the Buccaneers, who rank 25th against the run, allowing 128.3 yards per game. Prior to their bye in Week 7, they gave up 172 yards to the Ravens' trio of Justin Forsett, Bernard Pierce and Lorenzo Taliaferro in Week 6 and 124 yards to the Saints' duo of Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas in Week 5. Not exactly household names there.

McKinnon might have more potential than all of them, if only because he has the role mostly to himself. Of course, you'd like to see the Vikings put him in a position to score, but the yardage potential alone makes him worth starting in all Fantasy leagues. Keep in mind the Buccaneers have surrendered the fourth-most Fantasy points per game to running backs this season.

Vikings second-year wideout Cordarrelle Patterson, who had dealt with a hip flexor strain since Week 5, is not listed on the team's injury report, according to 1500ESPN.com. Patterson has been a big disappointment, catching 19 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown in seven games.

Minnesota visits Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Chargers running back Branden Oliver will once again be the go-to guy in Week 8 against the Broncos Thursday, so what should Fantasy owners expect of him?

After consecutive double-digit Fantasy games, Oliver slowed up a big in Week 7, racking up just 7 points in a standard scoring format. Now he runs into a Broncos defense that is starting to live up to expectations. In consecutive games against the Jets and 49ers, the Broncos have allowed just 3 Fantasy points in each outing, and have not allowed a running back to find the end zone since Week 5.

Opposing backs are averaging just 2.90 yards per carry against the Broncos this season, so Oliver could be in for a tough game. Still, he has a workload few backs can compete with, so continue consider Oliver a solid start.  

The Chargers released their Week 8 injury report for Thursday's game against the Broncos, and running back Donald Brown (concussion), running back Ryan Mathews (knee) and cornerback Brandon Flowers (concussion) were all ruled out. Linebacker Manti Te'o was also ruled out due to a foot injury.

The team also listed linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (hamstring) as doubtful, and cornerback Jason Verrett (shoulder) and cornerback Steve Williams (groin) as questionable. Four players were listed as probable -- linebacker Kavell Conner (ankle), tackle D.J. Fluker (ankle), linebacker Dwight Freeney (probable) and offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger (back).

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington was limited in Wednesday's practice with foot and rib injuries, the team said. He wasn't in a walking boot, which coach Bruce Arians called "a nice thing for a Wednesday."

Ellington has played through the foot injury all season. Arizona hosts the Eagles on Sunday.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen stepped up in a big way Week 7 against the Jets, which was the team's first game without running back Stevan Ridley, who sustained a season-ending knee injury Week 6. Vereen totaled 114 yards (71 receiving) and two touchdowns in a 27-25 win.

Quarterback Tom Brady seems confident Vereen will be able to continue to be a steady presence on offense, per ESPN.

"Yeah, he’s done such a great job for us over the time that he’s been here," Brady said. "I think dependability really sums it up, and he’s really an explosive player for us, too. It’s just trying to continue to find ways to get him the ball because he does a lot of great things when it’s in his hands."

Browns coach Mike Pettine said Wednesday the team might not use three running backs Week 8 against the Raiders after Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West had trouble getting into the flow of the game during a Week 7 loss at Jacksonville.

Crowell and West both admitted their limited reps impacted how they performed Sunday, according to The Plain Dealer.

"We'll make a decision at the end of the week,'' Pettine said. "I don't want to lock it in and say we're set on three.''

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said Wednesday running back Trent Richardson's hamstring injury isn't as bad as the one he sustained during training camp, which forced him to miss about a week, per the team's official website.

Pagano said the plan is for Richardson to practice Thursday and the team will then re-evaluate his status. The Colts are preparing to face the Steelers in Week 8.

Buccaneers rookie running back Charles Sims will practice Wednesday, reports the Tampa Bay Times. He went on short-term IR after undergoing ankle surgery right before the season.

The paper expects Sims to sit out Sunday's game against Minnesota and return Week 9 at Cleveland.

Colts running back Trent Richardson was not practicing Wednesday during the portion of practice open to the media. Richardson suffered a hamstring injury Sunday against the Bengals.

Richardson rushed for 77 yards on 14 carries and was averaging a season-best 5.5 yards per carry before getting hurt Week 7. The Colts are preparing to face the Steelers in Week 8.