NFL Player News

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews was added to the injury report as a limited participant Friday due to a groin injury.

It's never a good sign when a player is added to the injury report mid-week, but Mathews was at least able to fit in a limited session. Even if he's fine, Mathews will work behind DeMarco Murray in a matchup with a Giants team that has been strong against the run and vulnerable to the pass.

Redskins running back Matt Jones (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday game against the Jets.

Jones was limited at practice for two days before missing the Friday session. His decreased participation doesn't bode well and he may end up as a game-time decision. Even if Jones plays, he'll be splitting work behind an offensive line that's missing two starters in a battle with a tough run defense.

Jaguars running back Bernard Pierce (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, The Florida Times-Union reports.

Pierce was unable to practice at all this week due to his concussion, so he will not be able to play in Sunday's game. Fellow running back T.J. Yeldon (groin) will be a game-time decision Sunday, so it remains to be seen who will start at running back for the Jaguars in Week 6.

Redskins running back Matt Jones (toe) did not take part in Friday's practice, CSN's Tarik El-Bashir reports.

Jones was present at Friday's practice, but he did not appear to be getting any work in, leaving his Week 6 availability in limbo. The Redskins will provide an update on Jones' status when they release their final injury report of the week Friday afternoon.

Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said Thursday that the team was "going to take the reins off" running back Christine Michael, the Dallas Morning News reports.

The former Seahawk has just two carries in two games this year, but with the running game and the entire offense struggling without Tony Romo (collarbone) and Dez Bryant (foot), Dallas has little to lose by giving Michael a larger workload even if he doesn't completely supplant Joseph Randle as the starter.

Redskins backup running back Matt Jones (toe) was limited during practice Thursday, the Washington Post reports.

Jones has been limited all week but appears on track to be available this week.

The Lions will not reduce the workload of running back Ameer Abdullah despite his fumbling problems, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Abdullah has fumbled three times this season, losing one. He hasn't exactly been effective when he's managed to hold onto the ball, either, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, including 2.5 yards per carry since Week 1. The Lions' issues along the offensive line and with offensive balance are well documented, but with Joique Bell dealing with injuries and poor production and Theo Riddick more of a factor in the passing game, the team is likely to continue to turn to Abdullah for answers.

Grimes (hamstring) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.

With Alfred Blue (turf toe) continuing to miss practice, Grimes could be elevated to the top backup spot behind Arian Foster this week against Jacksonville.

Browns running back Shaun Draughn (back) was a full participant at practice Thursday.

Draughn was able to practice fully Thursday after being listed as a limited participant in practice Wednesday. However, Draughn's fantasy value will likely be limited with Cleveland seemingly content using Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson Jr. almost exclusively in the backfield.

Jaguars running back Bernard Pierce did not practice Thursday, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Fellow running back T.J. Yeldon also missed practice Thursday, which sets the stage for the possibility that the Week 6 backfield could be headed by Denard Robinson or Toby Gerhart.