NFL Player News

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was on the field for 38 snaps in Week 4 against the Panthers, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It was an increase of seven snaps over what he received in Week 3, but the percentage of total offensive plays that Martin was in on (48 percent) was actually almost identical to the previous game's figure.

Although he and Charles Sims have divided the snaps virtually down the middle over the last two games, Martin continues to be the clear-cut lead back on the ground, receiving 20 carries to Sims' six against the Panthers in Week 4.

Lions running back Zach Zenner carried the ball twice for nine yards and added a four-yard reception in Monday's loss to Seattle.

Zenner's season numbers seem unimpressive - a mere 15 yards on four carries for a 3.8 yards-per-carry average. That is until you notice that the Lions' other three backs have averaged 2.6 yards per carry this season. The undrafted rookie was on the field as the Lions were driving to try to win the game in Seattle, which speaks to the confidence Detroit's coaching staff has in him. With starting running back Joique Bell battling injuries and ineffectiveness, it will be interesting to see whether fellow rookie Ameer Abdullah takes over as the starter with Theo Riddick serving as the third-down back and the bigger Zenner seeing some goal-line carries.

Giants running back Shane Vereen rushed for 21 yards on five carries in Sunday's win over Buffalo. Vereen has now been held without a reception in consecutive games after catching a pass in 23 of his last 24 games as a member of the Patriots.

Unlike Week 3's contest against Washington where he was targeted three times, Vereen didn't see a pass come his way in Buffalo. It is too early to make any sweeping claims about Vereen's role in New York as he caught 12 passes in the team's first two games, but given that he ranks third on the Giants' pecking order for carries, he is likely no better than a bye-week fill-in until further notice.

Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said running back Latavius Murray didn't play the final drive of Sunday's loss to the Bears because the team felt Roy Helu was a better option for the situation, ESPN.com reports.

Although Del Rio said Murray wasn't benched, it was pretty clear that the Raiders kept their workhorse off the field because of his mistakes and poor performance throughout the game.

Murray has otherwise been solid in a three-down role, so his pair of miscues (a lost fumble and bobbled pass) shouldn't have much impact on his workload, unless he makes similar mistakes in the coming weeks. Murray draws a dreadful Week 5 matchup with the dominant Broncos defense.

The Seahawks believe running back Fred Jackson suffered a high ankle sprain, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

The diagnosis hasn't been confirmed, but if it is indeed a high ankle sprain, Jackson will likely be out for at least a week or two. He was having a nice game as the passing-down back against the Lions on Monday, gaining 54 yards on just five touches (two catches) in Marshawn Lynch's (hamstring) absence. Thomas Rawls is now the only healthy running back on Seattle's roster.

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle did not see a snap in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Saints after nearly fumbling at the goal line for the second consecutive week, The Dallas Morning News reports.

After being explicitly told not to try and jump over the pile and stretch the ball into the end zone on goal line carries, Randle did exactly that Sunday on a play that was initially ruled a fumble but was overturned on replay to award him the touchdown.

Lance Dunbar's season-ending injury will probably keep him in the backfield mix, but with Christine Michael now being worked in as well, Randle's hold on the starting job appears to be slipping.

Raiders running back Roy Helu had five carries for 22 yards and caught both of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Bears.

The Raiders have eased Helu back into action after a hamstring injury kept him out of the entire preseason and the first few weeks of the regular season. He looks to be the clear backup to Latavius Murray, and he'll likely see some solid time on third downs.

Helu has always been known as a good receiver out of the backfield, and he should be a nice boost to the Raiders' offense.

Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey returned three kickoffs for a total of 92 yards and brought back two punts for a total of 15 yards in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Panthers.

Rainey continues to acquit himself well on special teams and has especially excelled on kickoffs, where he ripped off a long return of 38 yards Sunday. He is currently third in the NFL in total kick return yardage and fifth in average per return. Rainey did not see a carry or target from scrimmage for the second consecutive week.

Lions running Ameer Abdullah rushed 13 times for 33 yards and caught two passes (on five targets) for 11 yards in Monday night's loss to the Seahawks.

Abdullah and the Lions' rush offense endured another rough performance Monday night, although a matchup against the Seahawks' swarming defense probably should have tempered expectations of Abdullah to begin with. While Detroit's running game will certainly need to improve in the coming weeks, Abdullah has done well to remain involved as a receiver out of the backfield recently. Along with fellow tailback Theo Riddick, Abdullah's five targets Monday trailed only star wideout Calvin Johnson, evidencing the Lions' desire to get their rookie touches in various ways.

Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls finished Monday night's game against the Lions with 48 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Rawls also caught one pass for a one yard loss Monday. After cracking over 100 rushing yards in Week 3, the undrafted rookie found little room to run in place of injured teammate Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) against an active Lions defensive front. While Lynch potentially returning for next weekend's game versus the Bengals would likely relegate Rawls to more peripheral role, the fact that Cincinnati is also the only team yet to allow a rushing touchdown could also restrict Rawls' Week 5 fantasy value.