NFL Player News

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews gained 20 yards on five carries in Sunday's loss to Washington. He lost a fumble for the second straight week and was not targeted in the passing game.

A week after racking up 128 yards and a touchdown while deputizing for the injured DeMarco Murray, Mathews returned to a reserve role Sunday and was only sparingly involved in the offense. The 27-year-old's case was not helped by the fact that the Eagles ran the ball just 18 times while playing from behind, but Mathews will seemingly not see a heavy workload for as long as Murray is healthy. Week 5 could present Mathews with a chance at some extra touches, as the struggling Saints come to town.

Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne gained 25 yards on eight carries, and was not targeted in the passing game Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Artis-Payne served as Jonathan Stewart's backup, and saw a handful of carries in a game the Panthers led throughout. The rookie fifth-round pick now has 31 yards on 11 carries over the last two games after receiving zero touches in the season's first two weeks.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims gained 23 yards on six carries and secured three of five targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Panthers.

The versatile second-year back continues to be a difference maker through the air for the Bucs. It was Sims' second touchdown reception in as many weeks, and came on a play where he was split out wide as a receiver. Sims did a good job working his way free in the end zone on the play, and an under-duress Jameis Winston was able to find him after narrowly avoiding a sack. Sims will continue to work in tandem with backfield mate Doug Martin in a Bucs offense that is long on talent but still short on consistency in the early going of the 2015 campaign.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin gained 106 yards on 20 rushes and caught all five of his targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Panthers.

Martin recorded his eighth career 100-yard performance, and only his second in the last two seasons. The fourth-year pro ripped off a season-high gain of 26 yards, and his five receptions were the most he'd secured in a game since Week 16 of his rookie campaign in 2012.

Martin's touchdown, a hard-hitting five-yard scamper up the middle in the second quarter, was his first visit to the end zone this season. Despite the unfavorable end result Sunday, Martin's performance was certainly a bright spot, particularly against a Panthers defense that had come into Week 4 allowing only 3.3 yards per attempt in 2015.

The loss of featured back Marshawn Lynch to a hamstring injury will force Thomas Rawls into a starting role for the Seahawks on Monday night against Detroit. per Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio KJR.

Lynch attempted to play in Week 3 versus the Bears, but his ailing hamstring eventually forced him to the sideline for the remainder of the game. Thereafter, Rawls assumed primary running-back duties and thoroughly impressed, racking up 98 rushing yards in the second half en route to 104 yards overall.

While the Lions have contained running backs to 3.6 yards per carry this season, they've allowed four rushing scores in the first three outings.

The Seahawks have announced that standout back Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for the Monday night game against Detroit.

The Seahawks went through a walk-through Sunday, after which the decision was made to hold Lynch out in Week 4. While he rests his balky hamstring, Thomas Rawls is expected to take on the bulk of the available carries, with Fred Jackson handling more of the third-down work.

Rams running back Benny Cunningham (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Arizona, Myles Simmons of the Rams' official site reports.

Cunningham will take a back seat to Tre Mason and (to a greater extent) Todd Gurley, as the latter grows more accustomed to the professional game. However, as the season rolls along, Cunningham should continue to factor into the offense as a pass catcher out of the backfield.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Rams, Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix reports.

Ellington's return to the lineup will be delayed one more week, as he tends to a PCL sprain suffered in the regular season opener. In his place, Chris Johnson will head the Cardinals' backfield, while David Johnson pitches in on occasion.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Panthers.

Brushing off a nick to his knee suffered in Wednesday's practice, Martin will get the nod in the backfield. Although, he may find the going tough against a Carolina defense that has conceded just 3.1 yards per carry and two total touchdowns to running backs this season.

Eagles featured back DeMarco Murray (hamstring) is active Sunday against Washington.

Murray was listed as questionable despite practicing fully Thursday and Friday. He was unable to play last week due to the ailment, and with Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles both playing well in Murray's absence, it's possible the latter could get limited touches Sunday against a strong Redskins defense.