NFL Player News

With starter Alfred Morris averaging 17.5 carries per game, backup running back Roy Helu isn't a big-time contributor in Fantasy. But he has a clear enough role in the Redskins offense to give him some value in PPR leagues.

He caught four passes for 61 yards Week 13 at Indianapolis, scoring a touchdown on a 21-yard catch-and-run in the second quarter. It was the second time in three games that he scored a touchdown and the third time in four games that he had at least four catches.

Helu's 38 catches tie him with Ahmad Bradshaw for seventh among running backs, and obviously, he'll be passing Bradshaw before season's end. His 436 receiving yards are also third among running backs, but of course, that averages out to just 36.3 per game and has been fairly evenly distributed over his 12 games. Week 13 was just the second time he topped 60 yards through the air.

In other words, if you don't get points for the receptions themselves, Helu isn't productive enough to matter in 12-team leagues, but if you do, he's at least a usable player.

Jets running backs Chris Ivory (shoulder), Chris Johnson (knee) and Bilal Powell (illness) are active for the game against the Dolphins after being listed as probable.

Andre Ellington has technically been one of the best 12 running backs in Fantasy this season, but you wouldn't know it by his recent performance. With just 12 yards on five carries Week 13 at Atlanta, he has averaged 25.3 yards on 13.0 carries in his last four games -- a stretch that almost directly coincides with the loss of quarterback Carson Palmer to a season-ending injury.

Of course, health hasn't been Ellington's ally either. He has contended with a foot injury all season, costing him valuable practice time as well as limiting his ability, and to make matters worse, he suffered a hip pointer Week 13 at Atlanta, leaving before the end of the first half.

So if you're keeping score at home, he was already hobbled and the No. 1 target for defenses with no threat of a passing game, and now he has a second injury that might keep him off the field altogether. I'd say regardless of his actual playing status, you might want to avoid Ellington for Week 14 against Kansas City.

And if he does miss the game, the Cardinals will turn to some combination of Marion Grice, Stepfan Taylor, Robert Hughes and Michael Bush in his place, so good luck sorting out that mess.

The Dolphins ruled these players inactive for Monday's game at the Jets: tight end Charles Clay (hamstring, knee), cornerbacks Jamar Taylor (shoulder) and Cortland Finnegan (ankle), linebacker Jonathan Freeny (hamstring), running back LaMichael James, offensive tackle Billy Turner and guard Nate Garner (illness).

Browns coach Mike Pettine told reporters during Monday's news conference that Terrance West has been "careless" with the football in recent weeks, reports the News-Herald.

West nearly lost a fumble in Week 12's win over Atlanta. He coughed up the ball twice Sunday against Buffalo, including one which resulted in a touchdown that gave the Bills a 14-3 lead in the third quarter. The Browns weren't able to overcome the second-half deficit and suffered a 26-10 loss to the Bills.

With Ben Tate out of the picture, West and Isaiah Crowell have been sharing the load the past two weeks. West has been unable to establish himself as the primary option. He has combined for 23 touches, carrying the ball 21 times for 94 yards over that span. He has not found the end zone since Week 10 against the Bengals.

Despite struggling throughout the season, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer expressed confidence in wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson Monday.

"I’m going to keep saying this over and over until somebody believes me: I am in this guy’s corner,” Zimmer said, per 1500espn.com.

Patterson was expected to play a large role in the Vikings’ offense this season, but has produced 30 receptions for 350 yards and one touchdown in 12 games.

Colts running back Trent Richardson had just eight carries for 12 yards on Sunday against the Redskins, but coach Chuck Pagano said he's not worried about him.

"Some days it's going to go like that," Pagano said. "[He] comes in and works his butt off. [He's] got to keep chopping wood. If you put the axe down, that tree will never come down."

Richardson is averaging 3.3 yards per carry with three touchdowns in 12 games this season. 

Colts running back Dan Herron has filled into Ahmad Bradshaw's role quite well since Bradshaw went down with a season-ending ankle injury. However, coach Chuck Pagano can't ignore Herron continuing to put the ball on the ground.

"There's nothing more important than protecting the football," Pagano said. Herron now has a fumble in each of the last two games. 

Herron has 20 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown in his past two games. 

The Colts head to Cleveland in Week 14. 

Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon is still dealing with a lower back injury, according to coach Mike Zimmer. McKinnon missed Week 13 against the Panthers due to the injury and Zimmer said Monday "We're still evaluating where he's at.''

McKinnon is averaging 4.8 yards per carry this year. 

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington is expected to miss practice on Wednesday with a hip pointer, coach Bruce Arians said Monday. 

There is still no time table on Ellington's return to action. He has rushed for 660 yards and three touchdowns this year.