NFL Player News

Raiders running back Darren McFadden, an impending free agent, would be a good fit in Cincinnati, according to multiple media reports. McFadden enjoyed his best seasons under offensive coordinator Hue Jackson's straight power blocking scheme -- averaging 5.2 and 5.4 yards per carry in 2010 and 2011 -- and Jackson just took the same job with the Bengals.

“You guys know how I feel about Darren McFadden; he's still one of my favorite players,” Jackson told 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, per ESPN.com. “What a tremendous talent. But I really like my little guy Gio [Bernard]. He had a real good season. But I don't think you can ever have too many good backs.”

McFadden averaged 3.3 yards per carry in another injury-plagued season as he fell behind Rashad Jennings in the Raiders' pecking order. When healthy, McFadden brings more to the table than Cincinnati's BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Green-Ellis is under contract for 2014 at $2.5 million in salary and bonuses, raising the possibility Cincinnati might cut him. If McFadden is willing to take a big pay cut from the $5.8 million he made this season, he could join Bernard in an exciting backfield.

“I think Darren can play with anybody,” Jackson told the radio station. “If it's the Darren McFadden that I used to know, there's no question -- whether it's in Cincinnati, Oakland or San Francisco or anywhere. He's talented enough to play anywhere in the National Football League.”

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, the NFL's seventh-leading rusher, ran five times for 26 yards in the first half of the playoff game at Denver. But his left ankle was clearly bothering him, and he has not played after halftime.

The injury also kept Mathews on the sideline for most of the second half of the wild-card win in Cincinnati.

The Broncos declared seven players inactive for the game against the Chargers: defensive end Derek Wolfe (illness), tight end Joel Dreessen (knee), guard Chris Kuper (ankle), quarterback Zac Dysert, running back Ronnie Hillman, cornerback Tony Carter and defensive tackle Sione Fua.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, who missed every practice last week with his ankle injury, is active for the playoff game at Denver after being listed as questionable. Mathews sat out most of the second half of last week’s win at Cincinnati. He's likely in for limited snaps Sunday.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is expected to play Sunday.

Mathews missed every day of practice this week due to an ankle injury. He comes into the game listed as questionable, but it looks like he'll try to tough it out.

With LeGarrette Blount and Stevan Ridley shouldering the load, Patriots running back Shane Vereen worked past a groin injury but wasn't much of a factor Saturday night, in a 43-22 win over the Colts in the AFC Divisional Playoff game.

Vereen endured a quiet performance as he broke for an 8-yard run in the second quarter for his longest run of the night. He was limited to five carries for 17 yards (3.4 yards per carry), and two receptions for 16 yards on six targets.

Colts running back Trent Richardson's abysmal season came to a spiraling end Saturday night against the Patriots. Richardson, who lost a fumble in his lone carry during his postseason debut last week, was limited to only three carries for 1 yard in a 43-22 loss.

Richardson was traded from the Browns to the Colts for a 2014 first-round pick in late September. He finished the season with 188 carries for 563 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. 105 of the 563 yards were earned in his first two games of the season with Cleveland.

Colts running back Donald Brown wasn't much of a factor as he was held out of the end zone in Saturday's Divisional Playoff loss to the Patriots.

Brown was held in check for most of the game before breaking loose for a 16-yard run late in the fourth quarter with the game well out of hand. He rushed for 63 yards on 17 carries (3.7 yards per carry) in a 43-22 loss.

Brown emerged as the team's leading rusher this season, ending his 2013 campaign with 102 carries for 537 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and six touchdowns.

The following players on the injury report have been ruled active for the Patriots in a playoff clash Saturday night against the Colts: quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder), wide receiver Danny Amendola (groin), wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins (hip), running back Shane Vereen (groin), defensive back Devin McCourty (concussion), defensive back Steve Gregory (finger, knee), linebacker Dane Fletcher (groin), defensive back Alfonzo Dennard (knee, shoulder) and defensive back Kyle Arrington (groin).

Defensive tackle Jordan Hill (groin) and linebacker K.J. Wright (foot) headline the inactive list submitted Saturday by the Seahawks for their playoff game against visiting New Orleans.

The other inactives are wide receiver Bryan Walters, running back Christine Michael, tackle Caylin Hauptmann, guard James Carpenter and defensive end Benson Mayowa.