NFL Player News

The Browns' headache at running back isn't going away, not even with Ben Tate out of the picture. One week after Isaiah Crowell outperformed Terrance West on fewer carries, their roles were reversed Week 13 at Buffalo. But while both generally performed well in Week 12, neither did the Browns proud in this one.

Crowell gained 29 yards on his 17 carries. West at least had a respectable yard-per-carry average, but he still had just 32 on seven. He also lost a crucial fumble for the Browns midway through the third quarter.

What makes it especially frustrating is that Crowell and West have both shown flashes of greatness this year. Crowell looked like he might be on the verge of must-start status in Week 12, rushing for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Now, with the bye weeks over, you have to wonder if you'll ever be able to trust either enough to start him. Chances are one will be startable more weeks than not, but which one? It's just a guessing game at this point. You wouldn't want to let either fall into someone else's hands -- their potential is too great for that -- so you might just have to plant them on your bench for now.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington believes he'll be fine, the team announced.

Ellington said the hip injury he's dealing with is different than the one he's struggled with earlier in the year. He had to leave Week 13 after just five carries due to the injury. The Cardinals will take on the Chiefs Week 14. Ellington's status will likely be determined by how much he's able to practice throughout the week. 

With Jerick McKinnon out with a back injury, Matt Asiata got the start and bulk of the work in Week 13 against the Panthers.

Asiata continued to show he is a perfectly average option at the running back position for the Vikings, as he totaled 57 all-purpose yards on 18 touches. He was a bit better as a runner than a pass-catcher, finishing with 52 yards on 14 carries, but was held in check overall, finishing with a long run of just 8 yards.

Asiata has held down the fort for the Vikings in a difficult season, but has done little to show he is a long-term option. If McKinnon can get back soon, Asiata will likely return to his role as a third down back, but either way, is unlikely to be worth much as a Fantasy option down the stretch. 

Playing their second game without Ahmad Bradshaw, who is out for the season with a fractured fibula, the Colts once again gave Dan Herron an extended looking at running back Week 13 against Washington, and he once again outperformed Trent Richardson. And this time, it wasn't even close.

While Richardson got one more carry than Herron in Week 12, the two were dead even with eight in Week 13, only Herron gained 88 yards, including 49 on a touchdown run in the second quarter, while Richardson had just 12. Herron was again a bigger factor in the passing game as well, though he had just two catches for 8 yards this time.

It's now even more apparent Herron has assumed Bradshaw's role and workload on offense, and while Bradshaw typically outperformed Richardson in that capacity, Herron looks like he has the ability to do so as well. The Colts remain a pass-first team, but Herron is worth using as at least a flex option with a favorable matchup Week 14 at Cleveland.

The Patriots backup rushers could not do much Week 13 against the Packers.

Brandon Bolden managed to make an impact despite limited work. He carried the ball three times for 17 yards, but one of those attempts went for a 6 yard touchdown. Bolden was not involved in the passing game. Shane Vereen also had three carries, but gained just 6 yards. He caught one ball for 26 yards during the contest. Jonas Gray also made an appearance, picking up 4 yards on one carry. 

The trio will look for more Week 14 against the Chargers. 

Falcons backup runners Devonta Freeman and Jacquizz Rodgers didn't do much Week 13 against the Cardinals. 

Freeman picked up eight carries, gaining 26 yards. He also hauled in one pass for 4 yards. Rodgers had four carries, but gained just 7 yards. He was more involved in the passing game, hauling in three balls for 18 yards. 

Both players will look for more Week 14 against the Packers. 

The Chargers received minor contributions from several role players during Sunday's win over the Ravens in Week 13.

Branden Oliver backed up Ryan Mathews on the day but only registered one carry for a gain of 7 yards. Donald Brown caught his only target for a gain of 6 yards. Meanwhile, Ladarius Green caught both of his targets for only 1 yard.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews found the end zone yet again in Week 13, as he continues to produce solidly since his return from a knee injury.

Mathews finished the game with just 38 yards, but received the goal-line work necessary for a solid Fantasy showing Sunday. The 38 yards are a disappointing total, however, especially coming on the heels of a 105-yard showing on just 12 carries in Week 12, during which he also scored.

The Chargers appear willing to limit Mathews' carries given his injury history, but he's going to get the important carries down in the red zone. You might not get huge numbers from Mathews if he's only getting 15 or so carries every game, but he's still productive enough that you have to keep him active moving forward. 

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews scored a rushing touchdown but was unable to make much else of an impact on the ground during Sunday's 34-33 victory in Week 13.

Mathews ripped a 14-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for his third touchdown of the season. He finished the game with 38 yards n 13 carries, averaging 2.9 yards per attempt. He has 284 rushing yards this season.

Mathews will look to get back on track Week 14 against New England.

Running back Matt Asiata was held to 52 rushing yards on 14 attempts during the Vikings’ 31-13 win over the Panthers Sunday.

Asiata hauled in all four of his receiving targets for five yards. The 14 rushing attempts were the most Asiata received since Oct. 2.

The Vikings face the Jets Week 14.