NFL Player News

Rams running back Daryl Richardson (thigh) is likely to miss the team's season finale in Week 17 against the Seahawks Sunday, as he was unable to practice throughout the week as a result of the injury. 

Eleven Patriots have been deemed questionable for Sunday against the Bills, including rookie wideouts Aaron Dobson (foot) and Kenbrell Thompkins (hip). The other offensive players so designated are running back Shane Vereen (groin) and linemen Nate Solder (concussion) and Will Svitek (ankle).

The defensive questionables are secondary mates Steve Gregory (finger/knee), Kyle Arrington (groin) and Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder), linebackers Dane Fletcher (groin) and Brandon Spikes (knee) and lineman Rob Ninkovich (ankle).

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews has been deemed probable for Sunday against Kansas City. He returned to practice on Friday despite nursing an ankle injury.

The Dolphins have placed 10 players on their Friday injury report, but only running back Daniel Thomas (ankle) is questionable for the critical battle against the Jets. The others are probable, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill (knee). Brian Hartline (knee) and Marlon Moore (wrist).

The defensive probables are defensive backs Jamar Taylor (hamstring), Don Jones (elbow/abdomen) and Chris Clemons (knee/hamstring), linebacker Koa Misi (triceps) and tackles Jared Odrick (wrist) and Paul Soliai (ankle).

Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers and LB Sean Weatherspoon have been ruled out Week 17.

Rodgers has been unable to come back from a concussion. Weatherspoon is dealing with a knee injury, and has not practiced this week.

Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson is probable Week 17.

Patterson is dealing with a chest injury, but he's been able to practice in full Thursday and Friday. Patterson has scored in four straight games, and will be looking to make it a fifth Week 17.

Vikings running back Matt Asiata is probable Week 17.

Asiata is dealing with an ankle injury, but was able to fully participate in practice Friday. Adrian Peterson is doubtful and Toby Gerhart is out, so Asiata could see a big chunk of the workload Week 17.

Chargers featured back Ryan Mathews practiced Friday for the first time this week, the San Diego Union-Tribune has reported, but his ankle was heavily taped. He has yet to miss a game this season. His status for Sunday against Kansas City has yet to be clarified.

Titans running back Chris Johnson has his sights set on the 1,000-yard mark in Week 17, and he will be trying to reach the milestone against a team he has torched in the past. The Titans face the Texans this Sunday, in the season finale.

Johnson needs 50 yards on the ground this Sunday to get to 1,000 for the sixth time in six years. Given his track record against Houston, that seems likely; he has reached that total nine times in 11 career games against them, including on a 96-yard day in Week 2 this season.

The Texans have allowed 100-plus yards on the ground to running backs in six of the last season games, and are giving up 17.8 Fantasy points per game. Consider him a solid starting option for Week 17.   

Texans running back Jonathan Grimes is expected to step into the starting lineup in Week 17 against the Titans, thanks to a number of injuries in the team's backfield.

Grimes, an undrafted free-agent out of College of William & Mary,  enters the week with just 29 rushing yards to his name at the NFL level. He rushed the ball five times for 23 yards last week, in his first action of the season. Though he is a total unknown, Grimes may actually find some room to succeed this week, against a vulnerable Titans defense.

The Titans have allowed 19 touchdowns by opposing running backs this season, along with 151.3 all-purpose yards per game. As a result, they are surrendering 21.2 Fantasy points per game to running backs, the fourth-worst total in the league.

Grimes has no track record of success at the NFL, so starting him represents a total roll of the dice. Still, he might surprise given such a solid matchup.