NFL Player News

Patriots running back Jonas Gray overslept, causing him to miss Friday's practice session, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports. According to the report, Gray didn't wake up in time for practice after his phone died. He showed up late to Gillette Stadium, but was immediately sent home by Bill Belichick.

Gray's status now appears a bit uncertain after the incident, considering the team signed LeGarrette Blount, who is familiar with Belichick's system, on Thursday.

Earlier in the season, Belichick sent star cornerback Darrelle Revis home for being late to practice during a blizzard, per the Boston Globe. Like Gray, Revis also overslept. However, Revis apologized to the team and was able to play the following week against the Bears.

Gray has texted his teammates to apologize and plans to meet with Belichick and the rest of his teammates later in the day to apologize, per the report.

A concussion will prevent Vikings running back Matt Asiata from playing Sunday against Green Bay. He did not participate in any practices this week.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims appeared unhindered at Friday practice after being limited Thursday by an ankle issue, per the Tampa Tribune.

The rookie rushed 13 times in Week 11 against Washington, the highest total of his young career.

One day after the team signing LeGarrette Blount, Patriots running back Jonas Gray was not spotted by reporters during the early portion of practice open to the media, the Boston Globe reports.

The team has not revealed the reasoning behind Gray's absence on Friday, leading up to Week 12 against the Lions. Gray is coming off a 201-yard, four-touchdown performance against Indianapolis the previous week. His 38 carries against the Colts were the third-most by a running back in the last decade.

Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount was not signed by Bill Belichick to replace Jonas Gray, but will likely leapfrog Brandon Bolden and James White on the depth chart to provide a powerful "thunder and thunder" duo moving forward, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe on Friday.

According to the paper, the move was made in case Gray, who exploded for 201 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in a Week 11, becomes ineffective, or if he suffers a second ACL injury. Gray suffered a torn ACL during his senior season with Notre Dame in 2011.

When asked about his role with the club, Belichick said it will be up to Blount.

"That'll be up to him, just like everybody else," Belichick said, per WEEI. "When he gets an opportunity, how much he can take advantage of it, how much he can be productive, what he can do with those opportunities will determine how many more there are. It’s totally up to him. He’s knows that. We've talked about that. He knows that's the way it is and I think he's excited about it."

Blount rushed for 266 yards and two touchdowns on 65 carries with the Steelers this season before getting waived by the club and reuniting with Belichick and the Patriots.

Chiefs running backs DeAnthony Thomas and Knile Davis received limited reps against the Raiders.

Thomas had just one carry, gaining 9 yards. He caught two passes, picking up 15 yards in the receiving game. Davis had two carries, but came up with just 2 yards. He did not receive a target in the passing game. 

Both players will look for more Week 13 against the Broncos. 

Raiders running back Darren McFadden rushed for just 29 yards on 12 carries while catching both of his targets for another five yards in his team's 24-20 win over the Chiefs Thursday.

McFadden was on his way towards becoming an afterthought, as sparkplug Latavius Murray racked up 112 yards and two touchdowns on his first four carries. However, Murray suffered a concussion while taking a big hit on a kick return and didn't play in the second half, leaving the door open for McFadden to lead the team in carries. He hasn't cracked three yards per carry in any of his last four games. The Raiders are set to face the Rams in Week 13.

Raiders running back Latavius Murray has been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 12 game against the Chiefs.

Murary was taken to the back to be evaluated for a concussion in the first half and was ruled out early in the second half. He wraps up an impressive but brief debut on the national stage with four carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Raiders running back Latavius Murray is being evaluated for a concussion, the team announced.

Murray took a big hit on a kick return and headed to the locker room to be checked out. He's racked up 112 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries, including a 90-yard score early in the second quarter.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims, who had ankle surgery in August and missed the first eight games, was limited in practice Thursday by an ankle injury, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Bay visits the Bears on Sunday.