NFL Player News

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas received five carries Thursday against the Bills.

Thomas performed well in a limited role, gaining 23 yards on the day. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Thomas did not factor into the passing game, and did not receive a target. He'll take on the Broncos Week 12. 

Mike Zimmer has indicated he's disappointed in the route-running of Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who has struggled in 2014.

"We're trying to get Corarrelle involved in the offense," Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We'd love for him to be involved but guys have to make sure that they are in the right places all the time."

Patterson appeared to have righted himself by catching six passes for 86 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 8, but followed that by snagging just one Sunday against Washington. "We completed 26 balls (against the Buccaneers)," said offensive coordinator Norv Turner. "I don't care who they go to, to be honest with you."

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin took a step toward returning to game action from an ankle injury Thursday with his limited participation in practice.

Martin has been inactive for the last two games. It remains to be seen if he's ready to play Sunday against Washington.

Vikings running back Matt Asiata revealed Thursday that he's been exchanging texts with suspended Adrian Peterson and that the latter is optimistic about soon rejoining the team.

Peterson was indicted in Texas in September to a felony charge of child abuse and will miss his ninth straight game Sunday. He remains on the NFL exempt list and will have a hearing Monday with an arbitrator over an NFLPA grievance that seeks to have him reinstated.

"He can't wait to play," Asiata reported to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "He's staying on the grind and just waiting for the call to come back. ... He's so competitive."

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, who's been out since Week 3 with a sprained MCL, is expected to start Sunday against Oakland and get about 15 touches, depending on game flow, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin missed practice Wednesday as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Martin could miss his third straight game Sunday at Washington.

The Chiefs put tight end Demetrius Harris (broken foot) and running back Cyrus Gray (torn ACL) on injured reserve, reports ChiefsDigest.com.

The Browns re-signed fullback Ray Agnew after waiving fullback Kiero Small, the team announced.

Browns fullback Kiero Small, who started the last three games, was waived by the team, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The team might bring back Ray Agnew to replace him, the paper said.

Broncos running back Montee Ball is expected to return from injury against St. Louis in Week 11, according to the Denver Post.

Ball has been out since suffering a groin injury in Week 5. In his absence, running back Ronnie Hillman became a productive option for the Broncos.

With Hillman expected to miss at least two weeks with a midfoot sprain, Ball will compete with C.J. Anderson for carries.