NFL Player News

The Broncos will be without running back Ronnie Hillman for at least two weeks after he suffered a midfoot sprain during a Week 10 win at Oakland, according to the Denver Post.

Hillman was the featured running back for the Broncos since taking over starting duties from an injured Montee Ball in Week 5.

Hillman had just six carries for 13 yards before suffering the injury. C.J. Anderson replaced him and rushed for 90 yards on 13 carries, and added four receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. 

With left tackle Branden Albert heading to the injured reserve list, the Dolphins have elevated running back LaMichael James to the active roster, per his agent on Monday.

James was drafted by the 49ers in the second round of 2012 draft. He signed with the Dolphins after San Francisco parted ways with him after the opening week of the season. He has totaled 41 carries for 184 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games over his career.

Chiefs lost one of their core special teams players during Week 10’s win at Buffalo when running back Cyrus Gray suffered a torn ACL, according to coach Andy Reid.

In nine games, Gray had only eight carries, but was a main contributor on special teams.

Packers running back DuJuan Harris rushed for a team-high 52 yards on eight carries in his team's 55-14 drubbing of the Bears in Week 10.

With the Packers up big, Harris received more touches than normal in the second half, eclipsing Eddie Lacy's rushing total of 50 yards on 14 carries. He entered the game with just 12 rushing yards on eight carries, so Sunday's performance will likely go down as the highlight of the season for the little-used back.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington had a tough game, but still managed a score Week 10.

Ellington gained just 23 rushing yards on 18 attempts. He did manage to punch in a 3 yard score in the second quarter, somewhat salvaging his day. Ellington was active in the passing game, hauling in five balls, but he only gained 19 yards. 

Ellington will look for more Week 11 against the Lions. 

Rams running back Benny Cunningham managed to find the red zone Week 10.

Cunningham only received four carries, but made them count. On his first attempt, Cunningham managed to plunge in a 3 yard score. He finished with just 12 yards. Cunningham also caught two passes, gaining 16 yards. 

He'll look to score again Week 11 against the Broncos. 

The Seahawks backup running backs didn't get much more work than normal in Week 10 against the Giants, but both Christine Michael and Robert Turbin showed what they can do if given the chance.

The Giants had trouble slowing any of the Seahawks' runners down Sunday, and Michael gashed them for 71 yards on just four carries. Turbin was only slightly less effective, rushing for 32 yards on six carries, while starter Marshawn Lynch ran all over the Giants for four touchdowns and 140 yards on 21 carries.

Both Turbin and Michael have clear upside, but Lynch really doesn't seem to be going anywhere -- this season. As handcuffs, both players might have some value in yearly leagues, but there are mostly best left for keeper leagues at this point. 

Seahawks running backs Christine Michael and Robert Turbin managed to get some work Week 10 against the Giants.

Michael and Turbin came on in relief of Marshawn Lynch, who was so effective that he got some rest early. Neither player disappointed. Michael received just four carries, but managed 71 yards. He helped set up the team's final touchdown of the day with a 45 yard run. Turbin carried six times, gaining 32 yards. 

Being the running back in a Peyton Manning-led offense continues to be one of the best jobs in sports, as C.J. Anderson proved in Week 10's 41-17 win over the Raiders.

With Ronnie Hillman limited by an ankle injury, Anderson got his chance to show off in Week 10, and he put together a fine all-around performance. He rushed for 90 yards on 13 carries to lead the team, and added 73 yards on four receptions, punctuated by a 51-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter.

Anderson entered Sunday's game with just 82 yards on 17 carries, and became the fourth Broncos running back to record double figures in Fantasy scoring. At this point, anyone the Broncos plug in there should be viewed as a must-start Fantasy option, whether it is Anderson, Montee Ball or Ronnie Hillman. Even Juwan Thompson could probably put up big numbers if given the chance.

The Broncos are going to put their running backs in position to score, and Payton Manning is going to get them involved in the passing game. Anderson's success combined with Ball's expected return clouds the short-term future, so keep an eye on the team's plans to figure out how to set your lineup for Week 11 against the Rams. 

The Buccaneers split the workload in the backfield pretty evenly in Week 10, but none of their options really stood out in a 27-17 loss to the Falcons.

Bobby Rainey got the start at running back for the Buccaneers, but was a non-factor in the rushing game, finishing with just 14 yards on six carries. However, neither of the team's other options did much more, as Mike James had just 16 yards on four carries, while Charles Sims had 23 yards on eight carries in his first action.

Rainey made more of an impact in the passing game, catching four for 42 yards, but that might not be enough to keep him in the starting role. The Buccaneers are looking for someone who can run the ball well, and until they find a go-to option, the door is open.

Rainey is the more proven commodity, and should be valued more than Sims for Fantasy purposes moving forward. However, the team probably also wants to see what they have in Sims, their third-round pick this year, so he will get his chance. At this point, both probably have just low-end value for Week 11 against Washington.