NFL Player News

As expected, Raiders running back Darren McFadden returned to action Week 13 at Dallas (Thursday) after sitting out three games with a hamstring injury. McFadden was listed as questionable despite practicing all week.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has made a bigger impact on special teams than he has on offense in his rookie season. Patterson is averaging 34 yards per kickoff return, which leads the NFL, and he has returned two kicks for touchdowns, including one 105 yards in Week 2 against the Bears.

In leagues that reward for special teams yards, Patterson is a decent Fantasy option. Unfortunately, in most standard and PPR formats, he's yet to blossom. Though, Patterson did show some potential for a late-season surge in Week 12 at Green Bay, when he totaled a career-high eight catches for 54 yards.

Patterson now heads into Week 13 vs. Chicago looking to build off his Week 12 performance. Wide receivers have had moderate success against the Bears. They have averaged 142.3 receiving yards and 20.4 Fantasy points per week through 11 games. Wide receivers have also totaled 11 touchdowns against Chicago.

The Vikings don't exactly have a great passing offense. The Vikings are averaging 207 passing yards per game (25th). They also have just 11 passing touchdowns, which is tied for the third-fewest amount in the NFL.

Patterson could be considered a desperation Fantasy option in deep PPR formats Week 13, but the first-round pick still isn't a great option in standard formats.

Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey -- who broke out with a 163-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 11 against the Falcons -- came back to earth in Week 12, gaining just 35 yards on 18 carries against Detroit.

Week 13 brings a matchup against the Panthers, who have been brutal against opposing running backs, allowing the fifth-fewest Fantasy points per game. They've allowed four touchdowns to running backs all season, and just one -- C.J. Spiller -- has run for 100 yards.

Rainey has breakout potential -- and the Bucs have been far more balanced with the pass and run recently (Mike Glennon has averaged 22 pass attempts in each of the past four games), so he could see 18-20 carries -- but this is a tough matchup. If better options are available, Rainey can be left on the bench.

Chargers featured back Ryan Mathews remains out after leaving the game Sunday against Kansas City with a hamstring injury. He did not participate in Wednesday practice.

He did, however, make an appearance for a charity event and showed no noticeable limp, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, which added that Mike McCoy said Mathews' hamstring was fine.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington has two games with 50 or more rushing yards in his last three. He has two touchdowns on the season and has one big game with over 100 yards (which occurred in Week 8, when Rashard Mendenhall was inactive).

Ellington has breakout potential, but with Mendenhall getting about 12 carries per game, Ellington is stuck on the slightly-bad side of a timeshare. A long run or two isn't out of the question, but Mendenhall looks like he'll be the one called on to score, while Ellington has just one rushing touchdown this season in a game which Mendenhall was active.

Week 13 brings a matchup against the Eagles, who are pretty much league average against the run. So going into the game expecting about 10 carries for 40-50 yards from Ellington seems reasonable. Throw in a handful of yards on two receptions (he's had two in each of the last five games), and you have a typical Ellington week. With byes now behind us, that may not be enough to get him into most starting lineups.

Darren McFadden, who has apparently lost his featured back status with the Raiders, has been deemed questionable for Thursday in Dallas with a hamstring problem that has kept him out for the last three games. He will see limited action behind Rashad Jennings if he is active.

Rams running back Benny Cunningham could be a sneaky play heading into Sunday's showdown at San Francisco in Week 13.

Cunningham stepped up in place of an injured Zac Stacy (head) and reached a new career high with 109 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. Fantasy owners will have to monitor Stacy's status in the next few days. If he does not pass a series of league-mandated tests, then Cunningham will likely get the starting nod on Sunday.

If he starts, Cunningham would be facing a San Francisco defense that has allowed 103.5 yards per game on the ground, which is the 12th fewest allowed in the league. Opposing running backs have scored 16.91 Fantasy points per game this season against the 49ers. Stacy owners should be rushing to scoop him up from the waiver wire. Consider Cunningham as a decent flex option for Week 13.

Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said Tuesday the team intends to roll with "the hot hand" in running back Rashad Jennings, even though Darren McFadden is on track to return Thursday at Dallas (Week 13). Olson added, however, McFadden will get his touches in his return from a hamstring injury.

Dolphins rookie running back Mike Gillislee has been inactive all season waiting for his chance to get onto the gameday roster. Well, Gillislee is about to get his opportunity with running back Daniel Thomas sidelined by an ankle injury.

"It gave me an opportunity to grow and become a pro," Gillislee said of watching from the sidelines this year, per ESPN. "Just by me watching, it made me hungrier and ready to take advantage of this opportunity that I’ve been given."

It's uncertain what role Gillislee might play Sunday against the Jets, but the Dolphins have used a two-back system with Thomas and Lamar Miller, so Gillislee could be immediately thrown into the mix.

"I’ve been ready to go," Gillislee said about Sunday’s game. "I’m ready to go now. But until I put those pads on, that’s when I’m really ready."

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said following Tuesday's practice running back Darren McFadden, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, is in line to play Thursday at Dallas (Week 13), according to CSN California.