NFL Player News

Raiders running back Darren McFadden (hamstring) was able to practice Tuesday, which could be a sign he's ready to return Thursday (Week 13) at Dallas. McFadden has missed the last three games.

Will he play or won't he play Week 13 at Dallas? That is the question surrounding the status of Raiders running back Darren McFadden, who has been inactive the last three games with a hamstring injury.

Even if McFadden plays, another question about how many reps he gets on offense looms as well. You have to think with how effective Rashad Jennings has been in McFadden's absence that he will still be the featured back Thursday and Oakland will ease McFadden into the mix. It's a shame too since Week 13 would be an ideal time to start McFadden, if he was 100 percent.

Dallas has had trouble stopping running backs all season, but the Cowboys have been especially bad since Sean Lee hurt his hamstring Week 10. In the last two games against Dallas, running backs are averaging 223 rushing yards and 63 receiving yards per game. 

For the season, running backs average 22.6 Fantasy points per week, which is the highest average. Running backs also average 115.8 rushing yards and 58.3 receiving yards per game, while totaling 13 touchdowns (eight rushing) in 11 games.

If McFadden plays, you might be tempted to start him because of the matchup, but it's still a risky call because you don't know how many snaps he will get.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas might not be out for the rest of the season after all, according to USA Today. Though the initial report was Thomas isn't likely to play again this season after suffering a torn ligament in his left ankle Sunday, USA Today reports Thomas has a severe high ankle sprain, but he hopes to be back in a few weeks.

49ers running backs Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon were both held under 15 yards on the ground during Monday's win over the Redskins in Week 12.

Hunter broke for a 4-yard run late in the fourth quarter for his longest gain of the night. He had eight carries for 12 yards (1.5 yards per carry). Dixon rushed for 13 yards on three carries.

Fellow running back LaMichael James was barely involved, as he failed to receive a carry in the running game. In the passing game, he finished without a catch despite being targeted once. Tight end Vance McDonald caught his only targeted pass from Colin Kaepernick for a 23-yard gain.

The 49ers will host the Rams in Week 13.

Redskins backup running back Roy Helu was held under 30 yards on the ground during Monday night's loss to the 49ers in Week 12.

Helu broke for a 12-yard run on his second handoff of the game in the first quarter. It was his longest run of the night. He finished the game with seven carries for 26 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and one catch for a gain of 7 yards in a 27-6 defeat.

Helu has not rushed for more than 39 yards since his three-touchdown performance in Week 7. He'll look to get back on track and re-emerge as a goal-line threat in Week 13 at home against the Giants.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said running back Darren McFadden, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, was on the field running Monday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. However, Allen said he will have to check on McFadden's status for Thursday's game at Dallas (Week 13).

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle Sunday against the Panthers and is likely done for the season, according to the Sun-Sentinel. However, a source told the paper Thomas will not have surgery to fix the ankle injury.

The Broncos received minor contributions from several role players during Sunday's loss to the Patriots in Week 12.

Even with the absence of Julius Thomas, Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen was a non-factor as he was held without a catch despite being targeted once. Virgil Green got the start in place of Julius Thomas but failed to make much of an impact. Green had one catch for a gain of 6 yards.

In the running game, C.J. Anderson stepped up with three carries for 16 yards and was held without a catch despite being targeted once.

With Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount benched for fumbling, Patriots running back Brandon Bolden made the best out of his opportunity as he scored his third touchdown of the season during Sunday’s win over the Broncos in Week 12.

Bolden punched it in the end zone from 1-yard out in the opening drive of the second half. He also broke free for a 33-yard run in the second quarter for his longest gain of the night. He finished the game with 13 carries for a team-high 58 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown in a 34-31 overtime victory.

Bolden has two touchdowns since Week 8. He will look to stay productive in Week 13 at Houston.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen enjoyed another productive performance in the passing game, but failed to make much of a difference on the ground game during Sunday’s win over the Broncos in Week 12.

Vereen shared carries with Brandon Bolden after Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount were both benched due to costly fumbles. He finished with 10 carries for 31 yards (3.1 yards per carry) and caught eight of the 11 passes thrown his way for 60 receiving yards in a 34-31 overtime victory.

Vereen will look to keep rolling as one of New England's primary backs in Week 12 at Houston.