NFL Player News

The Jets enter Week 8 at home against Buffalo relatively healthy despite having 12 players on the final injury report for Sunday's game. Trevor Reilly (knee) and Greg Salas (wrist, ankle) were the only players deemed questionable for the game.

The following players were labeled probable: Oday Aboushi (shoulder), Phillip Adams (groin), Antwan Barnes (knee), Willie Colon (knee), Eric Decker (hamstring), David Harris (shoulder), Chris Johnson (ankle), Nick Mangold (shoulder), Bilal Powell (foot) and Darrin Walls (knee).

Colts running back Trent Richardson was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers in Week 8. Richardson left Week 7 against Cincinnati with a hamstring issue and has not been able to practice all week. Coach Chuck Pagano told reporters he has been doing some rehab work on the side and could be be viewed as a game-time decision leading up to kickoff, per the team's official website.

After taking the league by storm with consecutive 100-yard rushing games, Chargers running back Branden Oliver has come back to earth over the last two weeks.

Oliver rushed for just 36 yards on 13 carries in Week 8 against the Broncos, his second straight game with six or fewer Fantasy points. Though it looked like he might take the starting job and run with it, Oliver's struggles over the last two games should leave the door open for Ryan Mathews to take on a solid role when he comes back from his knee injury -- whenever that might be.

As long as Mathews remains out, Oliver will be the go-to back in San Diego, but this is something to keep an eye on. He could remain useful in the Danny Woodhead role, however, even when Mathews is back, so don't expect Oliver to lose all his value. But he has a tough matchup on the way in Week with a Dolphins defense that is allowing just 3.70 yards per carry to running backs on the way.  

Patriots running back Shane Vereen was absent from practice Friday for unknown reasons, per ESPN. He was not listed in their previous injury reports and had participated in the team's three previous sessions this week in preparation for the Week 8 game against Chicago.

Vereen, who dealt with a shoulder issue early in the season, is coming off his most productive game of 2014. He rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries and added five catches for 71 yards and his first two receiving touchdowns of the year in Week 7 against the Jets.

Colts running back Trent Richardson remained sidelined from the media availability portion of Friday practice with a hamstring issue, according to the Indianapolis Star. His status for the Sunday game against Pittsburgh therefore becomes more in doubt.

Richardson is coming off one of his best games since joining the Colts early last season. He rushed for 77 yards on a season-best 5.5 YPC and added four receptions for 41 yards in the thumping of Cincinnati.

Broncos running back Juwan Thompson scored a pair of touchdowns in Week 7 against the Chargers.

Thompson lined up as a fullback and barreled into the end zone from 2 yards out in the third quarter. He rumbled his way into the end zone for a 1-yard score in the fourth quarter. Both touchdowns for Thompson came lined up as a fullback. He finished with seven carries for 24 yards and two scores in a 35-21 victory. He was targeted once in the passing game and was held without a grab.

The rookie has scored three times this season. He'll look to add to his total Week 9 at New England.

Chargers running back Branden Oliver was limited Thursday night against the Broncos.

Oliver carried the ball 13 times, but produced just 36 rushing yards. He averaged just 2.8 yards per attempt. Oliver did manage to make an impact in the passing game, hauling in seven passes, but gained just 27 yards. The Chargers had trouble running early, and had to abandon the run after falling behind. 

Oliver will look for more Week 9 against the Dolphins. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman cracked the 100-yard mark for the second time in three games, but was held out of the end zone in a 35-21 victory over the Chargers in Week 7.

Hillman nearly got into the end zone on the opening drive of the second half. He caught a short pass for an 8-yard gain and barely stepped out of bounds at the 3-yard line. Emmanuel Sanders caught his third touchdown of the night a few plays later. Hillman then ripped a 33-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive, only to be wiped out by a holding penalty. His running mate, Juwan Thompson, scored a pair of goal line touchdowns lined up ahead of Hillman as a fullback.

Hillman still had a productive night, rushing for 109 yards on 20 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He also caught three of four targets for 29 yards. He has 283 yards on the ground over his first three games since taking over for an injured Montee Ball.

He'll look for his third 100-yard game at New England in Week 9.

Rams running back Benny Cunningham was a late addition to the injury report due to a knee injury. He was a limited participant on Thursday. Cunningham has scored a touchdown in each of his past three games. He caught five passes for 46 yards and a score Week 7.

The Rams will face the Chiefs in Week 8.

Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said the team is looking for one running back to "separate himself," according to ESPN.

Shanahan stressed that he's been happy with the play of Ben Tate, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, but added that he would love it if one of them stepped up. "We got a bunch of solid guys who do a good job," Shanahan said. "For one of those to get the bulk of the carries and take off, then that’s up to them. They got to show us they’re ahead of the other guys." 

Shanahan has had a history of riding one primary back in the past. "I’ve never had to rotate a bunch of running backs, because usually I’ve had a running back who’s usually able to separate himself from the others," he said. 

Tate is currently receiving the bulk of the carries for the club, but the team has mixed in Crowell and West frequently.