NFL Player News

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin could miss up to two months with his shoulder injury, according to FoxSports 1. 

Martin is expected to try and rehab and return for Week 10, but that seems to be the most optimistic scenario. If his rehab doesn't take, there's already been an indication that the team will shut him down for the rest of the year. 

Martin has a 456 rushing yards and one touchdown in six games.

Panthers running back Kenjon Barner was active for just the second time all season Thursday, in a 31-13 win over the Buccaneeers in Week 8.

Barner rushed the ball once for 1 yard, and added a single reception for 2 yards as well. 

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden has just three catches over the last three games, but he could find room to make plays out of the backfield in Week 8 against the Dolphins.

Miami has been gashed by opposing running backs this season to the tune of 21.3 Fantasy points per game, and they have especially struggled at stopping them in the passing game. Backs are averaging 6.7 catches for 61 yards against the Dolphins, so this matchup could work well for Bolden in his limited role.

Our Jamey Eisenberg considers Bolden to be a decent sleeper in Week 8, and our experts have him ranked 32nd among running backs on average. That makes him a decent flex option, especially in PPR formats for Week 8. 

The Buccaneers inactives list for Week 8 against the Panthers is heavy on players dealing with injuries. Of the seven players listed, five are sidelined due to injuries: running backs Doug Martin (shoulder) and Jeff Demps (groin); wide receiver Chris Owusu (foot); guard Carl Nicks (foot); and defensive back Dashon Goldson (knee).

They are joined on the list by defensive tackle Derek Landri and Patrick Omameh. 

The Dolphins' timeshare at running back continues unabated as we head towards the midweek point of the season, and the change in starting roles last week doesn't seem to have changed much. Though he got the start against the Bills, Daniel Thomas is still not much of a Fantasy option for Week 8 against the Patriots.

All three of our Fantasy experts have Thomas ranked higher among running backs this week than Lamar Miller, but none are particularly high on him; his averaging ranking is just 26th. The Patriots do provide a decent matchup for Thomas, having allowed 15.6 Fantasy points per game to opposing backs this season, including three touchdowns over the last three games.

Thomas' ascension to a bigger certainly makes him a more intriguing Fantasy option than he was even prior to the team's bye two weeks ago. For now, however, he remains more of a low-end starting option for Week 8 against the Patriots. 

Colts recently acquired running back Trent Richardson has a meager 3.0 YPC since joining the team, but he had a statistical excuse for a poor showing on Sunday, according to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star via Pro Football Focus.

The site cited that Richardson only found a viable hole four times in 14 carries Sunday night against Denver. He rushed for just 37 yards in that game for a 2.6 average.

Richardson has been criticized for not attacking holes, but rather waiting, sometimes in vain, for them to develop. The result has been a disappointing first two years after being taken third overall in the 2012 draft by the Browns.

The Buccaneers are optimistic about running back Doug Martin, who suffered a torn labrum Week 7, returning this season, according to NFL.com. Martin is expected to spend the next 18 days strengthening his shoulder and will wear a harness.

The Bucs have a target date of Martin playing Week 10 (Nov. 11) vs. Miami. However, if Martin has a setback, then the Bucs will shut him down for the rest of the season.

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers has a tough matchup Week 8 against the Cardinals.

Arizona has been solid against opposing running backs, holding them to 13.71 Fantasy points per game. The team has yet to allow a rushing touchdown by a back this season. Running backs have averaged just 46.71 yards against Arizona. 

On top of that, Steven Jackson has returned to practice and could play this week. While it's unclear whether Jackson will play at this time, his return should signal a decrease in Rodgers' workload. Based on how successful Rodgers has been the past few weeks, there's a chance he still sees his fair share of carries once Jackson returns. Even if Jackson is out this week, Rodgers still isn't a strong play.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen has returned to practice and has shed the brace on his hand, the Boston Herald has reported. Vereen has been on short-term IR since Week 1 with a wrist injury. He will not be eligible for game action until Week 10.

Vereen was the team's most used and effective back in the season opener. He led the team in carries with 14 and yards with 101. He added seven receptions for 58 yards. It remains to be seen if he regains that status upon his return.

Raiders oft-injured featured back Darren McFadden was hindered with a hamstring injury in Week 6 against Kansas City, but Dennis Allen claimed he looked "explosive" in Wednesday practice after resting it during the bye week, per CSNCalifornia.com.

McFadden rushed for 52 yards in 16 attempts against the Chiefs and hasn't had a 100-yard game since Week 2 against a woeful Jacksonville defense. His three receptions in Week 6 were his first since that game against the Jaguars.