NFL Player News

The Eagles have signed running back Matthew Tucker from the practice squad and released cornerback Jordan Poyer on Saturday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The moves came after the team downgraded RB Chris Polk to out for the Week 7 game against Dallas. 

The Patriots lengthy injury report for Week 7 against the Jets features a number of offensive role players who might have to sit out Sunday's game. Running back Brandon Bolden (knee), tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (knee), and wide receiver Matthew Slater (wrist) are among those listed as questionable after being limited throughout the week in practice.  

The Browns placed rookie defensive back Josh Aubrey on injured reserve Friday, after he sustained knee and ankle injuries during Thursday's practice.

The team also waived running back Bobby Rainey, and used the two open roster spots to promote wide receiver Tori Gurley and defensive back Julian Posey from the practice squad. 

Only two Browns starters are on the injury report revealed on Friday - and both are probable for Sunday in Green Bay. They are running back Willis McGahee and Jabaal Sheard, both of whom have been nursing knee injuries.

Defensive end Billy Winn (quad) is again out, as is defensive back Josh Aubrey (ankle/knee). Linebacker Brandon Magee (oblique) is questionable while cornerback Chris Owens (finger) and running back Bobby Rainey (groin) are probable.

Rams RB Benny Cunningham has been ruled out against the Panthers Week 7.

Cunningham is dealing with an ankle injury, and has not been able to participate in practice this week. 

Panthers RB Kenjon Barner, S Robert Lester and CB Melvin White are considered probable for Week 7 against the Rams.

Both Barner and Lester were able to practice in full all week. White was limited during Thursday's practice with concussion symptoms. 

I'm just as disappointed in Andre Ellington's Week 7 game as you might be. His lack of involvement is what really bugs me -- why did the Cardinals decide to give Alfonso Smith more work on passing downs? And why are they sticking with Rashard Mendenhall so much? 

But it's not like Ellington didn't have his chances. Very late in the third quarter he was open on a wheel route in the end zone and got a hand on Palmer's pass that was just too far for him. He was also targeted on a pass in the end zone a few plays later but a Seattle defender tipped it. The annoying factor I didn't see coming was that Smith took many passing down snaps away from Ellington late in the game (they seemed to be on a rotation). Ellington had two catches on five targets; Smith had four catches on four targets. 

The snap breakdown still favored Ellington with 41 pct. of the snaps compared to 32 pct. for Mendenhall and 28 pct. for Smith. With Mendenhall averaging 1.7 yards per carry in the game and 2.9 on the season, it still feels like it's just a matter of time before Ellington (and maybe Smith) start to really take over the Cardinals backfield. 

Redskins running back Roy Helu was expected to see more work in the offense heading into the Week 6 Sunday night loss at Dallas. While that did happen as Helu totaled 77 yards of offense, most of that came with the game already out of hand.

Helu has 88 yards rushing on 20 carries with one touchdown in five games. He's firmly behind Alfred Morris on the depth chart. That said, the Redskins have few other offensive weapons and Helu's speed and pass-catching ability could become coveted more and more down the line.

The Chicago Bears have struggled against the run this season. Brandon Jacobs of the Giants just scored twice against them last week and worked 22 carries into 106 yards. Chicago has allowed 100 yards a TD to a RB in two of the last three games.

Still, as far as Week 7 at home against Chicago goes, we still aren't expecting much from Helu. He's just not a central focus of Robert Griffin III and the offense at this time. He has value as a low-end flex in most Fantasy leagues but that is about it.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington failed to find much room to succeed in Week 7 against the Seahawks, a 34-22 loss on Thursday.

Ellington rushed for just 3 yards on three carries, and found little success in the passing game as well. Ellington finished with 10 yards through the air on two catches, matching his lowest all-purpose yardage total of the season.

 Ellington will try to look for better luck in Week 8, when the Cardinals face the Falcons. 

The Cardinals featured a lengthy injury report for Week 7 against the Seahawks, but most of their wounded were able to take the field Thursday. Among those listed on the injury report, only linebacker Kenny Demens (hamstring) and wide receiver Brittan Golden (hamstring) were included among the inactives.

They were joined by tight end D.C. Jefferson, quarterback Ryan Lindley, linebacker Dontay Moch, guard Earl Watford and running back Ryan Williams.