NFL Player News

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce, who was questionable with a thigh injury, was cleared to play Week 6 vs. Green Bay. Pierce was limited in practice all week.

Oakland's running back duo of Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings are actually both healthy enough to play in the Week 6 game at Kansas City Sunday. With both backs threatening to miss the game due to hamstring injuries, it turned out that neither showed up on the team's official inactives sheet.

Jennings filled in as the featured back for McFadden after the latter left the Week 4 game against Washington and again last Sunday against San Diego, when McFadden was inactive. Now the duo will be available at the same time and that means McFadden could go back to featuring with Jennings backing him up. That said, it is unclear how the Raiders expect to use each back heading into Sunday's contest.

The trio of Panthers listed as doubtful on the injury report for Week 6 against the Vikings was unable to play in Sunday's game. Running back Kenjon Barner (foot), defensive lineman Dwan Edwards (hamstring) and defensive back Robert Lester (hamstring) are all inactive. 

The Raiders are expected to have both Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings active for Sunday's Week 6 game at Kansas City, NFL Network reports.

Jennings and McFadden both have hamstring injuries and both were questions to play against the Chiefs. It appears that both will see carries.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews (concussion) is considered probable for the Week 6 Monday night home game against Indianapolis.

Mathews was at practice on Saturday and appears on track to play in the Monday night game. Mathews returned to practice Friday.

He has played in five games for the Chargers this season and has rushed for 234 yards but has yet to rush for a touchdown.

Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (thigh) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans in Week 6, and he's expected to return after missing Week 5 at Cincinnati. But if he's out then LeGarrette Blount and Brandon Bolden would again have an expanded role.

Against the Bengals, Blount had 12 carries for 51 yards and lost a fumble, and Bolden had five carries for 24 yards and six catches for 40 yards. If Ridley is out, both would benefit against the Saints. And this is a somewhat favorable matchup against the Saints since New Orleans has allowed a running back to score at least eight Fantasy points in every game this season.

I'd consider Bolden the better Fantasy option because of his receiving ability, and he has at least five catches in two of the past three games. Blount has New England's only rushing touchdown this season, so scoring again would obviously help his value.

But it all comes down to Ridley, especially with Blount. If Ridley does return then Blount shouldn't be started in any formats, but Bolden would still be a decent flex option in deeper PPR leagues.

The Patriots have the following seven players listed as questionable for Sunday against New Orleans: wide receivers Matthew Slater (wrist) and Danny Amendola (groin), running backs Stevan Ridley (knee) and Brandon Bolden (knee), tight end Rob Gronkowski (back, forearm), center Ryan Wendell (concussion) and defensive back Tavon Wilson (hamstring).

Raiders running back Darren McFadden (hamstring) remained limited throughout the week in practice, leaving his status for Sunday's game against the Chiefs in question. McFadden is officially listed as questionable on the injury report for Week 6 as a result of the injury, after missing the team's previous game due to the injury. 

Two important pieces to the Ravens offense have been listed as questionable for the game against Green Bay. Starting guard Kelechi Osemele (back) is still hoping to do some blocking for backup running back Bernard Pierce (thigh).

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman (ankle) was able to get through the week in practice without issue, and is officially considered probable for Week 6 against the Jaguars.