NFL Player News

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce still played a fairly large role in the team's plans in Week 5 against the Dolphins, but he clearly took a backseat to Ray Rice in Sunday's 26-23 win.

Pierce ran the ball 11 times for 46 yards and was arguably more successful at it than Rice, who managed just 2.7 yards per carry. It was Rice, not Pierce, who got the goal-line carries, however. Pierce was a non-factor in the passing game as well.

Pierce has struggled to find a ton of room to operate this season, and it looks like the Ravens are planning to feature Rice more heavily from now on. Pierce enters Week 6 against the Packers with 197 yards on 67 carries. 

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden was needed for just the third time this season Sunday during the Week 5 loss at Cincinnati. With Stevan Ridley injured and LeGarrette Blount getting the start, Bolden saw backup carries in the 13-6 defeat. 

Bolden finished with 24 rushing yards on five carries for the Patriots. He had a long carry of 12 yards and averaged 4.8 yards per touch. Bolden also caught six passes for 40 yards and was the team's leading receiver in terms of receptions. He was targeted eight times by QB Tom Brady for the Patriots. 

Bolden, who had a knee issue entering Sunday's game, has 12 catches on the season after three games and could develop that weapon going forward. The Patriots return home to face the Saints Week 6. 

The Broncos have revealed the following players inactive for Sunday's showdown in Week 5 at Dallas: quarterback Zac Dysert, running back C.J. Anderson, cornerback Quentin Jammer, cornerback Champ Bailey, guard John Moffitt, tackle Winston Justive and linebacker Paris Lenon.

The Cardinals have revealed the following players inactive for Week 5 at home against the Panthers: quarterback Ryan Lindley, wide receiver Kerry Taylor, defensive back Rashad Johnson, running back Ryan Williams, linebacker Jasper Brinkley, tight end D.C. Jefferson and tackle Bobby Massie.

Ravens running back Shaun Draughn is active for Week 5 against the Dolphins Sunday, after being limited through the week in practice due to an ankle injury. 

The Rams have officially announced running back Zac Stacy as the starter over Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead for the Week 5 game at home against Jacksonville. There is no telling how coach Jeff Fisher will break up the carries, but Stacy is getting the starting nod. 

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden is active for the Week 5 game at Cincinnati Sunday. Bolden was listed on the injury report with a knee injury and was considered questionable to play entering Sunday's contest against the Bengals. 

The Patriots are without the services of Stevan Ridley for the game, but Leon Washington, Bolden and LeGarrette Blount are healthy and expected to play. Blount should see the bulk of the carries in the game. 

The Dolphins inactive list featured just one player from the injury report, as Dimitri Patterson (groin) was ruled out for Week 5 against the Ravens.

He is joined on the inactive list by quarterback Pat Devlin, running back Mike Gillislee, defensive back Will Davis, linebacker Josh Kaddu and offensive linemen Danny Watkins and Dallas Thomas.  

The Rams are expected to start running back Zac Stacy over Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead Week 5 vs. Jacksonville, sources told NFL.com. 

The Patriots have already ruled running back Stevan Ridley (knee) out for Week 5 against the Bengals, and they could be missing a few more members of the backfield for Sunday's game. Reserve running backs Brandon Bolden (knee) and Leon Washington (thigh) are both considered questionable on Friday's injury report, after being limited throughout the weke in practice.