NFL Player News

Cardinals running backs Andre Ellington and Rashard Mendenhall could have some issues in a difficult matchup against the 49ers at home in Week 17.

Ellington had 15 carries for 64 yards (4.3 yards per carry) in Week 16 against Seattle. He has 109 carries for 622 yards and three touchdowns on the ground this season. Mendenhall had 21 carries for 63 yards (3.0 yards per carry) against Seattle and has seen the bulk of the opportunities in the red zone. He has 207 carries for 640 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground this season.

Both running backs will tackle a stingy San Francisco defense that has allowed only 96.8 yards per game on the ground, which is the fifth fewest allowed this season. Opposing running backs have averaged 15.40 Fantasy points per game this season. Both running backs should be viewed as low-end options for Week 17.

Titans featured back Chris Johnson is open to restructuring his contract, which is set to pay him $8 million next season and has three years remaining. But he will not accept a pay cut, according to USA Today.

Johnson has struggled this year. He needs 50 yards Sunday against Houston to secure his sixth straight 1,000-yard season and 97 to avoid his career low.

"I know I am way better than trying to get 1,000 yards in my last game," he said. "But looking at the situation, is it a whole bunch of things that go into it. So I don't get too down on myself. I know when I get the ball and out in the right situation I can still do the same things."

Johnson is averaging a career-worst 3.8 YPC this season.

Workhorse Chargers featured back Ryan Mathews sat out practice Thursday with an ankle ailment. There is no indication his availability for the key Sunday game against Kansas City will be threatened.

Mathews has rushed for 329 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries in his last three games for a 4.0 YPC average and has added nine receptions during that time.

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers did not practice Thursday.

Rodgers is dealing with concussion-like symptoms, and also missed Wednesday. It's starting to look like he won't be available Week 17.

The Texans are set to start Jonathan Grimes as their featured back Sunday at Tennessee. Grimes rushed for 23 yards in five carries in Week 16 against Denver for his only action this season. The Texans have been battered with injuries in the backfield.

Colts running back Donald Brown is a risky play Week 17 against the Jaguars.

Jacksonville presents a good matchup for Brown. The team has allowed opposing running backs to average 19.20 Fantasy points per game. Through 15 games, the team has allowed 18 rushing touchdowns. The team also allows running backs to rush for an average of 112 yards per game. The first time the teams met this season, Brown carried just three times for 65 yards. 

The problem is, Brown isn't a reliable runner. Though he's shown more ability than Trent Richardson, the team continues to rely on Richardson as the primary workhorse. Brown has had good games with Richardson, but it's just too difficult to rely on him as a Fantasy starter. He has decent upside, but the risk outweighs the rewards, even when the matchup is great.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews did not practice Wednesday due to his ankle injury, but he's expected to play Sunday against the Chiefs, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who sustained a concussion in Monday's loss at San Francisco, has not been cleared to return, reports ESPN.com. He did not participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.

Atlanta hosts Carolina on Sunday.

The Patriots listed running back Shane Vereen as limited Wednesday.

The team did not practice, but still filled out an injury report. Vereen is listed with a groin injury. 

The Chargers' Ryan Mathews enters Week 17 as the No. 13 Fantasy running back. As the 26th running back selected on average, he's severely outpaced expectations.

Mathews is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to play in Sunday's must-win game against the Chiefs. He's averaged 110 rushing yards over his last three games, scoring in each.

In Week 12 at Kansas City, Mathews ran 14 times for 55 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for 10 yards. Mathews is almost guaranteed to put up better numbers this time, assuming he's healthy. His workload has increased dramatically since the first meeting, and he'll be facing a watered-down Chiefs' defense.

Kansas City cannot change its playoff seeding; coach Andy Reid indicated he might remove his starters early. Roll with Mathews as a top-5 play.