NFL Player News

Falcons backup running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who had just five touches in each of his previous two games, got double that Week 14 at Green Bay, but it didn't improve his productivity. He finished with seven carries for 14 yards and three catches for 33.

Rodgers became involved in the passing game only after the Falcons fell behind in the fourth quarter, catching all three of his passes on the team's final two drives. He has averaged just 1.8 catches in his last four games after averaging 5.2 in his previous six.

The Falcons host the Redskins in Week 15.

Cardinals RB Andre Ellington scored in his return Week 14.

Ellington missed Week 13 due to a knee injury, but was effective in his return. Ellington carried the ball 11 times for 46 yards. He also scored a late 6 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Ellington again showed more big-play ability than Rashard Mendenhall, but Mendenhall continues to get more carries. Ellington averaged 4.2 yards per carry against Mendenhalls' 2.4 yards per carry. Ellington also caught two passes for 17 yards. He'll take on the Titans Week 15.

Rams running back Benny Cunningham had just two carries Week 14 against the Cardinals.

Cunningham finished with 9 yards. He also caught two passes for 16 yards. The team trailed most of the game, and was forced to abandon the run game early. Cunningham will look for more action against the Saints Week 15.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews found the end zone during Sunday’s win over the Giants in Week 14.

After failing to cash it in from 1-yard out on his first two tries, Mathews plowed his way into the end zone on third down to extend the lead for the Chargers in the third quarter. He finished the game with 29 carries for 103 yards (3.6 yards per carry) and caught three passes for 32 yards in a 37-14 victory.

Mathews has scored a rushing touchdown in two of his last three games and has rushed for at least 100 yards in two of his last four games. He will look to keep rolling on short rest in week 15 against the Broncos in Denver Thursday night.

Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey got his day started off right Sunday, rushing for a touchdown on the second play of the game in a Week 14 win over the Bills.

Rainey took his first carry 80 yards for a touchdown, his first since scoring twice in Week 11. He ended up doing little for the remainder of the game, but the early success helped him finish with 127 yards on 22 carries. He added three receptions for -4 yards, in the 27-6 win.

Rainey had just 98 yards in his previous two games, a big disappointment after he exploded four games ago. He now has two 100-plus yard games under his belt since becoming the starting running back, and will try to make it three in Week 15 against the 49ers. 

Jets wide receiver David Nelson and fullback Tommy Bohanon combined for five catches during a 37-27 win Week 14 vs. Oakland. 

Nelson collected most of the stats between the two, totaling four catches for 32 yards on four targets. Bohanon had one catch for 6 yards on two catches.

The Jets are back in action Week 15 at Carolina.

Titans running back Chris Johnson was able to find the end zone Week 14 against the Broncos.

Johnson struggled on the ground, rushing for 46 yards on 12 carries. After a big kick return brought the Titans down to the 3 yard line, Johnson was able to find the end zone on the next run. On the team's first drive, Shonn Greene replaced Johnson at the goal line, and scored on a 5 yard run. Greene also stole another touchdown from Johnson later in the game. After catching a 23 yard pass, Johnson took a breather, allowing Greene to score on a 28 yard run. Johnson also caught two passes for 9 yards. One went for 23 yards. The other was a play where Johnson lost 14 yards and fumbled the ball away.

Johnson will look to score again Week 15 against the Cardinals. 

The Panthers listed these players as inactive for their game at New Orleans: linebacker Jordan Senn (hamstring), defensive end Frank Alexander, cornerback Josh Norman, running back Kenjon Barner, guard Chris Scott and receivers Tavarres King and Marvin McNutt.

The new go-to pass-catcher out of the backfield for the Patriots was gone to a lot Sunday against the Browns. The result for Shane Vereen was the shattering of personal records.

Vereen established new career marks with 12 receptions and 153 yards. But it was on the ground, where he had just three carries for 9 yards, where he scored a key 6-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

His huge production didn't begin in earnest until he sprinted by Browns linebacker Craig Robertson for a 50-yard reception that set up his touchdown. He was targeted a game-high 17 times.

Vereen, who has 40 catches for 373 yards in just five games this season, hopes to increase that output next Sunday at Miami.

Vikings rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson had a career performance during a 29-26 loss Week 14 at Baltimore. Patterson totaled a career-high 141 receiving yards and one touchdown on five catches, while adding one carry for 6 yards.

Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel tried to get Patterson involved early, as the rookie had a team-high 58 receiving yards on three catches in the first half. Patterson was then held in check until breaking off one of the biggest plays of the afternoon late in the fourth quarter.

Amid the snowfall and with Minnesota trailing 22-19, Patterson took a short pass and turned it up the field 79 yards for a go-ahead score with 45 seconds remaining. Patterson received good blocking early in the play and then used his speed the rest of the way to outrun the defense in what turned into a crazy ending, as the lead changed five times over the final 2:05.

Patterson, who was targeted seven times, now has two receiving touchdowns in 2013 and an offensive touchdown in two straight games, as he tallied his first rushing touchdown last week. The Vikings are back in action Week 15 vs. Philadelphia.