NFL Player News

49ers running backs Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon were both held under 15 yards on the ground during Monday's win over the Redskins in Week 12.

Hunter broke for a 4-yard run late in the fourth quarter for his longest gain of the night. He had eight carries for 12 yards (1.5 yards per carry). Dixon rushed for 13 yards on three carries.

Fellow running back LaMichael James was barely involved, as he failed to receive a carry in the running game. In the passing game, he finished without a catch despite being targeted once. Tight end Vance McDonald caught his only targeted pass from Colin Kaepernick for a 23-yard gain.

The 49ers will host the Rams in Week 13.

Redskins backup running back Roy Helu was held under 30 yards on the ground during Monday night's loss to the 49ers in Week 12.

Helu broke for a 12-yard run on his second handoff of the game in the first quarter. It was his longest run of the night. He finished the game with seven carries for 26 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and one catch for a gain of 7 yards in a 27-6 defeat.

Helu has not rushed for more than 39 yards since his three-touchdown performance in Week 7. He'll look to get back on track and re-emerge as a goal-line threat in Week 13 at home against the Giants.

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said running back Darren McFadden, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, was on the field running Monday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. However, Allen said he will have to check on McFadden's status for Thursday's game at Dallas (Week 13).

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas suffered a torn ligament in his left ankle Sunday against the Panthers and is likely done for the season, according to the Sun-Sentinel. However, a source told the paper Thomas will not have surgery to fix the ankle injury.

The Broncos received minor contributions from several role players during Sunday's loss to the Patriots in Week 12.

Even with the absence of Julius Thomas, Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen was a non-factor as he was held without a catch despite being targeted once. Virgil Green got the start in place of Julius Thomas but failed to make much of an impact. Green had one catch for a gain of 6 yards.

In the running game, C.J. Anderson stepped up with three carries for 16 yards and was held without a catch despite being targeted once.

With Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount benched for fumbling, Patriots running back Brandon Bolden made the best out of his opportunity as he scored his third touchdown of the season during Sunday’s win over the Broncos in Week 12.

Bolden punched it in the end zone from 1-yard out in the opening drive of the second half. He also broke free for a 33-yard run in the second quarter for his longest gain of the night. He finished the game with 13 carries for a team-high 58 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown in a 34-31 overtime victory.

Bolden has two touchdowns since Week 8. He will look to stay productive in Week 13 at Houston.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen enjoyed another productive performance in the passing game, but failed to make much of a difference on the ground game during Sunday’s win over the Broncos in Week 12.

Vereen shared carries with Brandon Bolden after Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount were both benched due to costly fumbles. He finished with 10 carries for 31 yards (3.1 yards per carry) and caught eight of the 11 passes thrown his way for 60 receiving yards in a 34-31 overtime victory.

Vereen will look to keep rolling as one of New England's primary backs in Week 12 at Houston.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington was unable to find the end zone Week 12 against the Colts.

Ellington split time with Rashard Mendenhall again, though he proved to be the more efficient runner. Ellington gained 50 yards on 10 carries, while Mendenhall gained 52 yards with 13 carries. Though Ellington continues to show more big-play ability, Mendenhall is the back the team turns to in the red zone. Mendenhall scored on a 5 yard touchdown in the third quarter, and would have had a second goal line touchdown if not for a holding penalty. Ellington clearly has potential, but the team doesn't see him as the primary weapon at this point. Ellington also caught two passes for 21 yards.

Ellington will take on the Eagles Week 13. 

Titans running back Chris Johnson enjoyed a solid performance but was held under 80 yards of total offense during Sunday's win over the Raiders in Week 12.

Johnson broke for a 12-yard run up the middle in the fourth quarter for his longest gain of the day. He finished the game with 20 carries for 73 yards (3.7 yards per carry) on the ground and three catches for eight yards. He was targeted five times in a 23-19 victory.

Johnson has 159 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries over his last two games played. He will look to get back on track in Week 13 at Indianapolis.

On a windy day in Baltimore, the Ravens were plenty motivated to run the ball in Week 12. Unfortunately, they were going against the Jets, who entered the day ranked No. 1 against the run.

Starting running back Ray Rice, who has had his struggles all year, picked up 30 yards on 16 carries. Serving as a change-of-pace option, backup Bernard Pierce wasn't any worse, picking up 30 yards on 11 carries.

The 11 carries were the most he's had since Week 5 at Miami. Seven came in the second half, after the Ravens realized they weren't going to get much from Rice.

Rice broke out for 131 yards on 25 carries last week at Chicago, earning him some leeway, so expect Pierce to continue to play just a change-of-pace role Week 13 against the Steelers.