NFL Player News

The Falcons released their Week 12 injury report for Thursday's game vs. New Orleans. Defensive end Malliciah Goodman (calf) is out, tackle Jonathan Babineaux (tricep), quarterback Dominique Davis (knee) and safety Zeke Motta (hand) are questionable, while defensive tackle Peria Jerry (shoulder), running back Jacquizz Rodgers (ankle), tackle Jeremy Trueblood (knee, hip) and linebacker Paul Worrilow (shoulder) are considered probable.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden remained a non-participant in practice on Wednesday, though CSNCalifornia.com has speculated that a field made slippery by a downpour might have kept him sidelined.

McFadden, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, hasn't played since Week 8.

Before Fantasy owners jump on the Bobby Rainey bandwagon, they should think about the possible consequences of taking such a premature leap. Yes, the new Buccaneers featured back exploded for 163 yards and two touchdowns in Week 11, but a few factors suggest that could have been a one-hit wonder rather than a trend.

One must consider that not only were the Falcons not keying on Rainey, but they also own one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. Atlanta ranks 30th in the league in rushing yards surrendered and 28th in YPC given up.

Sunday foe Detroit will provide a far sterner test for Rainey. The Lions have yielded just 946 yards on the ground, which ranks fifth. And their explosive offense is capable of forging a sizeable lead, especially at home, that would force the Bucs to throw.

This is not to suggest that Rainey isn't a must pickup in all leagues or that he should remain on the bench of Fantasy owners fortunate enough to have him on their rosters. He should make a viable second back or flex option. But consider yourself warned that he likely won't match or even approach his numbers of a week ago.

Though his 10 carries were the most he's had in five games, Ravens backup running back Bernard Pierce ran for only 18 yards last week, and that was against the Bears' 31st-ranked run defense, which has allowed 133.9 yards per game. So you shouldn't expect much from him against the Jets' first-ranked run defense, which has allowed 73.2 yards per game, in Week 12.

Starter Ray Rice broke through with 131 yards on 25 carries in that game against the Bears, snapping out of a season-long slump, so the Ravens shouldn't be especially motivated to use Pierce anyway. He's still an attractive handcuff option in Fantasy, but he's not worth starting with Rice healthy.

Colts running back Trent Richardson has averaged a disappointing 2.8 yards per carry since his September acquisition from Cleveland. He hasn't quite made the statistical impact many envisioned he would after the trade, but Richardson is more than pleased with his transition to Indianapolis.

"I’m not frustrated at all because I think I’ve been playing good," Richardson said, per The Indianapolis Star. "If you turn on the film, I don’t have any missed assignments. I haven’t had any missed reads. I’ve been playing good. Stuff just hasn’t matched up like we thought it would when I’m in there. I think teams match up differently when I come in.

"But if (running back) Donald (Brown) is having a good day or (quarterback) Andrew (Luck) is having a good day, I think that’s a good day for me even if people are keying on me. That might let Donald get going or let Andrew have a big day. That’s a good day for me, too."

Richardson added opponents have stacked the box on early downs, when he gets most of his carries, which he suggests as a reason for his low production.

"If I don’t have big runs because they’re trying to stop the run, then I feel like I’m doing my job," he said.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen wasn't eased back into the lineup, as some had speculated. He was targeted a team-high 11 times in the loss at Carolina.

Vereen, in his first action since breaking his wrist Week 1, finished with a team-high eight catches for 65 yards and added a 7-yard carry. But he had two costly drops.

Vereen's best moment came when he split out wide, caught a short pass and broke two tackles for a 17-yard gain. Vereen was regularly used outside as the Pats sought to get him matched up against linebackers.

Vereen will be heavily involved again Week 12 vs. Denver.

The Panthers listed these players as inactive for Monday's game vs. the Patriots: receivers Tavarres King and Marvin McNutt, running back Kenjon Barner, tight end Ben Hartsock (knee), guard Chris Scott, defensive end Frank Alexander and linebacker Chase Blackburn (foot).

Patriots running back Shane Vereen, activated off short-term injured reserve Monday, is active against the Panthers. He has not played since breaking his wrist Week 1.

Vereen will step in as the passing-down back, as Brandon Bolden is inactive.

The Patriots listed seven players as inactive for Monday Night Football: guard Chris Barker, defensive end Jake Bequette, running backs Leon Washington (ankle) and Brandon Bolden, linebacker Steve Beauharnais, cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (knee) and safety Steve Gregory (finger).

The Patriots announced running back Shane Vereen (wrist) was activated off short-term injured reserve Monday. He was then listed as probable for Monday's game at Carolina.