NFL Player News

Sermon racked up 88 yards on 17 carries during Saturday's 30-13 win versus the Steelers.

Prior to Week 15, Sermon had just 11 rushes through his first 11 appearances of the campaign, but after Zack Moss (arm) exited early in the second quarter, the former earned the second-highest carry count in a game in his three-year career. Even subtracting his game-high 19-yard scamper, Sermon still averaged 4.3 yards on his 16 other rushes. Also out of the Colts backfield Saturday, the elevated Tyler Goodson totaled 13 touches for 79 yards from scrimmage. The top of Indianapolis' RB depth chart includes question marks for both Jonathan Taylor (thumb) and Moss, but there seems to be a chance for the former to return next weekend. If neither are available, though, Sermon and Goodson likely would be the team's primary runners Sunday, Dec. 24 in Atlanta.

The 49ers elevated McNichols from their practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's Week 15 game against Arizona.

McNichols was elevated to the active roster for the first time this season last week. He didn't log any offensive snaps but did play on six special-teams snaps against Seattle. McNichols should provide depth at running back Sunday due to Elijah Mitchell (knee) being ruled out, but the former is unlikely to see much (if any) action on offense.

The Packers elevated Drake from their practice squad Saturday ahead of Sunday's contest versus Tampa Bay.

This is the second straight week that Drake has been elevated ahead of game day. Last week, he wasn't given the opportunity to log an offensive snap despite Aaron Jones (knee) being unable to play. Jones is questionable again for Sunday, as is AJ Dillon (thumb) -- if both running backs are held out against the Buccaneers, Drake could be in line for a fair amount of work, but he could again be stuck mostly on the sidelines if Jones and/or Dillon suit up.

Moss (arm) won't return to Saturday's contest versus the Steelers, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Moss injured his right arm at the end of his 16-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter, when he was taken down at the left pylon by a horse collar tackle. With Jonathan Taylor (thumb) still sidelined, the Colts are down to Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson out of their backfield.

Chandler ran for 132 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday, adding three receptions for 25 yards on four targets.

Chandler played almost every snap for Minnesota, as backup Kene Nwangwu saw just one carry for one yard. It was encouraging to see Chandler take up such a big workload -- the 23 carries is easily an NFL career high for Chandler, and the second-highest number of carries he's had in a game going back to his five-year collegiate career. It's not clear whether Alexander Mattison (ankle) will be able to return against Detroit in Week 16, but if Mattison is out it should mean another big workload for Chandler.

Brown ran for 23 yards on seven carries in the 27-24 overtime win against the VIkings on Saturday, adding three receptions for 28 yards on three targets.

It was a modest showing for Brown overall, but the interesting development is that he nearly matched the carry count of starter Joe Mixon (10). Brown's three targets also matched Mixon's target count. Brown will continue to play off the bench for the Bengals, but it appears he's gaining on Mixon on the Cincinnati depth chart.

Moss suffered a right arm injury during the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Steelers, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.

The Colts already are down Jonathan Taylor (thumb) in the backfield, and now Moss has joined him on the sideline following a horse collar tackle at the end of a 16-yard touchdown catch. With Moss questionable to return, the team is left with Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson as its healthy running backs.

Brooks (ankle/knee) is officially out for Sunday's game versus the Jets, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Brooks was designated to return from injured reserve Nov. 29, but he hasn't yet been activated. The rookie running back logged a trio of limited practices during Week 15 prep, though it's unclear how close he is to be able to return. Brooks' practice windows closes this coming Tuesday, and if Miami doesn't activate him by then, he'll be forced to sit out the remainder of the season.

Mixon ran for 47 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries in the 27-24 overtime win against the Vikings on Saturday while adding three catches for 14 yards on three targets.

Mixon did fairly well for himself, but the concerning news is that rookie backup Chase Brown poached seven carries and three targets on his own. Brown was less effective as a runner (23 yards) but more effective as a receiver (three catches for 28 yards). That's two weeks in a row that Brown made a noticeable impact as a pass catcher, and it's possible that the rookie has established a role somewhat at Mixon's expense. Mixon will remain the lead back against Pittsburgh in Week 16, though his usage share might be headed toward a low point in his Cincinnati career.

Davis was elevated from the practice squad by the Cowboys on Saturday, The Dallas Morning News reports.

The running back is listed as fourth on Dallas' running back depth chart behind Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn. Davis has played in one game this season but has yet to see an offensive snap.