NFL Player News

Head coach Pete Carroll said this week that he wants to use Rawls heavily during Saturday's wild-card game against the Lions, Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com reports. "I hope, like I said last week -- I want him to get the ball 20 times this week," Carroll said. "We'll see what happens, we'll see how the game goes."

Game flow will be one of the determining factors for Rawls' workload in the Seahawks' playoff opener, but the game plan may also be engineered to take advantage of one of the Lions' weaknesses. In particular, Detroit's defense ranked 18th against the run this season, a component that includes 4.4 yards allowed per rush. Since Rawls returned from a fractured fibula in Week 11, he's reached the 20-carry threshold just once in seven contests. Granted, a shoulder concern slowed him down in the final two games of the regular season, containing him to eight runs on both occasions. If Carroll has indeed given offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell an ultimatum to focus on the rushing attack, Rawls will at least have plenty of opportunity to hearken back to his breakout rookie campaign.

Martin (suspension) rushed for 421 yards and three touchdowns on 144 carries (2.9 YPC) while also hauling in 14 of 16 targets for 134 yards during the 2016 season. He also lost a fumble.

Just ten months ago, Martin was riding high after re-signing with the Bucs on a five-year, $35.75 million dollar deal mere hours before the start of free agency. Once the lights went on for the 2016 regular season, however, it appeared the fifth-year pro was on a constant downhill slide. A hamstring injury in Week 2 knocked him out for the ensuing six contests, and he struggled upon getting back on the field. The 27-year-old notably averaged less than three yards per carry in five of the six games he played upon returning, with a season-high 87-yard performance against the Seahawks serving as the only exception during that stretch. Although Martin appeared to run decisively for the most part in 2016, there were some rumblings about him exhibiting poor vision and not exploiting available running lanes at times. Backfield mate Jacquizz Rodgers' solid performances behind essentially the same offensive line likely lent further credence to that theory, and with Martin's season ending under the spectre of a PED suspension, his future in Tampa is in doubt until further notice, an inconceivable notion heading into this past season.

Prosch (ankle) was a full participant in Friday's practice and will play in Saturday's playoff game against the Raiders.

Prosch missed the Texans' regular season finale with an ankle injury. Having logged just four rushing attempts all season, he is far off the fantasy radar.

Zenner proved capable of playing all of the Lions' snaps at running back during last Sunday's game against the Packers, the Detroit Free-Press reports.

Zenner was the only Detroit tailback to see the field on offense last Sunday, featuring for 64 of his team's 66 snaps. In doing so, he amassed a career-high 69 yards rushing and contributed 41 receiving yards as well. That followed Zenner's two-touchdown first-half performance in Week 16, when his playing time tailed off during the second half after offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter deemed it unsustainable. Whether Zenner keeps teammate Dwayne Washington out of the mix again Saturday versus the Seahawks remains to be seen, but he proved plenty impactful while doing so last Sunday.

Williams rushed twice for five yards and caught three of four targets for 23 yards during the Dolphins' season finale Sunday versus the Patriots.

Despite checking in as the No. 2 running back on the Dolphins' depth chart, Williams saw less carries than No. 3 option Kenyan Drake in each of the season's last three games. While it isn't clear if Drake is in line to take over Williams' spot, the gap between the two certainly appears to be shrinking. No matter, both players represent risky fantasy options for Sunday's postseason matchup with the Steelers.

Drake carried four times for 10 yards during the Dolphins' season finale Sunday versus the Patriots.

Despite being listed as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart, Drake out-paced No. 2 runner Damien Williams in each of the past three games to close the season. However, it isn't clear whether the rookie is being afforded an opportunity to claim direct backup duties behind workhorse Jay Ajayi, as Williams has still remained involved in the offense, both on the ground and through the air. Nonetheless, both reserve tailbacks merely project as touchdown-reliant fantasy options for this Sunday's playoff game against Pittsburgh.

Hightower rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown on three carries in Sunday's loss to Atlanta.

Hightower ran a stretch to the left for his third touchdown in as many weeks. Few 30-year-old running backs get much attention in free agency, which is Hightower's next stop. His skill set might translate best down by the Bayou, but don't be surprised if he has a number of suitors given his ability to both barrel through defenders near the goal line and contribute in the passing game.

West rushed for 18 yards on five carries and added 17 yards on four catches in Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.

Week 15's tilt against Philadelphia aside, West had as many or fewer touches than rookie Kenneth Dixon from Week 11 on. With offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg now set to come back, it is quite possible that if West returns to Baltimore in free agency, it will be as a complement to the emerging Dixon.

Michael carried the ball three times for six yards in Sunday's win over the Lions.

Ty Montgomery has solidified himself as the Packers' go-to back late in the season, but the team also turned to fullback Aaron Ripkowski to pound the ball throughout Sunday's win, leaving Michael as the odd-man out in the backfield. It is unknown if the Packers will continue with this new one-two punch for their playoff tilt with the Giants on Sunday, but Michael has seen his carries drop every game since Week 14, so he doesn't seem poised for a major workload.

Patterson had one reception for 39 yards on two targets in Sunday's win over Chicago.

Patterson started at wide receiver with Stefon Diggs hurt, but wide receivers had just 11 targets as Sam Bradford threw mostly to his tight ends and running backs. Patterson entered the 2016 season relegated to special teams, but revived his career when given a chance at wide receiver. He finished the season with 52 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns. He should find a robust market for his services as a free agent, especially since he may be the best kickoff returner in the NFL (five career touchdowns).