NFL Player News

Asiata rushed for 37 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and added 14 yards on two catches in Sunday's win over the Jaguars. He lost a fumble during the game.

Asiata barreled into the end zone from one yard out to give the Vikings their first touchdown of the day early in the fourth quarter. He set himself up for a second with a 23-yard rumble, only to lose a fumble near the goal line a few plays later. The power back has been the definition of a touchdown vulture in recent weeks, with four touchdowns in his last five contests despite averaging just seven carries and 25 rushing yards per game during the span. He might be a shrewd moderate-gain pickup with an Indianapolis defense ranked near the bottom of the league in yards allowed per attempt on deck in Week 15.

McKinnon rushed for 31 yards on 14 carries and added 38 yards on six catches in Sunday's win over the Jaguars.

Another day and more tough sledding for McKinnon, who hasn't' rushed for over 50 yards since Week 4 despite leading the team in carries most weeks. The Vikings' makeshift offensive line is partially to blame, but an emphasis on not having that line exposed might also be credited with an uptick in passes coming McKinnon's way. The back has caught at least three passes in four of the past five games, including 11 total in the past two weeks. He might be worth a look in PPR leagues.

Cunningham (neck) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

With Cunningham sidelined Sunday, Mike Thomas or Pharoh Cooper could return kickoffs for the Rams, while Malcolm Brown and Chase Reynolds are on hand to work behind top back Todd Gurley.

Zenner was removed from Sunday's contest against the Bears in order to be evaluated for a head injury, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Lions opted to sit Theo Riddick due to a wrist injury, opening the door for Zenner to pick up additional touches. Indeed, Zenner recorded seven rushes for 36 yards and two receptions for nine yards, yet Dwayne Washington led the way with 16 carries for 64 yards by game's end. If Zenner enters the concussion protocol, Washington would enter the upcoming week as the sole healthy running back in Detroit.

Gordon (hip) has an MRI on tap Monday, but Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune relays that there is optimism the running back avoided a serious injury Sunday against the Panthers.

That said, it remains to be seen if Gordon's chances of playing next week against the Raiders will be impacted by the hip issue he sustained Sunday. If he is out or limited next weekend, Kenneth Farrow, and possibly Ronnie Hillman, would be called upon to see added work in the Chargers' backfield.

Gordon was carted off the field during Sunday's game against the Panthers with a hip injury.

With Ronnie Hillman inactive for the contest, Kenneth Farrow is next in line for the Chargers' carries Sunday. If Gordon's injury forces him to miss time, Farrow could end up being an unexpected fantasy factor down the stretch run.

Zenner is poised for an increased workload Sunday against the Bears due to Theo Riddick's (wrist) placement on the inactive list.

Zenner led the Lions in carries last Sunday at New Orleans with Riddick available. Now that Riddick is donning street clothes in Week 14, his 14.5 touches per game are up for grabs. Fellow backup RB Dwayne Washington is best served in a change-of-pace role, which makes Zenner the leading contender to receive many of the carries between the tackles.

Drake (knee) is active for Sunday's Week 14 tilt versus the Cardinals.

Drake will be available behind starter Jay Ajayi, although as usual, it's expected that the latter will take on the lion's share of the backfield work.

Artis-Payne (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Unless the Panthers lose one of Jonathan Stewart, Fozzy Whittaker or Mike Tolbert to an injury, it's expected that Artis-Payne will remain inactive as the low man on the depth chart in the backfield. Artis-Payne hasn't appeared in a game since Week 5 against the Buccaneers, when he logged 85 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries when Stewart was sitting out with an injury.

Washington (ankle) is listed as active Sunday versus the Bears.

Washington received a scare last Sunday at New Orleans when he was carted off the field. However, he was merely diagnosed with a sprained ankle, which resulted in limited practice sessions during preparation for Week 14. Lead back Theo Riddick was a surprise inactive this Sunday due to a wrist injury, placing more of the onus on Dwayne Washington to fuel the ground game. Washington may handle a change-of-pace role, though, with Zach Zenner and potentially Joique Bell better candidates to run between the tackles.