NFL Player News

Drake (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Drake practiced fully Friday and should be fine for Sunday's contest, though his path to fantasy relevance is limited by limited snaps and the continued availability of top back Jay Ajayi.

Taliaferro (thigh) did not practice on Friday, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Taliaferro hasn't officially been ruled out for Monday's game against New England but it's unlikely that he's able to play. Look for Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon to handle the majority of Baltimore's running back duties once again.

Coach Ben McAdoo expects to know more Saturday about Vereen's (triceps) availability for this weekend's game against the Cowboys.

Vereen, who has been on injured reserve since Week 3, practiced all week and stands a chance of being promoted to New York's active roster for Sunday night's contest. However, that decision will have to be made by 4:00 ET on Saturday, so his Week 14 status will be determined before long. If Vereen is brought back into the fold, Rashad Jennings and Paul Perkins would face stiff competition for snaps in passing situations.

Mathews (knee) is officially considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins.

Mathews' questionable tag comes a couple days after coach Doug Pederson stated the tailback would be ready to roll Sunday, and since he's fully practiced all week, Mathews is indeed anticipated to play, Brian McNally of Washington D.C.'s 106.7 The Fan reports. Knowing that, Mathews' expected active status will just need to be confirmed prior to Sunday's contest, but barring any unforeseen setback, fantasy owners should count on having him back at their disposal following his two-game absence.

Murray gained 103 yards and scored a touchdown on 22 carries in Thursday's 21-13 loss to the Chiefs.

Murray was about the only bright spot on a night where Derek Carr endured the worst game of his career and the frigid temperatures lent themselves well to the running game. It was only Murray's second 100-yard performance of the season, as well as his third straight game with at least one rushing touchdown. He was notably shut out in the passing game for the first time in 2016, however, but given his track record as an effective receiver ou of the backfield, this was likely just an outlier. Murray has now seen his rushing yardage totals increase in three straight games and will look to keep the momentum going against the Chargers in Week 15.

McFadden (elbow) likely won't join the Cowboys' 53-man roster this week, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Embedded within his second week of a three-week window for activation from the non-football injury list, McFadden has been working with the scout team as the Cowboys prepare for Sunday night's road showdown with the Giants. His recovery from May's broken elbow has taken far longer than expected, but Ezekiel Elliott's excellence has allowed Dallas' staff to take a prudent approach with the team's leading rusher from last season. If McFadden makes an appearance in the current campaign, he must be bumped to the active roster by Dec. 18, when the Cowboys host the Buccaneers.

Vereen (triceps) said Thursday he's been practicing without limitations this week, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

The team's assessment may differ from that of Vereen, but his confidence is certainly an encouraging sign that he's closing in on a return. With two weeks remaining to activate Vereen from injured reserve, the Giants can delay making a decision due to the healthy nature of the current backfield. If he's made available Sunday against the Cowboys, a pass-catching role behind Rashad Jennings and Paul Perkins would likely be bestowed upon Vereen.

Taliaferro (thigh) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Taliaferro has missed the last three games with the thigh issue and being a non-participant this late in the week is surely not encouraging for his status on Sunday. Regardless of whether the tailback is made active or not, however, Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon would still lead the Ravens' Week 14 rushing attack.

Rodgers, who performed well in his return from a foot injury in the Week 13 victory over the Chargers, could seen an expanded role beginning this Sunday versus the Saints, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. "It was good to get him back," (offensive coordinator Todd) Monken said. "I would assume he'll only be better this week in a little more of an expanded role."

Rodgers was likely slated to primarily work in on third downs this past Sunday in San Diego, but ended up serving as the primary ball carrier in the fourth quarter after Doug Martin exited for good late in the third period with a minor injury. The 26-year-old chipped in with 4.14 yards per rush, gaining nine of his 29 yards on the afternoon after contact. Rodgers also contributed a key 21-yard catch in the fourth quarter on a drive that culminated in the decisive 12-yard touchdown from Jameis Winston to Cameron Brate. While Martin practiced without restriction Wednesday, there is still speculation based on Monken's comments that Rodgers could see a slight uptick in touches this coming Sunday against the Saints, although it's unclear how the likely activation of Charles Sims from injured reserve would affect that projection. However, given head coach Dirk Koetter's assertion that improving the running game for the stretch run will be "a point of emphasis for us this week," it appears likely that both Rodgers and Sims will see their fair share of work against New Orleans, with the exact division of labor behind Martin still to be determined.

Mathews (knee) is expected to play Sunday against the Redskins, Philly.com reports. "He's good to play," head coach Doug Pederson affirmed. "He's cleared and ready to go... hopefully we can get back to running the ball like we did a few weeks ago."

Mathews missed the past two games due to an injured knee and the Eagles' rushing attack took a step back as a result; the team gained just 134 yards on the ground in both contests combined. While the former first-round tailback projects to regain starter status Sunday, reverting rookie Wendell Smallwood to backup duties in the process, Darren Sproles will almost certainly maintain his role on passing downs. Regardless, each in the trio will look forward to a meeting against a Redskins defense that has allowed 122.5 rushing yards per game when playing on the road in 2016, fifth-worst in the league.