NFL Player News

Rodgers is in line for an expanded role in Week 5 versus the Panthers, irrespective of whether Charles Sims is able to play with his knee injury, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran back has been more efficient than Sims on a per-carry basis to date, averaging 5.3 yards per tote over an admittedly limited sample of 13 touches. Rodgers has also shown a bit of a knack for "chunk" plays, ripping off a 24-yard scamper against the Cardinals in Week 2 and a 12-yard jaunt versus the Broncos in Week 4. He's also taken pretty quickly to the Bucs offensive system, given his past experience with head coach Dirk Koetter from their days together with the Falcons. The 26-year-old's excellent lateral quickness and low center of gravity have played a key part in him gaining first downs on 21.1 percent of his rushes in his career, as well in posting an average of 4.39 yards per carry on outside runs, which is notably better than Sims' 3.96 figure in the same category. With the Bucs ranking 24th in total rushing yards (330), 25th in rushing yards per game (82.5), and 28th in yards per carry (3.4), the team's head man appears ready to tweak the team's ground attack. "It is a true statement that we're not running the ball efficiently enough," Koetter said. "Maybe we have to go back and really look at fitting the roles into the players' specific strengths in the run game. But we definitely just can't keep doing the same stuff because that's not working."

Williams was released by Arizona on Thursday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site.

Williams was signed by the Cardinals just three days ago to help fill in for Chris Johnson (groin), but with tight end Darren Fells (shoulder) ruled out and the team needing to open a roster spot for another tight end, Williams got the axe. Williams could re-sign with the team if injuries strike Arizona running backs once again.

Zenner could earn additional snaps within the Lions' injury-plagued backfield during Sunday's contest against the Eagles, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Already without Ameer Abdullah (foot) for most, if not all, of the season, the Lions may be down another RB in Week 5 due to Dwayne Washington's sprained ankle. Washington has missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday, but his activity level (or lack thereof) Friday will impact whether Zenner is in line for an uptick in touches. If Washington is unable to suit up Sunday, Zenner could be Detroit's between-the-tackles runner, with Theo Riddick serving as the pass-catching back.

Murray (turf toe) did not practice again Thursday, Jimmy Durkin of the Bay Area News Group reports.

Though back-to-back absences from practice cloud Murray's Week 5 availability, Durkin adds that the Raiders are holding out hope that Murray can play through his toe issue this weekend. "We'll hope that (Murray) can get back by Sunday," offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave noted Thursday. "I know he's working extremely hard at it and they're working with his shoes and things like that to help him in that regard."We'll just have to wait and see." If Murray can't play Sunday against the Chargers, the Raiders would turn DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard to handle the bulk of the team's Week 5 rushing load.

Cunningham (thigh) was limited in practice on Thursday.

Cunningham was absent from Wednesday's injury report, which makes it a bit peculiar to see him as a limited participant on Thursday. The team could just be giving the back some extra rest so he's fresh for Sunday, but look for a more official report to come out sometime before kickoff. If he is ruled out, Malcolm Brown should see increased reps behind Todd Gurley.

Martin (hamstring) was a non-participant at practice Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Listed as such on the Buccaneers' first injury report of Week 5, Martin was joined by fellow running back Charles Sims, who is tending to a knee concern himself. Both players appear to be trending toward DNPs on Monday at Carolina, but there are two practices left for one or the other to stake a claim to the No. 1 spot in the backfield. If neither does so, Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber are the two healthy running backs in Tampa Bay.

Bolden (knee) remained out of practice Thursday, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

If Bolden is unable to play Sunday against the Browns, D.J. Foster would be a candidate to suit up as depth back for the Patriots in Week 5.

Murray -- who did not practice Wednesday -- is battling a case of turf toe, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

That said, per Jimmy Durkin of the Bay Area News Group, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said he's hoping that Murray could be back by Sunday, which offers at least some hope that the running back could potentially give it a go in the Raiders' 4:25 ET matchup against the Chargers in Week 5.

Sims (knee) wasn't present at Thursday's practice, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Sustaining a knee injury in the first quarter of the Bucs' Week 4 loss to the Broncos, Sims wasn't deterred, yet he turned 15 carries into 28 yards and two catches (on three targets) into seven yards. The miserable output was hindered further by a lost fumble, one of three turnovers on the day by the offense. With a Monday night contest in Carolina on the docket, Sims has an extra day to recover before the team's Week 6 bye. The latter point may actually sway the decision to keep him on the sideline alongside Doug Martin (hamstring), meaning Tampa Bay may trust in a running back combo of Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber for one game.

Washington (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

After back-to-back DNPs to start Week 5 prep, Washington isn't trending in the right direction due to an ankle sprain. If the Lions are sans both Washington and Ameer Abdullah (foot) this Sunday versus the Eagles, the backfield will be the domain of Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner.