NFL Player News

McKinnon carried the ball twice for seven yards and caught three passes off of five targets for 22 yards in Sunday's loss to Seattle.

McKinnon may not have made any big plays during Sunday's loss, but it is important to note when he played. Following Adrian Peterson's fumble, McKinnon stepped in for Minnesota's second-to-last drive while they were trying to regain the lead. For years, being the No. 2 back to Peterson has been like backing up Peyton Manning or Tom Brady - opportunities are few and far between. However, with Peterson slowed late in the year, McKinnon had his best three games of the season in Weeks 15 through 17, averaging nine touches per game for 77 total yards per game and three touchdowns. As Peterson enters his age-31 season in 2016, don't be surprised if McKinnon is given a larger share of the load, particularly on passing downs.

Michael rushed for 70 yards on 21 carries and added a 14-yard catch in Sunday's victory over the Vikings.

During the first three-quarters of the game, when not much was working for Seattle, Michael and Russell Wilson found some success by attacking the edge's of Minnesota's defense with zone-read looks. In his four games, including the playoffs, with Seattle this season, Michael has tallied at least 84 total yards three times. The biggest factor dictating his value against Carolina's fourth-ranked run defense next week will be Marshawn Lynch's availability. Lynch was set to start if he was healthy this week, but will Seattle ride the hot hand with Michael even if Beast Mode is ready to go?

Jones (hip) is inactive for Sunday's playoff game against the Packers.

With Jones out, Washington's Sunday backfield will be led by Alfred Morris, with Chris Thompson and Pierre Thomas on hand to serve in complementary/change-of-pace roles.

Grimes carried four times for 15 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards in Saturday's 30-0 loss to the Chiefs in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Grimes emerged late in the season as head coach Bill O'Brien's preferred top backup, moving ahead of Chris Polk over the final stretch of the season. He finished the season with career highs in carries (56), yards (282) and receptions (26). Grimes became a versatile part of the offense, even operating out of the Wildcat formation several times. He has three seasons in the organization, which may be a factor in whether the Texans keep him around for the 2016 season.

Toussaint ran for 58 yards on 17 carries Saturday in the Steelers' win over the Bengals.

Forced in to action after DeAngelo Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in the final game of the regular season, Toussaint also caught four passes for 60 yards after going without a reception all season. If Williams, who was inactive for this game, is still limited, Toussaint would be in line for another large workload against the Broncos in Week 19.

Abdullah rushed for 597 yards and two touchdowns on 143 carries and added 183 yards and a touchdown on 25 receptions in 2015.

Like many of his teammates, Abdullah struggled to start the season and began to find form following the Week 9 bye. In the season's first eight games, Abdullah averaged just over 42 yards toal yards per game and had fumbled three times - an issue that, combined with other lapses, placed him in head coach Jim Caldwell's doghouse midseason. After the bye, Abdullah improved to over 55 total yards per game and fumbled just once. Abdullah still has plenty improvement to make before he becomes starter-material, but he showed flashes in the season's final weeks. His size and fumbling tendency may prevent him from ever being a fantasy star as he is ripe pickings for goal-line vultures.

Jones (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Packers, ESPN.com reports.

Though coach Jay Gruden did not rule Jones out just yet, Gruden acknowledged that he was not "very encouraged" by Jones' progress, which suggests that the running back is unlikely to play Sunday. In such a scenario, Washington's backfield this weekend would be comprised of Alfred Morris, Chris Thompson and Pierre Thomas.

Toussaint is expected to lead the Steelers' rushing attack Saturday against the Bengals, since teammate DeAngelo Williams (ankle) has been ruled out, ESPN.com reports.

Toussaint has rushed just 18 times for 42 yards this season, but the second-year tailback is slated to assume the bulk of Pittsburgh's backfield work Saturday in wake of Williams' untimely injury. While offensive coordinator Todd Haley said Toussaint will be "the guy", fellow running back Jordan Todman also figures to see some touches in this weekend's postseason tussle.

Jones continues to deal with a sore hip, Mike Jones of the Washington Post reports.

With that in mind, Jones noted Thursday that if it was a game day, he probably wouldn't be able to play. Considering that's where he stands at this stage of the week, the running bock looks pretty iffy for Sunday's playoff contest against the Packers.

Mathews carried the ball four times for 11 yards and caught one pass for seven yards in Sunday's 35-30 loss to the Giants.

Mathews' midseason renaissance came to an abrupt halt in the final two weeks of the season, when fellow running back DeMarco Murray was re-installed as the team's No. 1 rushing option. Mathews' status heading into next season is shaky, and will depend largely on how the Eagles' next head coach views his weapons at the running back position.