NFL Player News

Rainey totaled 39 yards on two kickoff returns and 41 yards on two punt returns in Sunday's 23-19 victory over the Falcons.

The special teams ace had a very productive afternoon, ripping of 20-yard-plus returns on both kickoffs and punts. He ceded one kickoff run back to rookie Donteaa Dye, but otherwise helped set up Tampa in favorable field position on three of his four opportunities with the ball. Rainey's 28-yard punt return in the third quarter opened a drive that eventually led to the Bucs closing the Falcons lead to 16-12 in the third quarter on a Conner Barth field goal. He continues to serve as one of the best return men in the NFL, and his savvy has helped Jameis Winston and the offense largely avoid starting drives deep in their own territory throughout the season.

Grimes carried the ball five times for 28 yards, caught both of his targets for 11 yards, and scored a two-point conversion in Sunday's 30-21 loss to Buffalo.

He's been getting between seven and eight touches per game in the last four weeks, as the Texans have relied on a committee approach to replace Arian Foster's production. Grimes would be a real gamble to put in a fantasy team's starting lineup.

Gillislee picked up seven carries for 41 yards - a 5.9 average - in Sunday's win over the Texans.

LeSean McCoy is the main carrier on this team, but with top backup Karlos Williams out with a concussion the Bills let Gillislee get some work in Sunday, just days after being promoted from the practice squad. At one point McCoy had to get checked out for a head injury, but wasn't deemed to have a concussion. Such an injury would have left Gillislee as the top back, as the team already seems to like him better in the run game than plodding veteran Anthony Dixon.

Herron had two carries for eight yards and three catches for 16 yards (on three targets) in Sunday's 45-10 loss to the Steelers.

With Ahmad Bradshaw (wrist) placed on injured reserve, Herron is expected to serve as the top backup for the rest of the season, with his role including most of the passing-down work. The blowout nature of Sunday's game might have been a good thing for his involvement, if not for Pittsburgh's complete dominance of possession in the second half. Herron could get a few more targets in Week 14, as the Jaguars have been solid against the run but highly vulnerable to the pass.

Sims gained 56 yards on seven carries and secured two of three targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 23-19 victory over the Falcons.

The rushing total was Sims' best since the season finale versus the Saints last year, when he totaled 69 yards on the ground. The second-year pro posted a game-long 25-yard run that was his second-best of the season as well. Sims also had a 10-yard burst in the third quarter that ended just shy of the goal line, and that led to a subsequent one-yard dive into the end zone by Doug Martin. The backup tailback continues to serve as an ideal complementary back to Martin, and has been an important part of the Bucs' third-ranked rushing attack.

Thompson rushed eight times for 27 yards and caught his only target for 14 receiving yards Sunday against the Chargers.

C.J. Anderson suffered an ankle injury Sunday that held him out of the second half, which could lead to Thompson moving up the depth chart if the former has to miss any time. That being said, his upside is still quite limited, as Ronnie Hillman is likely to get a bulk of the touches in Week 14 against the Raiders.

Hillman rushed 19 times for 56 yards and failed to catch his only target during Sunday's win over the Chargers.

C.J. Anderson rushed seven times for 42 yards and caught his only target for 12 yards before suffering an ankle injury late in the first half, which held him out for the rest of the game. The two backs have been sharing touches in the past few weeks, and if Anderson has to miss any additional time, Hillman could be a big beneficiary in Week 14 against the Raiders.

Barner ran for a career-high 39 yards on nine carries and caught both of his targets for seven yards in Sunday's 35-28 upset win at New England. He also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.

Barner was involved throughout, posting more yardage on the ground than starter DeMarco Murray, who had eight carries for just 24 yards. His fumble with less than two minutes left in the game was almost costly, as it gave Tom Brady and the Patriots' offense one more shot to tie the game. The Eagles were able to stop Brady, however, saving Barner from being the goat. Ryan Mathews (concussion) should return at some point soon, so one can only assume Barner won't see as much work when that happens. If you need him next week, he'll face the Bills.

Anderson (ankle) was seemingly held out of Sunday's game against the Chargers as a precautionary measure, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

Anderson was removed during the second quarter and never returned, but he did say afterward that he doesn't think his ankle injury is a big deal, according to Renck. While the Broncos' decision to hold him out may have been impacted by the score, it was only a two-possession game for the entire second half. If Anderson isn't ready for Week 14, Ronnie Hillman will be positioned for a heavy workload against the Raiders.

Draughn carried 13 times for 36 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's game against the Bears. He hauled in five of six targets for an additional 50 yards in the 26-20 win.

Another steady performance for the journeyman back, who has now amassed at least 77 total yards in each of the last four games. The touchdown was Draughn's first of the season, and he appears to be in line to handle the lead role in all phases of the backfield for the duration of Carlos Hyde's indefinite absence. Draughn should have a decent chance to continue his productive ways in next week's matchup with the Browns.