NFL Player News

Running back Brian Leonard was the most productive of the small contributors for the Buccaneers in their Sunday loss at New Orleans. He had five rushes for 35 yards, all in the first half, and added three catches for just one yard. Featured back Bobby Rainey had 35 yards on 11 tries and one reception for 1 yard.

Fellow back Michael Hill managed one attempt for 3 yards and two catches for 23 yards. Wide receiver Chris Owusu contributed one catch for 5 yards while fullback Erik Lorig had one snag for 3 yards.

The Chiefs got a slew of minor contributions in their loss at San Diego. Among them, tight end Sean McGrath caught an 11-yard pass and tight end Richard Gordon had a 3-yard reception. Running back Cyrus Gray carried twice for 2 yards and caught three passes for 7 yards. 

Raiders running backs Rashad Jennings and Darren McFadden were each held in check during Sunday's loss to the Broncos in Week 17.

Both running backs were held under 10 rushing yards in a 34-14 defeat. Jennings rushed for nine yards on four carries, averaging 2.3 yards per attempt. He also caught two of three targets for eight yards. McFadden had seven carries for six yards (0.9 yards per carry). He caught three of the four passes thrown his way for 15 yards.

Jennings ended the year with 163 carries for 733 yards and six touchdowns while McFadden rushed for 379 yards and five touchdowns on 114 carries.

Chiefs running back Knile Davis, starting in place of Jamaal Charles, ran 27 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the Week 17 loss at San Diego. He caught two of four targets for 5 yards.

Davis struck twice in the first half, zipping into the end zone from 17 yards out in the first quarter and punching in a 2-yard score in the second. Up to four rushing scores this season, Davis will back up Charles in Saturday's wild card game at Indianapolis.

The Broncos received offensive contributions from a couple role players during Sunday's win over the Raiders in Week 17. Ronnie Hillman rushed for 30 yards on 12 carries, averaging 2.5 yards per attempt. He was targeted once. Andre Caldwell finished as the team's second leading receiver with three catches for 42 yards on six targets.

While his backfield mates were burying the Bills on the ground, Patriots running back Shane Vereen was doing his damage through the air on Sunday.

Vereen managed just three yards on two carries, but added three catches for 42 yards, including a 22-yarder on a screen pass late in the second quarter for a first down and a 5-yard touchdown grab a mere four seconds into the fourth quarter that gave his team a 24-10 lead. The receiving yardage was his best since the season opener.

Cardinals running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Andre Ellington each did little with their respective carries during Sunday's loss to the 49ers in Week 17.

Both running backs shared the load again, as Mendenhall finished with a 10 carries for 47 yards (4.7 yards per carry) while Ellington rushed for 30 yards on nine carries, averaging 3.3 yards per attempt.

Mendenhall finished the year with 217 carries for 687 yards with eight touchdown. Ellington nearly racked up just as many yards in nearly half of the carries. He had 118 carries for 652 yards with three touchdowns on the ground.

The 49ers received contributions from several role players during Sunday's win over the Cardinals in Week 17.

Quinton Patton caught two of three passes for 34 yards and had one carry for a gain of 26 yards, which was good enough to lead the team in rushing. Kendall Hunter had two carries for 13 yards while Anthony Dixon rushed for minus-5 yards on two carries and caught two passes for 27 yards. Offensive lineman Joe Staley also had one catch for a 14-yard gain while LaMichael James caught his only targeted pass for 12 yards. Garrett Celek was targeted once but finished without a grab.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews shredded the Chiefs' backups for 144 yards on 24 carries, his sixth 100-yard game this season. Mathews finished the regular season with career bests in carries (285) and rushing yards (1,255) as he became the first Charger to reach 1,200 rushing yards since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2007.

Mathews, who added two catches on three targets for 11 yards, ran for at least 99 yards in his last four games and lost only one fumble all year. He scored seven touchdowns, tying the career high he set as a rookie in 2010.

The Rams got a few minor contributions in their Week 17 loss at Seattle. Receiver Austin Pettis caught both his targets for 15 yards and running back Benny Cunningham had a 2-yard reception.

Wideout Chris Givens was targeted four times without a catch. He ran once for minus-4 yards. Receiver Brian Quick was unable to secure his lone target.