NFL Player News

Raiders running back Darren McFadden is all but set to return from an ankle injury that cost him the last three games. Now a backup to Rashad Jennings and possibly Marcel Reece, he is listed as probable for the Sunday game at San Diego.

The Chargers are quite healthy heading into their critical game Sunday against visiting Oakland. Only wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (hamstring) are questionable. Royal is expected to play.

Also on offense who are probable are wide receiver Keenan Allen (shoulder), tackle D.J. Fluker (ankle), center Nick Hardwick (not injury related), tight end Antonio Gates (not injury related) and featured back Ryan Mathews (foot)

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington is probable Week 16.

Ellington is dealing with a thigh injury. He was limited during Wednesday's practice, but was able to practice in full Thursday and Friday.

Six Colts have been designated as probable for their Sunday clash against Kansas City, including top linebacker Robert Mathis (rest) and featured back Donald Brown (neck).

The others are wide receiver LaVon Brazill (foot), nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin (rest), fullback Stanley Havili (knee) and center Samson Satele (elbow).

Two tackles - one on offense and the other on defense - have been listed as questionable by the Titans for their Week 16 clash against Jacksonville. They are David Stewart (shoulder) and Mike Martin (ankle).

The Tennessee probables are headlined by running back Chris Johnson (knee). Also among them are defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (shoulder), center Brian Schwenke (ankle) and defensive back Alterraun Verner (groin).

The Dolphins have placed eight players on their Friday injury report, but only running back Daniel Thomas (ankle) has been deemed more serious than probable for the Sunday game against Miami. He is questionable. All the probables play defense.

They are secondary mates Reshad Jones (groin), Chris Clemons (knee/hamstring), Jamar Taylor (hamstring), Nolan Carroll (knee) and Brent Grimes (groin) and defensive linemen Paul Soliai (ankle) and Olivier Vernon (ankle).

Vikings running back Matt Asiata is questionable Week 16 against the Bengals.

Asiata is coming off a strong Week 15 performance in which he scored three rushing touchdowns. He tweaked his ankle during the game, and was unable to practice Wednesday and Thursday. Asiata put in a limited practice Friday.

The Colts received several encouraging signs Friday at practice, specifically the participation of running back Donald Brown (neck), cornerback Greg Toler (groin) and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (shoulder). All had been considered iffy for Sunday at Kansas City.

Their status for that game will be clearer when the team releases its injury list later in the day.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen will be seeking a bounce back performance heading into Sunday's road game against the Ravens in Week 16.

Just a week after tallying 12 receptions, Vereen saw his role shrink against the Dolphins in Week 15. He had two carries for 13 yards and three catches for eight yards in a 24-20 defeat in Miami. Baltimore limited Vereen to only 16 yards on four carries and two receptions for 22 yards in the playoffs last season.

With that said, Baltimore's defense looks completely different compared to last year, as they have allowed only 102.4 yards per game on the ground this season. The Ravens have allowed at least four receptions to running backs in five of the last seven games played. Opposing running backs have scored 13.14 Fantasy points per game this season.

Vereen's numbers should only go up from here after a mediocre game against Miami last week. Consider him a decent starting option, especially in PPR formats heading into Week 16.

The last time the Dolphins faced the Bills, in a Week 7 loss, the team was still trying to figure out exactly how they wanted to split the workload in the backfield. That week, it was Daniel Thomas getting the bigger share of the workload, finishing with 60 yards on 12 carries. Should Fantasy owners expect him to see a similar share in Week 16?

Thomas has played a solid role recently, scoring three times in the last four games. Unfortunately, he has also topped 10 carries just once in that span, as the team has proven more willing to get Lamar Miller involved in the offense.

Though both players have dealt with injuries recently, Thomas rushed the ball just five times in Week 15, with both active. Thomas seems entrenched as the change-of-pace back in Miami's offense, limiting his Fantasy utility to weeks when he finds the end zone. The Bills have allowed six touchdowns to running backs over the last five games, but Thomas' limited role makes him a risky play for Week 16.