NFL Player News

49ers running back Kendall Hunter, running back LaMichael James, tight end Garrett Celek and wide receiver Mario Manningham all made it onto the stat sheet Week 15 at Tampa Bay.

Hunter totaled 40 rushing yards on eight carries, while James had 22 yards on two carries.

Celek had just one catch for 8 yards, while Manningham had one catch for 2 yards on two targets.

The 49ers are back in action Week 16 vs. Atlanta.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson scored a touchdown Week 15 against the Eagles.

Patterson has been more involved in the team's offense lately, scoring in the last three games. Over the past four games, he's been targeted 29 times. Patterson didn't have a strong game through the air, catching five passes for just 35 yards. He scored late on a five yard reception from Matt Cassel. Patterson also had two rushes for 15 yards.

Patterson will take on the Bengals Week 16.

Vikings running back Matt Asiata scored three touchdowns in his first start Week 15.

Asiata was more a victim of good circumstance than strong running. He only averaged 1.7 yards per carry, but managed to do all his dirty work at the goal line. Asiata scored on two 1 yards runs and a 5 yard run. He received a huge workload, carrying the ball 30 times for 51 yards. Asiata also had three receptions for 15 yards. If Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart are out again next week, Asiata will look to continue his success in the red zone against the Bengals.

Buccaneers running back Bobby Rainey couldn't find any running room against one of the best defenses in the NFL during a 33-14 loss Week 15 vs. San Francisco. Rainey was held to 27 rushing yards on 11 carries, while adding one catch for 3 yards.

Rainey's longest carry went 8 yards. In fact, his other 10 carries went for 3 yards or less and he received no carries in 49ers' territory.

The Bucs are back in action Week 16 at St. Louis.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas took a backseat in Week 15 against the Patriots, but still came up with a big play in a 24-20 win Sunday.

Thomas finished with just 18 yards of total offense in the game, 16 of which came on five carries in the running game. He made one play in the passing game, however, scoring on a 2-yard reception in the first seconds of the fourth quarter.

Thomas has scored in three of his last four games, though he did miss one game in that stretch due to an ankle injury. The Dolphins play in Buffalo in Week 16. 

Patriots running back Shane Vereen saw his role in the offense practically disappear in Week 15 against the Dolphins Sunday, one week after one of the best games of his career.

Vereen touched the ball just five times in the game, as he hauled in a season-low three passes for just 8 yards. He was targeted seven times, the third-highest total on the team. He also had just 13 yards on two carries.  

The Patriots have shown little inclination for consistently relying on just one running back, and Vereen took a backseat as a result Sunday. He will try to get back on track in Week 16, with a matchup against the Ravens on the way. 

Wideout Tavon Austin (ankle) and guard Harvey Dahl (knee) highlight the injury report produced Sunday by the Rams. Also among the injured on the list is running back Daryl Richardson (thigh).

The healthy scratches are defensive tackle Jermelle Cudjo, tackle Mike Person, defensive back Quinton Pointer and guard Brandon Washington.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) and guard Paul Fanaika (back) are active for the game at Tennessee after being listed as probable on the injury report. Ellington ran 11 times for 46 yards and a touchdown last week vs. the Rams.

Cardinals tight end Rob Housler, who was doubtful with a groin injury, heads the team's list of inactives for the game at Tennessee. Also sitting out are quarterback Ryan Lindley, safety Curtis Taylor, linebacker Dontay Moch, running back Ryan Williams, guard Earl Watford and defensive end Ronald Talley.

The Raiders list wide receiver Brice Butler, running back Darren McFadden, running back Jeremy Stewart, defensive back Chance Casey, guard Lamar Mady, guard Andre Gurode and defensive tackle Vance Walker as inactive against the Chiefs in Week 15.