NFL Player News

The Vikings DST scored its fourth touchdown Week 8 thanks to explosive rookie Cordarrelle Patterson. He took the opening kickoff against Green Bay 109 yards for the score, tying for the longest return in NFL history.

After that it was all downhill for Minnesota, which did not force a punt or turnover. The Vikings were shredded for 464 total yards and 44 points, though the unit did get a pair of sacks.

The Vikings DST travels to Dallas in Week 9.

Minnesota rookie Cordarrelle Patterson returned his second kickoff for a touchdown, this time going 109 yards against Green Bay on the game's first play. That tied for the longest return in NFL history.

Patterson finished with 228 kick return yards as he continues to lead the league in that category. He also caught two of his three targets for 26 yards.

Patterson visits the Cowboys in Week 9.

The Broncos received minor contributions from several key role players during Sunday's win over the Redskins in Week 8.

In the running game, C.J. Anderson got on the field for his first game of the season, racking up 22 yards on four carries. Wide receiver Trindon Holliday lined up in the backfield and broke for a 7-yard run in the second quarter for his only action of the day.

Wide receiver Andre Caldwell caught a 14-yard pass from Peyton Manning for his only catch of the day despite receiving two targets. Tight end Jacob Tamme also caught his only targeted pass for a gain of 15 yards. Tight end Virgil Green was held without a catch despite earning a target.

Redskins running back Roy Helu failed to make much of an impact despite earning some goal line carries during Sunday's loss to the Broncos in Week 8.

Helu, who scored three touchdowns his last time out, took a step back as he finished the game with five carries for 11 yards and one catch for a gain of 14 yards in a 45-21 defeat.

Helu has just 140 rushing yards with four touchdowns this season. He will try to get back on track against the Chargers at home in Week 9.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington had a breakout game Week 8 against the Falcons.

Ellington rushed for 154 yards on 15 carries. He broke off an 80 yard touchdown run in the second quarter. After being a major threat in the passing game early in the season, Ellington had just 8 receiving yards on two catches. 

With Rashard Mendenhall out with a toe injury, Ellington was able to establish himself as a big-play threat. That's not something Mendenhall can provide, and it could lead to Ellington seeing more time as the team's primary rusher. 

The Cardinals are on a bye next week, and will return against the Texans Week 10.

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers had a rough game Week 9 against the Cardinals.

Rodgers received just two carries against Arizona, picking up 8 yards. Those 8 yards bested Steven Jackson, who had just 6 yards on 11 carries. Rodgers wasn't much of a threat in the passing game, catching two balls for 11 yards. 

Jackson struggled early, but the team fell behind early and couldn't focus on getting Rodgers the ball. The team ran just three times after halftime, with all of those attempts going to Jackson. 

Rodgers will look to bounce back Week 9 against the Panthers. 

The Vikings listed these players as inactive for the game against Green Bay: quarterback Josh Freeman (concussion), tight end Rhett Ellison (ankle), running back Matt Asiata (shoulder), wideout Rodney Smith (hip), cornerback Shaun Prater, guard Jeff Baca and defensive tackle Chase Baker.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden managed his first multi-touchdown game since 2011 during a Week 8 win vs. Pittsburgh. McFadden rushed for 73 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries, while adding two catches for 5 yards during a 21-18 victory.

McFadden's first touchdown came on a 7-yard run with 7:28 left in the first quarter. McFadden managed to stretch the football across the goal line as he had three defenders trying to tackle him. 

McFadden's second touchdown came on a 4-yard run with 1:55 left in the second quarter. Out of the Wildcat formation, McFadden took the snap and rolled right. McFadden looked as he was going to throw the football before pulling it down and cutting back for a 4-yard touchdown run. 

The last time McFadden scored twice was in Week 3 in 2011. McFadden also had two touchdowns in Week 2 in 2011.

McFadden has four touchdowns through six games. The Raiders are back in action Week 9 vs. Philadelphia.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas fell back into a smaller role in the team's back field timeshare in Week 8, in a 27-17 loss to the Patriots.

Thomas, who started last week, was the third back off the bench Sunday. He still finished second on the team with nine carries for 47 yards. Thomas also managed to make an impact in the passing game, as he scored from 5 yards out on his lone reception of the game.

Thomas has looked more effective as a runner in recent weeks, as he is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in two games since the bye week. He will try to keep his momentum up in Week 9, when the Dolphins face the Bengals Thursday.  

Cowboys running back Joseph Randle got the start Sunday during the Week 8 game at Detroit with DeMarco Murray needing another week on the inactive list. 

Randle was ineffective as the starting back in the game as the entire Dallas running game struggled without Murray. Randle rushed 14 times for just 26 yards as he averaged 1.9 yards per carry. He had a long run of 7 yards and did not score. 

Randle added three receptions for 18 yards in the game. He was targeted four times in the passing game by Tony Romo. Randle will likely go back to backing up Murray in the Week 9 game against Minnesota.