36 Dwayne Washington RB

Washington ran for 108 yards on 11 carries during Sunday's 33-14 loss to Carolina.

With nothing really to play for in Week 17, the Saints gave Washington a longer look and he didn't disappoint, gashing the Panthers for a handful of nice carries, including a 26-yarder at the end of the third quarter that set up a touchdown. The third-year back entered Sunday with just 16 carries in 12 games, but maybe Sunday's strong showing can lead to a modest supporting role in the playoffs behind Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram.

Washington figures to have a major role Sunday against Carolina, but he won't necessarily get all the snaps at running back, Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com reports.

Washington is the only running back on the roster behind Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, both obvious candidates to be rested in a meaningless game. With Teddy Bridgewater already confirmed as the starting quarterback, it's best to assume Kamara and Ingram will either play sparsely or not at all. If the team doesn't sign another backfield option before Sunday's game, Washington could find himself handling a high-volume role, albeit in an offense that's also using backups at a number of other positions. For what it's worth, there's been chatter about the Panthers resting some key players before the end of Sunday's game, though they surely won't be as cautious as the playoff-bound Saints.

Washington lost three yards on three carries in Sunday's win against the Eagles.

Washington handled mop-up duties in a big Saints win for the second week in a row, though the third-string running back had less success than he did in Week 10 when he gained 47 yards on 11 carries. Almost exclusively a special-teams player, Washington is not a fantasy option so long as Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara remain healthy.

Washington gained 47 yards on 11 carries in Sunday's win against the Bengals.

Washington, who signed with the Saints in September, had been playing exclusively on special teams prior to Sunday, and all of his touches in Cincinnati came in the fourth quarter after the Saints had built a huge lead. Washington is third on the team's running back depth chart, but absent an injury to Mark Ingram or Alvin Kamara, he remains off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

Washington was signed to New Orleans' 53-man roster Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Washington joined the Saints' practice squad after being let go by the Lions at roster cutdowns. The 24-year-old had 110 carries for 309 yards (2.8 average) in two seasons with Detroit. Alvin Kamara has been the heavy workhorse with Mark Ingram suspended through Sunday's game against the Giants, and Washington's addition is unlikely to alter that significantly.