NFL Player News
-
Sione Vaki RB | DET
Lions' Sione Vaki: First touches since Week 6
Vaki rushed the ball five times for nine yards in Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars.
Vaki entered the game in the fourth quarter with the Lions well out in front, turning a career-high five carries into nine yards. The rookie remains an extreme depth option in Detroit's backfield, playing only nine offensive snaps before Sunday's blowout victory.
-
Craig Reynolds RB | DET
Lions' Craig Reynolds: Logs two carries in blowout victory
Reynolds rushed the ball twice for 21 yards in Sunday's 52-6 win over the Jaguars.
Reynolds entered the game in the fourth quarter with the game well in hand for Detroit, toting the rock for the first time since Week 8. The running back remains a far-off No. 3 option behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, possessing little-to-no fantasy value.
-
Roschon Johnson RB | CHI
Bears' Roschon Johnson: Finds end zone
Johnson rushed 10 times for 33 yards and a touchdown while adding an eight-yard catch in the Bears' 20-19 loss to the Packers on Sunday.
In Chicago's first game with new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, the Bears emphasized the rushing attack by giving Johnson 10 of 24 running back carries. Coming into this game, Johnson had just 11 carries over his prior four games. If this usage pattern continues, Johnson's fantasy value will quickly rise.
-
Kareem Hunt RB | KC
Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: All 60 yards come on ground
Hunt took 14 carries for 60 yards and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Bills.
Hunt turned in an adequate effort on the ground in tough road environment while garnering 14 of Kansas City's 17 rushing attempts in its first loss of the season. The veteran's fantasy day has a little less luster when you factor in the lack of touchdowns and involvement as a receiver. It was Hunt's first game since rejoining the Chiefs in which he did not receive a target. This ironically comes on the heels of a seven-catch effort against Denver in Week 10. The real concerning news for managers would be the potential return of starting tailback Isiah Pacheco (ankle), who is expected to return from injured reserve against the Panthers next Sunday, as reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
-
Cam Akers RB | MIN
Vikings' Cam Akers: Another 12 touches in Week 11
Akers tallied 10 carries for 25 yards and two catches (on two targets) for 11 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 23-13 victory in Tennessee.
Akers now has back-to-back games with double-digit touches, but his yardage tallies in those outings have left fantasy managers wanting (14 for 47 yards from scrimmage Week 10 at Jacksonville, 12 for 36 total yards Week 11). On a positive note, he scored his first TD since Week 5, when he was a member of the Texans, from three yards out late in the third quarter. The Vikings' lead runner, Aaron Jones, didn't fare much better (16 touches for 43 total yards), which may stem from the rib issue that he sustained against the Jaguars last weekend. In any case, Akers appears as if he's carved out a regular role in Minnesota's offense, at least in the short term.
-
Jordan Mims RB | NO
Saints' Jordan Mims: Logs two carries Week 11
Mims totaled two carries for three yards during Sunday's 35-14 victory over Cleveland.
The undrafted rookie was once again a non-factor in the rushing game, as Alvin Kamara led the way with 16 carries while do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill exploded for 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns on seven carries. Mims has now logged five or fewer carries in each oo his last three appearances, and his usage hasn't increased despite the continued absence of No. 2 running back Jamaal Williams (groin). The Saints will have a bye Week 12 before returning to play the Rams on Sunday, Dec. 1, which could give time for Williams to get healthy before reprising his own minimal role behind Kamara and Hill.
-
Kenneth Walker III RB | SEA
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker: Punches in touchdown Sunday
Walker took 14 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for five yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the 49ers.
Walker turned in an efficient rushing performance given the amount of touches he received in a defensive bout between NFC West rivals. The 24-year-old's 3.9 yards-per-carry mark was weighed down by a pair of short carries from in close that netted the back his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. Walker should continue leading Seattle's backfield in a critical NFC West matchup against the Cardinals next Sunday.
-
James Cook RB | BUF
Bills' James Cook: Scoring offsets inefficiency Sunday
Cook rushed nine times for 20 yards and two touchdowns while recording five receptions on six targets for seven yards in Sunday's 30-21 win over the Chiefs.
Cook struggled on the ground against the interior of the Chiefs' defense, as many talented backs have against the third-ranked rushing defense this season. However, the 25-year-old made an impact in the box score by finishing off a pair of lengthy offensive drives in the first half with short trips to the end zone. It was the Georgia product's worst yardage output of the season but not his worst fantasy showing. Cook has generated 751 yards from scrimmage with 11 combined touchdowns in 10 starts as the Bills enter a bye week before hosting the 49ers on Dec. 1.
-
Tyjae Spears RB | TEN
Titans' Tyjae Spears: Evaluated for head injury
Spears was evaluated for a possible concussion at the end of Sunday's 23-13 loss to the Vikings, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
If Spears' tests reveal a concussion, he would have to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol before he can return to game action. The second-year running back rushed three times for no gain and caught two of three targets for eight yards prior to suffering the head injury that prompted the concussion test. An update on Spears' status will surface no later than Wednesday, when the Titans begin their practice preparations for a Week 12 trip to Houston.
-
Pierre Strong Jr. RB | CLE
Browns' Pierre Strong: Two touches in loss
Strong had two carries for five yards in Sunday's 35-14 loss to New Orleans in Week 11.
Strong was given garbage-time work, getting both touches on the team's final drive. He's had pockets of high usage this season, when filling in for the injured Nick Chubb or Jerome Ford, but both of them are back. Strong has just seven touches over the last three weeks.