NFL Player News
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Dylan Sampson RB | CLE
Browns' Dylan Sampson: Scores 66-yard TD on screen
Sampson rushed seven times for 23 yards while catching two of three targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Raiders. He also had a 28-yard kickoff return.
Sampson scored a 66-yard touchdown on a screen pass in the fourth quarter, accounting for Shedeur Sanders' first NFL touchdown pass. Rookie second-round pick Quinshon Judkins scored two rushing touchdowns and continues to work ahead of Sampson, who was drafted two rounds later. Sampson has struggled on the ground, averaging only 2.3 yards per carry (89 yards on 38 attempts), but he has shown some upside as a pass catcher out of the backfield heading into a Week 13 home game against the 49ers.
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Quinshon Judkins RB | CLE
Browns' Quinshon Judkins: Two rushing TDs in Week 12 win
Judkins rushed 16 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Raiders. He wasn't targeted in the passing game.
Judkins produced touchdown runs of eight yards and two yards in the first quarter, both of which came out of the wildcat formation, with Judkins taking the snap directly. He went into the medical tent twice to be evaluated for a head injury in the fourth quarter, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com, but Judkins gained clearance to return to the game. Judkins remains Cleveland's top backfield option on the ground, but fellow rookie Dylan Sampson has impressed as a pass catcher on a few occasions, and Sampson had a 66-yard touchdown reception on one of his nine touches Sunday. If the Browns can stay within striking distance, Judkins will likely get another hefty rushing workload in Week 13 against the 49ers.
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Alvin Kamara RB | NO
Saints' Alvin Kamara: Getting MRI on knee
Kamara is getting an MRI on his knee after suffering an injury during Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Falcons, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Kamara has produced at least 1,160 scrimmage yards in each of his first eight NFL regular seasons, but that streak of 1,000-yard campaigns would be in jeopardy if the MRI results reveal an injury significant enough to warrant Kamara missing additional action. Rookie sixth-round pick Devin Neal took over as the Saints' lead back after Kamara got hurt, and Neal would presumably lead New Orleans' backfield in Week 13 at Miami if Kamara isn't available.
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Devin Neal RB | NO
Saints' Devin Neal: Steps in for injured starter Sunday
Neal rushed seven times for 18 yards while catching five of seven targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Falcons.
Starting tailback Alvin Kamara (knee) was forced out of Sunday's contest in the first half and did not return. Neal -- who has been operating as the Saints' No. 2 option due to Kendre Miller (knee) being on IR -- took over lead-back duties and finished with 61 yards from scrimmage on 14 combined touches. The 21-year-old Neal did most of his damage as a receiver with the Saints playing from behind right out of the gate. The sixth-round rookie could find himself in a favorable fantasy situation as New Orleans' starter in Week 13 if Kamara's injury forces him to miss next Sunday's tilt against Miami. Neal is worth a speculative add until more clarification on Kamara's injury rolls out during the upcoming practice week.
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Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Matches season high in carries
Warren rushed the ball 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-28 loss to the Bears.
Warren was cleared Friday from an ankle injury, though there was still some question as to whether he'd handle his typical workload. However, he matched his season high with 18 carries and reached at least 60 rushing yards for the third straight game. Warren also found the end zone for only the fourth time this season on a one-yard plunge late in the second quarter. Warren remains the traditional lead back for Pittsburgh despite ceding work as a pass catcher, and he's a reliable, if unspectacular, contributor.
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Ashton Jeanty RB | LV
Raiders' Ashton Jeanty: Strong receiving numbers in loss
Jeanty rushed 17 times for 50 yards while grabbing all eight of his targets for 58 receiving yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Browns.
Jeanty was the lone bright spot on offense for the Raiders on Sunday, converting the team's only trip to the end zone in an yet another dismal group effort. The Boise State product understandably struggled on the ground (2.9 YPC) against one of the league's top defenses while running behind Las Vegas' porous offensive line. This has been an ongoing trend for Jeanty in his rookie season, with his last game averaging over four yards per carry coming back in Week 5. The 21-year-old salvaged what would have been a mediocre fantasy score by setting a new single-game high in receiving yards (58) and catching his fourth touchdown pass of the season (eighth overall). Jeanty will look for redemption next Sunday against the Chargers after being held to 44 yards on 14 touches when the two rivals from the AFC West met back in Week 2.
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Zach Charbonnet RB | SEA
Seahawks' Zach Charbonnet: Effective at the goal line
Charbonnet rushed the ball six times for 35 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Titans.
Charbonnet was limited to a season-low six touches, with Kenneth Walker totaling 14. Charbonnet still delivered a familiar line, specifically finding success near the goal line as he plunged into the end zone from five yards away midway through the third quarter. Even if Charbonnet's role slips overall, he remains the preferred back in short-yardage situations. That will likely lead to boom-or-bust fantasy performances, though he does have seven scores in 10 games on the campaign.
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Kenneth Walker III RB | SEA
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker: Tops 100 scrimmage yards again
Walker rushed the ball 11 times for 71 yards in Sunday's 30-24 win over the Titans. He added three receptions on four targets for 30 yards.
Walker suffered a glute injury late in the week and entered Sunday with a questionable tag, though he still comfortably led Seattle's backfield with 14 touches as compared to six for Zach Charbonnet. As has often been the case, Walker was the more efficient back, with four of his 11 carries going for more than 10 yards. He also remained more involved as a pass catcher, logging three catches for the second consecutive game and for the third time this season. The only downside to Walker's performance came around the goal line, as he was stuffed from the two-yard line and then ceded an opportunity from the five to Charbonnet later in the game. Overall, it was still a positive performance for Walker as he topped 100 yards from scrimmage for the second consecutive contest.
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Dameon Pierce RB | KC
Dameon Pierce: Set to join Chiefs' practice squad
Pierce is expected to be signed to the Chiefs' practice squad, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Pierce was waived by the Texans on Thursday, and he now appears to have found a new home in Kansas City. The running back has turned 10 carries into 26 yards over four games with Houston this year, and he'll look to impress with the Chiefs. The transaction won't become official until Monday, at the earliest.
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Jarquez Hunter RB | LAR
Rams' Jarquez Hunter: Inactive Week 12
Hunter (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday night's game against Tampa Bay.
Hunter has logged just 22 special-teams snaps across five rookie-season appearances. He's firmly behind Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers on the backfield depth chart.