NFL Player News
-
Kaleb Johnson RB | PIT
Steelers' Kaleb Johnson: Plays eight snaps in Week 11
Johnson rushed five times for 15 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.
Despite Sunday's lopsided score, the Steelers sustained several prominent injuries, including a wrist injury for Aaron Rodgers and an ankle injury that Jaylen Warren sustained in the third quarter. The latter's health concern led to a slightly increased role for Johnson, although Kenneth Gainwell saw the biggest uptick in usage. However, Warren said after the matchup that he could have returned to the game, so it seems likely that he'll be available for Pittsburgh's Week 12 tilt in Chicago. Assuming Warren and Gainwell remain available against the Bears, Johnson should continue to have minimal fantasy upside.
-
LeQuint Allen RB | JAC
Jaguars' LeQuint Allen: Garners eight garbage-time carries
Allen rushed eight times for 36 yards and returned two kickoffs for 55 yards during Sunday's 35-6 win against the Chargers.
Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten (ankle) combined for 34 carries, with Allen stepping in for mop-up duty on the final drive of the blowout victory. Allen has played double-digit snaps in all but one game this season, but Sunday's contest was the first time he received more than two offensive touches. The rookie seventh-round pick could move up to No. 2 on the depth chart if Tuten is forced to miss some time, but Allen still wouldn't be likely to see much meaningful action if Etienne remains healthy.
-
Rhamondre Stevenson RB | NE
Patriots' Rhamondre Stevenson: In line to practice Wednesday
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Monday that he expects Stevenson (toe) to practice Wednesday, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.
The running back has missed New England's last three games, though he returned to practice as a limited participant prior to being ruled out for last Thursday's win over the Jets. It sounds as though Stevenson could have a better chance to return in Week 12 versus the Bengals, though he seems highly unlikely to reclaim the lead role from rookie TreVeyon Henderson. During Stevenson's three-game absence, Henderson has compiled five total touchdowns while averaging over 100 scrimmage yards per contest.
-
Keaton Mitchell RB | BAL
Ravens' Keaton Mitchell: Playing time jumps without Hill
Mitchell had six carries for 31 yards and added two receptions for 23 yards on three targets against the Browns.
The speedster's role was expected to be elevated with Justice Hill (toe) sidelined. Mitchell did get a bump with a season-high 16 snaps and nine total opportunities split between six carries and three targets. He peeled off 5.2 yards per carry and had his first multi-reception game of the year. However, his one missed target ended in disaster, as it ricocheted off his hands and into Devin Bush's for a pick-six. This game was a good snapshot of Mitchell's expected usage if Hill is out, but once the veteran returns, it could be an uphill battle for Mitchell to get double-digit snaps in a given game. The Ravens return home to face the Jets in Week 12.
-
Trevor Etienne RB | CAR
Panthers' Trevor Etienne: Gets one carry in Week 11
Etienne played just four of the Panthers' 75 offensive snaps and rushed once for two yards in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win over the Falcons.
The rookie from Georgia has now played just 10 offensive snaps across Carolina's last four games, affirming his position as the team's No. 3 running back behind Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard. Although Etienne has played a minor offensive role, he's contributed on special teams, recording 544 total return yards through the Panthers' first 11 contests. He's expected to remain Carolina's top return specialist in the Week 12 matchup against the 49ers.
-
Jaleel McLaughlin RB | DEN
Broncos' Jaleel McLaughlin: Scores rushing TD in win
McLaughlin carried the ball six times for 19 yards and one touchdown during Denver's win over Kansas City on Sunday. He also secured his only target for minus-5 yards.
McLaughlin had been a healthy scratch for nine of the Broncos' first 10 games, but he rejoined the team's backfield with J.K. Dobbins (foot) on IR and made the most of his opportunities. Rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey was more productive overall due to his involvement in the receiving game, but neither back found many holes versus Kansas City's standout defense. McLaughlin will reprise his No. 2 role versus the Commanders in Week 12, though he's unlikely to supply consistent fantasy value.
-
Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Could have re-entered Week 11 win
Warren (ankle) said after Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals that he could have retaken the field after suffering an injury in the third quarter, but that remaining on the sideline "was part of being smart," Chris Adamski of TribLive.com reports.
Coach Mike Tomlin refrained from offering a tangible update on Warren's health following Sunday's divisional win, but it appears the starting running back has avoided a serious injury. The success logged by Kenneth Gainwell (105 scrimmage yards and two receiving scores on 16 touches) may have informed Pittsburgh's decision to take a cautious approach with Warren, who himself gained 62 rushing yards on 10 carries and secured both of his targets for five yards. If Warren ends up missing any time or even being limited on the road against Chicago in Week 12, Gainwell will likely be the biggest beneficiary again, as rookie third-round pick Kaleb Johnson played only eight snaps in Week 11 even with Warren on the sidelines.
-
Josh Jacobs RB | GB
Packers' Josh Jacobs: Appears to avoid major injury
The Packers believe Jacobs (knee) is not facing a major injury, though he will undergo further medical evaluation Monday to determine the severity of the issue, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
Jacobs doesn't appear set to spend a significant amount of time on the sidelines, but full clarity on his health won't arrive until after Monday's testing. If his injury proves to be more serious than anticipated, Emanuel Wilson would stand to inherit the lead role in Green Bay's rushing attack, with Chris Brooks likely stepping into an expanded change-of-pace gig. Wilson rushed 11 times for 40 yards and a score during the team's win over the Giants in Week 11, while also securing his only target for nine yards and reeling in a two-point conversion pass. Wilson will likely be a high priority waiver pickup this week as the Packers prepare to host the division-rival Vikings on Sunday.
-
Jerome Ford RB | CLE
Browns' Jerome Ford: Logs one touch in loss
Ford had one carry for two yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to Baltimore in Week 11.
In the two games following Cleveland's bye week, Ford has just one target and two carries while playing 31 snaps. It was mildly surprising that the Browns didn't trade him, given that Ford's in the final year of his contract. He currently shares the backup role with rookie Dylan Sampson.
-
Dylan Sampson RB | CLE
Browns' Dylan Sampson: Little work in loss
Sampson had one carry for 19 yards, failed to catch his lone target and returned two kickoffs for 48 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Ravens in Week 11.
Sampson had fewer snaps (six) than fellow backup Jerome Ford (13 snaps, one touch), but overall the recent trend has been that Sampson is Cleveland's No. 2 back for fantasy purposes. Regardless, both Ford and Sampson sit well behind Quinshon Judkins in the backfield pecking order.