NFL Player News

Ekeler tallied 14 carries for 36 yards and also corralled four receptions for 36 yards in Sunday's 24-19 win over the Raiders.

The veteran running back registered the bulk of the opportunities out of the backfield, but he wasn't able to make much headway in what was a difficult matchup overall on the ground. Perhaps more crucially for fantasy managers, no one behind Ekeler on the backfield depth chart did much of anything in this contest either as both Joshua Kelley (six touches, 35 yards) and Sony Michel (seven carries, 12 yards) were stymied. Expect Ekeler to rebound against a shaky Chiefs defense next week.

Jones rushed five times for 49 yards and caught three of five targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Vikings.

Jones was rather efficient on the ground, helped by a game-long rush of 29 yards during the second half. However, he surprisingly garnered only a handful of carries all game, whereas teammate AJ Dillon rushed 10 times, led Green Bay in receiving and scored the team's only touchdown. While Jones and Dillon are likely to split snaps all year, the Packers could aim to get Jones more touches in Week 2's matchup versus the Bears.

Jacobs ran for 57 yards on 10 carries and caught his only target for 16 yards against the Chargers on Sunday.

The Raiders never gained scoreboard leverage over the Chargers in this game and as a result maintained a catch-up mentality for almost the entire contest. Jacobs' rushing usage suffered as a result, even with his solid efficiency on the ground. The Raiders lost with this approach, so new coach Josh McDaniels might have reason to involve Jacobs earlier in a Week 2 matchup against Arizona.

Dillon rushed 10 times for 45 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Vikings. He also caught five of six targets for 46 yards.

Dillon was Green Bay's most productive offensive player, leading the team in rushes and receiving yards while scoring its only touchdown. Although running mate Aaron Jones topped him with 49 yards on just five carries, Dillon saw the larger workload and was trusted near the goal line. After being stuffed on a fourth-down play at the one yard line during the first half, Dillon rebounded by scoring from two yards out in the second half. As the Packers adjust to life without superstar wideout Davante Adams, Dillon and Jones should remain key contributors both on the ground and in the air.

Etienne rushed four times for 47 yards and caught two of four passes for 18 yards in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Commanders.

Etienne ripped off a couple of big runs despite getting just four carries in his 2022 debut. The 2021 first-round pick did cough up the ball once, but it was recovered by Jacksonville, so this wasn't a "doghouse" scenario with new head coach Doug Pederson. In fact, Etienne had been touted as the Jaguars' lead back heading into the season, even when James Robinson (Achilles) returned from his major injury. The latter made a speedy recovery and not only suited up Sunday but may have taken the starting job away from Etienne after getting 12 touches for 69 yards and two short touchdowns. Etienne's managers have to anxiously wait for next week's matchup against the Colts to see if the back's fantasy value can recover from this surprising dud.

Cook rushed 20 times for 90 yards and caught three of five targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Packers.

Cook garnered a healthy workload in his first game under new coach Kevin O'Connell. Although he didn't manage to find the end zone, Cook looked quick while topping 100 scrimmage yards to begin the campaign. He'll next face an Eagles defense that surrendered 175 yards and a touchdown to D'Andre Swift in Week 1.

Vaughn is inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Cowboys.

With Vaughn not in the mix Sunday night, Rachaad White and Giovani Bernard are slated to work behind starter Leonard Fournette in Tampa Bay's Week 1 backfield.

Gibson rushed 14 times for 58 yards and caught seven of eight targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 28-22 win over the Jaguars.

Gibson turned in a solid effort on the ground (4.1 yards per carry), and the career-high eight targets were a welcome surprise for his fantasy managers. We previously reported (Aug. 20) that the power back was getting some extra work as a receiver this preseason to round out his skill set, so the spike in targets may not be an anomaly. Gibson should continue to dominate the running back touches in Washington, especially while rookie Brian Robinson (knee) mends on the reserve/non-football injury list (he is eligible to return Week 5 if healthy).

The foot injury Harris sustained in Sunday's overtime win over the Bengals isn't believed to be a serious concern, Michael Giardi of NFL Network reports.

Though Giardi's report adds a degree of optimism with regard to Harris' long-term outlook, the running back's status will still need to be monitored closely in advance of the Steelers' Week 2 game against the Patriots, given that the 24-year-old previously dealt with a Lisfranc sprain in his foot during training camp. If Harris ends up sitting out Week 2, Jaylen Warren would presumably be first in line to lead the Steelers' backfield.

Pierce rushed 11 times for 33 yards and secured his only target for six yards in the Texans' 20-20 tie with the Colts on Sunday.

The rookie ultimately didn't serve as the lead back in terms of volume Sunday, with veteran Rex Burkhead outpacing him by three carries and seven targets. Both players generally found running room at a premium against a stingy Colts front that limited Houston to 2.8 yards per carry overall, but Pierce should certainly continue getting his fair share of opportunity over the course of his rookie campaign as head coach Lovie Smith tries to protect second-year quarterback Davis Mills. Pierce's first chance to improve on the pedestrian pro debut comes in a Week 2 road matchup against the Broncos next Sunday.