NFL Player News

Mixon had seven carries for 48 yards and three receptions for 20 yards in Sunday's 29-14 loss to the Steelers, but didn't have any carries in the second half and vented his frustrations afterward, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "Yeah, that's frustrating," Mixon said. "I felt like (Le'Veon) Bell got the ball 35 times. I get it seven. All in the first half then don't touch the ball again. Jeremy got one touch in the second half. It was frustrating to us running backs. We are in the room and feel like we are a part of the offense. If it worked in the first half why not do it in the second?"

Mixon isn't wrong - he wasn't even on the field until the third offensive series of the second half, when the score was already 26-14 and the Bengals were in pass mode, right at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Both of the Bengals touchdowns in the first half came when Mixon was the primary back, and the team had a run/pass option. The offensive coordinator change to Bill Lazor worked, but the team whiffed Sunday.

Ekeler carried the ball seven times for 38 yards and caught four passes for six yards, including a touchdown, in the 21-0 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

Ekeler vultured a receiving touchdown from Melvin Gordon, posting yet another surprisingly productive fantasy performance for the undrafted free agent. Even if Branden Oliver (hamstring) were to return next week, it seems likely that Ekeler has earned his spot as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart.

Gillislee carried eight times for 31 yards in Sunday's 23-7 win over the Falcons.

For the second week in a row, Dion Lewis saw more snaps and carries than Gillislee, who has failed to score a TD in his last five games after logging four scores in his first two contests out of the gate. While there figures to be weeks where the game flow leads to the Patriots turning to more of a power running attack, Gillislee is, in any case, part of a backfield committee that also includes Lewis, James White and Rex Burkhead. In that context, Gillislee needs to cash in on his goal-line opportunities in order to help those who roll with him in fantasy lineups.

Jones logged 44 of a possible 55 offensive snaps (80 percent) in Sunday's 26-17 loss to the Saints, while Ty Montgomery logged seven snaps (13 percent) in the contest, Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com reports.

That workload distribution indicates that Jones has clearly surpassed Montgomery as the Packers' top running back, with the former having picked up more snaps than the latter in two straight games. Though Montgomery thrived as the lead back in the second half of last season, he's averaging just 3.1 yards per carry on 60 totes in 2017, while Jones is sitting on a stellar 5.6 YPC mark after scampering for a career-high 131 yards Sunday. Unless Jones' efficiency takes a dramatic dip in subsequent matchups, it's likely that he'll continue to dominate the touches out of the backfield, with Montgomery expected to be deployed mostly as a change-of-pace option. The prospect of full slates of snaps from week to week should be enough to make Jones a trustworthy starting option in all fantasy settings.

Sims rushed twice for eight yards and brought in two of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Bills.

The pass-catching specialist logged 24 snaps, but he wasn't able to parlay them into much production. Sims has just eight carries through his first six games, but he has logged multiple receptions in three straight contests. His fantasy value remains tied almost exclusively to his work in the passing game, and with the plethora of targets at Jameis Winston's disposal, Sims' volume in the air attack can fluctuate. Sims will look to up his overall production against the Panthers in Week 8.

Rodgers rushed once for two yards and brought in his only target for nine yards in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Bills.

Rodgers continues to play a minuscule role in the offense, as he logged just two snaps Sunday. Meanwhile, backfield mates Doug Martin (43 snaps) and Charles Sims (24 snaps) saw considerably more opportunity, and even Peyton Barber (three snaps) narrowly outpaced him. Rodgers has just seven combined carries in the past three contests, rendering him a fantasy non-factor for the time being.

Patterson caught one of three targets for nine yards during Thursday's 31-30 win over the Chiefs.

Patterson was on the field for just 18 of 82 offensive plays for the Raiders in Week 7, while No. 3 receiver Seth Roberts logged a season-high 72 snaps. Patterson was also kept without a rushing attempt for just the second time this year, despite the ejection of starting running back Marshawn Lynch. Lynch will remain sidelined in Week 8 against the Bills due to a one-game suspension (subject to appeal), though Patterson's role shouldn't change due to the clean bill of health currently enjoyed by the rest of Oakland's offensive weapons.

The NFL's request for an expedited hearing pertaining to the preliminary injunction of Elliott's suspension was rejected Monday, meaning the running back should be on track to play Week 8 against the Redskins, ESPN.com reports

As a result, Elliott's hearing will be held Oct. 30, one day after the Cowboys take on Washington. He's coming off his best showing of the season in Sunday's 40-10 win over the 49ers, during which he logged 147 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and added a 72-yard receiving score. Whether or not Elliott will have to serve the any portion of the six-game suspension he originally received in August in the second half of the season should be determined shortly after the Oct. 30 hearing.

Breida tallied just five yards on three carries in Sunday's 40-10 loss to the Cowboys.

Breida has seen his touches decrease in two consecutive weeks since appearing to gain a larger role Week 5. The lack of usage may be linked to rumors surrounding a potential trade of starting running back Carlos Hyde. While the 49ers denied the claims, it is worth noting that they acted similarly before trading away Vance McDonald this past offseason. The team already parted ways with All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman, and at 0-7, it would be surprising if the Niners weren't trying to move some of their impending free agents. Breida's reduced role these past two weeks makes him unstartable in almost any format, but forward-thinking owners should continue to hold on to the rookie at least until the Oct. 31 trade deadline passes.

Vereen had two carries for four yards and caught three of his four targets for two yards against the Seahawks on Sunday.

It's been two straight games that Vereen, despite the team's dearth of receiving options, hasn't been a factor. You'd think with Eli Manning checking it down so much Vereen would have a bigger role, but so far that hasn't happened.