NFL Player News

Ellington picked up 14 of the Cardinals' 68 offensive snaps during Thursday's 33-21 win at San Francisco.

Following Chris Johnson's (sports hernia) placement on injured reserve, Ellington becomes the veritable backup running back to workhorse David Johnson. Snaps are thus guaranteed for the fourth-year pro, but the younger Johnson dominated the RB touches Thursday, racking up 157 yards on the ground and 28 more through the air. Meanwhile, Ellington earned six carries but no targets, all of them in the second half of a game that was less in question as the clock wound down. He'll likely parlay his pass-catching chops into a handful of big plays as the season proceeds, but Johnson is more than competent in that realm as well, hindering Ellington's potential opportunities.

Mathews gained 42 yards on 11 carries during Sunday's 24-23 loss to the Lions. He also caught all five of his targets for 33 yards and a touchdown while losing a fumble as well.

Mathews only ceded five carries to other backs Sunday in his return to action, but he generated just 3.8 yards per carry and fumbled the game away in the fourth quarter. However, he also made his first significant impact of the season as a pass-catcher, and found the end zone for the first time since Week 2. Mathews appears poised to handle the majority of the backfield touches, and he should find the sledding easier next week versus the Redskins.

Asiata rushed 14 times for 55 yards and a touchdown, and caught all three of his targets for 46 receiving yards Sunday against the Texans.

Asiata once again saw fewer carries than Jerick McKinnon, but scored a touchdown for the second straight week. While the 29-year-old veteran has emerged as Minnesota's preferred goal-line option in the wake of Adrian Peterson's knee injury, McKinnon still gets most of the work in general. Despite the timeshare, both are playable options most weeks for a Vikings team that often finds itself protecting leads.

McKinnon rushed for 36 yards on 20 carries, and caught one of three targets for 10 more in Sunday's 31-13 win over Houston.

McKinnon once again led the Vikings in carries, but had a 1-yard touchdown vultured by Matt Asiata. This annoying usage pattern is likely to persist, meaning McKinnon is unlikely to provide owners with many short-yardage scores. Asiata outplayed him in this one, but the 2014 third-rounder is still the more explosive running back in an offense that's committed to maintaining balance.

Cunningham (thigh) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 tilt versus the Bills, the team's official site reports.

The backup running back will take a seat after being limited on Thursday and Friday with the thigh injury he suffered against the Cardinals in Week 4. His absence should open up a handful of reps for rookie Malcolm Brown, who had an impressive preseason, but should also result in an uptick in workload for Todd Gurley.

Williams (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Week 5 tilt versus the Rams, the team's official site reports.

The rookie has only three carries for two yards thus far in his rookie campaign. LeSean McCoy, who'd been questionable with a hand injury, Mike Gillislee and Reggie Bush will once again handle running back duties for the Bills on Sunday.

Patterson (hip) returned to the field after exiting with a hip injury, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Patterson exited in the first half on Sunday and was considered questionable to return. Now that he's back, he'll continue as the third or fourth option behind Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen, and Jarius Wright.

Williams is questionable to return to Sunday's game due to illness, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Williams had recorded one carry for three yards and a chunk gain of 58 yards on his one reception before leaving the game. If he is forced to miss the rest of Sunday's contest, expect Kenyan Drake to see an increased workload with the Dolphins already short Arian Foster at running back.

Patterson (hip) is questionable to return to Sunday's game versus the Texans.

Prior to his departure in the second quarter, Patterson augmented three catches (on four targets) for 30 yards with one carry for seven yards and a kick return for 17 yards. If he joins Stefon Diggs (groin) on the sideline, Sam Bradford will likely look to Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen and Jarius Wright more often in the passing attack.

Zenner will be the Lions' No. 2 running back Sunday versus the Eagles, Tim Twentyman of the team's official site reports.

Zenner will be afforded an opportunity to build upon his 20 career carries with Ameer Abdullah (foot) on IR and Dwayne Washington (ankle) out of commission in Week 5. No matter, Theo Riddick will earn the start, relegating Zenner to work between the tackles.