NFL Player News

Asiata had four carries for 13 yards in Sunday's win over Tennessee.

Asiata was brought in for one series to give Adrian Peterson a rest late in the game. He's not going to get many carries in a reserve role as long as Peterson is healthy.

Hightower gained nine yards on four carries and one yard on one reception in Sunday's season opening loss to the Raiders. He played only 10 of the Saints' 69 offensive snaps, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Even with C.J. Spiller a healthy inactive in Week 1, Hightower saw only four carries in relief of Mark Ingram, with Travaris Cadet (26 snaps) getting most of the third-down snaps. When Ingram was sidelined at the end of last season, Hightower served as the Saints' three-down workhorse -- racking up nice yards on the ground and through the air. However, if Week 1 is any indication, should Ingram miss time this season, it appears that Hightower would still probably receive the majority of the carries, but unlike last year, Cadet (or Spiller) would play a more significant role in the passing game.

Murray carried 14 times for 59 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 35-34 victory over the Saints. He also grabbed one of his two targets for a 14-yard gain.

Murray ran hard and converted an early six-yard touchdown run, but his body of work on the day was somewhat limited as Oakland spent a significant amount of time coming back from a large deficit. Jalen Richard broke off a long touchdown run, but Murray ceded just 10 rushing attempts to other backs and was active in the passing game to boot. Murray is in line for another productive season as the priority back for the Raiders and should see an increase in usage next week versus Atlanta.

Washington rushed twice for one yard and one touchdown in the Lions' 39-35 victory over the Colts.

Washington was interestingly given active status over fellow RB Zach Zenner, who was thought to have earned Detroit's "big-back" role after beating out Stevan Ridley in the preseason. However, it was Washington who assumed that role and was given two rushing attempts from the one-yard line and appears to be the Lions' goal-line battering ram if Week 1 was any indication. Still, he still saw just two carries while Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick largely carried the load, and was not featured in the passing game even though Abdullah and Riddick garnered five targets a piece. Up next for Washington and the Lions is a Week 2 matchup with the Titans, who limited All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson to just 31 yards across 19 carries in their regular season opener.

Abdullah rushed 12 times for 63 yards and caught all five of his targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 39-35 win at Indianapolis.

Abdullah got most of the rushing load Sunday, although rookie Dwayne Washington was the one that scored from one yard out in the first half. Meanwhile, Theo Riddick had a 21-yard touchdown run and caught another score, finishing with 12 touches for 108 yards. With Joique Bell no longer around, Abdullah will probably see plenty of work, but it's clear that Detroit likes Riddick, and could possibly use Washington as the team's short yardage runner.

Elliott had 20 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass for one yard in Sunday's 20-19 loss to the Giants.

Elliott was held in check for most of the game, but was able to salvage things with an eight-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Meanwhile, Alfred Morris was more effective with his opportunities, rushing for 35 yards on seven carries. Neither Elliott nor Morris was involved as a pass catcher, and Lance Dunbar also wasn't used much Sunday, catching just one of two targets for 16 yards. Despite the disappointing debut, Elliott saw plenty of work and scored from inside the 10-yard line. It's possible we'll see a better performance from the rookie RB next week at Washington.

Michael had 15 carries for 66 yards and caught two passes for five yards in Sunday's 12-10 win against Miami.

Michael wasn't quite the workhorse back that some thought he would be Sunday, as Thomas Rawls (illness) had 12 carries for 32 yards and three receptions for 26 yards. Michael was more effective as a runner though, averaging a solid 4.4 yards per carry. He had a shot at a short touchdown late in the game, but got stuffed near the goal line. It remains to be seen what the distribution of carries will be next week against the Rams, but in all likelihood, Rawls' workload will gradually increase.

Rawls (illness) had 12 carries for 32 yards and caught all three of his targets for 28 yards in Sunday's 12-10 win over Miami.

Although Rawls didn't make many big plays (his long rush was just eight yards), he was used almost as much as Christine Michael, who had 17 touches for 70 yards. Expect Rawls to see more and more work each week as he shakes off the rust from last season's serious ankle injury. Next week, Rawls will get a crack at the Rams.

Mathews gained 77 yards and scored a touchdown on 22 carries but was not targeted in the passing game in Sunday's 29-10 victory over the Browns.

So far so good for Mathews in his role as the unquestioned workhorse back, as he ran hard and decisively throughout the day and escaped injury-free. He had to work for everything he got Sunday, as his game-long rush went for only seven yards. However, it was certainly an encouraging start for a revamped Eagles offense, as Mathews proved capable of serving as a perfect complement to rookie quarterback Carson Wentz and helped keep the Browns defense honest. He should be primed for abundant opportunity in 2016 provided his health remains intact.

West rushed 12 times for 32 yards, and caught both of his targets for six more in his Ravens debut against the Bills on Sunday.

While West actually got two more carries than Justin Forsett, he finished with nine fewer yards on the ground. His 2.7 yards per carry average in this one doesn't bode well for the 25-year-old's workload going forward, but he does get a cushy matchup against his former employers in Cleveland next week.