NFL Player News

Vikings running back Matt Asiata, making his second start in place of Adrian Peterson, didn't do anything show-stopping Week 3 at New Orleans. His one big play was a 41-yard reception in the second quarter, but he netted minus-5 yards on his other two catches. He was the Vikings second-most targeted receiver with six looks.

As a rusher, he never gained more than 8 yards, though he had just 12 carries total, still twice as many as any other Viking. He ran for 35 yards in all.

Asiata's opportunities were limited in the second half, when the Vikings had only three possessions. They were forced to throw mostly on the third one, trailing by multiple scores.

The Vikings host the Falcons in Week 4.

Rams running back Benny Cunningham managed just 29 yards on nine carries and added one reception for five yards in his team's 34-31 loss to the Cowboys in Week 3.

Cunningham received more action in Week 3 than he had in the first two weeks, getting nine carries to 12 for starter Zac Stacy, but he failed to impress with his totes while the starter broke off 5.6 yards per carry. Cunningham averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season and could work his way into more carries if he can approach that level in the coming weeks. The Rams are off in Week 4 before facing the Eagles.

Browns rookie running back Terrance West continued his steady drop in productivity Sunday against the visiting Ravens following a 100-yard game in Week 1 to launch his NFL career.

West managed just 36 yards in 12 carries, though he did bolt into the end zone from a yard out in the first quarter for his second score of the season. He added two catches for five yards.

His worst moment was a missed assignment that resulted in a sack of quarterback Brian Hoyer in the fourth quarter that played a big role in ruining a promising drive. West will have plenty of time to think about that one with the team on its bye week.

The Colts backup running backs did little Week 3 against the Jaguars.

Donte Moncrief had just one carry for 7 yards during the contest. Dan Herron gained 1 yard on one carry. They'll take on the Titans Week 4. 

Colts running back Trent Richardson had a nice game, but was overshadowed Week 3 against the Jaguars.

Richardson carried the ball 14 times for 57 yards. He also caught three passes for 23 yards during the contest. Richardson averaged a respectable 4.1 yards per rush, but couldn't match Ahmad Bradshaw. Bradshaw led the club with 65 rushing yards, and averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Richardson also had two chances to plunge the ball in at the 1 yard line, but failed to do so. 

He'll look to find the end zone Week 4 against the Titans. 

Redskins running back Roy Helu touched the ball just twice in Week 3 against the Eagles, but managed to make a big impact in a 37-34 loss to the Eagles.

Helu's first touch of the game came on a 55-yard reception in the fourth quarter, his lone target in the passing game. He was able to finish off that drive with his lone rushing attempt of the game, a 1-yard touchdown run.

Sunday's touchdown was Helu's first of the season. He has 153 all-purpose yards through three games, heading into Week 4's matchup against the Giants Thursday.  

An injury to featured back Bernard Pierce allowed the Ravens to unveil rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro in Cleveland on Sunday - and it was quite an unveiling.

Taliaferro ran roughshod over the Browns upon his arrival in the game. He opened with a 9-yard burst over the middle, added a 31-yard jaunt through a gaping hole in the second quarter and finished the first half with 81 yards on just 11 carries. He was held thereafter to just 10 yards on seven attempt, but one of them was a 1-yard touchdown blast with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The rookie, who did not snag a pass in the game, will continue his coming-out party next Sunday against the visiting Panthers.

Chargers running back Branden Oliver saw the first work of his career Sunday, in a 22-10 win over the Bills in Week 3.

Oliver saw action as the team's backup running back, after Danny Woodhead was forced out with an ankle injury. Oliver carried the ball three times for 11 yards.

Oliver could see a bigger workload next week, if Woodhead is forced to sit out. The Chargers take on the Jaguars in Week 4. 

The Packers backup running did little Week 3 against the Lions.

James Starks actually led the team in rushing despite receiving just eight carries. He gained 38 yards. DuJuan Harris also got three carries, but only gained 2 yards. 

They'll take on the Bears Week 4. 

Chargers running back Donald Brown played a larger-than-expected role in Week 3 against the Bills, as another member of the running-back corps was forced from the game with an injury.

Brown, who was expected to play more following Ryan Mathews' knee injury last week, was the workhorse Sunday after Danny Woodhead left the game. He ran the ball a career-high 31 times in the game, but managed just 62 yards on the ground. He added five receptions on 27 yards in the 20-10 win.

Mathews is already expected to miss a handful of weeks with the injury, and it looks like Woodhead might be out a while after he was carted off. The Chargers are set to take on the Jaguars in Week 4.