NFL Player News

After establishing in Week 1 that he remains the Falcons' change-of-pace back despite some competition from rookie Devonta Freeman this preseason, Jacquizz Rodgers continued to play that role Week 2 at Cincinnati. Other than Steven Jackson (who had 11 for 46 yards), he was the only Falcons running back to get a single carry, finishing with five for 23 yards. He wasn't much of a factor in the passing game, though, failing to connect with quarterback Matt Ryan on his only target.

Rodgers, who ran for a touchdown in Week 1, will look to make the most of his role again Thursday night against the Buccaneers.

Dolphins running back Damien Williams could see a bigger role moving forward, after Lamar Miller and Knowshon Moreno exited Sunday's game against the Bills in Week 2 with injuries.

Williams played a limited role in Sunday's game, rushing five times for 19 yards. However, Moreno is likely out long-term with an elbow injury while Miller left Sunday's game early with an ankle sprain. Williams' role in Week 3 against the Chiefs will depend on how Miller gets through the week in practice.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was carted off the field Sunday.

Mathews fumbled on a handoff from Philip Rivers, and appeared to injury his leg while recovering the ball. The team announced Mathews is dealing with a knee injury. His return is questionable. 

Vikings playmaker Cordarrelle Patterson caught four of seven targets for a team-high 56 yards in a Week 2 loss to the Patriots. He had no rushes on the game and one deep target that quarterback Matt Cassel was intercepted on.

He'll aim for a better game in Week 3 at the Saints.

Vikings rookie running back Jerick McKinnon had 7 yards on two carries and 5 yards on two catches in the team's 30-7 loss to the Patriots in Week 2. McKinnon played sparingly as Matt Asiata started for the Vikings and handled the majority of the work. The Vikings play at the Saints in Week 3. 

Making the start at running back for the Vikings on Sunday, running back Matt Asiata totaled 30 yards on the first drive of the game and scored on a 25-yard catch-and-run against the Patriots. After that he totaled 54 yards over the rest of Week 2 and finished with 36 yards on 13 carries (a 2.8 rushing average) and 48 yards on five catches. 

Asiata should remain the Vikings' running back when they play at New Orleans in Week 3. 

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington fell 9 rushing yards shy Sunday of what would have been his second career 100-yard rushing performance. However, his 91 rushing yards played big in a 25-14 win Week 2 against the Giants, as starting quarterback Carson Palmer was sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

Ellington had 40 rushing yards on five carries by halftime. He finished with 91 yards on 15 carries. He also had one catch for 10 yards. He was targeted three times.

Ellington has now gone five games without a touchdown dating back to last season. The Cardinals are back in action Week 3 against the 49ers.

Redskins rookie running back Silas Redd saw his first NFL work in Week 2 against the Jaguars, and he took advantage in a 41-10 win Sunday.

Redd worked the last few series in the blowout, after Roy Helu's knee injury. He rushed for 41 yards on 8 carries, including a 14-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring.

If Helu is forced to miss extensive time, Redd may see an increased workload moving forward. The Redskins take on the Eagles in Week 3. 

Browns running back Terrance West continued to do a darn good impression of a featured back Sunday against New Orleans while Ben Tate is out.

West not only scored his first career touchdown on a bullish 9-yard run up the middle with six minutes left in the third quarter, but he finished with 68 yards on 19 carries and added two catches for 22 yards. He has 168 yards on 35 attempts in two games for a 5.1 per-carry average.

After scoring 41 touchdowns as a senior last season at Towson State, West will try to add to his modest NFL total in Week 3 against the Ravens.

The Patriots didn't need to lean on Shane Vereen in their Week 2 game at the Vikings thanks to jumping out to a big lead. As such, he ended up with 40 yards on six carries along with a catch for no yards -- typical numbers for Vereen when the Patriots get up big and don't need to feature him in their passing attack.

Vereen might be in for more light work in Week 3 when the Raiders head to Foxboro.