NFL Player News

The Dolphins finally used their running backs the right way Sunday at Indianapolis in Week 2. Lamar Miller was the star, and Daniel Thomas played in a supporting role.

Miller had 14 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 6 yards. Thomas, meanwhile, was held to eight carries for 30 yards and one catch for 10 yards.

Thomas isn't going away. The Dolphins like him in pass protection and short-yardage situations. But Miller is a difference maker and needs to lead Miami in carries.

The Dolphins play at home against Atlanta in Week 3, and Miller has the chance for a repeat performance from this week. This was definitely a step in the right direction for Miller after a quiet preseason and bad Week 1 outing (no Fantasy points) against the Browns.

Thomas, on the other hand, isn't a recommended Fantasy option in most formats. He's just not going to touch the ball enough to produce at a high level, especially when Miller is on top of his game.

Titans running back Chris Johnson had another game Sunday in Week 2 at Houston with a lot of work and not a lot to show for it. He finished the game with 25 carries for 96 yards and one catch for 1 yard.

This is now consecutive games with 25 carries, but he has just 166 yards despite all that work. The good news is the Titans remain committed to running the ball with 50 carries through two weeks. The bad news is Johnson might not get much relief going forward.

He has a favorable matchup in Week 3 against San Diego, but after that Johnson faces tough defenses in the Jets in Week 4, Kansas City in Week 5, at Seattle in Week 6 and San Francisco in Week 7.

You're obviously starting Johnson in all leagues based on how much he'll touch the ball and his potential for the big play. But it might not be much easier going forward, outside of Week 3 against the Chargers, because those are some tough matchups ahead.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin turned in an impressive performance at home against the Saints in Week 2.

After being held to only 65 yards on the ground last week, Martin bounced back with 144 yards on 29 carries, averaging 5.0 yards per carry in a 16-14 defeat. He was targeted once and was held without a catch in the passing game.

Martin already has 53 carries for 209 yards and a touchdown through his first two games. He will look to keep things going Week 3 at New England. The Patriots allowed 129 yards rushing to the Jets in Week 2.

Making his return from a one-game suspension to begin the season, Rams running back Isaiah Pead got only one carry in relief of starter Daryl Richardson, picking up 1 yard. Benny Cunningham was used just a little bit more as a rusher, carrying twice for 0 yards.

Pead was a bigger factor in the passing game, getting targeted four times, but still had only two catches for 18 yards. Cunningham was targeted once but went without a catch.

The two will continue to compete for touches behind Richardson Week 3 at Dallas.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden had an excellent day on the ground, but did not score.

McFadden led the way for the Raiders, picking up 129 rushing yards on 19 carries. He also picked up 28 yards on 4 receptions. His only blemish was a lost fumble. McFadden will look to get into the end zone against the Broncos Week 3. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman barely saw the field against the Giants, running once for 3 yards. He has five carries for 18 yards in two games.

Hillman, who was not targeted in the passing game, faces the Raiders in Week 3.

Getting a chance to carry the load with Steven Jackson sidelined by a thigh injury early in the first quarter, running back Jacquizz Rodgers was mostly ineffective Week 2 against the Rams, picking up just 17 yards on 11 carries. His struggles forced the Falcons to rely mostly on the pass the rest of the way. Rodgers himself contributed four catches for 28 yards.

As of now, Jackson's status for Week 3 at Miami is unknown, but if Jackson is out, Rodgers would presumably share the workload with Jason Snelling, who was much more effective with limited touches in Week 2, picking up 19 yards on two carries and 41 yards on four catches. He also scored the team's final touchdown on an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Seahawks ruled defensive lineman Chris Clemons (knee), defensive lineman Jordan Hill (biceps), defensive back Brandon Browner (hamstring) and defensive back Jeron Johnson (hamstring) inactive because of injuries. In addition, running back Christine Michael, tackle Michael Bowie and tackle Alvin Bailey were all healthy inactives.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington made his presence felt in the passing game against the Lions.

Ellington led the team in receiving, with 42 yards and a touchdown on 2 catches. He also had  carries for 20 yards. He'll take on the Saints Week 3.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson had his moments Week 2 at Atlanta -- particularly in the first half, when he had a combined 55 yards on the ground and in the air -- but with the Rams down 24-3 entering the second half, he eventually took a back seat to the passing tame.

In all, he had 10 carries for 35 yards and five catches for 45. It was a step back from his Week 1 performance, when he had a combined 96 yards. He was still far and away the Rams' preferred rusher, though. Isaiah Pead, fresh off a one-game suspension, and Benny Cunningham had a combined three carries for 1 yard.

Richardson will hope for a closer score and more rushing opportunities when the Rams visit the Cowboys in Week 3.