NFL Player News
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Roschon Johnson RB | CHI
Bears' Roschon Johnson: Modest output with Foreman out
Johnson contributed 37 yards on nine carries and hauled in all three targets for 16 yards during Sunday's 27-16 victory over the Cardinals.
The Bears were without D'Onta Foreman in Week 16 due to a personal matter, but Khalil Herbert was the running back who benefitted from the absence. Herbert paced the backfield with 21 touches for 121 yards from scrimmage and a TD, which towered over Johnson's modest 12, 53 and zero, respectively. Perhaps Chicago's coaching staff prefers the rookie fourth-round pick to stay in a change-of-pace role, no matter who among the trio is available, but Johnson wasn't the primary beneficiary this time around. His outlook for the final two games of the campaign may not necessarily be tied to whether or not Foreman is able to suit up down the stretch.
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Rachaad White RB | WAS
Buccaneers' Rachaad White: Productive despite inefficiency
White rushed 20 times for 39 yards and a touchdown and brought in six of seven targets for 38 yards in the Buccaneers' 30-12 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
White had a drastically inefficient day on the ground, especially compared to the 4.6 yards per carry he'd averaged over the previous four contests. The standout back still found a way to be productive, however, scoring his sixth rushing touchdown of the campaign on a two-yard run early in the third quarter. He also continued to make his usual contributions through the air, tying his second-highest reception tally of the campaign. White has either a rushing or receiving touchdown in three straight games heading into a key Week 17 home divisional clash against the Saints.
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James Conner RB | ARI
Cardinals' James Conner: Goes past 100 yards from scrimmage
Conner compiled 12 carries for 45 yards and five catches (on five targets) for 67 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 27-16 loss in Chicago.
Sunday's outing marked Conner's first of the campaign with less than 4.0 yards per carry, but he made up for it with his performance as a receiver. Typically, he earns a few targets per game, but his five looks in Week 16 included a 16-yard catch-and-run for a TD and a personal game-high of 20 yards. Conner thus recorded 100-plus yards from scrimmage for the fourth time in 11 appearances this season. He'll aim to keep it up Sunday, Dec. 31 at Philadelphia.
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Khalil Herbert RB | NYJ
Bears' Khalil Herbert: Racks up 21 touches in Week 16
Herbert took 20 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown and hauled in one of two targets for nine yards during Sunday's 27-16 win over the Cardinals.
With D'Onta Foreman out due to a personal matter, Herbert and Roschon Johnson were the likely options to handle most of the backfield reps for the Bears in Week 16. The scale ended up tilting Herbert's way, as he dominated Johnson in touches (21-12) and yards from scrimmage (121-53). Prior to Sunday's outburst, Herbert hadn't fared well in four appearances since missing five due to a high-ankle sprain, averaging 2.4 yards on his 31 rushes while tallying five catches (on six targets) for 24 yards. It's unclear what kind of role he can expect the next time Foreman is available, but Herbert may be worthy of rostering again in the event the former misses more time.
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De'Von Achane RB | MIA
Dolphins' De'Von Achane: Turns eight touches into 31 yards
Achane (toe) rushed seven times for 24 yards and caught one of three targets for seven yards in Sunday's 22-20 win over the Cowboys.
Achane didn't take part in a full practice at any point this week while nursing a toe injury, but he was healthy enough to get clearance prior to kickoff Sunday. The explosive rookie finished with eight touches to starter Raheem Mostert's 12, but the latter scored Miami's only offensive touchdown Sunday and finished with the better fantasy line. Assuming he didn't aggravate his toe, Achane figures to hover around double-digit touches in a road matchup against the Ravens on Dec. 31.
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Tony Pollard RB | TEN
Cowboys' Tony Pollard: Struggles despite improved health
Pollard rushed 12 times for 38 yards and caught his lone target for five yards in Sunday's 22-20 loss to the Dolphins.
Pollard admitted that he was still recovering from offseason surgery earlier in the season, and that he finally started feeling healthy in recent weeks. However, the results on the field have not fallen in line with the tailback's statements. Pollard's season-long struggles have resulted in a per-carry average more than a full yard below last year's breakout mark of 5.2. Things won't get any easier for Dallas' lead back with a matchup against the fourth-stingiest run defense on tap when the Cowboys host the Lions on Dec. 30.
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Raheem Mostert RB | LV
Dolphins' Raheem Mostert: Scores league-leading 21st TD
Mostert (ankle/knee) had 11 carries for 46 yards and caught his only target for a four-yard touchdown in Sunday's 22-20 win over the Cowboys.
Mostert's short score at the end of the first half wound up being Miami's only touchdown as the juggernaut offense uncharacteristically struggled in the red zone against Dallas. It was the veteran tailback's 21st touchdown of the season, temporarily putting him ahead of Christian McCaffrey for the league lead, with the latter still having yet to play in Week 16. Mostert ceded seven carries to De'Von Achane (7-24-0), but the former is the preferred fantasy option heading into next Sunday's tilt against Baltimore.
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Jahmyr Gibbs RB | DET
Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs: Keeps finding pay dirt
Gibbs rushed 15 times for 80 yards and two touchdowns while catching four of seven targets for 20 yards during Sunday's 30-24 win over the Vikings.
Christmas again came early for Gibbs' fantasy investors, with the rookie posting at least 100 total yards and two total touchdowns in consecutive games to open the fantasy playoffs. He didn't even need a full workload to accomplish the feat, as David Montgomery handled the first seven rushing attempts of the game and 17 carries in total. Instead, Gibbs came in after Montgomery started wearing Minnesota down and beat the defense with his speed, not only by darting for a 14-yard touchdown run in the first half but also by dusting the Vikings defense for a near touchdown on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter. Now joining Barry Sanders and Billy Sims as the only Lions players to post at least 1,000 total yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, Gibbs will look to remain productive in a challenging Week 17 showdown with the Cowboys.
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Travis Etienne RB | NO
Jaguars' Travis Etienne: Held to 31 yards on nine touches
Etienne rushed six times for 12 yards and caught all three of his targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 30-12 loss to the Buccaneers.
Etienne saw his touch count decrease for the third week in a row, but this time it was due to an undesirable game script that had the Jaguars starting the second half down 20-0. The Clemson product didn't help the situation when given opportunities, finishing with a per-carry average well below 4.0 yards for the fourth time over his last five starts. Etienne's fantasy value is heavily tied to his usage, and his recent decline in touches makes him a riskier play than usual against Carolina on Dec. 31.
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Ty Chandler RB | NO
Vikings' Ty Chandler: Touchdown salvages down game
Chandler had eight carries for 17 yards and a touchdown and was not targeted as a receiver in Sunday's 30-24 loss to Detroit.
The North Carolina product stuck as Minnesota's starter even with previous starter Alexander Mattison (ankle) active Sunday. Chandler was unable to reproduce last week's massive 157-yard performance, but he did score his second rushing touchdown in as many weeks. Mattison wound up losing a yard on his two rushing attempts as the Vikings featured a pass-heavy gameplan against the Lions. Given that the latter was being eased back from injury, there is a chance the backs work in more of a split against the Packers on Dec. 31.