NFL Player News

Johnson took six carries for 21 yards while catching three of four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Chargers.

Johnson was able to pass the league's concussion protocol in time to suit up for Sunday's matchup against the Chargers. The 22-year-old wound up splitting touches with D'Onta Foreman, with neither player standing out in the box score. Both backs could struggle to develop consistent value due to fluctuating usage from an indecisive coaching staff trying to salvage a season that is clearly heading the wrong direction, and that's before the eventual return of Khalil Herbert (ankle) gets factored in. For now, assume another roughly even split between Johnson and Foreman against the Saints in Week 9.

Breida rushed five times for 13 yards and caught his only target for four yards in Sunday's Week 8 overtime loss to the Jets.

With starting QB Tyrod Taylor departing in the second quarter with a rib cage injury, the Giants attempted to grind out a win on the ground, accumulating 52 rushes versus just 14 pass attempts as a team. However, 36 of the carries went to Saquon Barkley, with the remaining 16 spread out between four different players. Breida's five carries were his most since Week 5, but they were still far from enough to result in meaningful fantasy numbers. If neither Taylor nor Daniel Jones (neck) is able to suit up in Week 9 against Las Vegas, New York could opt to again go with a run-heavy game plan, but that doesn't mean Breida will be involved enough to have any sort of fantasy viability.

Ekeler (ankle) carried the ball 15 times for 29 yards and caught seven of eight targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-13 win over Chicago. He also coughed up a fumble, his first of the season.

Ekeler continues to struggle as a rusher since returning from injury in Week 6, but he finally broke out for fantasy managers with his contributions as a receiver. The 28-year-old displayed his usual burst on a handful of his 22 combined touches Sunday, something that was lacking when he initially returned from injury. With an extra day of rest scheduled ahead of next Monday's tilt the Jets, we could see the healthiest version of Ekeler since Week 1, when he combined for 164 yards and a touchdown against Miami.

Elliott rushed seven times for 36 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game during the Patriots' 31-17 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.

Elliott saw only three fewer carries than backfield mate Rhamondre Stevenson and was more efficient than the latter, averaging 5.1 yards per tote to his teammate's 3.9. Nevertheless, Elliott's lack of involvement in the passing game for the second straight contest and the snapping of his two-game touchdown streak led to a highly underwhelming fantasy afternoon for the accomplished veteran, which he'll aim to bounce back from in a Week 9 home matchup against the Commanders.

Freeman rushed the ball nine times for 44 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 43-20 loss to the Cowboys.

Freeman was out-touched 15-9 by Darrell Henderson, with the gap in workload coming primarily due to the latter's work in the passing game. On the ground, Freeman was fairly efficient as he gained at least six yards on five of his carries. He also found the end zone just before halftime on a one-yard plunge. With Zach Evans (coach's decision) inactive and Myles Gaskin limited to special teams work, Freeman should see a decent role so long as Kyren Williams (ankle) and Ronnie Rivers (knee) are sidelined.

Ford carried the ball nine times for 37 yards in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seahawks.

Ford was surprisingly active after suffering an ankle injury in Week 7, though he was on the wrong end of a three-way backfield split for Cleveland. The Browns were clearly monitoring his volume and saved him for the fourth quarter, when he accounted for seven of his nine carries. Ford is unlikely to get a full workload during the second half of the season, though it's realistic to expect his volume to tick back up once his ankle has some time to heal. With that in mind, monitoring his practice participation will be important leading into a Week 9 matchup against the Cardinals.

Carter rushed twice for two yards and didn't catch his lone target in Sunday's 13-10 overtime win over the Giants.

Carter and Dalvin Cook each got two touches, while Breece Hall turned 12 carries and nine targets into 93 scrimmage yards and the Jets' only touchdown. There's a chance the Jets will trade Cook before the Oct. 31 deadline, which would likely free up a few more touches per game for Carter, but Hall remains the clear lead back for Gang Green.

Hunt rushed the ball 14 times for 55 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Seahawks. He added one reception for 12 yards.

Hunt split carries three ways with Pierre Strong and Jerome Ford, though he managed to lead the way with 15 total touches. He wasn't particularly efficient on the ground as he failed to crack a gain of double-digit yards, though he turned in a decent fantasy performance thanks to a one-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. Hunt could continue to lead the backfield as long as Ford is bothered by an ankle injury, though it's unlikely he'll see a full workhorse role at any point this season.

Pacheco rushed eight times for 40 yards and caught three of four targets for a net loss of three yards in Sunday's upset loss to Denver.

Pacheco failed to record double-digit carries for the first time since Week 1, and his 11 combined touches set a new low through eight games this season. The 24-year-old still finished as Kansas City's leading rusher while ceding just four combined touches to backups Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Sunday's unexpected game script was the main culprit of Pacheco's lowered usage, as the favored Chiefs were forced to throw more than twice as many times as they ran while playing from behind Sunday. Pacheco remains a plus fantasy play as Kansas City's top backfield option heading into a marquee matchup against Miami in Germany next Sunday.

Demercado had 20 carries for 78 yards and caught his lone target for one yard in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Ravens.

Demercado continued to serve as the Cardinals' lead back Sunday after head coach Jonathan Gannon shook up the backfield depth chart and started the undrafted rookie in last week's loss to Seattle. Demercado wound up taking 20 of Arizona's 24 running back carries, with Damien Williams and Keaontay Ingram splitting the remaining touches. Demercado has performed adequately replacing injured starter James Conner (knee) -- who is still on IR without a timetable to return -- making the rookie a viable fantasy option against the Browns next Sunday.