NFL Player News

Patterson rushed 13 times for 44 yards and two touchdowns and secured his only target for nine yards in the Falcons' 20-17 loss to the Chargers on Sunday.

Head coach Arthur Smith mostly held true to his word of easing Patterson back into the fold after a four-game stint on IR, but the versatile veteran still paced the Falcons in carries. Patterson scored from one and three yards out in the first and third quarter, respectively, and he could be in line for a larger workload in a Week 10 divisional road matchup against the Panthers on Thursday night.

Ekeler rushed 14 times for 47 yards and a touchdown while catching seven of nine targets for 24 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Falcons. He also lost a fumble.

Ekeler got the Chargers on the board with a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, then gave his team a 14-10 lead with a one-yard touchdown catch in the final minute of the first half. With the Chargers driving for a winning field goal down the stretch, Ekeler fumbled at Atlanta's 20-yard line, but he was bailed out as the Falcons fumbled later on the same play, resulting in the Chargers getting the ball back and making the game-winning kick three plays later. Ekeler has found the end zone 10 times in his last five games heading into a Week 10 matchup with the 49ers.

Etienne rushed the ball 28 times for 109 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Raiders. He added two receptions on two targets for 17 yards.

While it wasn't his most efficient game, Etienne continues to see his involvement in the Jaguars' offense climb. He earned a career-high 28 rushing attempts and also topped 100 rushing yards for the third consecutive game. Etienne's performance was highlighted by rushing scores of one and five yards with his longest rushes going for 18, 16 and 13 yards. Even in a relatively uninspiring offense, Etienne has emerged as among the most productive running backs in the league.

Dillon rushed 11 times for 34 yards and caught two of four targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 15-9 win over the Lions.

Dillon's final stat line was nothing to write home about, but the big takeaway from this game was the premature exit of starter Aaron Jones (ankle). The latter left the game in the second half and did not return, leaving Dillon to handle most of Green Bay's rushing duties. Rookie Kylin Hill was the only other back to see action with one carry for seven yards. If Jones is forced to miss time, Dillon's workload should increase heavily, so fantasy managers should monitor the upcoming injury report for Week 10. The 24-year-old was already averaging double-digit touches while producing right around four yards per carry, so an increase in volume and an uptick in targets would elevate Dillon into RB2 territory if he is asked to start against Dallas next Sunday.

Following Sunday's 15-9 loss to the Lions, Jones was sporting a walking boot on his left foot, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Per Schneidman, the running back -- who left Sunday's game early with an ankle injury -- "had a very noticeable limp" in the locker room afterward. As a result, Jones' status for next weekend's game against the Cowboys will need to be closely monitored. If he's out or limited in Week 10, added carries will be available for AJ Dillon, with Kylin Hill in the mix for increased complementary snaps.

Mixon rushed the ball 22 times for 153 yards and four touchdowns in Sunday's 42-21 win over the Panthers. He added four receptions on five targets for 58 yards and an additional score.

Mixon entered the game with only three total touchdowns and without a rush of more than 20 yards since Week 1. He reversed both trends in convincing fashion, accounting for five of the six Bengals' touchdowns on the afternoon. The majority came near the goal line, though he also tallied a 12-yard receiving score and a 14-yard rushing touchdown. Additionally, Mixon ripped off long gains of 35, 29, 20 and 17 yards to average more than four yards per carry in a game for only the third time this season. After maintaining fantasy value on the basis of volume for the majority of the season, Mixon put it all together in his massive performance against the Panthers.

Jones (ankle) didn't return to Sunday's 15-9 loss at Detroit, finishing Week 9 with nine carries for 25 yards and two catches (on two targets) for 20 yards.

In the middle of the third quarter, Jones jogged to the locker room and eventually was deemed questionable to return due to an ankle injury. After that, he was seen in the sideline in uniform but without a helmet, while AJ Dillon and Kylin Hill earned the backfield touches for the rest of the game. Jones' status for next Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys now will need to be monitored as the week continues.

Jones injured his ankle during the second half of Sunday's contest in Detroit.

Shortly before the Packers scored for the first time Sunday, Jones was seen jogging to the locker room, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, and termed questionable to return due to an ankle issue. If Jones is forced from the contest, AJ Dillon and 2021 seventh-round pick Kylin Hill will be Green Bay's remaining healthy running backs.

Akers (personal) is listed as active Sunday at Tampa Bay, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Making his first appearance since Week 5, Akers will put an end to a two-game absence after he and the Rams seemingly resolved their differences during preparations for Week 9. His role in the offense is far from known, though, as all of Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown and practice squad call-up Ronnie Rivers also are available to L.A.'s backfield. Akers will be looking to improve upon his yards-per-carry mark of 3.0, which is possible against the Buccaneers' 24th-ranked run defense (132.4 yards per game).

Reynolds (ribs) was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Reynolds will not be able to return after being forced out with a rib injury in the first half against Green Bay. The 26-year-old played a minor role in Detroit's offense over the first seven games, and his next chance to suit up will come versus the Bears on Sunday, Nov. 13.