NFL Player News
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Benny Snell RB | DET
Steelers' Benny Snell: Plays exclusively on special teams
Snell didn't record any touches during the Steelers' 17-14 loss to New England on Sunday.
Snell was on the field for 73 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps on special teams Sunday, but he didn't play any offensive snaps during the narrow loss. The 2019 fourth-rounder hasn't yet touched the ball over the first two weeks of the regular season, and it seems unlikely that he'll see significant work in the Steelers' offense as long as Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren are healthy.
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Jaylen Warren RB | PIT
Steelers' Jaylen Warren: Minimal results against New England
Warren rushed four times for 15 yards while securing his lone target for no yards during the Steelers' 17-14 loss to the Patriots on Sunday.
Warren saw increased playing time late in last week's regular-season opener against the Bengals because Najee Harris left with a foot injury, but Harris started Sunday's Week 2 matchup after practicing fully Thursday and Friday. As a result, Warren was on the field for just 29 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, and he was unable to generate much production with his limited touches. As long as Harris remains healthy, it seems unlikely that the Steelers offense can sustain two fantasy-relevant running backs, especially given how inefficient the team has been early in the season.
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Zamir White RB | LV
Raiders' Zamir White: One carry in loss
White took his only carry for two yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the Cardinals.
The Raiders built a commanding 20-point lead ahead of halftime and subsequently leaned on starter Josh Jacobs out of the backfield, as he finished the contest with 19 carries for 69 yards while White earned just one touch in six offensive snaps. Ameer Abdullah mixed in on passing downs with Brandon Bolden (hamstring) inactive, further limiting White's role.
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James Conner RB | ARI
Cardinals' James Conner: Avoids long-term injury
Conner (ankle) isn't believe to have suffered a severe injury in Sunday's overtime victory over the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Conner wasn't able to return to Sunday's contest, but he looks like he may be able to avoid a lengthy recovery timeline. His chances of playing Week 3 versus the Rams likely will depend on the extent of his practice activity, so Conner's status will need to be monitored going forward. Eno Benjamin and Darrel Williams would stand to handle increased reps if Conner does miss time or suit up while limited.
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Pierre Strong Jr. RB | GB
Patriots' Pierre Strong: Three snaps in Week 2
Strong logged three snaps on offense in Sunday's 17-14 win over the Steelers, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Strong, who didn't record a catch or carry in the contest, did return two kickoffs for 48 yards in his NFL regular-season debut. While it's possible that the 2022 fourth-rounder could grow into a change-of-pace role in the Patriots offense over the coming weeks, the team's backfield is currently led by Damien Harris (27 snaps, 15 carries) and Rhamondre Stevenson (42 snaps, nine carries).
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Chase Edmonds RB | WAS
Dolphins' Chase Edmonds: Complementary role in comeback win
Edmonds has five carries for 33 yards and secured one of three targets for eight yards during the Dolphins 42-38 win over the Ravens on Sunday.
Edmonds saw six less carries than backfield mate Raheem Mostert, a significant change considering that he handled a lead role in Week 1. It's worth noting that Edmonds did play well against Baltimore outside of a dubious tripping penalty, and he had a 23-yard run with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter that proved key in securing Miami's comeback. That said, Mostert opened the game as the starter, indicating that his lead role was part of the game plan and not simply a matter of riding the hot hand. Coach Mike McDaniel's backfield usage could vary on a weekly basis, making Edmonds a risky fantasy play versus the Bills in Week 3.
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Rachaad White RB | WAS
Buccaneers' Rachaad White: Minimal action in Week 2 win
White rushed twice for one yard and failed to bring in either of his two targets in the Buccaneers' 20-10 win over the Saints on Sunday.
The rookie ceded almost all the backfield work to Leonard Fournette, who tallied a robust 24 carries. White played on nine snaps from scrimmage overall and logged another nine on special teams, and he could be in for a similarly modest role for the foreseeable future as long as Fournette is healthy.
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Travis Homer RB | PIT
Seahawks' Travis Homer: Registers 42 total yards
Homer rushed twice for nine yards and caught all four targets for 33 yards in Sunday's 27-7 loss to the 49ers.
Homer led all Seahawks running backs with 22 offensive snaps while Rashaad Penny (20) and rookie Kenneth Walker (12) trailed close behind. The Seahawks played from behind nearly all day, so Homer's usage in the passing game came in handy. He ended up out-pacing Penny and Walker in terms of yardage, too. It will still be difficult to trust Homer on a weekly basis as long as Penny and Walker are healthy.
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Jerome Ford RB | WAS
Browns' Jerome Ford: Returns two kicks
Ford returned two kickoffs for 67 yards in Sunday's 31-30 loss to the Jets in Week 2.
Ford has been active the first two weeks but has yet to play on offense. There isn't a need as long as Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are healthy. Ford has returned three kickoffs for an average of 32 yards per return, which ranks third in the league and first among players with more than one attempt.
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D'Ernest Johnson RB | NE
Browns' D'Ernest Johnson: Inactive again
Johnson was inactive Week 2 against the Jets.
Johnson opens the season with two inactive designations in the first two games. Both Demetric Felton and Jerome Ford have been active ahead of Johnson, as each have roles in the return game. With Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt healthy, having Johnson active may be seen as a luxury, but it should be noted he also has return experience and could replace either Felton or Ford.