NFL Player News

Edmonds (hamstring) ran for 15 yards on six carries against San Francisco on Sunday, adding three receptions for 19 yards on four targets.

Between the hamstring and the tough matchup with a Fred Warner-anchored defense, there was a lot working against Edmonds on Sunday, and that's before mentioning the team's meager 17 points against the 49ers. Edmonds is a crucial part of the Cardinals offense and will usually go as the rest of the offense does, but there just wasn't as much going Sunday as usual. The Cardinals face a respectable Cleveland defense in Week 6, but there should be more opportunity for Edmonds all the same, health permitting.

Elliott (knee) rushed 21 times for 110 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 44-20 win over the Giants on Sunday. He also brought in two of three targets for two yards and another score.

Elliott shook off the knee issue that had been plaguing him during the past week to eclipse the century mark for the second straight game. The 26-year-old now has six total touchdowns over the last four contests when factoring in Sunday's four-yard scoring grab and 13-yard end-zone scamper, and his carries have now increased in every game since the opener. Fantasy managers will hope all of Elliott's favorable trends persist when the red-hot Cowboys offense faces off with the Patriots on the road in Week 6.

Ekeler carried the ball 17 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns while also securing five targets for 53 yards and an additional score in Sunday's thrilling 47-42 win over the Browns. He also fumbled twice, losing one.

Ekeler didn't put together a stellar yard-per-carry figure, but he was a verifiable star in the red zone, wrestling, churning and fighting for every yard in all three of his touchdowns, each of which came within 20 yards of paydirt. After a bit of dud Week 1 in which Ekeler saw just 15 carries, the multi-talented running back is averaging close to 19 touches and 121.5 total yards over the last four games. An uber-efficient Chargers offense has afforded the 26-year-old plenty of opportunities near the goal line, but it's safe to say that even if Ekeler is unable to score, his weekly volume makes him one of the safer fantasy players on a week-to-week basis.

Jacobs rushed 15 times for 48 yards and a touchdown and brought in four of five targets for 19 yards in the Raiders' 20-9 loss to the Bears on Sunday.

Jacobs was once again the unequivocal lead back, but for the third time in as many contests this season, his overall rushing touches were limited by game script. The third-year back was able to give his overall fantasy numbers a nice boost by finding the end zone from one yard out early in the fourth quarter, his first touchdown since Week 1. The 15 carries Jacobs saw qualified as a season high, and he'll perhaps have even more opportunity on the ground in a Week 6 road matchup against the Broncos.

Barkley (ankle) was seen wearing crutches and a walking boot after Sunday's 44-20 loss to Dallas, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Barkley hurt the ankle in the first half, as his leg bent awkwardly and swelled up almost immediately. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Barkley is considered week-to-week due to a low-ankle sprain, but it seems highly improbable that Barkley will be ready to face the Rams in Week 6.

Mitchell (shoulder) ran for 43 yards on nine carries against Arizona on Sunday, adding two receptions for 19 yards on two targets.

Although he saw only nine carries, Mitchell functioned as the clear RB1 for the 49ers ahead of fellow rookie Trey Sermon (one carry for seven yards). The reason Mitchell's usage was so low was the high rushing volume claimed by quarterback Trey Lance (16 carries for 89 yards), who draws carries that would otherwise go to the running backs under Jimmy Garoppolo (calf). Coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo will return to the starting lineup once he's physically able, so if Garoppolo returns after the Week 6 bye then Mitchell might claim a higher share of the San Francisco running game than he did under Lance in Week 5.

Williams rushed eight times for 61 yards and caught all three targets for 25 more yards in Sunday's 27-19 loss to the Steelers.

Williams split touches with Melvin Gordon evenly (11 each), but the former outplayed his veteran counterpart in this contest. Neither back has really outshone the other on a consistent basis through five weeks, so a timeshare should continue as we progress through the year. Both Williams and Gordon may end up eating in Week 6 against the Raiders, who have surrendered 133.3 rushing yards per game this season.

Gordon carried the ball nine times for 34 yards and caught both of his targets for nine yards in Sunday's 27-19 loss to Pittsburgh.

Gordon continued to split work with rookie Javonte Williams (10 touches for 86 all-purpose yards) nearly evenly, but it was the latter who performed better in this contest. The veteran back has been steady, but unspectacular, through five contests. Gordon almost needs to hit pay dirt in order to maintain standard-league value with the capped amount of touches he receives. On the plus side, a soft matchup against the Raiders' 25th-ranked rush defense is on tap next Sunday.

Herbert rushed 18 times for 75 yards in the Bears' 20-9 win over the Raiders on Sunday.

Although Damien Williams drew the start, Herbert was involved in the rushing attack early, and as the Bears played with a lead in the second half, he dominated touches as the team closed out the contest. He also had carries in the red zone but failed to cash in, and Damien Williams punched in the only rushing score the team had. Given the amount of work Herbert was given, he may be useful in fantasy lineups while David Montgomery (knee) misses time.

Williams rushed 16 times for 65 yards and a touchdown and added a pair of receptions for 20 yards in the Bears' 20-9 win over the Raiders on Sunday.

Although Williams drew the start for the injured David Montgomery (knee), Khalil Herbert was mixed in early in the game and actually took on more work in the second half when the Bears were protecting the lead. With this backfield looking like a timeshare, Williams will still be a startable player in most fantasy leagues while Montgomery's out, though he may not have the overwhelming majority of backfield work that many anticipated.