NFL Player News

Johnson had two carries for nine yards in Sunday's 26-6 win over Chicago.

Johnson was part of the grouping that came in on for the final series of the game. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt helped seal the game, as Cleveland posted 13 fourth-quarter points and rested its regulars while Johnson got his first carries of the season.

Sermon rushed 10 times for 31 yards and a touchdown while catching two passes for three yards in Sunday's 30-28 loss to the Packers.

Sermon got the nod as starter as expected after Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) was pronounced out for the contest. The 49ers' third-round selection from this year's draft finished with a decent fantasy line thanks to his touchdown scamper, but the 3.1 yards per carry failed to impress. In the rookie's defense, the 49ers were playing from behind for most of the contest and relied upon their passing game to lead a comeback that fell just short. Perhaps Sermon could perform better in a more traditional game script. Whether or not we get a chance to see that is currently undetermined, as Mitchell could end up returning for the Week 4 matchup against the Seahawks. If the latter is unable to come back from injury, then Sermon should receive the lion's share of backfield touches like he did against the Packers.

Carter recorded nine rushes for 24 yards in Sunday's Week 3 loss to the Broncos. He added two receptions for five yards.

With Tevin Coleman (illness) sidelined, Carter took over as the primary back for the Jets. However, the team's overall offensive ineffectiveness limited his potential to produce as the team had only 13 total rushing attempts. Carter did show bits of promise, picking up gains of eight and five yards while also recording a reception of 10 yards. It remains to be seen whether Coleman can return for the Jets' Week 4 clash against the Titans. If he can't, Carter should have a better matchup on the ground.

Mattison carried the ball 26 times for 112 yards and caught six of eight targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 30-17 win over the Seahawks.

With Dalvin Cook (ankle) sidelined, Mattison stepped into the lead role in the Minnesota backfield and put up a very Cook-like performance, proving to be effective as both a runner and receiver. The third-year back is more than capable of delivering big numbers when called upon, but his fantasy value will depend on Cook's health heading into a Week 4 clash with the Browns.

Jones rushed 19 times for 82 yards and a touchdown while catching both of his targets for 14 more yards in a 30-28 win over the 49ers on Sunday.

Jones' performance may get overshadowed by the heroics both Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams performed Sunday night, but he still turned in a strong fantasy line. The 26-year-old has now contributed five total touchdowns to his fantasy managers' scores over the past two games, making up for an abysmal first game of the 2021 season. Jones remains the unquestioned lead back in Green Bay, and his prowess around the goal line keeps him in prime RB1 territory, even if he hasn't busted out a big rushing total game yet. A big cross-conference matchup against the Steelers is on tap for Week 4.

Williams carried the ball 12 times for 29 yards in Sunday's Week 3 win over the Jets. He added three receptions on four targets for 33 yards.

Williams gave way to Melvin Gordon as the primary rusher, as Gordon commanded 18 carries. However, the pair continued to get work within the same drive and also alternated working as the primary back. Williams recorded the first touchdown of his career from one yard out early in the first quarter, and he then began the team's next drive with a 17-yard reception and 14-yard rush. He was relatively quiet otherwise, but his involvement in the passing game was a positive change as he entered the game having seen only two targets combined across the team's first two contests. While Gordon appears to be the preferred back for the time being, the Broncos' Week 4 contest against Baltimore should be more competitive and could give a clearer picture of the team's preferences moving forward.

Gordon recorded 18 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's Week 3 win over the Jets. He added one reception for 21 yards.

Gordon accounted for 18 of the team's 37 rush attempts and saw six carries more than rookie Javonte Williams. His final stat line wasn't all that impressive, though he found the end zone from one yard away just before halftime. Gordon's longest rush of the day came early in the first quarter, when he ripped off an 11-yard run and was tackled at the one-yard-line -- though Williams ultimately found the end zone to conclude the drive. Though the Broncos' backfield is a clear timeshare, Gordon has earned double-digit carries and multiple targets in every game this season.

Gaskin carried the ball 13 times for 65 yards and caught three of six targets for nine yards in Sunday's 31-29 overtime loss to the Raiders.

The carries and rushing yards both were season highs for Gaskin, who was more heavily involved in the offense with Jacoby Brissett under center in place of Tua Tagovailoa (ribs). The running back was less effective as a receiver, however, as he and Brissett had trouble getting on the same page. With the backup QB once again at the helm, Gaskin should see another big workload Week 4 as the Dolphins host the Colts.

Sermon is one of four available running backs for the 49ers on Sunday against the Packers after Elijah Mitchell (shoulder) was deemed inactive, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

Joining Sermon are Kerryon Johnson, Jacques Patrick and Trenton Cannon. Due to the draft capital invested in Sermon, a 2021 third-round pick, and his experience in coach Kyle Shanahan's system relative to the other three, he likely will lead San Francisco's backfield Week 3, despite his much-publicized slide down the depth chart in recent weeks. Clearly, injuries to Mitchell, Raheem Mostert (knee) and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) have opened up an opportunity for Sermon, but an impressive performance Sunday could solidify his standing in Shanahan's mind moving forward.

Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as inactive Sunday versus the Packers, Keiana Martin of the 49ers' official site reports.

It comes as no surprise that Mitchell will sit out after enduring what coach Kyle Shanahan called "worse than a stinger" in the running back's right shoulder last Sunday at Philadelphia. Shanahan acknowledged Friday that Mitchell likely would have been ruled out for Week 3 if not for the banged-up nature of the team's backfield, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. With Mitchell inactive and Raheem Mostert (knee) and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) on injured reserve, the 49ers likely will hand over most of the RB reps to rookie third-rounder Trey Sermon, who completed the concussion protocol this week. Behind Sermon, Kerryon Johnson, Jacques Patrick and Trenton Cannon are the other running back options for San Francisco.