NFL Player News

Gibson carried the ball 20 times for 90 yards and caught three of his five targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 20-16 loss to the Chargers. He also fumbled.

Perhaps more crucial than Gibson's final yardage total was the fact he commanded a three-down role, seeing more targets than J.D. McKissic (one) while out-carrying the combo of McKissic and Jaret Patterson by a whopping 20-to-3 margin. It certainly helps that the second-year back looked good with the extra usage, bursting through the line of scrimmage on a number of occasions. The offense may need to rely more heavily on Gibson in the coming weeks after starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was forced out of Sunday's action with a hip injury. Taylor Heinicke did well enough in relief of the grizzled veteran, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Washington rely even more on its star running back in order to take some pressure off the little-used backup QB.

Williams rushed nine times for 54 yards and one touchdown while catching eight of nine targets for 56 yards during Sunday's 41-33 loss to the 49ers.

Getting the starting nod while D'Andre Swift bounces back from an offseason marred by a groin injury, Williams ultimately logged just 32 offensive snaps compared to 63 for Swift. However, Williams saw the ball over half of the time when he was on the field, and he looked pretty good doing it behind Detroit's talented offensive line. While Sunday's output may be close to Williams' ceiling, the 26-year-old will warrant flex consideration in Week 2 during his return to Green Bay.

Sanders rushed 15 times for 74 yards and brought in four of five targets for 39 yards in the Eagles' 32-6 win over the Falcons on Sunday.

Sanders' final numbers were fitting, considering the third-year back often has turned in highly efficient performances on a yards-per-touch basis but still seen his overall opportunities capped. Despite the change at the top for Philadelphia, the same held true Sunday, but Sanders still turned in an encouraging effort from a fantasy perspective. The explosive 24-year-old will look to improve on his already strong season-opening numbers in a tough matchup against the 49ers at home Week 2.

Harris rushed 16 times for 45 yards and brought in one of three targets for four yards in the Steelers' 23-16 win over the Bills on Sunday.

Harris' pro debut certainly didn't offer any jump-off-the-page numbers, but the rookie's strong workload out of the gates was encouraging. He was the only Steelers running back to log a carry on the afternoon, and although he only brought in one of his three targets, the fact he was involved in the air attack to a serviceable extent by running back standards also was a positive. The lack of running room for the Alabama product wasn't necessarily a surprise given the matchup against the talented Bills front, and the rookie could well have a much softer task when he sees the Raiders at home Week 2.

Henry ran for 58 yards on 17 carries while catching three receptions for 19 yards on four targets against Arizona on Sunday.

Henry couldn't find any room to run in a 38-13 loss where the Tennessee offense completely imploded. Perhaps it's more a credit to the Cardinals defense than a sign of concern for the Titans, but it was still a dud showing in what should have been a favorable, high-scoring scenario. It wasn't just Henry -- Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee passing game couldn't get started either. They have the talent to bounce back with a vengeance going forward, but a Week 2 road matchup with Seattle won't exactly be welcoming.

Swift logged 11 carries for 39 yards and hauled in eight of his team-high 11 targets for 65 yards and a TD in Sunday's 41-33 loss to the 49ers.

Meanwhile, Jamaal Williams -- who was announced as the Lions' starting RB for Sunday's game -- recorded nine carries for 54 yards and a TD and caught eight of his nine targets for 56 yards. It remains to be seen which back is tabbed as the starter next Monday against Green Bay, and if the team was inclined to ease Swift into the mix in Week 1 given that he's bouncing back from a groin injury. There was certainly a time-share scenario in play Sunday, but both players were involved enough to help those who rolled with them in fantasy lineups.

Conner ran for 53 yards on 16 carries at Tennessee on Sunday.

It was a fairly heavy workload for the offseason pickup from Pittsburgh, but it was also an unusual scenario given that it was a blowout upset on the road with the Titans falling far behind early. Conner had zero targets to starter Chase Edmonds' four Sunday, so Conner would likely see less work In closer games and especially in contests where the Cardinals fall behind. Still, if the team's offense stays hot, then Conner might be able to offer occasional flex utility in some formats. The Cardinals have a home game against the Vikings in Week 2.

Mixon rushed 29 times for 127 times and a touchdown while catching all four of his targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over the Vikings.

Mixon needed some attention at the training table in the first half, per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cinicnnati Enquirer, but he was able to make his return and find the end zone from two yards out in the third quarter. With game flow working in his favor and the Bengals protecting a lead for the entire second half, Mixon was used as a workhorse on the ground. He's productive when he plays, but injuries remain a concern for the 25-year-old running back, who was limited to six appearances last season by a foot injury. Mixon will look to build on this effort in Week 2 against the Bears.

Edmonds ran for 63 yards on 12 carries at Tennessee on Sunday while catching four receptions for 43 yards on four targets.

The Cardinals theorized a balanced backfield split between Edmonds and James Conner, with Edmonds the starter and in-space back and Conner an off-the-bench bruiser, and that scenario played out perfectly against the Titans on Sunday. Edmonds was efficient both as a runner and pass catcher, and there were still 16 carries left for Conner to run out the clock with late. The difference is that Conner didn't draw a single target, so the former Pittsburgh runner might disappear from the box score in games where the Cardinals need to throw more often. Edmonds, by contrast, should remain the lead Arizona running back regardless of the game scenario. His Week 2 matchup with Eric Kendricks and the Vikings might not be ideal, but Edmonds is an unconditional part of a Cardinals offense that looked impressive Sunday.

Ekeler (hamstring) carried the ball 15 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-16 win over Washington.

Notably, Ekeler wasn't even targeted in this contest as quarterback Justin Herbert rarely saw enough pressure to force any checkdowns. Considering the running back was listed as questionable heading into Sunday's contest after a mid-week hamstring injury, fantasy managers still have to be happy with Ekeler's explosiveness, particularly after contact. The Chargers notably used a plethora of two-back sets with Larry Rountree mixing into the rotation, so any hopes of Ekeler having a monopoly on the backfield opportunities predictably were dashed. However, it seemed incredibly unlikely such a situation would occur under new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi anyhow. Expect more production next week against a Cowboys defense that was picked apart Week 1.