NFL Player News

Bolden was on the field for 19 of 59 snaps on offense in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Buccaneers, carrying the ball once for zero yards and catching all six of his targets for 51 yards, NESN's Zack Cox reports.

Meanwhile, lead back Damien Harris logged 36 snaps, four carries and two catches in the contest, while J.J. Taylor was out there for four snaps, recording one carry, one catch and a fumble. In a game where the Patriots leaned heavily on the short passing game, the team's running backs accounted for just six carries. That's not a pattern that's likely to continue in Week 5 versus the Texans, but what can be gleaned from Sunday's box score is that for now at least, Bolden is the player who the team is primarily counting on to fill the void created by the absence of James White, who is on IR with a hip injury. Heading into Week 4, there was speculation that Taylor could see his profile in the offense expand, but his costly lost fumble in Tampa Bay territory Sunday doesn't figure to help his chances of supplanting Bolden in the short term.

Jones rushed six times for 25 yards and a touchdown and wasn't targeted in the passing game during the Buccaneers' 19-17 win over the Patriots on Sunday night.

The fourth-year back's role as just a complementary option to Leonard Fournette was never clearer than against the Patriots, when the latter outpaced Jones by 14 carries and five targets. However, Jones was the one who was able to cash in with a touchdown, notching an eight-yard score in which he was able to get just inside the right pylon late in the third quarter. Jones' unquestionably diminished role is a concern, however, as the six carries he logged Sunday equaled a season high. The 24-year-old will hope for more opportunity in a Week 5 home tilt against the highly porous Dolphins run defense, a game that may offer the right script for a heavy dose of the ground attack in the second half.

The Bears do not plan to offer an update about the health of Montgomery (knee) until after Wednesday's first official practice of the week, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Early reports are optimistic Montgomery has avoided a torn ACL, instead suggesting that he suffered a hyperextended left knee during Sunday's divisional win over the Lions. However, the standout running back still is undergoing medical testing. Backup Damien Williams also picked up a thigh bruise during Sunday's win, though the injury may not keep him from suiting up at Las Vegas in Week 5, while rookie Khalil Herbert suddenly is the only back on the depth chart at full health.

Williams suffered a thigh bruise during Sunday's win over the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Bears appear to believe Williams' injury is minor and won't impede his ability to suit up Week 5 against the Raiders, but with David Montgomery (knee) also dealing with an injury, the team's backfield picture suddenly is muddy. Montgomery still is undergoing medical evaluations, and early reports are optimistic he's avoided a torn ACL, but the severity of his injury isn't yet clear. Behind Williams and Montgomery stands only rookie Khalil Herbert, while Tarik Cohen (knee) will need to remain on the PUP list until at least Week 7.

Mixon is nursing a low-grade ankle sprain and is considered week-to-week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Bengals' coaching staff hasn't yet ruled Mixon out for Week 5, but at this point it looks like the workhorse running back will be forced to spend some time on the sideline. Coach Zac Taylor said after Thursday's win over the Jaguars he believed Mixon's injury to be minor, so if the team estimates he could return after only missing one or two games, a stint on IR might be avoided. Samaje Perine appears destined for a larger role while Mixon gets healthy, as does rookie fifth-round pick Chris Evans. Perine could be the primary recipient of carries, while Evans handles more passing-down reps.

Pollard carried the ball 10 times for 67 yards in Sunday's win over the Panthers.

While he didn't receive a target, Pollard still posted strong numbers behind Ezekiel Elliott and saw double-digit touches while topping 60 yards from scrimmage for the third straight week. The Cowboys' increased emphasis on the running game is turning Pollard into a fairly reliable fantasy asset even in a backup role, giving him some appeal Week 5 against a Giants defense that hasn't been able to contain the likes of Alvin Kamara, Melvin Gordon or J.D. McKissic this year.

Homer rushed once for five yards in Sunday's 28-21 win over the 49ers.

Homer's usage is reserved for passing scenarios. With the Seahawks leading for most of the game, he finished with just nine offensive snaps. Alex Collins out-snapped him with 22 and garnered 78 yards and a touchdown on 12 touches. Homer could have more of a role Thursday against the Rams if the game turns into a shootout, but Chris Carson is still the only dependable fantasy option in Seattle's backfield.

Snell recorded one carry for zero yards and failed to haul in his lone target in Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Packers.

Snell played a season-high eight offensive snaps against Green Bay, but he failed to record any yardage in the loss. The 23-year-old has had a minimal role on offense behind rookie Najee Harris, who played 80 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 4.

The Bears believe Montgomery (knee) avoided an ACL tear Sunday, but they still need more testing to determine the extent of his injury, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Montgomery left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 24-14 win over the Lions, with postgame reports suggesting he'd suffered a hyperextension of his left knee. The mere mention of an ACL issue will make fantasy managers nervous, even if it's a report that he's believed to have avoided said injury. In any case, the Bears have Damien Williams and Khalil Herbert as reserve options in their backfield for now should Montgomery miss additional time, with Tarik Cohen (knee) not eligible to come off the PUP list until Week 7. The Bears play at Las Vegas in Week 5.

Freeman rushed three times for 12 yards in Sunday's 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.

Freeman was listed as Carolina's second option at tailback with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) sidelined, but that role still didn't offer him much usage. Overall, the veteran played just 12 offensive snaps, trailing both starter Chuba Hubbard (33 snaps) and fellow reserve Rodney Smith (26 snaps), who saw passing-down work in the second half with Carolina in catch-up mode. If McCaffrey remains sidelined for Week 5's matchup against the Eagles, Freeman would have another shot at helping to fill in, but his sparse involvement Sunday should keep expectations tempered, especially with Smith factoring in.