NFL Player News
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Jerick McKinnon RB | KC
49ers' Jerick McKinnon: Active, but hardly utilized
McKinnon garnered zero carries or targets over two offensive snaps during Monday's 34-24 loss to the Bills.
Jeff Wilson (seven carries), Raheem Mostert (nine) and Tevin Coleman (two) split the RB workload for San Francisco in a game script that consisted of nearly twice as many pass attempts (39) as rushes (21). It appears McKinnon may be the odd man out with Coleman having returned from a month-long absence. McKinnon does have six touchdowns and 27 receptions to his name this season, but the 28-year-old's rushed for an uninspiring 3.9 yards per carry over 80 attempts.
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Zack Moss RB | CIN
Bills' Zack Moss: Collects limited workload on MNF
Moss registered nine yards on three carries, adding one reception for five yards during Monday's 34-24 win against the 49ers. He and Josh Allen also fumbled an exchange on the Bills' one-yard line, resulting in a first-quarter giveaway.
Buffalo had its way through the air, as Allen racked up 300-plus passing yards and at least three passing scores for the fourth time this season. The ground attack didn't fare nearly as well, with the Bills accumulating just 3.0 yards per carry against San Francisco's ninth-ranked rush defense. Moss yielded the bulk of the work to Devin Singletary, who collected 61 yards over 18 carries while adding 22 yards as a pass catcher. Moss, a third-round rookie, heads into a Week 14 matchup against Pittsburgh having averaged seven rush attempts per game over his past four appearances.
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Jordan Wilkins RB | CLE
Colts' Jordan Wilkins: Lowest yardage since Week 6
Wilkins rushed five times for 12 yards and caught both targets for six yards in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Texans.
Jonathan Taylor started the divisional contest, and Wilkins garnered just three touches in the first half. Wilkins finished with fewer than 20 yards from scrimmage for the first time since Week 6, while Taylor erupted for 135 yards (91 rushing, 44 receiving) and a receiving score. Meanwhile, Nyheim Hines produced 32 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. With Taylor finally producing like a second-round talent, the rookie could cement himself as the lead back for Indianapolis moving forward. If that's the case, Wilkins is merely an insurance policy for fantasy purposes.
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Mike Boone RB | MIA
Vikings' Mike Boone: No touches since Week 6
Boone played two snaps on offense and didn't receive a touch in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over the Jaguars.
Boone didn't receive increased usage with Alexander Mattison (abdomen) out of the lineup. Instead, Dalvin Cook handled 87 percent of the offensive snaps and totaled 38 touches. Boone won't have fantasy value unless Cook gets hurt. Even if that happens, he'll compete with Ameer Abdullah for reps behind Mattison, making Boone a poor insurance policy for fantasy purposes.
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Ameer Abdullah RB | JAC
Vikings' Ameer Abdullah: Generates 29 yards from scrimmage
Abdullah rushed twice for 11 yards and caught his lone target for 18 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win against the Jaguars.
With Alexander Mattison (abdomen) out, Abdullah handled just four snaps on offense, while Mike Boone played just two. Dalvin Cook simply absorbed Mattison's workload and finished with 38 touches and an 87 percent snap share. In turn, Abdullah can't be trusted as a fantasy player unless both Cook and Mattison are sidelined.
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Trayveon Williams RB | CLE
Bengals' Trayveon Williams: No offensive snaps in loss
Williams didn't play an offensive snap in Sunday's 19-7 loss to the Dolphins.
Giovani Bernard continues to lead the Bengals' backfield, while Samaje Perine operates as the clear No. 2 running back. Williams hasn't gained footing as a consistent contributor; he's played just 10 snaps on offense over the last four weeks.
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Jeff Wilson RB | MIA
49ers' Jeff Wilson: Continues to split time
Wilson rushed seven times for 47 yards and caught two passes (five targets) for 12 yards in Monday's 34-24 loss to Buffalo.
Wilson continued to split the backfield workload with Raheem Mostert, logging 28 snaps (46 percent) to the latter's 27 (44 percent). Both backs took big chunks out of the opposition's defense, but neither reached double-digit carries after the 49ers fell behind by multiple scores in the second half. It appears that this is the one-two punch head coach Kyle Shanahan will roll with moving forward, as Tevin Coleman (four snaps) and Jerick McKinnon (two snaps) were both healthy for the contest, but barely saw the field. It is worth noting that Wilson was the preferred back used in passing situations (five targets to Mostert's one), remaining on the field for the entirety of San Francisco's final two comeback attempts. The 25-year-old was also deployed when the team was close to the goal line, even receiving a target in the end zone that quarterback Nick Mullens failed to complete. Mostert will be more appealing in standard formats for his ability to break off a big touchdown run at any moment, but Wilson has carved out a role -- especially for those in PPR formats -- for his use in the passing game and preferred usage as a goal-line back. Next week's opponent, the Washington Football Team, does not boast an explosive offense, which could keep the score close and both running backs more involved in the game plan.
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Jonathan Williams RB | WAS
Lions' Jonathan Williams: No touches in Sunday's win
Williams didn't receive a carry or a target in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Bears.
Even with D'Andre Swift (illness) out of the lineup and Kerryon Johnson (knee) suffering an injury during the game, Williams was left out of the backfield rotation. Instead, Adrian Peterson rushed 16 times. Williams is emergency depth for Detroit, and that could have some value if Swift and Johnson miss more time.
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Anthony McFarland RB | MIA
Steelers' Anthony McFarland: Limited use in loss
McFarland carried four times for 15 yards and failed to haul in his lone target in Monday's 23-17 loss to Washington.
Even with James Conner (reserve/COVID-19 list) sidelined once again Monday, McFarland was unable to generate much production in the Steelers' first loss of 2020. The rookie was only on the field for 15 percent of the team's snaps, and his usage should decrease even more going forward with Conner expected back in Week 14.
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James Conner RB | ARI
Steelers' James Conner: Expected back Week 14
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he's optimistic Conner will be ready to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to the team's Week 14 game against the Bills, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.
Tomlin's comments suggest that Conner has been coming along well in his recovery since he tested positive for the coronavirus Nov. 28. Conner is first eligible to return from the list Wednesday, so if he clears all health-related protocols, the running back could be able to participate in the Steelers' first Week 14 practice. If he's ultimately active for the matchup with Buffalo, Conner would likely step back in as the Steelers' top running back after fill-in starter Benny Snell (eight carries for five yards, two receptions for five yards) struggled mightily in Monday's loss to Washington.