NFL Player News

Duke Johnson is listed as the Browns' starting running back for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, but Chubb could still handle the bulk of the carries for the team, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports.

Johnson has been adept both on the ground (19 carries for 111 yards) and as a receiver (14 catches for 164 yards) this season and will take the departed Carlos Hyde's post atop the depth chart in Week 7, but that doesn't indicate that he'll be the first back on the field nor earn the most touches. The Browns invested a second-round pick into the 5-foot-11, 227-pound Chubb this spring, presumably with the expectation that he would fill a workhorse role in time. Chubb has made the most of his limited opportunities thus far with 16 carries for 173 yards and two scores, production that probably made the Browns comfortable with shipping Hyde away to Jacksonville. Both Chubb and Johnson have seen their fantasy value rise with the move, but factors such as game flow and strength of opponent may dictate which of the two is the stronger option on a week-to-week basis.

Chubb isn't listed as the starting running back in advance of Cleveland's Week 7 matchup against Tampa Bay, Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Though Chubb has impressed with a 10.8 YPC through the first six games of the season, it's worth noting that he has yet to exceed three carries in a contest this year and has been targeted just once in the passing game. Time is running out for the Browns to ease the rookie into action, as previous starter Carlos Hyde was traded to Jacksonville over the weekend, putting Chubb in line for a significantly expanded role. While Duke Johnson will get the nod as the starter and go-to option on passing downs in Week 7, it's still expected that Chubb will be in store for a steady uptick in work now that Hyde is out of the mix, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. The Buccaneers have struggled to keep the opposition off the board this season, but they've been generally sound against the run -- limiting opposing backs to just 3.8 yards per carry, good for the fifth-best mark in the league.

Ekeler is expected to serve as the Chargers' lead back for Sunday's game against the Titans in London with Melvin Gordon (hamstring) inactive for the contest.

Considered a game-time decision heading into the Week 7 tilt, Gordon's injured hamstring didn't respond well to an on-field workout earlier in the day, prompting the Chargers to hold him out for the first time all season. While Ekeler has already enjoyed a degree of fantasy relevance due to his outstanding play in a part-time role, he'll be a strong lineup option even in shallower formats this week with the promise of an enhanced workload. Neither of the two healthy options behind him on the depth chart -- seventh-round rookie Justin Jackson and recent practice squad callup Detrez Newsome -- have factored into the Chargers' game plans this season, so Ekeler should handle the overwhelming share of backfield snaps as he enters the starting lineup. The 23-year-old has scored three touchdowns and has amassed 470 yards from scrimmage on just 55 touches (41 carries, 14 receptions) through the team's first six games.

Gordon (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans in London.

Gordon avoided an injury designation heading into the weekend after the hamstring issue limited his participation in Friday's practice, but the Chargers downgraded him to questionable after checking in on his condition a day later. After taking part in a pre-game workout early Sunday, Gordon's hamstring apparently still proved problematic, prompting the Chargers to hold him out for the first time all season. With Gordon in street clothes, change-of-pace back Austin Ekeler will step into a lead role in the backfield and could prove to be a capable replacement after averaging 6.4 yards per carry while adding 14 receptions for 207 yards and three scores through the first six weeks of the season. Rookies Justin Jackson and Detrez Newsome will be available behind Ekeler in depth roles.

Gordon (hamstring) will give it a try pre-game Sunday against the Titans in London, but if there is any doubt about his availability, the Chargers will make him inactive, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Per Rapoport, there isn't a lot of optimism about Gordon's availability, but the team will see how he feels. Should Gordon miss the game, Austin Ekeler would be in for a larger role.

Newsome signed a contract with the Chargers on Saturday.

Newsome survived roster cutdowns at the start of September but was waived by the Chargers later in the month, and had one carry for zero yards over three games. The 24-year-old was signed for depth purposes with starting RB Melvin Gordon (hamstring) receiving a late questionable tag for Sunday's game against the Titans in London.

Gordon (hamstring) is likely to be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Titans in London, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Gordon was downgraded to questionable earlier Saturday after initially not receiving an injury designation. The Chargers also signed running back Detrez Newsome for depth purposes, which is hardly a good sign for Gordon's potential availability. Kickoff for Sunday's game is at 9:30 a.m. EDT, so fantasy owners will need to be ready for a potential lineup change come morning. Should the 25-year-old be unable to suit up, Austin Ekeler figures to be in line for a heavy workload against the Titans.

Gordon (hamstring) has been added to the injury report as questionable ahead of Sunday's tilt against the Titans, Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site reports.

A hamstring injury left Gordon limited at Friday's practice, but he was ultimately not placed on the final injury report. However, the Chargers added him to the report as a precautionary measure Saturday. It is unclear if the big-time back has suffered any type of setback. With Sunday's game being in London it will be important to check on his status ahead of the 9:30 a.m. EDT kickoff. Should things take a turn for the worse, Austin Ekeler would be in line to replace him at running back.

Abdullah could earn some snaps out of the Lions' backfield in Week 7 against the Dolphins with Theo Riddick (knee) ruled out, Tim Twentyman of Detroit's official site reports.

With the top three options on the depth chart at running back all staying healthy through the first five games, Abdullah has been inactive for all but one of those contests, with all of his snaps coming on special teams in the lone appearance. Now without the services of their top pass-catching back coming off a bye week, the Lions suddenly have a need for another option to complement dynamic rookie Kerryon Johnson and power back LeGarrette Blount. Though he struggled to produce as a runner while dressing in 14 games for the Lions in 2017, Abdullah has flashed some ability as a receiver. Abdullah has a pair of 25-catch seasons on his resume and could allow the Lions to keep their playbook largely intact while Riddick is sidelined. It's unlikely that Abdullah will be involved to the extent Riddick usually is, but the latter's absence nonetheless provides a window of opportunity for the 25-year-old.

Murray is expected to serve as the Vikings' starting running back Sunday against the Jets with Dalvin Cook (hamstring) ruled out for a third straight game, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Both Murray and Cook have generally struggled to find much running room this season behind a shaky offensive line, but the former broke out in last week's win over the Cardinals, finishing with 155 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. A repeat performance probably shouldn't be expected given that Murray averaged a meager 3.5 yards per carry through the first five weeks, but he should at least benefit from plenty of volume out of the backfield with Cook sidelined again and depth options Mike Boone and Roc Thomas having yet to prove themselves as viable threats to the veteran's snap share.