NFL Player News

Conner carried 31 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns Sunday against the Browns. He also caught five of six targets for 57 yards and lost a fumble in the 21-21 tie.

Conner handled a massive workload in the continued absence of Le'Veon Bell, leading all players in touches and scrimmage yards while averaging 5.3 yards per touch. He scored his first career NFL touchdown on a four-yard rush in the second quarter and found the end zone again from 22 yards out in the third. Conner had limited experience prior to this season, but he immediately appears ready to handle a workhorse role for as long as his teammate holds out. His status as a key cog in an elite offense makes him an attractive fantasy option, with his next chance to contribute coming next week against the Chiefs.

Breida rushed 11 times for 46 yards and brought in one of two targets for five yards in the 49ers' 24-16 loss to the Vikings on Sunday.

Veteran back Alfred Morris only outpaced Breida by one carry, although the latter's 4.6 yards per tote was much more efficient than his teammate's 3.2 figure. All eyes will be on the division of labor in the San Francisco backfield during the early portion of the season in the wake of Jerick McKinnon's season-ending knee injury, and it remains to be seen if Sunday's results prove to be the norm over the long term. Breida will look to build on his Week 1 performance against the Lions in Week 2.

Mixon rushed 17 times for 95 yards and a touchdown while adding five catches for 54 yards on seven targets in Sunday's season-opening 34-23 win over Indianapolis.

Mixon had a quiet preseason, but the second-year running back elevated his game for the regular season. Third-down back Giovani Bernard had just one target and one rushing attempt, suggesting Mixon is primed to be more of a bell cow than most anticipated heading into the year. Mixon's one-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter gave his team a 24-23 lead that it would never relinquish.

Barkley rushed 18 times for 106 yards and a touchdown while catching two of six targets for 18 yards in Sunday's season-opening 20-15 loss to the Jaguars.

Barkley was excellent in his NFL debut, breaking off a 68-yard touchdown run to make this game competitive in the fourth quarter. He didn't get much going as a receiver, but Barkley's six targets were encouraging as far as his future workload is concerned. No other New York player registered more than two carries, suggesting Barkley's locked in as a three-down workhorse.

Kamara rushed eight times for 29 yards and two touchdowns and brought in nine of 12 targets for 112 yards and another score in the Saints' 48-40 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

As had been repeatedly professed by the Saints coaching staff, Kamara's touches were limited, although a surprising game script that saw New Orleans have to play in catch-up mode for most of the contest had a lot to do with it as well. The dynamic second-year back did turn in his usual stellar work in the passing game, and he was extremely efficient on a per-touch basis on the ground by finding the end zone twice despite his single-digit carry tally. With what could be much a more conventional game flow Week 2 against the Browns, Kamara could ascend to a 15-to-17 carry workload while still maintaining a solid pass-catching role.

Wilkins rushed 14 times for 40 yards and caught all three of his targets for 21 yards in a 34-23 season-opening loss to the Bengals.

Wilkins got the start with Marlon Mack (hamstring) inactive. The rookie fifth-rounder worked the ball down to the one-yard line on a first-quarter catch, but he got stuffed on a rushing attempt on the next play, forcing the Colts to settle for a field goal. Nyheim Hines and Christine Michael combined for just seven carries, so Wilkins appears primed to carry most of the rushing load as long as Mack remains out.

Cook rushed 16 times for 40 yards and brought in six of seven targets for 55 yards in the Vikings' 24-16 win over the 49ers on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

His one miscue aside, Cook appeared to unequivocally answer any lingering doubts about the fitness of his surgically repaired knee. The second-year back was especially impressive through the air, showing solid chemistry with new quarterback Kirk Cousins. While he was less than efficient on the ground on a per-touch basis, Cook often ran with authority and showed excellent pre-injury burst. With his first taste of regular-season action now behind him, Cook will look to build on his performance against the Packers in a key early-season divisional matchup next Sunday.

Artis-Payne (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's season-opening game against the Cowboys.

Artis-Payne will give way to C.J. Anderson as the sole backup behind Christian McCaffrey, with the Panthers keeping five receivers and three tight ends active Sunday against the Cowboys.

Perine (coach's decision) is listed as inactive Sunday in Arizona.

After rookie Derrius Guice was lost for the season due to a torn ACL, Perine had a chance to stake a claim to the backfield, but that was before Adrian Peterson was signed off the free-agent scrap heap. Peterson impressed during the preseason, and with Chris Thompson and Rob Kelley also on hand, Perine seemingly will be the odd man out on game day as long as the top three are healthy.

Saints coach Sean Payton told Fox's Jay Glazer that they want to be careful not to overuse Kamara during teammate Mark Ingram's suspension, Glazer reported on Fox's pregame show.

This follows with how Kamara was used last season, particularly in the running game. That could mean that we'll see a lot of Mike Gillislee, particularly between the tackles. The Saints also activated Jonathan Williams from the practice squad for this week.