NFL Player News

Johnson rushed 13 times for 32 yards and reeled in all three passes for 31 yards during Sunday's 18-15 overtime win against the 49ers.

Johnson made better use of a second consecutive start, tripling his yards from scrimmage from 21 in Week 3 to 63 in Week 4. That said, fellow running back Andre Ellington again picked up more offensive snaps than Johnson (46 to 35), while eclipsing the century mark with 104 total yards, most of them on a team-high nine receptions. In David Johnson's (wrist) absence, the Cardinals appear to have discovered a backfield elixir that works for them, with (Chris) Johnson handling the majority of carries and Ellington operating as a key check down for quarterback Carson Palmer. As a result, expect the elder Johnson to pick up double-digit runs from game to game to give the offense a modest threat on the ground.

Washington has downgraded Kelley (ankle) to doubtful to return to Monday's game against the Chiefs, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports.

Kelley was originally labeled questionable to return after heading to the locker room in the first half. He subsequently ran sprints after returning to the sideline but was apparently unable to convince the training staff he was capable of returning to the game. Samaje Perine and Chris Thompson figure to continue working in tandem out of the Redskins backfield, assuming Kelley remains sidelined. Should that transpire, Kelley will finish Week 4 with seven carries for 23 yards.

Sims carried once for 14 yards and secured his only target for seven yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 25-23 win over the Giants.

Through three games, Sims has logged just nine touches, well behind the 38 he'd already notched at this point last season. Part of the boost in opportunity he saw in the early going of 2016 stemmed from a Doug Martin hamstring injury, but Sims hasn't really been given the same chance to capitalize on the latter's early-season absence due to a suspension this year. While the receiving touchdown Sunday was certainly a positive, it's fair to wonder what level of involvement Sims will have moving forward, considering that Martin is officially reinstated and therefore in line to split the majority of backfield work with Jacquizz Rodgers.

Kelley (ankle) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Chiefs.

Kelley went to the locker room but was seen returning to the sidelines, where he performed sprints as if he were gearing to get back into the game. If the team doesn't clear him to return, then Samaje Perine and Chris Thompson will work in tandem to keep the Redskins' run game churning.

Williams rushed one time for one yard and had zero catches on two targets in Sunday's 20-0 loss to the Saints in London.

Williams saw only 11 of 52 offensive snaps and remains relegated primarily to a special teams role. Opportunities are few and far between for the 25-year-old, as starter Jay Ajayi continues to dominate the snap count at running back.

Ekeler is expected to see an uptick in usage moving forward, Ricky Henne of the Chargers' official site reports. "Every drive he's in the game, we move the chains," head coach Anthony Lynn said of the running back after Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Eagles dropped the team to 0-4.

Despite turning heads throughout training camp and the preseason, Ekeler didn't see much action during the first three games of the season. However, he received his first professional carry in Week 4 and took it 35 yards to the house while clearly proving he possesses the quick-twitch explosiveness to succeed at the professional level. It's not clear if Lynn envisions the undrafted rookie as someone who could quickly supplant Branden Oliver as the direct backup to starter Melvin Gordon, but, at a minimum, Ekeler seems destined to see added work on passing downs moving forward.

Drake had one carry for six yards and two receptions for five yards in Sunday's 20-0 loss to the Saints in London.

Drake played only nine of 52 offensive snaps, but the three touches represented a season high. Fellow running back Damien Williams saw a similarly light workload, while even workhorse Jay Ajayi only registered 13 touches in the blowout.

Kelley (ribs) is active for Monday's game at Kansas City.

For the second week in a row, Kelley's practice reps were capped, but he'll nonetheless return to the lineup after tending to a rib cartilage injury. Because head coach Jay Gruden has said Kelley will resume lead-back duties when healthy, he should push rookie Samaje Perine to the periphery of the Redskins offense. Consequently, Kelley should handle the bulk of the reps on first and second down Monday, with Chris Thompson serving his typical change-of-pace role.

Patterson caught six passes on as many targets for 33 yards and rushed for two yards on one carry during Sunday's loss to the Broncos.

Patterson's expanded role as a receiver was due in large part to Michael Crabtree's (chest) absence, while Patterson logged a season-high in offensive snaps (33) and doubled his previous season total of three receptions in just one game. He managed only 5.5 yards per catch, however, and his production figures to remain limited as the Raiders' No. 4 receiver upon Crabtree's eventual return.

Jones had four carries for 11 yards in Sunday's loss to Seattle.

Jones got playing time late in the second half once the game became a blowout loss. Jones isn't going to have a role in the offense and is on the roster just for depth. He may lose his roster spot when Marlon Mack returns from a shoulder injury.