NFL Player News

Elliott carried nine times for eight yards and caught four of five targets for another 14 yards during Sunday's 42-17 loss to the Broncos.

Elliott was bottled up all day and finished with an average of 0.9 yards per carry -- the worst game of his career by a long shot. The team endeavored to get him involved in the passing game, but he failed to make a significant impact in that respect as well. Elliott's cause wasn't aided by Dak Prescott's inability to establish a rhythm, which allowed the defense to continue keying in on him. He will face another stern road matchup next week against the Cardinals, but a player of his ilk should bounce back in a featured role.

Anderson pounded the ball for 118 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries and added another 36 yards and a touchdown on three catches in Sunday's 42-17 win over Dallas.

Ezekiel Elliott's status and potential impact on the game dominated discussions ahead of Sunday, but it was Anderson who controlled the contest. Anderson got humming early with a 28-yard gain on the team's second drive. He then followed up with a 16-yard touchdown grab on a quick pivot on third and long in the second quarter and scampered for a 23-yard touchdown run in the third. Anderson, a notorious slow-starter, has reached 88 total yards in each of the Broncos' first two contests of the season - a total he reached just five times in his previous 22 regular-season games. The return of Devontae Booker as soon as next week is worth monitoring, but it's hard to picture Denver shying too far away from Anderson while he's rolling.

Conner ran once for nine yards in Sunday's win over the Vikings.

Through two games, the rookie running back has provided little more than to give Le'Veon Bell a chance to catch his breath, running five times for 20 yards. That role is not likely to change any time soon, but Conner's value comes as a handcuff to Bell, who has missed 14 games over the past three seasons.

Gordon carried the ball nine times for 13 yards and a touchdown, while converting eight targets for seven receptions and 65 yards in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Dolphins.

The Chargers only ran the ball 14 times in Sunday's game, but it's still discouraging to see Gordon held to under three yards-per-carry for a second consecutive game. Despite all the big-bodied receiving options available on the Chargers, Gordon has still been a red zone weapon, scoring his first rushing touchdown of the new campaign early in the contest. Healthy receiving totals have buoyed the third-year running back's stats somewhat, as he's remained a stable checkdown option for quarterback Philip Rivers, but he's simply underperformed thus far on the ground. Things won't get much easier against the Chiefs next week.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Kelley may have suffered a fractured rib during Sunday's 27-20 win over the Rams, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

Kelley was removed in the second quarter and never returned, finishing with 12 carries for 78 yards. It was an interesting day in the Washington backfield, with Chris Thompson picking up 106 yards and two scores on only six touches, while Samaje Perine replaced Kelley and finished with 67 yards on 22 touches. Perine got a few carries while Kelley was still in the game, but most of the rookie's work came after his teammate's departure. If Kelley misses time, Perine will be the direct early-down beneficiary, though the Redskins might also give Thompson a few more snaps, particularly if the rookie continues to struggle with efficiency. More information should be available after the team gets results from Kelley's X-ray.

Perine rushed 21 times for 67 yards (3.2 yard per carry) during Sunday's overtime win over the Rams.

The rookie was leaned on after Rob Kelley (ribs) was forced from the game. However, Perine did little against the Rams. Kelley's status leading into Washington's Week 3 matchup against Oakland will be important to monitor for fantasy owners. If Kelley misses time, Perine projects to receive the bulk of early-down work for the Redskins.

McCaffrey rushed eight times for 10 yards, brought in four of five targets for 34 yards and totaled 30 yards on five punt returns in Sunday's 9-3 win over the Bills.

The electrifying rookie posted double-digit gains in the passing game (14 yards) and on special teams (11 yards), but he was completely bottled up on the ground by a tough Bills front seven. The speed of NFL defenses has helped largely neutralize McCaffrey over the first two regular-season games of his NFL career, as he's averaged just 2.7 yards per rush and a modest 8.0 yards per his nine receptions. Nevertheless, his upside is undeniable, and he'll look to break out against the beatable Saints defense in Week 3.

Cook gained 64 yards on 12 carries and added a pair of catches for no gain during Sunday's 26-9 loss to the Steelers.

Cook's workload was rather limited as his team trailed the whole game, but he managed to post an average of 5.3 yards per carry against a respectable defensive front. The sample size is small, but the rookie has averaged 5.6 yards per carry through 34 totes in his young NFL career. The offense struggled without Sam Bradford (knee) under center, which is a trend to consider moving forward, but Cook has certainly looked the part when his number is called. He will look to have more of an impact in Week 3 against the Buccaneers.

Rodgers rushed 19 times for 67 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 29-7 win over the Bears.

Although he averaged just 3.5 yards per tote, Rodgers fulfilled his role as the lead back admirably, grinding out yardage against a tough Bears front seven while also notching a one-yard touchdown run midway through the second period. Due to the Bucs' opener having been postponed on account of Hurricane Irma, the suspended Doug Martin's return won't transpire until Week 5, affording Rodgers lead-back duties for two more games in tough matchups versus the Vikings and Giants. However, given his knowledge of head coach Dirk Koetter's offense and demonstrated ability to handle a significant workload, Rodgers carries solid fantasy potential on sheer projected volume alone for the time being.

Gillislee rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in Sunday's 36-20 win over the Saints.

Tom Brady's arm boosted the Patriots to a big lead early and Gillislee helped put the Saints to sleep, including a two-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, his fourth of the season. Few teams are as specialized with their backfield as the Patriots, and though it doesn't seem like Gillislee is going to get the receiving attention that James White or Rex Burkhead will get, the offseason acquisition is in a good spot as the Patriots' power back. It's a role that LeGarrette Blount rode to the tune of 18 touchdowns last season. Gillislee is in position early in the season to shatter that mark.