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Charles Sims RB | TB
Buccaneers' Charles Sims: Only three touches in Week 3 loss
Sims carried twice for four yards and brought in his sole target for nine yards in Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Vikings.
For the second time in as many weeks, Sims was a bit player in the offense, even as Sunday's game flow appeared to play into his wheelhouse as a pass-catching specialist. Sims actually outpaced starter Jacquizz Rodgers in snaps by a 26-25 margin, and unlike the opener, he didn't cede any work to fellow tailback Peyton Barber. However, the Bucs largely resorted to throwing the ball downfield to receivers and tight ends in an attempt to make up a 21-3 halftime deficit. Irrespective of the reasons why, Sims' paltry seven touches through two games are certainly on the underwhelming side, a situation he'll look to rectify against the Giants at home in Week 4.
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Shane Vereen RB | NO
Giants' Shane Vereen: Modest game
Vereen had one carry for five yards and two catches for 18 yards Sunday against the Eagles.
Vereen simply wasn't especially involved in the game plan, and this despite a come-from-behind game-flow that should have suited him. He's in no danger of losing his third-down role, however, but don't expect many carries.
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Corey Clement RB | ARI
Eagles' Corey Clement: Scores first career touchdown
Clement ran six times for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Giants.
Five of his six carries came after Darren Sproles was injured at the start of the second quarter, and three came in the fourth. While LeGarrette Blount and Wendell Smallwood handled the bulk of the load, the undrafted rookie showed he could contribute as well, finding the end zone from 15 yards out with less than six minutes left in the game. With Sproles slated for a multi-week absence, Clement could continue to earn more work in the Eagles' backfield.
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Samaje Perine RB | CIN
Redskins' Samaje Perine: Exits with hand injury after fumble
Perine left Sunday's game against the Raiders in the fourth quarter with a a hand injury and is questionable to return.
Raiders linebacker Cory James forced a fumble when his helmet connected directly with Perine's hand. The rookie running back took another hard hit on his way down and appeared to be bleeding from his mouth as he came off the field. He went to the locker room and is likely finished for the night, sitting at 19 carries for 48 yards and one catch for six yards, along with the lost fumble. With Rob Kelley inactive due to a rib injury, Chris Thompson and Mack Brown are left as the Redskins' only healthy running backs.
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Dalvin Cook RB | DAL
Vikings' Dalvin Cook: Contributes 169 yards of offense in win
Cook rushed 27 times for 97 yards and his first NFL touchdown and brought in all five targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 34-17 win over the Buccaneers.
Cook powered in from one yard out to cap a seven-play, 75-yard opening drive and notch his first touchdown as a pro. The standout rookie then went on to log a career high in carries and demonstrate that he can handle the volume of a true workhorse back with superior results. Cook looks every bit the first-round talent he projected to be coming into last April's draft, and he'll strive to continue producing versus the Lions in a Week 4 home matchup.
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Joe Mixon RB | HOU
Bengals' Joe Mixon: Dominates carries in Week 3 defeat
Mixon rushed 18 times for 62 yards and secured all three of his targets for 39 yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Packers.
It would appear newly-installed offensive coordinator Bill Lazor isn't as keen on deploying a backfield committee as the departed Ken Zampese was, considering Mixon received 18 carries Sunday compared to seven for Jeremy Hill and three for Gio Bernard. While Mixon wasn't particularly effective with his touches, the rookie appeared patient yet decisive when called upon and should have much more productive days in store as the season unfolds.
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Jacquizz Rodgers RB | NO
Buccaneers' Jacquizz Rodgers: Factored out of game early Sunday
Rodgers totaled just five rushes for 15 yards in Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Vikings.
With the Bucs trailing by a 21-3 score by intermission, the running game was essentially phased out early. Tampa did come back to put 14 points on the board in the third quarter, but they did so on the arm of Jameis Winston, who put 40 pass attempts in the contest. Rodgers is slated for one more week of clear-cut lead-back duty before Doug Martin (suspension) returns, at which point the two backs are expected to enter into a timeshare. He'll look to provide much better returns against the Giants in Week 4.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Chargers' Melvin Gordon: Scores touchdown in loss
Gordon (knee) finished Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Chiefs with 17 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Gordon also saw two targets, but was unable to corral either of them. The former first-round pick was enjoying a productive game, showing off a burst of speed and elusiveness that had been dormant throughout the first two weeks. However, the Chargers were again forced to move the ball through the air for the majority of the second half, limiting Gordon's chances to carry the ball. While the third-year back did leave the game with a knee injury, it didn't appear to be too serious, as Gordon returned to the field a short while later. Given that Gordon was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday, his health will certainly be an important storyline to follow heading into a challenging matchup against the Eagles next weekend.
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C.J. Anderson RB | LAR
Broncos' C.J. Anderson: Slowed in losing effort
Anderson rushed for 36 yards on eight carries and added seven yards with two catches in Sunday's 26-16 loss to Buffalo.
Anderson, much like Denver's offense as a whole, had a tough outing on Sunday. A 32-yard run aside, Anderson was averaging less than a yard per carry against a dinged-up Buffalo front. Jamaal Charles ended up with more carries and as many touches as Denver sought answers and after a pair of nice games to start the season, Anderson's standing may be in a bit of question. It's way too early to panic after a tough day against a good defense, but Devonta Booker is scheduled to return to the backfield as soon as next week. It remains to be seen what effect, if any, that might have on Anderson's workload.
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Derrick Henry RB | BAL
Titans' Derrick Henry: Plays with bruised thigh
Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Henry suffered a thigh bruise early in Sunday's 33-27 win over Seattle, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com reports.
Henry played through the injury and was productive in the second half, finishing with 13 carries for 54 yards and one catch for 10 yards. Backfield mate DeMarco Murray -- who came into the game listed as questionable with a hamstring injury -- took 14 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown, with the vast majority of his production coming on a 75-yard scamper. If both backs are able to avoid setbacks during the upcoming week of practice, they'll likely split carries again Week 4 in Houston.