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Dalvin Cook RB | DAL
Vikings' Dalvin Cook: Produces despite limited workload Sunday
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.
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Jacquizz Rodgers RB | NO
Buccaneers' Jacquizz Rodgers: Solid as lead back in Week 2
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.
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Mike Gillislee RB | NE
Patriots' Mike Gillislee: Scoots into end zone
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.
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Derrick Henry RB | BAL
Titans' Derrick Henry: Career-high 92 rushing yards Sunday
Henry rushed 14 times for 92 yards and a touchdown, but wasn't targeted in the passing game during Sunday's 37-16 win at Jacksonville.
Henry benefited from DeMarco Murray's precautionary second-half exit due to hamstring tightness, setting a new career high in rushing yards. His 17-yard score to make it 16-3 in the third quarter was the first of three Tennessee rushing touchdowns, with tight end Delanie Walker and fullback Jalston Fowler getting the other two from one and three yards out, respectively. Should Murray's injury prove serious enough to keep him out, Henry would make for a strong play even with a tough Seahawks defense in town next week.
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Rob Kelley RB | NO
Redskins' Rob Kelley: Won't return Sunday
Kelley (ribs) won't return to Sunday's road contest against the Rams, Mike Jones of The Washington Post reports.
Kelley remained on the turf in evident pain after a second-quarter carry. His last of the day, he'll finish with 12 rushes for 78 yards. Although the severity of his rib injury won't be known until the conclusion of this contest, at the earliest, the backfield will be in the hands of rookie Samaje Perine and change-of-pace option Chris Thompson.
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Kerwynn Williams RB | KC
Cardinals' Kerwynn Williams: Disappoints in start
Williams rushed nine times for 22 yards while failing to draw a target in the passing game during Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Colts.
Williams got only two fewer carries than Chris Johnson, but Johnson gained 22 more yards. While the 2013 seventh-rounder got the start, his ineffectiveness forced coach Bruce Arians to look elsewhere. There are still carries to be had in this backfield sans David Johnson (wrist), but Williams won't get many unless he shows improvement moving forward.
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Chris Johnson RB | ARI
Cardinals' Chris Johnson: Leading rusher in return
Johnson got 11 carries for 44 yards and wasn't targeted in the passing game during Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Colts.
Johnson led Arizona in carries while doubling Kerwynn Williams' output on the ground. The offense struggled to consistently move the ball with star running back David Johnson (wrist) sitting, so goal-line opportunities could be few and far between in the coming weeks. With that in mind, the backfield trio of Johnson, Williams and Andre Ellington is unlikely to produce many noteworthy individual performances.
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Rob Kelley RB | NO
Redskins' Rob Kelley: Suffers rib injury
Kelley is questionable to return to Sunday's road game versus the Rams due to a rib injury.
At the end of a two-yard run at the 9:23 mark of the second quarter, Kelley remained on the ground for a few minutes as the training staff tended to him. He made his way to the sideline and eventually the locker room, after which the Redskins relayed the nature of his injury. Prior to his departure, Kelley had ripped off a 21-yard gain en route to 12 carries for 78 yards. It's unknown if he'll be able to augment those numbers, but rookie Samaje Perine will fill in for Kelley in the interim.
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Terrance West RB | BAL
Ravens' Terrance West: Finds end zone again in Week 2
West rushed eight times for 22 yards and a touchdown and caught both of his targets for 23 yards during Sunday's 24-10 win over Cleveland.
West rushed 19 times for 80 yards in Week 1, so Sunday's 2.8 yards per carry against Cleveland was a little disappointing. It's also worth noting that West didn't receive a touch in the fourth quarter, and making matters worse, Javorius Allen outrushed (66 yards) and logged more carries (14) than West did. With Baltimore likely to rely on its defense and ground game, West should be in position to provide a serviceable weekly fantasy floor. However, he could be playing second fiddle to Allen sooner than later, if that's not already the case.
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Benny Cunningham RB | JAC
Bears' Benny Cunningham: Won't dress Sunday
Cunningham (ankle) is inactive Sunday for the Bears' Week 2 game against the Buccaneers, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.
Cunningham played just six snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Falcons before suffering a high-ankle sprain and exiting the contest. That type of injury usually requires multiple weeks to heal, so it's no surprise that Cunningham, who listed as doubtful heading into Week 2, will end up missing at least one game. He serves an important role for the Bears on special teams, but with Jordan Howard and rookie Tarik Cohen seemingly entrenched as the team's top two backs, Cunningham wouldn't have been in line for much work offensively Sunday if he had been healthy.