NFL Player News

Drake returned a kickoff 96 yards for what turned out to be the winning score in the Dolphins 27-23 win over the Jets on Sunday.

Drake also had a reception for six yards but it was the kick return that will make all of the highlight reels. He went untouched down the right sideline to bring the Dolphins from behind in a key divisional game. Drake is unlikely to make his mark on offense this season but his breakaway speed is a major threat on special teams.

Gordon rumbled for 196 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries and added 65 yards on four catches in Sunday's win over Tennessee.

Gordon put the nail in the coffin late in the fourth quarter, with San Diego on its own side of the field and nursing a one-score lead. The second-year back ran through several Tennessee tacklers and sprinted for a 47-yard gain. Long a throw-first team, San Diego is turning to Gordon, who has gotten at least 25 touches in six of his last eight games and has topped 100 total yards in three straight contests. He's also doing damage near the goal line, with his one-yard plunge on Sunday tying him for the league lead with nine rushing touchdowns.

Hillman carried seven times for 30 yards and caught his only target for a 32-yard gain in Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Hillman outgained Jerrick McKinnon (ankle) and Matt Asiata in what was a rather even three-way split of the backfield touches, and he provided the team's biggest play of the day when he took a screen pass deep into enemy territory. He set season-highs in touches and yardage and appears to have carved out a role for at least until McKinnon's ailing ankle has fully healed. Next week presents a favorable matchup against the Redskins, but Hillman seems doubtful to receive enough usage to truly make an impact from a fantasy perspective.

Asiata gained 27 yards on nine carries and caught both of his targets for an additional 14 yards during Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Asiata received more touches than Ronnie Hillman and Jerrick McKinnon but was unable to generate much as the backfield failed to produce as a whole. He has received additional work over the last four weeks and has managed an average of 75 scrimmage yards per game, but he has been somewhat inefficient with his touches. Hillman and McKinnon both figure to continue seeing their fair share of work -- as none of this triumvirate appear to have distanced themselves from the others -- meaning Asiata will be tough to trust from a fantasy perspective in Week 10 despite a favorable matchup against the Redskins.

Harris had 10 carries for 59 yards and caught five of six targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-23 loss to the Saints. He also lost a fumble in the second half.

Harris dominated touches in the 49ers' backfield, while filling in for an injured Carlos Hyde (shoulder). In fact, Mike Davis was the only other RB to touch the ball, and he finished with just two carries for 11 yards and one catch for nine yards. Until Hyde returns, it's probably safe to assume that Harris will continue to start and see plenty of work. Next week, San Francisco will have a tough matchup at Arizona.

Draughn failed to touch the ball in Sunday's 41-23 loss to the Saints.

Draughn was heavily involved as a pass catcher in San Francisco's last game before its bye, but DuJuan Harris dominated the action Sunday while filling in for Carlos Hyde (shoulder). Harris finished with 15 touches for 142 yards and a touchdown, so for now it's safe to assume that Draughn will not have much of a role.

McKinnon (ankle) gained just eight yards on seven carries during Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Lions.

McKinnon managed to suit up after missing the Week 8 game against Chicago, but he clearly lacked explosiveness and managed a long carry of just four yards. Matt Asiata and Ronnie Hillman combined for 19 touches and were each more effective than McKinnon, indicating that there could be a three-way split of the backfield workload until McKinnon is fully healthy. A Week 10 matchup with the Redskins is one of the most favorable from a fantasy perspective, but McKinnon seems doubtful to claim the majority of the carries.

Hightower had 23 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-23 win at San Francisco. He caught his lone target for 15 yards.

Hightower dominated the action early, rushing eight times before Mark Ingram even touched the ball. While Hightower ended up leading the Saints in rushing attempts Sunday, Ingram blew up for 158 rushing yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving). It's tough to read too much into Sunday's distribution of work, as the 49ers were a very favorable matchup. For now, both players should remain involved. Next up for the Saints are the Broncos in Week 10.

Mathews carried five times for 15 yards and a touchdown Sunday against the Giants. He also caught his only target for no gain in the 28-23 loss.

Mathews converted an eight-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, but he received eight fewer carries than Darren Sproles, who also saw eight additional looks in the passing game. He has six touchdowns on the season and figures to continue seeing work in the red zone, but Mathews appears to be second in line for carries between the 20s at the moment. This backfield configuration should continue next week as the Eagles take on the Falcons.

West was held to 21 yards on 15 carries, and caught one of three targets for six yards Sunday against the Steelers

West was bottled up by the Steelers front, and his inability to run the ball effectively down the stretch allowed Pittsburgh to turn a 21-0 fourth-quarter deficit into a narrow 21-14 defeat. Backup Kenneth Dixon got nine carries of his own, but managed only 13 yards and an identical 1.4 yards per carry. West is still the primary running back in Baltimore heading into Thursday's matchup with a much more generous Browns run defense.