NFL Player News

Hillman signed a contract with Minnesota.

Hillman's signing with the Vikings likely indicates they expect Adrian Peterson to miss several games or more. It's hard to see Hillman having a role initially as he'll add depth, but he could work his way into the rotation in a few weeks if Peterson remains out.

Washington will take over as the Lions' backup running back with Ameer Abdullah (foot) on injured reserve, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Washington played sparingly in the Lions' first two games, but he is set to move up the depth chart with Abdullah out at least the next eight weeks. Theo Riddick will be the Lions' primary running back, but Washington is a bigger back who already found paydirt from one yard out in Week 1, so he could see snaps in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Rodgers' workload should see a significant bump in light of Ian Rapoport of NFL Network's report that Doug Martin will miss approximately three weeks with a hamstring injury.

The veteran back will thus be thrown right into the fire with the Bucs after just having signed on Sep. 13, two days following the opener. Rodgers received two carries after Martin exited Sunday's game with his injury and is now expected to serve as a change-of-pace option to Charles Sims in the coming weeks, essentially filling Sims' role when Martin is active. Rodgers served as a primary back for the Falcons over five games back in 2013, rushing for 194 yards on an average of 3.3 yards per carry, while also adding 152 yards on 24 receptions and scoring four total touchdowns. The initial expectation is that Sims will receive the majority of carries, but a much closer timeshare is not out of the question depending on how matters unfold.

Sims' workload should see a significant bump following Ian Rapoport of NFL Network's report that Doug Martin will miss approximately three weeks with a hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old does have some prior, albeit limited, experience as the Bucs' lead back, having totaled 59 yards on 21 carries over two 2014 games in which Martin was sidelined. Sims is expected to be in at least a modest timeshare this time around, however, as the recently-signed Jacquizz Rodgers also figures to see a handful of touches at a minimum. Sims' most extensive workload in college came during his senior season at West Virginia, when he tallied 208 totes over 12 games, which netted 1,095 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Martin (hamstring) is expected to be out about three weeks, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Martin had a MRI on Tuesday and the results must not have been great. Charles Sims figures to become the Buccaneers' lead tailback as a result, with recent signing Jacquizz Rodgers in line for snaps behind him.

Abdullah (foot) was placed on injured reserve.

Abdullah was slated for an examination of his left foot Tuesday with Dr. Robert Anderson in North Carolina and it must not have gone well. Theo Riddick and rookie Dwayne Washington should have larger roles in Week 3 against the Packers as a result.

Cunningham rushed one time for two yards and added one reception (on two targets) for seven yards in Sunday's win over the Seahawks.

Cunningham has now tallied four touches and 17 total yards in the Rams' first two games. Starting running back Todd Gurley is a true bell-cow, and as long as Gurley remains healthy, Cunningham is likely going to have a diminished role in the Rams' offense.

Ellington had one rush for two yards and one reception for nine yards in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers.

With six more snaps Sunday, Ellington has been handed a whopping 15 through two contests, which ranks third behind David Johnson (99) and Chris Johnson (23). The latter Johnson received 21 of those in Week 2 as an ever-increasing deficit reached 33 points by the 12:11 mark of the fourth quarter. Perhaps the reserve RB reps will be tied to game conditions, but Ellington is currently averaging an unusable two touches per outing.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Elliott will not have his workload reduced in response to his two fumbles during Sunday's win over Washington, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Elliott didn't have fumbling issues in college, and Jones believes the rookie running back has proper technique to avoid any such problems in the future. Things could change if Elliott keeps fumbling, but it doesn't sound like the one shaky performance will have much impact on his workload beyond Sunday's win. Alfred Morris closed out the game with Dallas' final three carries, bringing him up to five touches for the afternoon. Lance Dunbar also had five, while Elliott had 23 (two catches).

Mathews rushed nine times for 32 yards and two touchdowns in Monday night's win over the Bears.

Mathews also caught his lone target for three yards Monday. After a whopping 22 carries to start the season, the veteran's total of nine in Week 2 is a bit curious, but considering teammate Darren Sproles managed just 40 yards from his 12 carries, neither player was very efficient on average. In fact, 30 of Mathews' 32 rushing yards came on one play. That being said, Mathews still proved effective when it mattered, scoring from three yards and one yard on his respective second-half touchdowns. Following a low-volume effort in Monday's pull-away win, Mathews will likely be needed more often in the Eagles' Week 3 game against the Steelers.