NFL Player News

Jones (shoulder) is active for Monday's game against the Steelers.

Jones logged every practice rep this week, all but informing the public that he'll suit up in the regular season opener. With his partially separated shoulder healed enough to play, he should be the primary RB option on first and second down, while Chris Thompson enters the fold on obvious passing downs.

Michael could see fewer touches in Week 2 as Thomas Rawls' workload is expected to expand, the Seattle Times reports.

Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that Rawls should be ready for a full workload, which likely would limit Michael's touches. Michael started Sunday and had 17 touches to Rawls' 15. Carroll said Michael started because "he had earned that, deserved that," but that "we'll see what happens as we move forward. Just leave it at that." Michael likely will still be involved, especially after C.J. Prosise suffered wrist and shoulder injuries Sunday.

Bolden was on the field for just three of the Patriots' 71 snaps on offense in Sunday's 23-21 win over the Cardinals, logging one carry for four yards, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

Meanwhile, power back LeGarrette Blount recorded 42 snaps and the team's top change-of-pace option James White logged 26. With Tyler Gaffney no longer in the mix and D.J. Foster inactive Sunday, Bolden essentially backed up the two aforementioned backs. In the event that injuries hit either Blount or White, it's quite possible that either Foster (in a pass-catching role) or even practice squadder Bishop Sankey could overtake Bolden, whose weekly active status is tied to his special teams prowess.

Rawls should be ready for a full workload in Week 2 against the Rams, the Seattle Times reports.

Rawls, who had just two rushes in the preseason coming off last year's season-ending ankle injury, had 15 touches for 60 yards in Sunday's season opener. Starter Christine Michael had 17 touches for 71 yards. Michael earned the start with a great preseason but didn't do enough Sunday to take the job from Rawls. Michael will continue to get some touches, especially with rookie C.J. Prosise suffering wrist and shoulder injuries Sunday.

McKinnon had just one carry for six yards and had one reception for three yards on two targets in Sunday's win at Tennessee.

McKinnon is the primary backup to Adrian Peterson and there as talk in the preseason he'd be used more as a third-down back and involved in the passing game. He moved from running back to wide receiver in one formation, which shows the Vikings plan to use his receiving skills more. However, McKinnon may not get more than a few touches per game as long as Peterson is healthy.

Patterson had one reception for six yards on his only target and had one carry for eight yards in Sunday's win over Tennessee. He also had a 61-yard gain on his only kickoff return.

Patterson made a difficult catch on his only reception, so that could help him find more targets. It was nice to see the Vikings use him on two plays on offense as it was thought he'd only be used as a kick returner this season. However, don't expect him to get more than a few plays per game unless injuries strike the receiver corps.

Asiata had four carries for 13 yards in Sunday's win over Tennessee.

Asiata was brought in for one series to give Adrian Peterson a rest late in the game. He's not going to get many carries in a reserve role as long as Peterson is healthy.

Hightower gained nine yards on four carries and one yard on one reception in Sunday's season opening loss to the Raiders. He played only 10 of the Saints' 69 offensive snaps, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Even with C.J. Spiller a healthy inactive in Week 1, Hightower saw only four carries in relief of Mark Ingram, with Travaris Cadet (26 snaps) getting most of the third-down snaps. When Ingram was sidelined at the end of last season, Hightower served as the Saints' three-down workhorse -- racking up nice yards on the ground and through the air. However, if Week 1 is any indication, should Ingram miss time this season, it appears that Hightower would still probably receive the majority of the carries, but unlike last year, Cadet (or Spiller) would play a more significant role in the passing game.

Murray carried 14 times for 59 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 35-34 victory over the Saints. He also grabbed one of his two targets for a 14-yard gain.

Murray ran hard and converted an early six-yard touchdown run, but his body of work on the day was somewhat limited as Oakland spent a significant amount of time coming back from a large deficit. Jalen Richard broke off a long touchdown run, but Murray ceded just 10 rushing attempts to other backs and was active in the passing game to boot. Murray is in line for another productive season as the priority back for the Raiders and should see an increase in usage next week versus Atlanta.

Washington rushed twice for one yard and one touchdown in the Lions' 39-35 victory over the Colts.

Washington was interestingly given active status over fellow RB Zach Zenner, who was thought to have earned Detroit's "big-back" role after beating out Stevan Ridley in the preseason. However, it was Washington who assumed that role and was given two rushing attempts from the one-yard line and appears to be the Lions' goal-line battering ram if Week 1 was any indication. Still, he still saw just two carries while Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick largely carried the load, and was not featured in the passing game even though Abdullah and Riddick garnered five targets a piece. Up next for Washington and the Lions is a Week 2 matchup with the Titans, who limited All-Pro RB Adrian Peterson to just 31 yards across 19 carries in their regular season opener.