NFL Player News

Gillislee rushed for 30 yards on six carries and added a 13-yard catch in Sunday's win over the Patriots.

Gillislee's role in the Buffalo offense is picking up under new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn, with nine total touches in the past two games after just two total in Weeks 1 and 2. More use in the No. 2 role is an exciting development, but he still has too much competition for production with LeSean McCoy and mobile quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He's not worth a pickup yet, but his usage under a self-proclaimed run-enthusiast of a head coach bears monitoring.

Johnson (groin), who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, is having surgery to repair a sports hernia, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Even when surgery is required, sports hernias aren't necessarily season-ending injuries, with players often able to return after approximately two months. Interestingly enough, safety Tyvon Branch is having the same procedure, and he was also placed on injured reserve Tuesday. The Cardinals will evaluate both players' progress, with one of the two likely to eventually return from injured reserve after a minimum stay of eight weeks. Johnson may be the more familiar name to most NFL fans, but Branch has arguably been more important to the team this season. With the elder Johnson out of the picture, David Johnson will have a bit less competition for carries, though his teammate's presence wasn't having much impact on the second-year runner in any case. Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams and Stepfan Taylor will provide depth.

Rainey rushed the ball four times for 22 yards and hauled in seven receptions for 43 yards in Monday night's loss to the Vikings.

Rainey was quiet the first three weeks of the season, but with Shane Vereen (triceps) landing on IR and Rashad Jennings (thumb) inactive for Monday's game, an immediate hole opened in the Giants' backfield. Rainey showcased his skill set as both a runner and a pass-catching option. With Jennings' status still up in the air for Week 5, the 28-year-old Rainey could have another strong week as he competes for reps with Orleans Darkwa.

Asiata had six carries for six yards, including a one-yard touchdown, and two receptions for 12 yards in Monday's win over the Giants.

Asiata had fewer carries and snaps than Jerick McKinnon (who had 18 carries and played 46 snaps to Asiata's 29 snaps), but still got a goal-line carry. However, McKinnon also had a one-yard touchdown, which means Asiata isn't the exclusive goal-line option. Asiata will continue to get touches in the backfield, but McKinnon will get the majority of opportunities.

Johnson (groin) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

While each team can bring one player back from injured reserve after a minimum stay of eight weeks, it isn't entirely clear that Johnson is a candidate, as the Cardinals are also placing safety Tyvon Branch on IR with a groin injury. Branch has arguably been a more important contributor than Johnson so far, but the two players' relative value would change in a hurry if David Johnson were to suffer an injury. In any case, the younger Johnson will now be backed up by Andre Ellington, Kerwynn Williams and Stepfan Taylor, with Ellington easily carrying the most appeal as a handcuff.

Martin (hamstring) was not at the portion of Tuesday's practice open to the media, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin is also unlikely to attend the closed portion of practice, as it's already been reported that he'll probably be out until after Tampa Bay's Week 6 bye. The bigger question pertains to Charles Sims, who missed Tuesday's practice with a knee injury that he played through in Sunday's loss to Denver. If the Bucs don't have either Martin or Sims, they'll have to turn to Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber against the Panthers on Monday.

Patterson played a season-high 36 offensive snaps Monday against the Giants, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Patterson comfortably out-snapped Charles Johnson (22) and even came close to matching Adam Thielen (39). The 2013 first-round selection had five catches for 38 yards on six targets, adding one carry for two yards. Given how little Johnson has done this season, it wouldn't be surprising if Patterson were to stay involved in the offense, though rookie Laquon Treadwell could also emerge as a factor. Above all else, it's quite clear Stefon Diggs will be far more valuable than any of his position mates in Minnesota.

West's teammate Justin Forsett was informed of his release Tuesday morning, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Forsett was a surprise healthy scratch Sunday against Oakland, allowing West to get his first start in a Baltimore uniform. With West turning in a strong outing (113 rushing yards) and rookie Kenneth Dixon (knee) set to make his NFL debut, the Ravens opted to shed Forsett's sizable contract. Javorius Allen could also be involved, but the Baltimore backfield will likely be led by some combination of West and Dixon, with the latter the clear favorite to start in Week 5 against Washington. Even after Forsett's release, this backfield requires close monitoring.

Sims is absent from Tuesday's practice due to a knee injury, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Sims suffered the injury during the first quarter of Sunday's loss to Denver, but he was still able to finish out the rest of the contest, ultimately playing 58 percent of his team's offensive snaps. The injury may help explain why he managed just 35 yards on 17 touches, though Denver's excellent defense surely also played a role. With Doug Martin (hamstring) considered unlikely to return until after a Week 6 bye, Sims will be under some pressure to get ready for Monday's game against Carolina. If the injury were to prevent Sims from playing, Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber would handle the backfield work.

McKinnon rushed 18 times for 85 yards and a touchdown, while also catching three passes (on five targets) for 10 yards in Monday night's win over the Giants.

McKinnon put together a strong overall performance Monday night, showing his ability to replace some of the production lost from Adrian Peterson's (knee) absence. He averaged close to five yards per carry and caught a trio of passes, but his four-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown rush was probably the most satisfying part of his Week 4 showing. Yes, teammate Matt Asiata vultured a one-yard touchdown plunge to start the game, but McKinnon's 21 total touches once again trumped Asiata's eight, and McKinnon proved he too can score in the red zone, which could open even more opportunities going forward.