NFL Player News

Cardinals running back Chris Johnson had 11 carries for 103 yards in Sunday's 42-17 win at Detroit. He did not score a touchdown, and wasn't targeted in the passing game.

Johnson had several big runs, including a 40-yard scamper in the first half that he nearly scored on. He likely would have had a much bigger game if not for the lopsided score, and the fact that rookie David Johnson vultured two short touchdowns. After struggling over the first two games of the season, the veteran Johnson has been fantastic in the last three, averaging better than six yards per carry. He appears to look as quick and fast as he did in his prime, which is surprising, especially considering he looked mediocre with the Jets in 2014. Meanwhile, Andre Ellington (knee) returned from a three-game absence and had only three carries, not seeing his first touch until the second quarter, although he did rip off a 63-yard touchdown run in the fourth period. Ellington is likely to see more work in the near future, but coach Bruce Arians has been happy with Chris Johnson, and should continue to use him a lot. In Week 6, the Cardinals will play the Steelers at Heinz Field.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 42-17 win at Detroit. His other two carries went for zero yards.

This was Ellington's first game since Week 1, and the Cards unsurprisingly kept his workload to a minimum, as he didn't see his first touch until the second quarter. If not for the long TD run, in which he showed good breakaway speed, it would have been a mediocre game. Meanwhile, Chris Johnson had 11 carries for 103 yards, continuing his string of strong play, and rookie David Johnson had a couple of short touchdown runs, but wasn't much of a factor otherwise. Expect Ellington to see more work in the upcoming weeks, although Chris Johnson seems to have turned back the clock a bit. Next week, Ellington will face the Steelers on the road.

Lions full back Zach Zenner had 10 carries for 30 yards and caught 1-of-2 targets for seven yards in Sunday's blowout loss to the Cardinals.

Zenner saw so much work because starter Ameer Abdullah was benched in the second quarter for ball security issues. While Zenner didn't do much, other than a 12-yard scamper, he showed a nice burst and toughness on several runs. Meanwhile, Theo Riddick was heavily involved as a receiver, catching 10 of 13 targets for 53 yards and a touchdown. We wouldn't expect Abdullah to be written off, but Zenner could continue to see work, especially until Joique Bell (ankle) is healthy enough to play.

Lions running back Ameer Abdullah had six carries for 17 yards and caught 1 of 2 targets for nine yards in Sunday's blowout loss to the Cardinals. He did not touch the ball after the second quarter.

Abdullah fumbled in the first quarter, and then appeared to lose the ball on a kickoff in the second quarter, but an Arizona defender was out of bounds while he was trying to recover the ball. After that point, Abdullah rode the bench, as Zach Zenner and Theo Riddick took over in the Lions' backfield. The rookie RB has showed some flashes this season, although he still doesn't have a run of over 20 yards.

Part of his problems can be blamed on the offensive line and general struggles of the Lions' offense (Matthew Stafford was also benched Sunday), but he's too talented of a runner to be averaging a measly 3.3 YPC (132 yards on 40 carries). Joique Bell (ankle) has missed the last two games, so until he is healthy, expect Abdullah to continue to get most of the work, assuming he can hang on to the ball. He's got a favorable matchup in Week 6 against Chicago.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims rushed 12 times for 51 yards and secured all four of his targets for 85 yards in Sunday's 38-31 victory over the Jaguars.

The Bucs' backfield was hitting on all cylinders Sunday, and Sims managed to turn in yet another big play through the air while also managing a season-high 51 yards on the ground. After consecutive weeks in which he recorded a touchdown reception, Sims produced a dynamic 56-yard reception in the third quarter. The play began as a simple third-and-long screen pass that the second-year running back maximized with an impressive burst of speed down the left sideline. Sunday's performance provided a glimpse of the added dimension that Sims' superior pass-catching ability brings to an offense, and he'll look to continue his recent impressive play when Tampa squares off against the Redskins in Week 7 following the bye.

Bears wide receiver Jacquizz Rodgers' right arm was "heavily" wrapped and in a sling after Sunday's contest at Kansas City, Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Rodgers received his typical allotment of touches in Week 5 -- three carries for three yards -- but the injury places a cloud over his availability going forward. If he's at all hindered next Sunday in Detroit, Jeremy Langford would be in line for a bit more work behind Matt Forte.

Buccaneers featured back Doug Martin had 24 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns while also securing all three of his targets for 35 yards and a touchdown in the defeat of Jacksonville on Sunday.

Martin put together consecutive 100-yard efforts for the first time since his outstanding rookie campaign in 2012, and his recent play has been progressively reminiscent of some of his eye-opening performances that season.

The fourth-year pro looked strong and decisive on several runs through the heart of the Jaguars' front seven, and also broke multiple tackles on his nifty 10-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Martin's recent contributions through the air have also included securing all eight of his targets over the last two games, making him an increasingly reliable and all-important checkdown option for Jameis Winston. Martin will face off against a normally stout Redskins defense in Week 7 following a bye.

Matt Jones led the Redskins with 20 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, and added one reception for 17 yards on two targets Sunday in Atlanta.

Jones and Alfred Morris saw the majority of the team's touches on the ground, but neither was able to find much running room against Atlanta's front seven. With Chris Thompson also seeing some playing time out of the backfield, it's hard to trust any of Washington's three running backs for consistent production.

Bills running back Dan Herron picked up 28 yards on nine carries Sunday against the Titans, but was not targeted in the passing game.

The newly acquired Herron led the Bills in carries, but failed to find much running room. This pedestrian performance doesn't bode well for Herron's chances of future production, especially with injured lead back LeSean McCoy (hamstring) possibly due back soon and Boobie Dixon on hand to split carries as it is.

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews rushed eight times for 73 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes on three targets for 23 yards Sunday against the Saints.

DeMarco Murray led the backfield by rushing 20 times for 83 yards and a score, while also catching seven passes on eight targets for 37 receiving yards, but Mathews was still able to grab two-yard touchdown. Mathews' usage continues to be relatively limited because of Murray, and while he could get a few goal-line touches here and there, his upside isn't nearly as high as it was when Murray was out.