NFL Player News

Cardinals running back Chris Johnson had 16 carries for 83 yards and caught all three of his targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Rams.

Johnson looked quick and fast on a number of runs, also using jump cuts to make defenders miss. Meanwhile, David Johnson ran the ball just three times, although he caught four passes for 63 yards with a touchdown. The rookie RB did lose a costly fumble on the opening kickoff though. Andre Ellington (knee) still hasn't returned, but coach Bruce Arians said Chris Johnson will still be heavily involved. The Cardinals will try to get back in the win column next week at Detroit.

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon had 12 carries for 38 yards and caught both of his targets for eight yards in Sunday's win over the Browns.

Gordon was held in check, other than a nice 23-yard run that he nearly popped for a long touchdown. Meanwhile, Danny Woodhead was more effective on the ground, rushing for 54 yards on eight carries. Woodhead was predictably more productive as a receiver too, catching 4-of-4 targets for 84 yards. The rookie RB has a ton of speed and talent, and should get better and better as the season progresses, but the presence of Woodhead limits his upside. In Week 5, Gordon will take on the Steelers at home on Monday Night Football.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman rushed 11 times for 103 yards and a touchdown and caught one pass on one target for five receiving yards Sunday against the Vikings.

Hillman finished with the same number of rushing attempts as C.J. Anderson, but the latter could only turn them into 43 yards. A vast majority of Hillman's yards came on a 73-yard run, but with his speed, it's always a possibility when he gets out in space. The Broncos used a two-tight end set on Hillman's run but barely used it the rest of the game, opting to work out of the pistol formation to give quarterback Peyton Manning more time in the pocket.

Hillman's ability to break a play with his speed could give him more touches than Anderson, who has failed to rush for even 45 yards in a game this season. At the very least, Hillman continues to be in the picture for touches and Anderson is unlikely to get a significantly bigger slice of the pie.

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson rushed 11 times for 43 yards and caught one pass on one target for 27 receiving yards Sunday against the Vikings.

Anderson finished with the same number of carries as Ronnie Hillman, who rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown, mostly due to a 72-yard score. Hillman's long touchdown gave him more yards than the two had accumulated in the three games prior to Sunday's, evidencing how poor the running game has been. Anderson has failed to rush for 45 yards in a game this season, and given Hillman's ability to break a long one because of his speed, it's possible he could start getting more touches than Anderson, particularly if they continue to run the pistol formation to give quarterback Peyton Manning more time to throw. Up next is a Week 5 trip to Oakland.

Redskins running back Matt Jones carried seven times for just 11 yards in Sunday's win over the Eagles.

The rookie finished third in touches out of the backfield on the day, with Alfred Morris and Chris Thompson combining for 139 total yards on 25 touches. Jones flashed his ability in a 146-yard, two-touchdown outburst in Week 2, but that performance is beginning to look like an outlier, as he has just 77 yards on 24 touches combined in the other three games. Morris and Thompson figure to remain heavily involved in their respective roles, limiting Jones' usage in most games. The Redskins will face a Falcons defense in Week 5 that has allowed an average of 36.8 fantasy points per game this season to opposing running backs, but Jones' limited role makes him a risky fantasy play.

Cowboys running back Christine Michael is active for Sunday's game in New Orleans, David Helman of the Cowboys' official website reports.

Inactive for the first three games, Michael took some first-team snaps during practice this week, but it will be surprising if he gets more than a handful of touches -- and even that may be generous -- in Sunday's game. Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar are also active, and all three are ahead of Michael on the depth chart.

Raiders running back Latavius Murray rushed for 49 yards on 16 carries and added three catches for 12 yards in Sunday's loss to Chicago. He lost a fumble during the contest.

Despite the off day, Murray still ranks among the top 10 backs in the league in rushing yards and yards per carry. The fact that Murray is among a dwindling few backs who are a true bell cow for their teams adds to his value. His fumble shouldn't draw too many red flags as it is his only lost fumble in 181 career touches.

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews gained 20 yards on five carries in Sunday's loss to Washington. He lost a fumble for the second straight week and was not targeted in the passing game.

A week after racking up 128 yards and a touchdown while deputizing for the injured DeMarco Murray, Mathews returned to a reserve role Sunday and was only sparingly involved in the offense. The 27-year-old's case was not helped by the fact that the Eagles ran the ball just 18 times while playing from behind, but Mathews will seemingly not see a heavy workload for as long as Murray is healthy. Week 5 could present Mathews with a chance at some extra touches, as the struggling Saints come to town.

Panthers running back Cameron Artis-Payne gained 25 yards on eight carries, and was not targeted in the passing game Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Artis-Payne served as Jonathan Stewart's backup, and saw a handful of carries in a game the Panthers led throughout. The rookie fifth-round pick now has 31 yards on 11 carries over the last two games after receiving zero touches in the season's first two weeks.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims gained 23 yards on six carries and secured three of five targets for 30 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-23 loss to the Panthers.

The versatile second-year back continues to be a difference maker through the air for the Bucs. It was Sims' second touchdown reception in as many weeks, and came on a play where he was split out wide as a receiver. Sims did a good job working his way free in the end zone on the play, and an under-duress Jameis Winston was able to find him after narrowly avoiding a sack. Sims will continue to work in tandem with backfield mate Doug Martin in a Bucs offense that is long on talent but still short on consistency in the early going of the 2015 campaign.