NFL Player News

Vikings running back Matt Asiata had one carry for 4 yards and two receptions for 25 yards in Monday's loss at San Francisco.

Asiata got 12 snaps on offense, which was a mild surprise since he was thought to be relegated to a third-string role. It looks like he could get a few plays a game in the backfield when Adrian Peterson gets a break.

Gary Kubiak has stated that he expects Broncos featured back C.J. Anderson to practice as the team prepares in a short week to play Kansas City on Thursday, the Denver Post has reported.

Anderson is dealing with an ankle injury sustained Sunday against Baltimore, but should play against the Chiefs.

He hopes to pick up the production, however, after rushing for just 29 yards on 12 carries in Week 1.

Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah was busy during his regular season debut Sunday against the Chargers. He touched the ball on 23.4 percent of the team's 47 offensive snaps, while also handling kickoff return duties. 

He finished with seven carries for 50 yards and four receptions for 44 yards, while totaling 105 yards on three kickoff returns. 

Coach Jim Caldwell said Abdullah's workload will likely remain the same moving forward.

"What he did (Sunday) is kind of what we see him doing," Caldwell said, the Detroit Free Press. "He's returning kicks, he's running the ball and he's catching the ball out of the backfield. I'm not certain there's anything more (he can do) than that. He had 199 yards or so of total offense. That's the kind of role that I think you'll see him play, for the most part."

While running back Christine Michael was inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Giants, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the newcomer has "made a lot of progress in a short period of time" since his acquisition from the Seahawks.

Although, it seems it would take an injury to the running back trio of Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Darren McFadden before Michael gets his chance to make an impact.

"I do think if any time one of them has an injury or isn't 110 percent, then we'll see what Christine Michael has to bring to the table as well," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday during a radio interview, per The Dallas Morning News.

The Cowboys finished with 22 carries in Sunday's season opener against the Giants. The trio of DeMarco Murray, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar averaged 29.5 carries per game last season.

Murray is now with the Eagles, but Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Monday the team would like to see more carries per game from Randle, Darren McFadden and Dunbar moving forward.

"Our goal is still to get up there running the ball 25-30 times a game," Jones said, per The Dallas Morning News. "I think we ended up rushing about 22 times, so we'd like four or five more rushes on there, but this group is very productive."

Randle led the charge Week 1 with 16 carries for 65 yards, while McFadden added six carries for 16 yards.

"Joseph played well," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "He had some good runs, some tough dirty runs where things weren't really clean, but he made a dirty, 3-4-5 yard run. When he had a little more space he made some plays."

Eagles running back Ryan Mathews only received three rushing attempts in Monday's loss to the Falcons, but he was able to reach the endzone.

Mathews scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter. He finished the contest with four rushing yards on three attempts. Mathews was also targeted four times and caught three receptions for 24 yards.

With starting running back Andre Ellington nursing a knee sprain, Cardinals running back Chris Johnson says nothing will change in his preparation, reports ESPN.com.

"I'm always preparing myself like I'm getting 20, 25 touches a game," Johnson said Monday. "With me, [my mindset ] don't change at all. Practice hard every week, study a lot, and just, even though when you're not the starter, you still have to go in there like you're going to have to play. They're still going to need you and knowing that I'm going to have a role on this team, I can't sit there and not prepare like a starter even though I'm not the starter. I got to prepare the same way."

With running backs frequently subject to vicious hits and injuries, Johnson said he's always stays ready to contribute.

"That's always a possibility as a running back," Johnson said. "We get hit every single play. It's probably the most physical position on the team."

In Week 2, the Cardinals will take on the Bears, who surrendered 133 rushing yards to the Packers in Week 1. 

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said running back C.J. Anderson is OK and after rolling his ankle Sunday against the Ravens and is expected to play Thursday against the Chiefs, according to SiriusXM NFL Radio.

Anderson totaled 29 rushing yards on 12 carries Week 1. Backup running back Ronnie Hillman led the team with 41 rushing yards on 12 carries.

The Texans totaled 98 rushing yards against the Chiefs in Week 1.

The Dolphins announced Monday they released running back LaMichael James. To take his spot on the roster, tight end Jake Stoneburner was promoted from the practice squad.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians confirmed running back Andre Ellington has a mild PCL sprain. He didn't put a timetable on Ellington's return, but indicated it could be 1-3 weeks.

In a strange twist, Arians also wouldn't rule out Ellington for Week 2. He said if Ellington practices Friday, he could play Sunday.

ESPN was first to report Ellington suffered a Grade 1 PCL sprain in his right knee. A source estimated his return at 2-3 weeks.

Arians said after Sunday's game if Ellington has to miss time, veteran Chris Johnson will take over as the starting running back and rookie David Johnson will assume the backup role. He reiterated that position Monday.