NFL Player News

Jets running back Chris Johnson got back on track, matching a season high in carries (13) in a Week 7 defeat to the Patriots in Foxboro.

After rushing for only 9 yards the previous week against Denver, bounced back with 80 yards of total offense. He caught two passes -- both on the final drive -- for 19 yards and rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt in a 27-25 defeat. He has cracked the 60-yard mark on the ground just twice through seven games. He has 261 rushing yards this season.

The Jets will take on the Bills at home in Week 8.

The Patriots received contributions from a number of players Week 7 against the Jets.

Brandon LaFell led the way, hauling in four passes for 55 yards. He finished third on the team in yardage, and was targeted five times. Danny Amendola caught one pass, but made it count. In the fourth quarter, Amendola scored on a 19 yard reception from Tom Brady. Amendola should have had a better game, but had a couple catches taken away due to penalties. Brandon Bolden also caught one ball for 4 yards. 

They'll look for more Week 8 against the Bears. 

The Patriots opted to use Jonas Gray as their backup running back Thursday against the Jets.

Gray was promoted from the practice squad prior to the contest. He received three carries, gaining 12 yards. Gray was not targeted in the passing game. He'll look to contribute more Week 8 against the Bears.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen had a big game Thursday against the Jets.

With Stevan Ridley out, Vereen got a chance to show off his skills as the primary ball-carrier. Vereen turned in an average performance as a runner, picking up 43 yards on 11 carries. He really showed off his abilities as a pass-catcher. On the first drive of the game, Vereen snagged a 49 yard touchdown reception from Tom Brady. The two would hook up again later in the contest on a 3 yard touchdown. Vereen led the team with 71 receiving yards.

Vereen will look for more Week 8 against the Bears. 

Though no announcement was ever made (except to refute the claim in the days that followed), Jerick McKinnon appeared to overtake Matt Asiata as the Vikings' top running back Week 6 against Detroit, getting each of the team's first six carries and 17 total touches to Asiata's three.

But since coach Mike Zimmer is saying he prefers a more even distribution between the two, this situation is far from settled, and with the matchup the Vikings have in Week 7, it would need to be for you to gamble on either player.

The Vikings visit the Bills, who rank first against the run. They've allowed 67.5 yards per game and an astonishing 2.8 yards per carry. They also have yet to surrender a touchdown on the ground.

As you might expect, they've allowed the fewest Fantasy points per game to running backs. Two unproven options in an uncertain timeshare aren't the best bets to reverse the trend. Better to sit back and watch what develops this week than to try something sneaky.

The following offensive players have received the green light for the Jets Week 7 at New England: Tight end Jace Amaro (knee), Eric Decker (hamstring), Chris Johnson (ankle) and David Nelson (ankle).

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman went above and beyond in his first game replacing the injured Montee Ball Week 6 at the Jets, not only rushing for 100 yards to give the Broncos their best individual rushing performance of the season but also doing it against what at the time a top-five run defense.

Unfortunately, he'll have to prove himself all over again against San Francisco in Week 7. The 49ers rank seventh against the run, allowing 79.8 yards per game, and have given up the fifth-fewest Fantasy points per game to running backs this season. They limited the Eagles' LeSean McCoy to 17 yards on 10 carries in Week 3 and the Bears' Matt Forte to 21 yards on 12 carries in Week 2.

Then again, the Chiefs' Jamaal Charles and the Cowboys' DeMarco Murray did fine against them, so it's not like Hillman is an automatic sit for this matchup (in case he didn't show you that last week). But he's risky. If you need him to be your second running back, no problem, but if you're considering him for your flex spot, you might want to go with a wide receiver instead.

The Patriots have promoted running back Jonas Gray and offensive lineman Chris Barker from the practice squad, according to ESPN.

The two players will take the place of Stevan Ridley and Jerod Mayo, who were both placed on IR Thursday. Gray should replace Ridley, though it's unknown how much playing time he'll get. Barker gives the team another option on the line. 

Chargers running back Branden Oliver has flourished in two weeks since being given a larger role, and should be worth rolling out there in your Fantasy lineup for Week 7 even with a tough matchup against the Chiefs on the way.

The Chiefs have done a good job against running backs this season, allowing just 14.0 Fantasy points per game to them. However, Oliver already showed he can find success even against a tough matchup, as he racked up 172 all-purpose yards on the Jets in Week 5.

Oliver has been the featured back since Donald Brown suffered a concussion in Week 5, and Brown was still unable to practice both Wednesday and Thursday. We should get a healthy dose of Oliver yet again this week, and will be worth starting in all Fantasy formats for Week 7. 

The Patriots are on the verge of promoting former Notre Dame power back Jonas Gray from their practice squad to replace the injured Stevan Ridley on their roster, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.