NFL Player News

Vikings running back Matt Asiata didn't get much work Week 6.

Asiata only had two rushes for -5 yards. He caught one pass for 18 yards during the contest. The team opted to feature Jerick McKinnon during the game, putting Asiata in a backup role. He'll look for more Week 7 against the Bills. 

Earlier in the week, I expressed optimism about Storm Johnson getting an extended look in the Jaguars backfield, calling him a potential lottery ticket just because he could have the job all to himself if he proved he deserved it.

He didn't Week 6 at Tennessee, picking up just 21 yards on his 10 carries, the longest going for 7. He also had one catch for minus-4 yards. He did cap the team's first drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, but it was all downhill from there. By the end of the game, the Jaguars were relying more on Denard Robinson in the backfield.

So against a defense that entered the day ranked 26th against the run and with Toby Gerhart sidelined by a foot injury, Johnson had all of 11 touches. That's hardly the makings of a bell cow.

It was a worthy gamble given the opportunity, but I'm thinking you can send Johnson back to the waiver wire.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen wasn't much of a factor during a 37-22 win Week 6 at Buffalo. He totaled just five carries for 4 yards and one catch for 3 yards.

Even after Stevan Ridley left late in the third quarter due to a knee injury, running back Brandon Bolden ended up getting more touches on offense than Vereen, who totaled a season-low 7 yards in the win and hasn't had a touchdown since Week 1.

The Patriots are back in action Thursday against the Jets.

The Vikings decided to ride with Jerick McKinnon Week 6.

McKinnon led the team with 11 carries and 40 rushing yards. He was a surprise start after the team had gone with Matt Asiata the past couple weeks. McKinnon also made an impact in the passing game, leading the team with six receptions and 42 yards. The Vikings couldn't muster much offensively, which may have forced them to go away from the run earlier than normal.

McKinnon will take on the Bills Week 7.

Getting his first start Sunday against the Titans, Jaguars rookie running back Storm Johnson was mostly ineffective, totaling 17 yards on 11 touches. But he scored on a 1-yard run early in the first quarter, his first NFL touchdown.

Johnson ran 10 times for 21 yards and caught his only target for minus-4 yards. He'll face the Browns in Week 7.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (foot) is active for Sunday's Week 6 matchup with the Redskins. Ellington was listed as probable on the team's final injury report after being limited in practice this week.

The Seahawks declared tight end Zach Miller (ankle), center Max Unger (foot), wideouts Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood, cornerback Tharold Simon (knee), running back Christine Michael and offensive tackle Andrew McDonald inactive for the game against the Cowboys.

The following players have been ruled inactive for the Chargers Week 6 against the Raiders: Steve Williams, Ryan Mathews, Shareece Wright, Donald Brown, Manti Te'o, Reggie Walker, and Cordarro Law.

Jets running back Chris Johnson has been cleared for the Week 6 game against Denver. An ankle ailment had him listed as probable.

With Toby Gerhart inactive due to a foot injury, the Jaguars have named Storm Johnson the starting running back for Week 6 against Tennessee, the team announced. Johnson, the rookie out of UCF, entered the season as the fourth-string running back. The move does not come as a surprise, especially since the seventh-round pick rushed for 27 yards on four carries in a loss to Pittsburgh last week.