NFL Player News

Whatever hope there was that Knile Davis might remain relevant with Jamaal Charles back from injury might have disappeared in Week 5, as he touched the ball just twice in a loss to the Patriots.

The Chiefs were able to lean on both running backs last week while nursing a big lead, but the situation changed Sunday. With the game closer, it was Charles who the Chiefs leaned on, though he ended up with just 15 touches in the game. That was much more than Davis had, as he had just two carries for 6 yards.

With Charles healthy, Davis is a luxury for the Chiefs on offense. He is nice to have around, but  if push comes to shove, he'll take a backseat to Charles. You obviously need to keep Davis on the roster as a handcuff, but there is little reason to think of him as starting material. 

After rushing for 239 yards and a touchdown the previous two weeks, Chiefs backup running back Knile Davis was not a factor in the Week 5 loss at San Francisco. Davis carried twice for 6 yards and was targeted once without a catch.

Davis is on a bye Week 6.

Chargers running back Shaun Draughn couldn't do much Week 5 against the Jets.

Draughn got some action with Donald Brown out, but couldn't capitalize. He gained just 19 yards on 10 carries. Draughn was not targeted in the passing game. He'll take on the Raiders Week 6. 

Chargers running back Branden Oliver had a huge game in relief Week 5.

Oliver came in for Donald Brown after Brown left with a concussion. He broke out in a big way, gaining 114 yards on 19 carries. He also was a factor in the passing game, hauling in four balls for 68 yards. Oliver scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one through the air, during the contest. 

Oliver will look for more Week 6 against the Raiders. 

Rams running back Benny Cunningham seemed like a threat to Zac Stacy's playing time in the offseason, but was largely a nonfactor through three games. However, a calf injury to Stacy Sunday could put Cunningham in line to start moving forward.

Cunningham was effective in Stacy's stead in Week 5, racking up 72 all-purpose yards on just 10 touches. He found the end zone on a 14-yard run in the third quarter, and showed he can fill in capably, if needed. However, the Rams have an extra day to prepare for Week 6 against the 49ers, with that game coming on Monday night, so Stacy may be able to get healthy.

Even if Stacy's injury proves serious, you might not want to write Cunningham into your starting lineup after picking him up on waivers. The 49ers are likely to provide an unkind welcome to Cunningham, as they have not allowed a running back to reach double figures in Fantasy scoring since Week 1.

Whether Stacy or Cunningham gets the start in Week 6, you might not find a starting Fantasy running back in St. Louis. 

Jets running back Chris Johnson turned in a rough start Week 5 against the Chargers.

Johnson gained just 24 yards on seven carries. Early in the second quarter, Johnson lost the ball on a fumble. He did not receive his next carry until later in the third quarter. Johnson also had one reception, but lost 2 yards on the play. 

Johnson will look for more Week 6 against the Broncos. 

The Cowboys received minor contributions from several role players in a Week 5 overtime victory to the Texans.

Joseph Randle wasn't asked to do much behind DeMarco Murray, and was limited to four yards on two carries. Dwayne Harris muffed a punt in the second quarter and caught all three of his targets for 30 yards. Cole Beasley caught all four of his targets for Cole Beasley yards in a 23-20 overtime victory.

Back from a two-game absence for a sprained knee, Browns running back Ben Tate emerged as the clear front-runner in what had become a crowded backfield without him Week 5 at Tennessee, rushing for a career-high 123 yards on 22 carries.

Granted, it came against a Titans defense that entered the game ranked 22nd against the run, but going back to his days as Arian Foster's backup in Houston, Tate was thought to have this kind of potential.

Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell didn't disappear completely, combining for 13 carries, but neither was the priority Tate was. And Tate was the only one of the three to catch a pass, so neither has the look of more than a change-of-pace option now that he's back.

A double handcuff is about the worst thing you could do for your roster flexibility, so if you're a Tate owner looking to insure what looks to be a prized commodity again, you should probably opt for West over Crowell. Or maybe just skip both. Neither stood out from the other in the two games Tate missed.

Broncos running back Juwan Thompson made some noise Week 5.

Thompson got some time after Montee Ball left the game due to an injury. He gained 15 yards on three carries, and even managed a late 8 yard touchdown run. Thompson will take on the Jets Week 6. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman led the way on the ground Week 5.

Starter Montee Ball left the game due to a groin injury, allowing Hillman to get extra work. He didn't disappoint. Hillman carried the ball 15 times for 64 yards. He was targeted in the passing game once, but failed to come up with the receptions. Ball averaged just 1.2 yards per carry, so Hillman's performance was much better than anticipated.

Hillman will take on the Jets Week 6.