NFL Player News

Redskins running back Matt Jones rushed 19 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns, adding three catches on three targets for 23 receiving yards in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Rams.

Jones' first score was on a 39-yard run in the first quarter that helped set the tone for the Redskins, who did not have to rely on quarterback Kirk Cousins to move the ball. Because of his effectiveness throughout the game, Jones finished with one more rushing attempt than starter Alfred Morris, but he turned them into 64 more yards. Morris rushed for 123 yards in Week 1, so one solid performance for Jones isn't going to make him the starter, but it looks more and more likely that the two could evenly split the touches out of the backfield, which will limit their respective fantasy upsides.

Up next is a quick turnaround to face the Giants on Thursday.

Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Taliaferro is back in business in Week 2, presumably as the Ravens' No. 2 back, but his fantasy reliability is capped by the presence of starter Justin Forsett.

Chris Johnson is set to start Sunday as the featured back for the Cardinals, but he will split reps with David Johnson, per NFL Network, which is claiming that the team has created packages for both.

The latter took his one touch into the end zone on a 55-yard reception in his NFL debut last Sunday, but did not run the ball. He appears destined to get some carries in Chicago.

Cardinals running back Chris Johnson will start Sunday against the Bears on Sunday in place of the injured Andre Ellington (knee), according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Johnson was certainly the favorite to get the spot, with rookie David Johnson also likely to get an increase in touches, as head coach Bruce Arians strongly intimated that he was more comfortable starting a veteran over the rookie, particularly early in the season.

Ravens RB Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee) is probable for Sunday's game in Oakland, CSN Bay Area reports.

Taliaferro returned to practice last Friday, then logged full practices throughout the week, putting him on track to make his 2015 debut in Week 2 against the Raiders. He'll step back in as the Ravens' No. 2 running back, after easily beating out Javorius Allen for the job during training camp and the preseason.

Taliaferro's role may include goal-line and short-yardage work, and he should see extra carries when the Ravens go into clock-killing mode in the fourth quarter of multi-score victories.

Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (ankle) has been deemed probable for the Sunday game against NFC North rival Detroit.

McKinnon's ankle doesn't seem to be much of an issue, as he logged full practices throughout the week.

Adrian Peterson only played 56.3 percent of the offensive snaps in a lopsided Week 1 loss to San Francisco, but Matt Asiata surprisingly got more snaps than McKinnon. It remains to be seen if such is the case again in Week 2.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) will not play Sunday in Chicago.

That comes as no surprise given the fact that he's expected to miss multiple games after suffering a PCL sprain in the win Sunday over New Orleans.

Chris Johnson will likely get the start in Ellington's absence, with David Johnson (and perhaps Stepfan Taylor) also having a role.

Ellington appears no better than questionable for Week 3, as he admitted Friday that he might miss two or three games, per Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman had nine carries for 34 yards in Thursday's 31-24 win over the Chiefs.

Hillman only drew one target and didn't catch it, but he still outplayed C.J. Anderson (toe), who gained 27 on 12 carries and two yards on one reception. According to Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus, Anderson played 42 snaps to Hillman's 31, a split that was much more even than the previous week's.

If Anderson continues to struggle, Hillman may get a crack at the starting job, as both players were effective when asked to shoulder a full workload last season. Of course, the Denver offensive line has taken a big step back from last year, and the same may be true for Peyton Manning.

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (toe) gained 27 yards on 12 carries and two yards on one reception (one target) in Thursday's 31-24 win over the Chiefs.

Anderson wasn't visibly bothered by his injury, but for a second week in a row, neither he nor the Denver offensive line played well. Ronnie Hillman again fared somewhat better than Anderson, gaining 34 yards on nine carries, but without any receptions.

According to Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus, the snaps were split pretty evenly, with Anderson getting 42 and Hillman playing 31. Although his struggles have opened the door for Hillman to receive more touches, Anderson will probably get at least another game or two to prove that he should keep the starting job.

Anderson will try to turn things around next Sunday in Detroit.

Chiefs running back Knile Davis picked up nine yards and a touchdown on three carries in Thursday's 31-24 loss to the Broncos.

Jamaal Charles dominated the snaps and touches, but Davis vultured an eight-yard touchdown after his teammate carried the ball on four of the previous five plays. While still a valuable handcuff, Davis rarely sees the field unless Charles needs a quick breather.