NFL Player News

Sanders gained seven yards on his lone carry but caught all seven of his targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Broncos.

With Bryce Young back under center for the Panthers, Sanders wound up leading the team in receptions as he became the top check-down option for the second-year QB. The seven grabs were a career high for the sixth-year RB, but he came into Sunday with only 12 catches on 17 targets over the prior seven games. The performance still could be a preview of Sanders' role in the second half of 2024 if Young remains the starting quarterback, especially if Chuba Hubbard gets traded to make room for rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) as Carolina's early-down back.

Hubbard carried the ball 15 times for 56 yards and caught both his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Broncos.

The fourth-year back couldn't get much going, with his longest gain going for only 15 yards. Hubbard still has put together a very impressive first half of the season given the circumstances around him in Carolina, amassing 701 yards from scrimmage in eight games with four total touchdowns and 5.0 yards per carry. With rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) potentially making his NFL debut Week 9 against the Saints, however, Hubbard's days as the clear starter in the Panthers backfield may be coming to an end.

Ogunbowale had one carry for four yards and failed to catch his lone target in Sunday's 23-20 win over Indianapolis.

Ogunbowale was limited to one touch and one target for a second straight week. Ogunbowale did see more time on the field than Dameon Pierce, but both backs are playing cameo roles behind Joe Mixon, who continues to dominate Houston's backfield.

Pierce had one carry for four yards in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Colts in Week 8. He also returned two kickoffs for 78 yards.

Pierce saw his playing time erode even further in the third game since both he and Joe Mixon returned from injuries. Pierce had just three carries for six yards and 11 combined snaps on offense the last two weeks. He can, however, make an impact in the return game. His 45-yard return of the opening kickoff set up the Texans near midfield for a drive that culminated in a field goal.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski said after Sunday's 29-24 win over Baltimore that Chubb's workload is still being monitored, Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal reports. "I wouldn't say we took all the pitch count off," Stefanski said. "Still want to be smart with Nick in the second game back, but he's moving well."

Chubb was on the field for 61 percent of the offensive snaps Sunday, compared to 36 percent in his season debut last week, when the running back barely played in the second half. The workload increased from 11 carries to 16, including six touches in the second half. While Chubb may be under some restrictions heading into a Week 9 matchup with the Chargers, none of Jerome Ford (hamstring), D'Onta Foreman or Pierre Strong are expected to threaten Chubb's standing as the club's clear lead back.

Strong caught his lone target for three yards and returned three kickoffs for 59 yards in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Ravens in Week 8.

Both Strong (14 snaps) and D'Onta Foreman (13) saw their workloads decrease relative to starter Nick Chubb, who played 12 more snaps and had five more carries in his second game back from a knee injury. This was the first time in six outings that Strong did not have a carry. Chubb's return clearly impacts Strong's rushing opportunities; however, he should remain a third-down option going forward, at least until Jerome Ford (hamstring) is able to suit up.

Foreman had five carries for 26 yards in Sunday's 29-24 win over the Ravens.

Foreman, the only running back other than Nick Chubb to get a carry, played 13 snaps compared to Pierre Strong's 14. This was Chubb's second game back, and as expected his workload increased. Cleveland's top back barely played in the second half last week (one carry), but he had six carries following halftime Sunday, as his snap count rose from 30 to 42. The stronger Chubb gets post-injury, the further marginalized Foreman's role will become, and Jerome Ford (hamstring) will return soon as well.

Pollard rushed the ball 20 times for 94 yards in Sunday's 52-14 loss to the Lions. He added three receptions on four targets for 23 yards.

Pollard was among the few bright spots for Tennessee in the loss, tallying two rushes of more than 15 yards while also recording a 17-yard reception. That combination allowed him to top 100 total yards from scrimmage in a game for only the second time this season. While Pollard is being held back by the Tennessee offense, he has at least 19 touches in five of seven contests on the campaign.

Ekeler rushed the ball seven times for 52 yards in Sunday's 18-15 win over the Bears. He added two receptions on three targets for six yards.

Ekeler continued to serve as the change-of-pace back in Washington, seeing half the carries of Brian Robinson. His stat line oversells his production considerably, as he tallied a 29-yard rush on a meaningless play just before halftime. He was also oddly quiet as a pass catcher, and he's now been held to single-digit receiving yards in consecutive games.

Mattison rushed the ball 14 times for 15 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Chiefs. He added five receptions on five targets for 29 yards.

Mattison was the only Raider to record more than two carries, but he didn't do anything to earn the continued opportunity. His longest rush went for just five yards, and four of his 14 carries went for zero or negative yards. Mattison did manage to salvage his day as a receiver, as he tied for second on the team with five targets. Zamir White saw only two carries and totaled -1 yards, though it wouldn't be surprising to see the Raiders mix up their running back usage in Week 9 against the Bengals.