Depth Chart Watch: Fallout From Week 8

Quarterback

Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler showed no signs of the thumb injury that kept him out for five weeks, which will keep Matt Barkley firmly on the bench once the Bears emerge from their bye. Cutler played mistake-free ball against a fierce Vikings defense, giving some hope he can be useful over the final eight games.

Cleveland Browns

Cody Kessler has received clearance to practice, but remains in the league's concussion protocol. Josh McCown finished with 341 yards Sunday, but it was a tale of two halves, as the Browns had 20 points at halftime and managed just eight in the second half. There's little to be gained from using the veteran, and Hue Jackson has indicated Kessler is in the mix to start once cleared.

Kansas City Chiefs

Despite being knocked out of the game twice, Alex Smith did not suffer a concussion, seemingly giving him a decent shot to play against the Jaguars. Nick Foles brought some life to the Chiefs offense, throwing for 223 yards and two scores in relief, but the outing wasn't likely enough to create controversy as long as Smith is healthy.

New York Jets

Ryan Fitzpatrick continues to be dreadful, at one point being 3-of-14 against the Browns. The Jets seem likely to give Bryce Petty a chance at some point, the question becomes when.

Running Back

Atlanta Falcons

As expected, Devonta Freeman shouldered the load with Tevin Coleman sitting out, outsnapping Terron Ward 46-17. His yardage wasn't what many would have liked, but Freeman found the end zone twice and caught four passes to go along with 11 rushes. With a quick turnaround against the Bucs on Thursday, Coleman is a game-time decision at best, likely leaving Freeman to do the heavy lifting against a much softer defense.

Buffalo Bills

Mike Gillislee earned 12 of the team's 17 rushes in a game the Bills fell behind in quickly, forcing them to the air more than they'd probably have like to. He was impressive in his limited touches, gaining 85 yards and scoring. Reggie Bush (26 snaps), Jerome Felton (21) and Jonathan Williams (19) all factored in during LeSean McCoy's absence, with only Williams not being targeted in the passing game. The Bills have a Monday night game against a difficult Seattle defense before entering a bye week, making it possible McCoy sits again and Gillislee spearheads the rushing attack.

Chicago Bears

Just when it looked as if Ka'Deem Carey was earning at least a timeshare, Jordan Howard found plenty of room against a stout Vikings rush defense. Howard had 30 touches and netted 202 yards and a touchdown, while Carey ran just twice for three yards. Jeremy Langford returned from a four-game absence but didn't factor into the mix, and the Bears figure to ride the hot hand on a weekly basis.

Detroit Lions

Theo Riddick returned from a two-game absence and dominated the backfield action, seeing 52 snaps to Zach Zenner's nine. It led to season highs all around for Riddick (11 carries, 56 yards, eight catches, 77 yards) and also left Justin Forsett watching on the sidelines, as he didn't play a single snap. Dwayne Washington was a somewhat surprising healthy scratch, and while he figures to factor in near the goal line at some point, it's become evident the Lions are comfortable with Riddick as their top back.

Green Bay Packers

If you had Aaron Ripkowski out-snapping the rest of the Packers backs in Week 8, I'd suggest buying a lottery ticket. Not that he did anything with his playing time (six carries, 34 yards), but the Pack obviously don't have faith in Don Jackson (10 snaps) and have since released Knile Davis. Ty Montgomery's status is week-to-week, but Davis' release could suggest James Starks is nearing a return.

Kansas City Chiefs

Charcandrick West is the next man up, and he played 42 snaps with Spencer Ware leaving Saturday's game due to a concussion. Jamaal Charles meanwhile is having his knee examined this week and seemingly is not close to returning to action. With Ware in the league's concussion protocol, West could be doing some heavy lifting against the Jaguars.

Minnesota Vikings

Matt Asiata has been the team's better back for three straight weeks now, though yesterday's outing came with Jerick McKinnon sitting out due to an ankle injury. He's tallied at least 78 total yards in three straight games, and his downhill, no-nonsense rushing style has the best chance for success behind a dismal offensive line.

New Orleans Saints

Thanks to continued fumbling issues for Mark Ingram, Tim Hightower saw 47 snaps after playing a total of 37 snaps combined in the first six games of the year. That he topped 100 yards against a tough Seattle defense is arguably as surprising as his opportunity, and the Saints have hinted that Hightower will have a larger role moving forward. Travaris Cadet saw just nine snaps, the third time in seven games he's failed to get even 20 offensive snaps.

Philadelphia Eagles

Darren Sproles out-snapped Ryan Mathews 63 to eight, and out-touched him 20 to five in Dallas on Sunday night, with Kenjon Barner and Wendell Smallwood combining for seven snaps. Though no formal announcement has come from Doug Peterson, it seems as though the Eagles are tiring of Mathews and his 3.8 yards per carry.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The short week could end up biting both the Bucs and the Falcons this Thursday. Doug Martin (hamstring) remained out Monday while Jacquizz Rodgers suffered a sprained foot and was in a walking boot after Week 8. Antone Smith (22 snaps, four carries, 16 yards) could be in line to lead the Tampa backfield, with Peyton Barber helping spell him.

Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry got a chance to show what he can do after DeMarco Murray suffered a toe injury, rushing 16 times for 60 yards and a score while seeing 32 snaps. Henry had played 10 or fewer snaps in three of the previous four games, and while Murray has the benefit of extra rest after being injured Thursday night, the Titans could split things up a bit more in Week 9.

Washington Redskins

With Matt Jones out, Chris Thompson was expected to flirt with a repeat of his Week 7 breakout (113 total yards on 19 touches), but it was Rob Kelley who shined against the Bengals. Though Thompson out-snapped him (48 to 43), Kelley ran 21 times for 87 yards and a touchdown while Thompson managed just 12 touches and 41 yards. The 'Skins have a bye to allow Jones' knee additional recovery time, but Kelley seems likely to cut into Jones' early down work in Week 10.

Wide Receiver

Arizona Cardinals

It seems like a weekly occurrence that the Cardinals have a different receiver alongside Larry Fitzgerald that makes noise, and this week it was J.J. Nelson. He played a team-high 65 snaps and hauled in eight balls on 12 targets for 79 yards, giving him 163 yards over his last two outings. Fitzgerald saw his typical 11 looks, but Michael Floyd was shut out and John Brown saw only four targets, prompting Bruce Arians to confirm what we can all see: Nelson is the team's second receiver at the moment.

Chicago Bears

Cutler's return under center had its predictable result: eight targets for Alshon Jeffery, five total targets for the rest of the Bears receivers. Cameron Meredith's breakout has come to a screeching halt, as he caught one ball on two targets, and he now has just two catches for 36 yards in the last two weeks.

Cleveland Browns

Corey Coleman returned to practice last week, and he's been cleared to participate without protection on his previously broken hand. He played 100 snaps in his first two games and should be a full go, assuming he survives the week unscathed. That likely pushes Andrew Hawkins into the team's WR3 role, leaving Ricardo Louis, who continues to battle drops, fighting with Jordan Payton for reps.

Green Bay Packers

With Randall Cobb sitting due to a hamstring injury, Jeff Janis saw a season-high 56 snaps and found the end zone for the first time all year. Ty Montgomery's status, and arguably his position, remain uncertain for Week 9, and Janis played 41 snaps a week ago, so he could continue to have a role.

Minnesota Vikings

Charles Johnson remains a "starter" in name only, and managed only 19 snaps Monday against the Bears. Stefon Diggs (55 plays) and Adam Thielen (54) dominated the playing time with Cordarrelle Patterson seeing more than 40 snaps for the third straight week. First round pick Laquon Treadwell saw seven special teams opportunities, but remains without a catch on the year.

New Orleans Saints

Brandin Cooks saw a season-low 38 snaps, watching Michael Thomas (61) and Willie Snead (56) get more run, though that was more the result of an unusually conservative offensive attack from the Saints.

Tennessee Titans

Andre Johnson's retirement should have Harry Douglas back in uniform for the first time since Week 3, but he'll be a distant fourth on the depth chart behind Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe and Kendall Wright. Wright has alternated big games with quiet ones, and is averaging only 26.2 snaps over the last five games.

Tight End

Atlanta Falcons

Jacob Tamme managed only four snaps before suffering a shoulder injury, and won't play Thursday against Tampa. His absence will give rookie Austin Hooper an opportunity to build on his five-catch, 41-yard outing, with Levine Toilolo posing little threat to Hooper's usage in the passing game.

Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Eifert erupted for nine catches and 102 yards in London, playing 74 snaps to Tyler Kroft's 19. A healthy C.J. Uzomah isn't going to cut into Eifert's playing time after the team's bye week.

Detroit Lions

Eric Ebron wasted little time jumping right back into the attack, snagging a season-high seven passes while playing 49 snaps. His return hurt receivers Anquan Boldin and Andre Roberts more than anything. Boldin saw a comparable number of plays but had a season-low one catch, while Roberts played only four snaps, his lowest total since Week 2.

Washington Redskins

Even with Jordan Reed active and catching nine balls on 13 targets for 99 yards, Vernon Davis remained modestly relevant. He was out-snapped 72 to 39, but caught five balls for 55 yards and doesn't figure to completely disappear from the offense.