NFC East X factors: These backups look to step up in Week 5

Third-string back Jeremy McNichols had 68 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries in relief of Ekeler last week but did so against an Arizona defense allowing the sixth-most yards per game (146.5) to running backs.

The Browns defense looks nothing like the unit that allowed a league-low 270.2 yards per game in 2023, but they remain fairly stingy against the run, giving up 123.3 yards rushing per contest, They’ve also allowed the 10th-fewest passing yards this season, which could lead to more checkdowns for a running back with 449 catches for 4,005 career yards like Ekeler.

New York Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. 

Like Ekeler, Tracy will look to pick up the slack for the team’s No. 1 running back when the Giants travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks. New York’s Devin Singletary is officially listed as doubtful after suffering a groin injury in Week 4.

With rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers already ruled out for the game with a concussion, the Giants should look to control the ball on the ground and keep Seattle’s fifth-ranked offense on the sidelines.

Tracy has seen just 12 carries since joining the team as a fifth-round pick but has 41 yards on four catches including a 19-yard reception against the Cowboys last week. If Singletary misses time, Tracy’s skill set could be just what New York needs to compete with the Seahawks.

The 24-year-old running back played 38 games at wide receiver for Iowa before switching schools and positions in 2022. He led the Big Ten in yards per carry (6.3) for Purdue in 2023 and finished his college career with 1,201 receiving yards. 

Of course, the Big Ten isn’t exactly the NFL, but with teammate Eric Gray seeing just four carries across the Giants’ first four games, Tracy could have the best game of his young career against the Seahawks.

Dallas Cowboys DE Marshawn Kneeland 

Points could be hard to come by against a Steelers team allowing the second-fewest points per game (13.3) this season, putting extra pressure on a Dallas defense missing some of its best players. 

With Pro Bowl pass-rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons about to miss several games with injury, Kneeland will have to pick up the slack. 

Kneeland, the team’s second-round pick in this year’s draft, has played multiple positions in 40% of the team’s defensive snaps. He has eight tackles and no sacks. Only three quarterbacks have been sacked more than Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (10).

Pittsburgh also has one of the league's youngest offensive lines with rookie center Zach Frazier, second-year tackle Broderick Jones and rookie guard Mason McCormick. It won’t be easy, but if Kneeland plays well, it would improve Dallas' chance to upset the Steelers on "Sunday Night Football."