NFL Player News

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.

Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (knee) was a full participant at Thursday's practice.

A full participant for the second straight day, Taliaferro is seemingly on track to rejoin his teammates for Sunday's game in Oakland. Assuming he's active, Taliaferro will be the top backup to Justin Forsett, with his role potentially including goal-line and short-yardage work.

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (toe) is active for Thursday's game in Kansas City.

After missing Monday's practice, Anderson returned as a limited participant both Tuesday and Wednesday. He'll presumably get the start and lead Denver's backfield, but Ronnie Hillman could see some extra snaps if Anderson isn't quite at 100 percent strength.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) wasn't present at practice Thursday, the Cardinals' official site reports.

Ellington has only one more chance to prove his viability for Week 2, but his PCL sprain was accompanied by a 1-3 week timetable, meaning a DNP on Sunday is the most likely outcome.

If he indeed remains in street clothes, Chris Johnson will get the start at running back, with David Johnson and, to a lesser extent, Stepfan Taylor acting as change-of-pace options.