NFL Player News

The Cowboys are expected to start Joseph Randle at running back Sunday night against the Giants, sources told ESPN.

Although Randle might get the start, the Cowboys have been insistent on splitting carries between Randle, Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar.

Still, Randle received the majority of first-team snaps when he and McFadden were healthy during the preseason.

There is not a lot of optimism Rams running back Tre Mason will be able to play Week 1 against the Seahawks, according to ESPN. Mason is questionable due to a thigh injury.

If Mason is sidelined, then Benny Cunningham will start in his place.

The Ravens have ruled running back Lorenzo Taliaferro out for Week 1 against the Broncos, according to CSN.

Injuries to fellow Rams running backs Todd Gurley and Tre Mason has all but sewn up a starting job for Benny Cunningham in the season opener against Seattle on Sunday, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The third-year undrafted free agent had his per-rush average fall from 5.6 to 3.7 last year, but he did score three touchdowns.

Mason, who was their leading rusher in 2014, is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, but is unlikely to play because he hasn't practiced all week.

Lions rookie running back Ameer Abdullah didn't receive that many reps during the preseason, but that is slated to change during the regular season, per ESPN.com.

Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said that Abdullah will likely play a major role in the team's offense on Sunday against the Chargers.

“He’s going to get a chance to run the ball and he’s going to be used extensively in the pass game,” Lombardi said. “So, like a lot of running backs, he’s a well-rounded player, which makes it easy. People call them three-down backs, and he is certainly a guy that can do it all, so he’ll be rotated in there and we expect good things from him.”

Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Thursday that Alfred Morris will remain the lead back heading into Sunday's season opener against the Dolphins, but added he will work backup running back Matt Jones into the mix.

“We’ll see how the game goes," Gruden said. "A lot depends on how the game goes. We’re going to work Matt in there obviously. It’s still, Alfred’s the bell cow, so to speak. We want to keep him fresh for 16 weeks. If he gets 12-20 carries, Matt Jones gets 8-10, I don’t know how that’s going to work or play out.

"I think a lot is going to depend on our drives. Do we have 12-play drive, do we have a three-and-out? If we have a bunch of three-and-outs, then I don’t imagine Alfred is going to get taken out too much. We’ve got to try and get some drives, keep them alive and that way we’ll get a good look at both of them.”

While Ameer Abdullah is technically listed as the third-team running back, Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi clarified Thursday the team will find touches for the talented rookie, per MLive.com.

"He's going to get a chance to run the ball, and he's going to get a chance to be used extensively in the passing game," Lombardi said.

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson had a heck of a finish to the 2014 season. After stepping into a starring role following injuries to Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman, Anderson wrapped up the season with 767 rushing yards and seven touchdowns (five rushing) in his final eight games.

Anderson's late-season push is why first-year Broncos coach Gary Kubiak is confident in the third-year back heading into Sunday's opener against the Ravens.

“I think that he’s earned every opportunity that he’s gotten, or the one he’s fixing to get," Kubiak said Wednesday, per ESPN.com. “I think that he’s had an excellent offseason and training camp."

In Kubiak's time as an offensive coordinator or coach at the NFL level, a running back has topped 1,000 yards in 15 of 20 seasons, leaving plenty of potential for Anderson to post big numbers.

“It’s a big stage," Kubiak said. “He knows that he has some help with Ronnie [Hillman] and Juwan [Thompson]. They both had good camps, but it’s time. If you’re one of those players, it’s time when you get that second year under your belt if you’re going to become a big-time player in this league; this is usually where you start to make those steps."

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett isn't concerned about who will be the starting running back for Sunday's season opener against the Giants. The starter will be Joseph Randle or Darren McFadden.

“It doesn’t matter,” Garrett said, per The Dallas Morning News. “The only thing that matters is everybody getting ready to play and when their number is called upon, be ready to go out there and be their best.”

Randle took first-team reps throughout training camp and again during the open portion of practice Wednesday. Garrett said he’s “excited” about Randle, who has “done a lot of good things to give us confidence to think he can do a good job for us.”

“Joe has been a good player for us,” Garrett said. “Whenever we’ve given him opportunities, he’s really come through and done a nice job for us.

“Like with any young player, he’s grown with the opportunities he gets and the experience he has. Came to work every day over the course of training camp and preseason, and I just think he’s gotten better.”

Garrett added despite McFadden's history with injuries, he will not be on a pitch count.

“We think a lot of Darren McFadden,” Garrett said. “That’s why we signed him. And he’s done a good job for us. He was injured early on in camp, but since he has been back playing he has handled everything we have asked him to do really, really well."

The Lions released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2015 season Tuesday, and surprisingly rookie running back Ameer Abdullah was listed as third-string behind starter Joique Bell and Theo Riddick.

Abdullah had a fairly productive preseason, as he finished second on the team in rushing (82 yards) and averaged 6.8 yards per carry. He also had one catch for 21 yards.