NFL Player News

With the recent acquisition of Fred Jackson, the Seahawks are discussing trading running back Christine Michael, reports CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. Michael rushed for 175 yards on 34 carries in 10 games last season.

The Eagles parted ways with running back Raheem Mostert on Friday, his agent confirmed. Mostert led the league in yards from scrimmage and total yards during the preseason.

The Jaguars cut running back Storm Johnson on Friday, the team announced. Johnson rushed for 86 yards on 29 carries last season.

The featured back derby for the Browns has apparently been won by Isaiah Crowell - practically by default.

Mike Pettine has stated that Crowell will likely start in Week 1 against the host Jets. That became apparent when fellow competitor Terrance West played the entire first half of the final preseason game Thursday night.

The Browns had hoped that quick rookie Duke Johnson would rise up to earn the job, but a series of injuries, including a current concussion, has prevented him from playing extensively in camp or in the exhibition season.

Injuries to Colts running backs Dan Herron (shoulder) and Vick Ballard (hamstring) marred the team's preseason finale Thursday night against Cincinnati.

Ballard actually re-injured the hamstring that had kept him sidelined last week against St. Louis. He was hoping to remain healthy against the Bengals in an attempt to land the backup job to featured back Frank Gore.

The injuries to the two backs complicates that competition.

The Giants placed offensive lineman Will Beatty (pectoral) on the PUP list Tuesday, which means he will miss at the least the first six weeks of the 2015 season.

The Giants also placed Josh Gordy (hip) and Bennett Jackson (knee) on injured reserve, while waived-injured Brandon Mosley (back) and Akeem Hunt (hamstring).

The Raiders released running back Trent Richardson on Monday, sources told ESPN.com. The former first-round pick rushed for 519 yards on 159 attempts last season.

With DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles on the roster, the Eagles have a plethora of running backs with NFL experience and the question on everyone's mind is: How will coach Chip Kelly split up the playing time?

Murray, who signed a five-year contract reportedly worth $42 million in the offseason, was asked his opinion on the matter Tuesday.

"I don't think it will be alternating series," Murray said, per CSNphilly.com. "But [Mathews] is a quality back, great guy, works extremely hard. I'm sure he'll get his fair share of touches. But I don't know how the rotation will be yet, we haven't touched on it."

Murray said he is unsure how many snaps he will get in the third preseason games against the Packers on Saturday, but it could be a good indication on how he will be used during the regular season since it is the penultimate preseason game.

"I think we're approaching it like a regular game," Murray said. "You can't go out there with a preseason mindset. We're focused, whether it's playing one snap or 40 snaps."

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is showing during the preseason he could be ready to re-emerge as a threat on offense in 2015 after down years in 2013 and 2014. Through two preseason games, Martin is averaging 7.1 yards per carry and has picked up first downs on four of his 11 carries.

He had a 52-yard run on the opening drive Monday against the Bengals. The Bucs would score a touchdown on that drive.

"First off, he's healthy and you know how much that means to a running back," coach Lovie Smith said Tuesday, per ESPN.com. "He's worked hard. He's looked good in training camp practices but you want to see him do it in a game. There were holes last night. But there was also a wall and he was stopped at the line of scrimmage a couple of times and he made something out of nothing a few times. He broke tackles and ran hard. Just a good game.

"I wasn't around when Doug had his breakout year. But that guy we saw last night, that's what we're looking for. That's what we need in order for us to get the running game going."

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman is having a heck of a preseason. The fourth-year running back is averaging 7.5 yards per carry, as he has totaled 120 rushing yards on 16 carries through two games.

Although he is still listed as third on the depth chart behind starter C.J. Anderson and Montee Ball, he received second-team reps Saturday against the Texans and is making a strong impression on coach Gary Kubiak.

"He’s moved himself up. He’s had a really good camp," Kubiak said after Saturday's game, per the team's official website. "... He deserves more reps and if he keeps playing like that he’ll continue to get some more."

Hillman is coming off a Lisfranc injury in 2014, but after resting during the offseason, it appears the foot injury is no longer an issue.

"They have to be cautious with it," Hillman said. "They did a good job on it, and now I'm healthy. I'm just trying to pick back up where I left before I got hurt.

"In the spring, I started feeling a lot better, coming back and doing the football stuff and breaking the scar tissue. I started feeling a lot better."