NFL Player News

Free agent running back Chris Johnson took to social media on Wednesday to announce that his gun charges were dropped. NJ.com confirmed that Johnson had a misdemeanor gun charge against him from back in January dropped.

Johnson was arrested on Jan. 9 in his hometown of Orlando for open carrying of a firearm. In a different incident, the former Titans and Jets running back was involved in a fatal drive-by shooting last weekend that killed one of his friends. Johnson was also shot in the shoulder, but was released from a local hospital a day later.

Johnson, 29, became a free agent on Tuesday after the Jets declined to exercise the $500,000 option for 2015. He started just six games at running back in 2014, totaling 663 yards on 155 carries.

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With the news that Demarco Murray has the intent to sign with the Eagles, Geoff Mosher of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia reports that Ryan Mathews has agreed to a deal with Philadelphia, but has yet to sign his contract. According to Albert Breer of NFL Media, Mathews is in Philadelphia's facility Thursday morning.

If Murray signs and Mathews joins the Eagles, the former San Diego running back will take a backseat to the reigning NFL rushing leader.

Mathews, 27, spent his first five seasons in San Diego, rushing for a career-high 1,255 yards in 2013. An ankle injury limited him to six games last season

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The Giants announced they've signed running back Shane Vereen late Wednesday night. 

The New York Daily News previously reported that Vereen is being signed to a three-year, $12.35 million deal. Vereen rushed for 391 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. He added 447 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the passing game as well. 

“(I made this) decision with my family,” Vereen said, via the team's official website. “At the end of the day, I wanted to make a decision that was right for us, right for them, and this is a great organization. I was fortunate enough to play in New England with another great organization. This is not a step down; if anything, it is a step up. I am looking forward to the opportunity, and I am enjoying being in New York.” 

The Giants also announced the official signings of offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse, wide receiver/return specialist Dwayne Harris and linebackers Jonathan Casillas and J.T. Thomas III.

The Raiders announced that they've officially signed former Redskins running back Roy Helu Jr. 

It was previously reported by ESPN's Adam Caplan that Helu agreed to a two-year, $4 million deal. Helu was selected by the Redskins in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft. During his time in Washington, he ran for 1,132 yards and seven touchdowns and totaled 1,152 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. 

Helu will likely be used as a third-down back behind Latavius Murray. 

Free agent running back Ryan Mathews agreed to a three-year, $11.5 million contract with the Eagles that includes $5 million guaranteed, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mathews joins a backfield that must replace LeSean McCoy but includes Darren Sproles and Chris Polk.

Mathews, 27, spent his first five seasons in San Diego, rushing for a career-high 1,255 yards in 2013. An ankle injury limited him to six games last season.

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Former Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is expected to sign with the Eagles, reports Fox Sports. Mathews would help replace LeSean McCoy, who was traded to Buffalo.

Mathews, 27, had been in talks to re-sign with San Diego, where he spent his first five seasons. An ankle injury limited him to six games last year, but in 2013 Mathews ran for 1,255 yards and scored seven total touchdowns.

Mathews has played a full season just once.

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Free agent running back Roy Helu is reportedly set to sign with the Raiders, according to ESPN's Adam Caplan. The deal is for two years and worth $4 million, according to Caplan.

Helu, who was released by the Redskins last week, played his first four seasons with the club. He ran for 1,132 yards on 255 carries for seven touchdowns.

The Buccaneers have given running back Bobby Rainey a $1.54 million tender offer, which gives Tampa Bay the right to match any offer from another team, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Rainey, who ran for 406 yards on 94 carries in 2014, is not guaranteed to make the roster and could become a free agent if the team voids the deal.

The Jets are showing interest in free-agent running back Roy Helu, the New York Post reports.

Helu spent his first four seasons with the Redskins, who are "probably" out of the running to sign the free agent, ESPN.com reports.

Helu has proven to be an asset in the passing game during his career, and he caught 42 passes for a career-high 477 receiving yards in 2014. He's also averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 255 attempts over four seasons.

Despite their reported agreement with free agent running back Shane Vereen, the Giants are expected to retain running back Rashad Jennings in a crowded backfield with second-year bruiser Andre Williams, reports The Star-Ledger.

Jennings averaged 17.9 touches in the 11 games he played last season, averaging 3.8 yards per carry and rushing for four touchdowns while catching 30 passes for 226 yards. Williams ran for seven scores while averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

It's unclear how the Giants will divide up backfield work. Cutting Jennings after June 1 would save the team $2.25 million against the cap.

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