NFL Player News

Pierce (calf) has been suspended for the first two games of the 2016 NFL campaign, ESPN reports.

There is no official word on the reasoning behind Pierce's suspension, but it may have to do with a DUI arrest from last March. The free-agent running back was claimed off of waivers by Jacksonville only a day after his arrest, but ultimately only gained 11 yards on six carries in 2015. At this point, given his lack of production last season, his injury problems and his off-the-field issues, Pierce will face an uphill battle as he looks for work this coming season.

Coach Pete Carroll strongly suggested that Rawls (ankle) is expected to be the Seahawks' primary runner, ESPN.com reports. "I think the message of who we are and what we're about has been Thomas," said Carroll.

The Seahawks selected three running backs in the 2016 NFL Draft, including C.J. Prosise (third round) and Alex Collins (fifth). The former fits in as a pass-catching complement to Rawls, whereas the latter will probably just provide depth. The real challenge for Rawls will be recovering from the broken ankle he suffered in Week 14, as he should otherwise have a clear path to the lead-back role. Seahawks GM John Schneider said in mid-April that Rawls should be ready by Week 1.

Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay said Jones (hip/groin) has the traits that teams look for in an every-down running back, the Redskins' official website reports.

This almost goes without saying, as the Redskins did very little to address the running back position after losing Alfred Morris to the rival Cowboys. Chris Thompson (shoulder) still figures to be in the mix for passing downs, but it appears Jones will have a clear path to the feature-back role. He was shaky as a rookie, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry while fumbling five times (four lost) on 163 touches (19 catches). However, he did rip off a few long gains, and he was one of the standouts from the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine. Both Jones and Thompson figure to be healthy for the start of training camp.

Gillislee will have some competition for the No. 3 running back role after the Bills picked Jonathan Williams in the fifth round, BuffaloBills.com reports. "He's a big back. He's going to help on special teams," Director of Player Personnel Jim Monos says. "He'll battle with Mike Gillislee."

Gillislee came out of nowhere last season and ended up having a key role with the Bills down the stretch, averaging an eye-popping 5.68 yards per carry while popping off three touchdowns in just five games. Williams, however, was a stud at Arkansas and slipped in the draft only because he was injured his entire senior season. Perhaps there's room for four backs once you consider LeSean McCoy has a lock on the top spot, and Karlos Williams would appear slated for the top backup role.

Rookie fourth-rounder Devontae Booker (knee) could challenge Hillman for playing time, the Denver Post reports.

The Broncos took Booker early on Day 3, despite re-signing last year's tandem, C.J. Anderson and Hillman. Of the two, Hillman's short-term future is the most at risk. Anderson's front-loaded contract and strong playoff performance makes him the early favorite to start. Hillman was slated to be the lightning to Anderson's thunder, but Hillman's poor end to the season, in which he rushed for just 54 yards on 32 playoff carries, makes him vulnerable to a young challenger like Booker.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said McFadden is "still in the picture" for the Dallas running game, the team's official website reports.

McFadden and Alfred Morris both saw their 2016 stock plummet when the Cowboys drafted Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4 overall. The rookie profiles as a three-down workhorse in the NFL, possibly even taking on such a role by Week 1. McFadden won't necessarily disappear from the offense, but it's quite possible that he merely ends up battling Morris and sixth round pick Darius Jackson for whatever scraps Elliott leaves behind. Granted, there might still be handcuff appeal in such a scenario, as the Cowboys have a phenomenal offensive line.

Devontae Booker (knee), who was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, could push Anderson and Ronnie Hillman for playing time, ESPN reports.

Widely viewed as one of the three or four best running backs in his class, the 23-year-old fell to Denver in the fourth round, perhaps because of concerns regarding his knee and age. Now three months removed from surgery to repair a torn meniscus, Booker should be ready for the start of training camp, where he'll likely kick things off as the third or fourth running back on the depth chart. The rookie should at least have a shot to compete for a role, but Anderson remains the clear favorite for lead-back duties, having signed a four-year, $18 million contract this offseason. Ronnie Hillman could also be in the mix, as the Broncos may need to lean heavily on their running game.

Rookie fifth-round selection DeAndre Washington will likely compete to serve as Murray's top backup, NBC Bay Area reports.

Despite being connected to an assortment of big-name free agents and rookies, the Raiders haven't done much to bolster their running back group, perhaps showing some faith in Murray. There's still some chance the team will add competition, but Murray's path to the starting job appears quite clear at the moment. DeAndre Washington, who checks in at 5-foot-8, 204 pounds, will likely threaten Murray's receiving workload more so than his carries - at least at the beginning of the season. Murray caught 41 of 53 targets in 2015, but he only managed 232 yards (5.7 YPR, 4.4 YPT) and didn't have any receiving touchdowns.

Drake figures to get a lot of playing time on offense and will also be an option for the return game, the Dolphins' official website reports.

Though overshadowed by T.J. Yeldon and then Derrick Henry at Alabama, Drake is a promising prospect in his own right, offering a nice combination of quickness and receiving skills. He did quite well to land with the Dolphins in Round 3, as Miami's depth chart at running back is among the weakest in the NFL. Drake figures to challenge 2015 fifth-rounder Jay Ajayi for playing time, with Damien Williams and some other low-ceiling veterans potentially also in the mix. That being said, the 220-pound Ajayi is still the clear favorite to start, as Drake profiles as more of a passing-down/change-of-pace guy. It's also quite possible the Dolphins will add veteran help, with Arian Foster (Achilles) the most notable name remaining on the free-agent market.

Patterson's fifth-year contract option will not be picked up by the Vikings, The Star Tribune reports.

Patterson was selected 29th overall in 2013, but has largely underwhelmed as a wide receiver, as his 863 career receiving yards might suggest. While he's proven to be a dynamic kickoff returner, his fifth-year option of nearly $8 million proved far too steep for the Vikings to match. As a result, Patterson will become a free agent after the upcoming season, when his already reduced receiving role should be further impacted by Minnesota's first-round selection of Laquon Treadwell.