NFL Player News

Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer spread the ball around in the Week 1 win over the Chargers. Tight end John Carlson made a 20-yard catch, and tight end Rob Housler had a 16-yard reception on three targets.

Running back Robert Hughes caught a 7-yard pass. Wideout Jaron Brown had a 6-yard catch.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews, who ended last season with four touchdowns in his final six games, found the end zone Week 1 at Arizona on a nifty 20-yard run in the third quarter. That was the highlight for Mathews as the swarming Cardinals limited him to 60 total yards.

Mathews carried 12 times for 40 yards (3.3 ypc) and caught both his targets for 20 yards. He'll face the Seahawks in Week 2.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington said his left foot was "more sore than in pain" following Monday's win over the Chargers. Ellington, who was iffy entering the game, didn't seem too limited by the injury.

He ran 13 times for 53 yards (4.1 ypc) and caught all five of his targets for 27 yards. Ellington showed his trademark burst on an 18-yard jaunt in the fourth quarter. The low point came when Ellington lost a first-quarter fumble.

He has a short week to get ready for Sunday's game at the Giants.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that he benched running back Bernard Pierce because of his second-quarter fumble Week 1. Pierce did not get back in the game.

"We're not too enamored with fumbles," Harbaugh told the team's website. "It's not what we're looking for from our running backs."

Pierce finished with 14 yards on six carries as his replacement, Justin Forsett, shined. Harbaugh did not say who would start Thursday against Pittsburgh, though he said both backs would play a lot and rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro would mix in too.

The Chargers declared safety Jahleel Addae (hamstring), linebacker Tourek Williams, corner Chris Davis, wideout Dontrelle Inman, defensive tackle Ricardo Mathews, running back Branden Oliver and defensive tackle Ryan Carrethers inactive for Monday night's game at Arizona.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington is active for Monday Night Football against the Chargers despite a foot injury some had described as significant. Ellington tested his foot in a pregame workout and was deemed good to go.

He's not expected to carry a full workload. Running backs Jonathan Dwyer and Stepfan Taylor also should get some playing time.

With everyone wanting to know if Andre Ellington will play Monday night, the Cardinals running back tweeted, "I thank God for these blessings!" Ellington posted the tweet after testing his injured foot in a pregame workout, and the team retweeted it.

The Cardinals and Chargers will announce their inactives around 8:50 p.m. ET.

Asked which running back will start Thursday against the Steelers, Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters: "Bernard Pierce, Justin Forsett will both play a lot. Lorenzo Taliaferro will be involved as well."

Forsett led the way Week 1 with 11 carries for 70 yards and five catches for 14 yards. Pierce was benched after losing a fumble.

The Ravens claimed defensive tackle Christo Bilukidi off waivers from the Bengals. To make room, Baltimore released running back Fitzgerald Toussaint.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen dominated the backfield timeshare Week 1, playing 61 snaps to Stevan Ridley's 21 in the loss at Miami. Brandon Bolden played nine snaps, while rookie James White was a healthy scratch.

Vereen led the team with 36 yards on seven carries, cashing in a 2-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He caught five passes for 35 yards. Ridley ran eight times for 21 yards and had two receptions for 7 yards.