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Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon doesn't have a Fantasy football team, but if he did...

"If ... I could take myself, I would," he told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Never mind that Adrian Peterson has returned to the backfield. Never mind that Peterson has traditionally not yielded many carries to teammates. In 2012, for instance, he totaled 348 of his team's 401 rushing attempts.

The Vikings, however, are expected to use a more balanced approach in 2015. And McKinnon, who flashed as a starter with Peterson sidelined last season, is feeling dandy after undergoing lower back surgery in December.

"Two hundred percent," he declared in regard to his health. "If there is a 300, I feel 300. It's all good."

McKinnon averaged 4.8 yards per carry a year ago, which buoyed his confidence.

Raiders running back Latavius Murray is primed to take the lead role that awaits him for this upcoming season, per the team website.

Murray will be the Raiders' featured back after the departure of Darren McFadden, and he's eager to enter that top spot.

It’s a great feeling, but every day I have to go in there knowing I need to get better every day,” Murray said. “I need to play like it’s a new year. Last season is just last season and the year before that it was the year before that. Every season is a new year for me and it’s a year I have to go out and prove something.”

Murray rushed for 424 yards and two touchdowns last season, while also posting an impressive 5.2 yards per carry.

Jerick McKinnon had been planning to take over the featured back role full-time for the Vikings in the potential absence of Adrian Peterson.

So much for that. Peterson is still wearing a Minnesota uniform.

But that hasn't deterred McKinnon, who is still trying to prove he can be a three-down performer in the NFL. And running backs coach Kirby Wilson has noticed.

"Jerick is working on those things," Wilson told ESPN. "Trying to be three phases: a runner, protector and pass catcher and he knows it's a process. Something you have to put in the time and work ethic to get there and to his credit, he's doing that and I'm looking forward to training camp to see where he'll be when we make it real."

McKinnon thrived with Peterson out before back surgery prematurely ended his season. He averaged 4.8 yards on 113 carries and added 27 receptions.

The Broncos are confident in the skills of running back C.J. Anderson, who has solidified his role as the team's No. 1 option out of the backfield with a strong spring. 

Anderson, who rushed for 648 yards in the last six games of the 2014 regular season, came into offseason camp in much better shape than the prior season and took the most snaps with the offense in OTAs and minicamp. 

"I think C.J. has worked extremely hard," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "Coming off of last year, he deserves that opportunity, and I think he's getting ready for that opportunity. But he knows he’s being pushed very hard."

Denver also has running backs Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman in the mix. 

Seahawks running back Christine Michael sustained a hamstring injury during Thursday's practice, reports 710 ESPN.

The injury caused Michael to leave the practice early, but the extent of the injury is not known.

The Bears signed running back Daniel Thomas and safety Sherrod Martin on Thursday, the team announced.

Thomas rushed for 168 yards on 44 attempts last season for the Dolphins, while Martin picked off one pass in 13 games for the Jaguars last season.

Jaguars running back Storm Johnson says he expects to be back at practice on Thursday after suffering a back injury on Wednesday, per Jacksonville.com.

“I went to get treatment and got it all back together so it’s good,’’ Johnson said.

“I wouldn’t call it a setback,’’ he said. “It got the best of me today. I’ll be ready to go back Thursday (for the final day of mini-camp).’’

An ankle injury prevented Redskins running back Silas Redd from practicing Wednesday, reports The Washington Post. The injury is considered minor.

Jaguars running back Storm Johnson was forced to exit Wednesday's practice early after experiencing tightness in his back, reports the Associated Press.

Johnson ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns in 29 attempts last season.

Cowboys running back Darren McFadden is finally healthy, per The Dallas Morning News.

McFadden, who has been injury prone throughout his career, declared he is injury free and ready to take part in the Cowboys' offseason practices.

“I’m 100 percent and ready to go play ball,” McFadden said. “It felt great. We were just taking precautions, they didn’t want me to mess it up or anything crazy. Just being out there today, it felt great. I was out there running, opening up and just trying to do what I can do.”

McFadden says he's ready to take on whatever role the Cowboys present him with. The team is in need of filling the void left behind by last year's league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray.

“Whatever they ask me to do, I feel up to it,” McFadden said. “I’m just going out here and working hard. Whatever it is that they decide they want, that’s how I’m going to roll.”