NFL Player News

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told reporters that running back Andre Ellington's role "hopefully will expand" next season. Ellington was limited last season after he split the tendon in his left foot and couldn't practice as much as Arians desired.

"He's still the focal point of our offense and we'll try to build around him," Arians said.

Ellington, who is signed through the 2016 season, underwent hernia surgery in early December. He was limited to 12 games by a variety of injuries and finished with 1,055 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak told reporters during Wednesday's combine press conference that he met with running back C.J. Anderson and told him "you need to walk in here handling yourself like a starter," per ESPN.

Kubiak's zone-blocking offense is running-back friendly, which could benefit Anderson moving forward. Anderson started last season as the No. 3 running back on the depth chart before emerging as the top back with 849 yards rushing, 324 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns in 15 games (seven starts). He will enter next season as the team's No. 1 back, though he'll have to fight off challenges from Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told reporters he will meet with impending free agent Ryan Mathews' agent in Indianapolis during the NFL combine, per USA Today. Mathews played 16 games only once in his career, but Telesco noted that "we're a different team" when he is healthy.

Mathews, 27, signed a four-year, $18.92 million deal with the Chargers back in 2010, and has been limited during that span due to a number of injuries. Last year, he was limited to six games due to an ankle injury and only rushed for 330 yards and three scores.

Colts running back Trent Richardson reportedly missed practice before the AFC championship game against the Patriots because his wife was experiencing complications with her pregnancy, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Richardson rushed to the hospital on Jan. 17 to be with his wife during the complications and missed the morning's walkthrough without notifying the team.

Richardson, who did not play in the final two games of the season for conduct detrimental to the team, could be cut without pay for the final year of his contract, according to the report.

Former Jets running back Chris Johnson is just a little bitter about being cut by the team. Mostly, because, in his opinion, former general manager John Idzik lied to him about what his position would be with the team.

"Basically, it was a situation where I was going there to be the guy or whatever," Johnson said on the Rich Eisen Show Monday. "It was still said, yeah, both guys [Johnson and Ivory] were going to get playing time. I think it was like after the [third] game or something like that, it just switched over and I started getting less and less playing time, and not knowing where it came from."

Johnson started just six games at running back in 2014, totaling 663 yards on 155 carries. 

"I never wanted to be a cancer in the locker room, or be the bad guy, so all I could really do is take advantage of my opportunities, talk to Rex, talk to [Anthony Lynn] the running back coach," Johnson said.

He is now free to join any team that will have him.

"It just didn't jell; it just didn't work out," Johnson said. "That being said, I think it was a good thing I did my contract how I did it. Basically, I was on a one-year deal with an option of a second year. I know how I feel when I'm working out and all those types of things, so I'm just very excited to see what lies ahead.

Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon has nearly completed his rehab after having back surgery that cut his rookie season short. 

"It's been pretty good. It's been a long process, but that's just the way it goes after surgery. I've been here all offseason working really hard," McKinnon said to the Star Tribune. "I've just been in the training room with [assistant athletic trainer] Tom Hunkele pushing myself to the limit and just trying to get back ready. It’s been a long grind but it’s definitely working."

McKinnon is expected to be ready for offseason workouts, beginning in April.

He averaged 4.8 yards per carry as a rookie in 2014, totaling 538 rushing yards on 113 carries. He also had 27 catches for 135 yards, but was unable to record a touchdown either rushing or receiving.

As expected, the Jets have declined to exercise the $500,000 option for 2015 on running back Chris Johnson. The embattled running back will become an unrestricted free agent again on March 10, per the team's official website.

Johnson signed a two-year, $8 million with the Jets last offseason, but endured an underwhelming season working with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. He took 155 handoffs for 663 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown, adding 24 catches for 151 yards and another score. He was arrested last month in his hometown of Orlando for open carrying of a firearm, a second-degree misdemeanor.

The Jets are expected to part ways with running back Chris Johnson in the next couple of days, a league source told Metro New York on Friday.

Johnson signed a two-year, $8 million contract last offseason, and the Jets have until Feb. 16 to decide whether to pay his $500,000 option bonus. Johnson put together a disappointing season, rushing 155 times for 663 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown. He was also arrested in January for open carrying of a firearm.

The Raiders' hiring of Bill Musgrave as offensive coordinator is good news for running back Latavius Murray, who should get the chance to the primary ballcarrier, reports ESPN.com. Murray averaged 5.2 yards on 82 carries last season and could become a workhorse under Musgrave, who was Adrian Peterson's OC when Peterson rushed for nearly 2,100 yards in 2012.

"I'm definitely not going to come in with a system and force anybody to do something that's not natural. We're definitely going to try to customize and tailor the Raiders' system to fit the Raider players,” Musgrave said, per the website. “Philosophically, I do believe in running the football. I definitely want to be a physical outfit that runs the ball and imposes their will on the defense.” 

Coach Jack Del Rio isn't guaranteeing Murray the starting job, but he's clearly the best tailback on the roster currently.

Broncos running back Montee Ball, limited to five games last season by a groin injury, promised he'll return "ready to win the job," reports ESPN.com. Ball was the starter entering the 2014 season, but in 2015 he'll likely vie for a backup role behind C.J. Anderson, who went to the Pro Bowl.

Ball also must compete with Juwan Thompson and Ronnie Hillman in the crowded backfield. Ball was ineffective before getting hurt, averaging 3.1 yards per carry.