NFL Player News

The 49ers placed six players on the non-football injury list, including second-year running back Marcus Lattimore (knee). Also on the list are receiver Bruce Ellington, center Marcus Martin, fullback Trey Millard, cornerback Keith Reaser and guard Brandon Thomas.

In addition, the team placed nose tackle Ian Williams (ankle) on the PUP list along with linebacker Aaron Lynch (hamstring) and defensive lineman Kaleb Ramsey. 

All the players can come off the list and start practicing at any time.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce, who had offseason rotator cuff surgery, said he's been fully cleared by doctors, reports the Baltimore Sun. Pierce also said he's lost weight and now weighs 223 pounds.

Pierce could be in for a big early-season workload if Ray Rice is suspended as expected.

Seahawks running back Christine Michael heads into training camp looking to build off an already impressive offseason, reports the Seattle Times.

The report says Michael's play this offseason "did nothing to quell the idea he will get regular carries this season. The only question is how many." Michael is expected to be No. 2 on the depth chart behind Marshawn Lynch.

The Cardinals are expected to use Stepfan Taylor and Jonathan Dwyer in short-yardage situations this season ahead of starter Andre Ellington, but Ellington might not lose all that work, reports ESPN.

Per the report, Ellington "is capable of being a short-yardage workhorse, but I don't see Cardinals coach Bruce Arians using him there all the time. I think Ellington will certainly get the call on a few occasions."

Ellington is already expected to be used on first and second down and play a big role as a receiver. He will get limited work in short-yardage situations, but this report is encouraging.

Jaguars offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch mentioned Jordan Todman and Denard Robinson as change-of-pace backs to work behind Toby Gerhart in Jacksonville this season, and he seemed to be leaning toward Todman. 

"Those two guys are truly change-of-pace backs," Fisch said per the Florida Times-Union. "Jordan really intrigues us with his burst, speed and acceleration. ... I'm excited about Denard."

Fisch also mentioned rookie Storm Johnson but seemed to classify him as a backup to Gerhart. 

"Storm is going to run at the same speed as Toby and maybe a hair faster, but he's strong and really compact," Fisch said. "He has incredible vision and lower body strength."

Terrance West has looked like anything but a small school rookie running back through the Browns' offseason practices. According to ClevelandBrowns.com's Vic Carucci, "it wouldn't be the least bit surprising" if West ousted Ben Tate from the starting role to begin the season. Carucci also suggests that West could see a significant amount of work even if Tate starts. 

Tate totaled 911 yards and four touchdowns for the Texans last year but dealt with rib injuries that ultimately cost him the last few games of the season. At Towson last year, West had 2,509 yards rushing last season with a ridiculous 41 touchdowns.

In a projection of the Broncos 53-man roster, ESPN's Jeff Legwold wrote that rusher Ronnie Hillman would be the backup to starter Montee Ball while fellow running back C.J. Anderson wouldn't make the team. Anderson had been receiving some positive attention this offseason. 

Undrafted rookies Brennan Clay and Juwan Thompson also figure into the competition to back up Ball, and both of those players have a shot to make the roster, according to Legwold. Clay is a good pass catcher and Thompson is a bigger back who can pass protect and work on special teams. 

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews wants to be fresh and healthy come the end of the season and the playoffs this year, reports ESPN.

Mathews suffered a sprained ankle against Oakland toward the end of the 2013 season and was ineffective in the playoffs, rushing for a total of 78 yards in two contests against Cincinnati and Denver. Although he played a full 16-game season for the first time in his four-year NFL career, Mathews is focused on being on the field and at his best when the games matter most.

"That’s my expectation this season," Mathews said. "I've got to do more and do better, so I can be there with my guys to be able to help them out as much as I can when we get there again."

This offseason, Mathews did running and agility drills at the beach to strengthen the smaller muscles in his legs and maintain his 220-pound frame.

"I think Ryan is going to have a great year, probably better than last year," Chargers offensive tackle D.J. Fluker said. "He looks faster."

The 49ers placed six players on the non-football injury list Thursday: running back Marcus Lattimore, wide receiver Bruce Ellington, center Marcus Martin, fullback Trey Millard, cornerback Keith Reaser and guard Brandon Thomas, reports the Sacramento Bee. The NFI list is for players who suffered injuries away from the 49ers facility.

Millard, Reaser and Thomas injured knees in college and are expected to miss the season. Lattimore is still rehabilitating from a knee injury while at South Carolina in 2012. Ellington and Martin both practiced during the 49ers’ spring sessions; their injuries are not believed to be serious.

Two draft picks, outside linebacker Aaron Lynch and defensive end Kaleb Ramsey, were placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. That means they were injured this spring. Both are eligible to start the season on the PUP list, where they would not count against the team’s 53-man roster.

The Cowboys will go into the season with DeMarco Murray as the starting running back and Lance Dunbar being used as a specialist, reports ESPN.

But Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams are competing for the No. 3 job, and Randle "has the inside track." The report also says Randle "would likely take over the every-down role if something were to happen to Murray."