NFL Player News

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."

Everyone knows that the Vikings' run game will revolve around Adrian Peterson. But the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that rookie Jerick McKinnon will compete for playing time in camp this summer, likely as a pass-catching running back. 

McKinnon didn't do a lot of that in college at Georgia Southern but looked great running routes and showing off nice hands during OTAs and minicamp. McKinnon's usage will depend on a number of factors, including how often the team will want to spell Peterson. There's also a chance, per the paper, that McKinnon and Peterson could be on the field at the same time. 

The Colts are ready to see the best of running back Trent Richardson, reports ESPN.

The report says there are no more excuses about not knowing the playbook or getting familiar with the team. He has had an entire offseason to learn everything, and now he can use his natural instincts when he's on the field, instead of constantly trying to remember the plays.

Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in 2012, had offseason shoulder surgery and will head into training camp as the starter, with Ahmad Bradshaw ready to take some snaps from him if he struggles.

It's been an offseason full of promises and potential for receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. After scoring in five straight games to end last season, the Vikings receiver is poised for a breakout year after many reports of him learning all the spots on the field, improving as a route runner and finding more plays in new coordinator Norv Turner's playbook. 

ESPN believes Turner will get the ball to Patterson "as much as he can" because of his incredible playmaking ability. Patterson is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and runs like the wind. He figures to be the Vikings' best offensive weapon behind Adrian Peterson. 

The Jets have repeatedly said they plan on using Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell in a running back committee. But according to the New York Post, if Johnson "shows his old form that committee approach will be thrown out the window. You can count on it."

The paper admits that's a big if. Johnson averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season and his longest run went 30 yards. The Jets hope that dip in production stemmed from Johnson's knee injury, and not a general decline, the report said.

The Ravens struggled on short-yardage plays last year and might turn to rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro in those situations, reports the Baltimore Sun. The fourth-rounder out of Coastal Carolina weighs nearly 230 pounds.

Last year he rushed for 1,487 yards and scored 23 touchdowns, winning Big South Player of the Week honors five times.

Taliaferro, Bernard Pierce and possibily Justin Forsett could see substantial carries early in the season, with Ray Rice expected to be suspended a few games.

New Jets running back Chris Johnson will be kept on a "pitch count" in training camp because he's coming off of torn meniscus surgery. ESPN not only reported that but echoed the sentiment that the Jets will use a running back-by-committee approach even with Johnson joining the team. New York is expected to experiment with the playing time of Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell during the preseason. 

Johnson has had at least 251 carries in each of his first six seasons with the Titans, posting over 1,000 rushing yards in all of them. He's also had at least 1,400 total yards in each of his six seasons. All of that might be in jeopardy given the Jets' plans. 

Averaging 2.9 yards a carry, like he did last year, will get Trent Richardson benched quickly, reports ESPN.com. Richardson "will have to produce right away because it's unlikely the Colts will wait for him to get going" if running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard are healthy and productive, the website said.

Richardson likely will get the first shot at the starting job. He has a much better grasp of the playbook than he did in 2013 and the belief is he'll be able to run on instinct as opposed to overthinking, the report said.

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden is not projected to make the team, according to the Boston Globe. Bolden ran for 271 yards and three touchdowns and caught 21 passes for 152 yards last year.

But he's battled injuries and he lacks "top-end long speed to make big plays," the paper said.

Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson told NFL.com he plans to be a "top-five playmaker" in 2014. "I'm a playmaker, I like to make plays," he said. "Like I tell them, just get the ball in my hands, I feel like I'm special with it. I just like to do special things with the ball."

Patterson scored nine touchdowns last season: four as a receiver, three as a rusher and two on kickoff returns.