NFL Player News

Jets running back Chris Johnson says he's "pretty much cleared" by Dr. James Andrews to return to football drills following a visit to the doctor's office in Florida. 

"I wouldn't label myself at 100 percent, but very close," he told NFL.com. "In the 90s."

Johnson wasn't sure if the Jets would take precautions with him in training camp but was sure that so long as he was putting up numbers he'd be the Jets' primary running back this season and not in a full-blown time-share with Chris Ivory and others. 

"Once the season starts and once we're playing and I'm doing my thing, I'm pretty sure if I'm making plays they're going to want to keep handing the ball off to me," Johnson said. "If they want me to continue making plays, I'm pretty sure I can't do that if I'm on the sideline."

Packers reserve running back DuJuan Harris has seemingly bounced back from the torn ACL that cost him his entire 2013 season. ESPN reports that while Harris has to show his coaches he can be productive, his knee injury "does not appear to be an issue."

Harris will compete for playing time in camp this summer with James Starks, mainly for the right to back up Eddie Lacy. 

As a suspension looms for running back Ray Rice, the Baltimore Sun believes the Ravens will use a running back by committee approach even when Rice is eligible to play. 

Bernard Pierce figures to be the first man up to replace Rice and take on a nice amount of work but he has yet to be cleared following offseason shoulder surgery and has struggled in two seasons in the pros. Justin Forsett is a veteran familiar with the Ravens' new running scheme but he's played sparingly over his six-year career. Rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro has some talent but still hasn't learned the offense and might not have the best skill-set to play outside of situational roles. 

The Sun believes the Ravens will need "all hands on deck" to not only replace Rice, but pair with him when he's active. 

The misdemeanor case against Ravens rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro, who was charged with destruction of property and being drunk in public, was continued until July 31, reports the Baltimore Sun. That coincides with training camp, but Taliaferro wouldn't necessarily have to appear in court, the report said.

He was arrested May 24 in his hometown of Williamsburg, Va.

Jets running backs coach Anthony Lynn conceded Chris Johnson has "got some miles on him" so the team will use him judiciously, reports The Star-Ledger. "We're going to have to be strategic in how we use him, and when we use him, to keep him fresh so that he can be the explosive guy that I know that he can be," Lynn said.

The Jets plan to incorporate Johnson into a rotation with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, the report said. Johnson seems O.K. with being part of a committee.

"This year, it’s about winning," Johnson said after signing with the Jets. "I want to come into a program where I think we could win. And if that’s what the coach feels we [have to do to] win, then that’s what we have to do."

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers figures to lose time to rookie runner Devonta Freeman, especially opportunities to catch passes out of the backfield. Rodgers told ESPN.com he's not worried about being overlooked.

"There are no concerns," Rodgers said. "You've got to come and compete every year. It just makes the group better, bringing more guys. It makes everybody work harder at practice. We're going to work collectively. We're going to learn from each other. And we're going to make each other better each and every day."

Rodgers caught 52 passes and scored four touchdowns last season, two as a receiver. He endorsed the drafting of Freeman.

"He's a good running back," Rodgers said. "Comes from a winning program. Fast guy: a guy that's willing to learn, willing to learn from the older guys. He's a good piece to our puzzle in the backfield."

Colts running back Trent Richardson "is relying more on his instincts when running instead of thinking it through" and could emerge as a three-down back, reports ESPN. Richardson has a much better handle on the playbook than he did last year following his early-season trade from the Browns.

Behind Richardson on the depth chart are Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard, both coming off big surgeries. Richardson had a dismal 2013, averaging 3.0 yards per carry and scoring four touchdowns, but will get every chance to succeed in 2014.

The Bears are trying to figure out who will be No. 2 on the depth chart at running back behind Matt Forte, reports ESPN.

The battle will likely come down to second-year running back Michael Ford and rookie fourth-round pick Ka’Deem Carey . The report said it’s likely Carey will be given more opportunities than Ford to win the backup job, but Carey’s got to win the position.

"I don't feel any pressure. I like to have fun, and when I have fun, I play my best," Carey said. "If I get worked up about trying to compete and trying to show what I've got, then I will just show out bad. I want to perform how I know how to perform. I walk around with a smile, and I have fun, and I perform."

The report says undrafted rookie Jordan Lynch is a darkhorse candidate for the No. 2 job but probably will end up on the practice squad.

Doug Martin is the starter, but the Buccaneers "want to use a rotation at running back," reports ESPN.com. Behind Martin the Buccaneers have Mike James, who averaged 4.9 yards on 60 carries as a rookie; Bobby Rainey (5 touchdowns last year); and third-round rookie Charles Sims, who will start off primarily as a third-down back.

Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson likes what he sees from second-year running back Latavius Murray, who is fighting for the No. 3 job behind Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden, reports Comcast Sports Net.

"We're looking for big things from Latavius Murray right now, coming off the foot injury," Olson said. "He's shown, to me, the biggest upside right now in what we've seen thus far, if he can stay healthy."