NFL Player News

The subject of trade talks this offseason, running back LaMichael James was in attendance for the 49ers ' offseason workouts this week according to the Sacramento Bee.

James didn't show up for voluntary workouts earlier this spring and forfeited a $50,000 bonus. The team said they don't intend to trade him. He's expected to compete for kick- and punt-return duties this summer. 

New Jets running back Chris Johnson said Thursday that his surgically repaired knee feels good, but he'll probably sit out organized team activities, reports ESPN.

Johnson suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in Week 3 last season with the Titans. He played through the injury and underwent surgery after the season.

The Jaguars signed running back Storm Johnson, a seventh-round pick out of Central Florida, to a four-year deal. He'll compete to back up Toby Gerhart.

When Lovie Smith mentioned to the media that rookie running back Charles Sims "gives us a little more in the passing game than what we've had," it suggested that the rookie is already slotted into a role as the passing downs back for the Bucs. 

This is important to note, Fantasy fans, because Doug Martin has previously displayed that he's a good receiver out of the backfield. He caught 49 passes for 472 yards as a rookie and 12 passes for 66 yards in six games last season. By not having that role as part of his regular workload, Martin could lose anywhere from three to eight touches per week to Sims. 

Naturally, Martin is still going to start and remain the primary rusher for the Bucs so long as he's effective. But we think Sims will be locked into that passing-downs role if he can keep up the good hands through training camp. If Martin were to lose playing time it would not be a lock that Sims would pick up the reps -- this is a team that still has Mike James and Bobby Rainey on it. They can work rushing downs. 

Martin is still a Top 12-ish Fantasy running back. Sims is worth a mid- to late-round pick in all leagues, especially and obviously PPR formats. 

Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith explained why he and the team wanted to draft West Virginia running back Charles Sims ahead of other rookies like Devonta Freeman and Tre Mason. 

"We have an excellent running back coach who liked Matt Forte when no one else did," Smith explained per the Tampa Bay Times. "Tim Spencer came up to me after the Senior Bowl talking about Charles Sims. ... We just felt like Charles would bring something else (to our backfield). I'm talking about as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He has excellent hands, great quickness. He gives us a little more in the passing game than what we've had."

Sims exhibited some of those hands during a recent minicamp, running routes into open space and seamlessly catching them before running upfield.

The Cowboys signed running back Ryan Williams, who was released by the Cardinals last week. Coach Jason Garrett said the 2011 second-round pick put on an "impressive" workout Saturday, reports the Dallas Morning News.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman has fumbled four times over his first two seasons and must improve to retain his roster spot, reports the Denver Post. He's currently the No. 3 tailback behind Montee Ball and C.J. Anderson.

"We've talked to him, (running backs coach) Eric (Studesville) and myself, as far as: 'Hey, this is a new start to the year. Whatever happened in the past, you've got to build off it. We've just got to start over,'" offensive coordinator Adam Gase told the paper.

Gase added Hillman has "got to work his butt off and make sure he puts himself in a great position to contribute this year."

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce, who had rotator cuff surgery in the offseason, won't be available for OTAs and minicamp. Coach John Harbaugh said Pierce should be ready for training camp.

"He's been allowed to move around a little bit, but we just can't risk him falling on it right now and having a setback,” Harbaugh told the team's official website. “So, you're probably looking at training camp for him, which shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't get a setback."

The Jets were awarded running back Daryl Richardson on waivers Friday, reports CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

Richardson was waived by the Rams earlier in the week, after a disappointing sophomore season that saw him lose his starting job while averaging just 3.1 yards per carry in eight games. He will likely be buried on the depth chart to start out in New York.

The Rams have waived running back Daryl Richardson, last season's Week 1 starting running back, per the NFL transaction wire. Richardson started three games last season and got off to a slow start and never recovered.

Over 24 career games he totaled 690 rush yards and 284 receiving yards on 38 catches.