NFL Player News

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt told the media assembled at the NFL Owners Meeting on Tuesday that Chris Johnson's situation with the team was "a process." The team is currently trying to trade the running back, and they have time to do so given that they don't owe him any of his $8 million salary until the season starts. 

"There's not a timetable on doing it. We're trying to do what's best for the team," Whisenhunt said per The Tennessean. "We're certainly sensitive to try and resolve this whole deal sooner than later. It's just a process that you go through."

Whisenhunt said this is simply a part of making the team better. He wouldn't say if he had talked to Johnson since news broke of a possible trade. 

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings that he's not sure what second-year running back Latavius Murray is capable of, but he's looking forward to finding out.

Murray missed his entire rookie year with an ankle injury, but he's expected to compete for a role as the No. 2 running back behind Darren McFadden this season.

"Latavius is a guy that I think has a lot of potential," Allen said. "When you look at him from an athletic standpoint, he’s a little over 6-2, he’s about 230 pounds and ran a 4-3 40-yard dash. He had the injury last year, and he was never really (healthy). When I saw the tape from him in college, I was very impressed with him as a runner. He's a big, physical back that has excellent footwork and lateral movement. And he has good vision.

"The problem is I never really saw Latavius Murray from the time that he walked on campus. Because really even then in the rookie minicamp he wasn't 100 percent healthy. From all indications, he’s healthy now, and so I’m excited to see what he can do."

Chargers coach Mike McCoy indicated Tuesday during the NFL owners meetings that he plans to use a hot-hand approach with his running backs in 2014 following the addition of Donald Brown joining Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead.

McCoy said his background after working for John Fox in Carolina is using multiple running backs.

"You get in there, you get on a little bit of a roll and you’re going to stay in there," McCoy said. "Donald is a perfect fit for our system, and that’s why we went after him and got him. He understands what we want to do offensively, not only in the passing game but in the running game and pass protection. ... We'll let Donald come in there and show us what he can do, and we'll try to take advantage of what he does best and go with the flow of the game."

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco said Wednesday on 1090AM that Ryan Mathews remains the "bell cow" despite the addition of Donald Brown as a free agent this offseason, reports ESPN.

"We know Ryan is our bell cow," Telesco said. "He's our No. 1 back. He had an excellent year last year. And we all know what Danny Woodhead can do in his role. We saw that for 16 games last year. And we think Donald can come in and add to that, too, and give us some different options. And a different style, too. The more weapons we can have for Philip Rivers, the better."

Chris Johnson's willingness to restructure his contract in order to get a trade out of Tennessee has helped the Titans find potential suitors for him. ProFootballTalk.com reports multiple teams are interested in trading for the running back. 

But the Titans can take their time because they don't owe Johnson any guaranteed money or bonuses. Once the offseason program starts and Johnson shows up (if he shows up) would the Titans then have to start making some choices. Johnson is due $8 million in base salary in 2014 and 2015 before a total of $9 million in 2016.

Some potential suitors for Johnson include the Raiders, Jets and Dolphins -- all of whom have plenty of salary cap space. ESPN noted Wednesday that nothing was imminent.

Titans general manager Ruston Webster said in a radio interview that he won't rush to make a decision on running back Chris Johnson, who's owed $8 million in 2014.

"We are kind of going through our options now, working though that," Webster said, per ESPN.com. "My job as GM is to do my due diligence and make sure that whatever it is it's the right thing. And that's just what we are trying to do. We'll see where it goes. There is no real timetable, but I will say this: I know for Chris' sake I would like to make it work sooner rather than later."

The Titans continue to shop running back Chris Johnson, and FOXSports.com reports Thursday he is willing to restructure his contract in the event of a trade.

If the Titans cannot find a taker for Johnson via trade, the expectation is that he will be released. According to The Tennessean, a decision is expected to be made "sooner rather than later," since his contract remains a hindrance on the team's ability to make moves in free agency. 

Donald Brown saved the Colts' run game last year and became an example of a running back playing to some career-high standards whilst in a contract year. The payoff could have led to a starting job, but instead Brown finds himself in another running back mess with the Chargers.

The Chargers seemingly did this to secure depth at the position and to safeguard against not having a back in case Ryan Mathews and/or Danny Woodhead leave via free agency next offseason. They also picked up a back who can do anything Mathews or Woodhead does -- Brown is a good runner and receiver.

The feeling here is that Mathews will remain the primary rusher for the Chargers. The team went 6-0 in games he had at least 20 carries (8-2 in games where he had at least 16 carries), a stat the coaches will have a hard time ignoring. Brown could keep Mathews from 24-plus carry games like he had toward the end of last season but we'll still see Mathews dominate. Brown should also reduce Woodhead's touches, particularly after he faded down the stretch last season. 

But even with this piecemeal workload from Mathews and Woodhead, it's tough to envision Brown getting enough work to be the same kind of helpful Fantasy rusher he was last year. I might take him with a mid-round pick. 

With the Colts bringing Ahmad Bradshaw back, there was going to be an odd man out in the backfield, and that turned out to be Donald Brown. Brown has agreed to join the Chargers, according to NFL.com, though terms of the deal are not yet known. 

Brown emerged as the team's primary back in the second half of last season, finishing with a career-best 5.3 yards per carry and six rushing touchdowns. Brown rushed for 537 yards on 102 carries and added 214 yards on 27 catches, the latter of which are both career-highs.

Brown will have to fight for playing time yet again, joining a crowded backfield that already features Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead. 

The Raiders and running back Darren McFadden have agreed on a one-year deal, reports Comcast Sports Net. McFadden was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

McFadden, 26, has struggled since entering the league with injuries and inconsistency. He has missed 29 games in six seasons and played in only 10 games in 2013 when he had 114 carries for 379 yards and five touchdowns and 17 catches for 108 yards.

He has averaged 3.3 yards per carry in consecutive years.