NFL Player News

The Cardinals sound like they plan to keep running back Ryan Williams for 2014 even though he didn't play at all in 2013, reports the team's official website.

Williams is a 2011 second-round pick whose first two seasons were all but a wash because of injuries, and he barely made the roster in 2013 but ended up inactive for all 16 games.

"Ryan is a tremendous talent," general manager Steve Keim said. "He's a guy who still, on the practice field, shows us the movement skills, the run ability, the change of direction is fantastic. Obviously he has had to battle injuries, which has probably been his biggest issue. And last year, bringing in Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington and the impact both of those players made instantly put Ryan on the backburner. "He's a guy we still have hopes for. He's still got the ability and I think Bruce (Arians) just wants him to put it all together."

The report says Williams is due a salary of about $1 million this season, with a cap hit of $1.5 million. Releasing him would save $1 million. 

Chiefs running back Knile Davis, who fractured his fibula in the playoff loss to the Colts, is recovering well and should be ready for OTAs, coach Andy Reid told the Kansas City Star.

Colts running back Trent Richardson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder following the season, reports NFL Network. Richardson is expected to be ready for OTAs.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman was inactive for the playoffs and the Super Bowl, but coach John Fox insisted Thursday that he's not down on Hillman. Fox said Hillman was a victim of a numbers game and a lack of opportunities.

"I think he’s a tremendous talent," Fox said. "He does give us great explosion as a runner."

Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said the first thing Norv Turner did upon being hired as offensive coordinator was "put in 10 plays for Cordarrelle Patterson," reports NFL.com. The electrifying Patterson caught four touchdowns passes, ran for three scores and returned two kicks for touchdowns as a rookie.

He's in for a much bigger role in 2014.

Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said Andre Ellington will get more work in 2014, but won't be the "featured" back as the team plans to use multiple running backs. Keim praised Stepfan Taylor's power as a nice complement to Ellington's speed.

Ellington averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a rookie splitting carries with Rashard Mendenhall, a free agent who's not expected to return.

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said there's "no rush" to decide whether to keep or release running back Chris Johnson.

"Am I optimistic he'll remain on the team?" Whisenhunt said. "It's a process you go through with everyone on your football team. Putting together the team is not an exact science. So we're under no deadline to do it. We have a lot of things to evaluate going forward. Chemistry's a big part of it. There's no rush to make a decision."

Johnson averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season. He's owed $8 million in 2014.

The agent for running back Darren McFadden told NFL.com's Gil Brandt that he will meet with the Raiders this week to talk about re-signing him. McFadden is scheduled to be a free agent. 

It was a month ago when Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said the back would be a free agent, so a change of heart could be in play here from the organization. McFadden 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, matching his 2012 yards per carry average at 3.3, which is a career-low.

Raiders running back Latavius Murray missed his rookie season in 2013 with an ankle injury, but he still has the chance to make an impact this year, reports the Contra Costa Times.

The report considers Murray a sleeper for 2014. Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings are free agents this offseason, and Murray has the chance to compete for the starting job at running back.

Titans CEO Tommy Smith said Tuesday the decision to keep running back Chris Johnson for 2014 will be made by general manager Ruston Webster and coach Ken Whisenhunt, reports the Tennessean.

Johnson, 28, is coming off a career-low 3.9 yards per carry and is owed $8 million in 2014.

The report says Smith said Johnson has been productive. But he said he wants his personnel folks to make a decision on what team does moving forward.