NFL Player News

The Broncos got several minor offensive contributions in their Super Bowl loss. Tight end Julius Thomas caught four of six targets for 27 yards, and tight end Jacob Tamme had two catches for 9 yards.

Running back Montee Ball was held to 1 yard on six carries, and he caught two balls for 2 yards. Running back C.J. Anderson carried twice for 9 yards and added a 14-yard catch.

The Seahawks declared receiver Bryan Walters, running back Christine Michael, offensive tackles Michael Bowie and Caylin Hauptmann, tight end Kellen Davis, defensive end Benson Mayowa and defensive tackle Jordan Hill inactive for the Super Bowl. All are healthy scratches.

The Broncos listed defensive tackle Sione Fua (calf), cornerback Quentin Jammer, tight end Joel Dreessen, running back Ronnie Hillman, guard Chris Kuper, offensive tackle Vinston Painter and quarterback Zac Dysert as inactive for the Super Bowl.

With Hillman inactive, rookie C.J. Anderson will serve as the No. 3 running back. Cornerback Marquice Cole replaces Jammer on the active roster.

Colts tight end Coby Fleener is overlooking the numbers in his assessment of the trade that brought running back Trent Richardson from Cleveland for a 2014 top draft pick. He called the swap "great" for the Colts and expects Richardson to thrive after a full offseason with the team.

"I think part of it is you're coming into an offense that's probably one of the most complex in the NFL," Fleener told NFL.com. "And so for him to play a week after being there was impressive because it took me a year and a half to learn the offense. I think this camp will do him a lot of good, and then you guys can judge him after that."

Richardson's production deteriorated to the point in which he was barely used in the playoffs. He averaged just 2.9 yards per carry after the trade and lost his featured back spot to Donald Brown.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce underwent successful right shoulder surgery Wednesday to repair his rotator cuff, reports the Baltimore Sun. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Pierce is expected to require four to five months of rehabilitation and is expected to make a full recovery. In 2013, Pierce ran for 436 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 2.9 yards per carry and caught 20 passes for 104 yards as the backup to Ray Rice.

The Cardinals' Andre Ellington, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry as a rookie, will be the team's every-down running back in 2014, reports Fox Sports 910. However, the report adds, Ellington (5-9, 199) needs to add weight in the offseason after wearing down late in the year.

Ellington already has said he plans to bulk up in preparation for a bigger role. He accounted for 1,023 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns while splitting time with Rashard Mendenhall.

Mendenhall will be an unrestricted free agent.

New Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said he has tremendous expectations for a running game that struggled mightily in 2013. The Ravens finished last in the NFL with an average of 3.1 yards per carry despite featuring former Pro Bowl back Ray Rice.

Kubiak, who coached a series of successful running backs when he coached in Denver, will work to restore Rice to his standing of greatness while trying to maximize the talents of Bernard Pierce as well.

"If they'll get downhill, we'll do fine," Kubiak said. "[They've had] some great running backs here that have been very successful. We told (coach John Harbaugh) we think they fit what we do very well. It's our job now to go teach our system and get them comfortable with it."

New Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said the team's personnel, including running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce, fit his system. It's just a matter of getting the backs running downhill. "It's up to us as coaches to put it all together," Kubiak said.

Baltimore averaged 3.1 yards per carry in 2013.

CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports Titans running back Chris Johnson will have knee surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus suffered in Week 3 of the 2013 season. 

Johnson is expected to have a 4-to-6 week recovery. He's also expected to leave the Titans this offseason once he officially refuses a pay cut. He's owed $8 million in 2014 if the Titans keep him. 

Receiver/return man Cordarrelle Patterson "could be the Vikings' next iteration of Percy Harvin, and will likely be the team's starting split end for years to come," reports ESPN.com. Patterson caught 45 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns despite playing limited snaps early in his rookie season.

He looks "like a star in the making," the report said. Of course, it's unclear who'll be throwing to Patterson in 2014.