NFL Player News

49ers backup running back LaMichael James worked past a neck injury in Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Seahawks.

James got hit on his neck and lost his helmet on a muffed punt in the first half. He missed a portion of the second quarter before returning to field a kick with 5:47 left in the first half. He had one carry for no gain in the team's final series of the season, which led to a Seattle interception. It was his only offensive contribution in a 23-17 loss.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen ran four times for 34 yards and caught five passes for 59 yards in the AFC Championship Game loss at Denver. Vereen was targeted eight times, second-most on the team.

Vereen, however, was unable to score on a 2-point conversion run in the fourth quarter that would have pulled New England within eight points. Turning 25 in March, Vereen is signed for 2014 at $847,000.

The Seahawks ruled Percy Harvin, Christine Michael, Michael Bowie, Caylin Hauptmann, O'Brien Schofield, Benson Mayowa and Jordan Hill inactive for Sunday's NFC Championship game against the 49ers.

The Broncos declared tight end Joel Dreessen (knee), guard Chris Kuper (ankle), quarterback Zac Dysert, running back Ronnie Hillman, cornerback Marquice Cole, defensive tackle Sione Fua and offensive tackle Vinston Painter inactive for the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots.

All six Patriots who were listed as probable for the AFC Championship Game will face the Broncos. Receiver Danny Amendola (groin) and running back Shane Vereen (groin) head the list and are joined by cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder), guard Logan Mankins (ankle) and linebackers Dane Fletcher (groin) and Dont'a Hightower (ankle).

Daryl Richardson entered the 2013 season as the Rams featured back, but a toe injury and the emergence of Zac Stacy in that role made his year a disappointment.

General manager Les Snead sees no reason why Richardson can't put himself back into the backfield picture, however, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"We've all seen what he can do," Snead said. "...What you like about the whole thing is as you bring in more players, as we all grow here, there's more competition. We're all better when we have competition. Daryl's the type of person, I do know this, when he was inactive he didn't like that. You do like the fact that he didn't like that."

Richardson finished 2013 with 215 yards rushing and an average of 3.1 yards per carry. That constitutes a significant drop from 2012, when his YPC was at 4.8.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden will not be a Raiders running back much longer. General manager Reggie McKenzie confirmed that McFadden will be a free agent.

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. He also lost his starting job. He matched his 2012 yards per carry average at 3.3, which is a career-low.

The Patriots list six players as probable for their Sunday clash at Denver, including wide receiver Danny Amendola (groin).

The others are running back Shane Vereen (groin), cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder), guard Logan Mankins (ankle) and linebackers Dane Fletcher (groin) and Dont'a Hightower (ankle). All were full participants in Friday practice.

It came as no surprise that Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie has all but confirmed the end of the Oakland career of former featured back Darren McFadden. He said he expects McFadden to test free agency, per ESPN.

McFadden just finished a disappointing season in which he missed five games to injury, averaged just 3.3 yards per carry for the second straight year and lost his starting job.

Four Patriots that were listed as limited in practice Wednesday were full participants on Thursday. They are cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (knee/shoulder), linebacker Dane Fletcher (groin), offensive lineman Logan Mankins (ankle) and running back Shane Vereen (groin).