NFL Player News

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said he remains happy with the Week 3 trade that sent a first-round pick to Cleveland for running back Trent Richardson, per the Anderson Herald Bulletin. Grigson added that he understood the criticism for the deal, but that he's still happy with Richardson.

Richardson averaged just 2.9 yards per carry for the Colts and barely played in the postseason. He fumbled in his only rushing attempt against Kansas City and managed one yard on three carries in the loss to New England.

Titans featured back Chris Johnson will be released in the offseason, The Tennesseean is predicting. Several facts entered into that speculation.

Among them are his scheduled $8 million in pay next season, which would make him the highest-paid player on the team. Johnson is coming off his worst season ever, though he did bump his yardage total over 1,000 in the last game. His 3.9 yards per carry was the lowest of his career.

Johnson had stated that he would prefer to move on if not used more to his liking, but the team has signed fellow running back Shonn Greene, whom the Titans plan to give more carries next year. The team would be hard-pressed to claim Greene as its new featured back, however. The Titans would likely have to replace Johnson from the outside if they release him.

New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford said Wednesday he likes the idea of using multiple backs, referencing his days coaching at Cal when he had two backs rotating in and out. Per the official team website he specifically talked about having versatile backs who also have good speed. 

Tedford has a talented back in Doug Martin, who missed a big chunk of last season with a torn labrum. Mike James was first up to replace him and was all right until he broke his ankle. Bobby Rainey filled in the rest of the way and showed some incredible flashes. 

But Tedford will have to sort out that situation and it could lead to some turmoil for Fantasy owners. Doug Martin should nail down the lead job but losing him on third downs or alternating series (or however Tedford plans on splitting up the workload) could put a wet blanket on his numbers. It will make another back more appealing -- the hunch is that James will outmuscle Rainey since Rainey's pass protection isn't as polished as James'. 

If there's a silver lining it's that Tedford wants a back who can "bang it in" at the goal line. That job suits Martin just fine. If those opportunities are available to Martin then he should rebound for Fantasy owners. 

Doug Martin will be the lead back in Tampa Bay in 2014, but new Buccaneers offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford is talking up a 1-2 punch in the backfield, according to the team's website. That could mean pairing Martin with Mike James or Bobby Rainey or someone else.

"I've been very fortunate to be around a lot of great backs – Michael Pittman, who played here; Maurice Morris, at Oregon," Tedford said. "And then through Cal we were really fortunate to always have two really good backs, whether it was J.J. Arrington and Marshawn Lynch who were together; and then Marshawn and Justin Forsett were together; and Marshawn and Jahvid Best; then Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen. We really always had a real good 1-2 punch in the backfield, and I think that's what you need.

"I think for one guy to carry the load the whole time, especially as physical as this level is, [is difficult]. [You need] to have two and probably three backs that are quality backs that can provide different things for you, as far as third-down backs are concerned, catching the ball out of the backfield, pass protection, all the things to be able to create some matchups.

"I think it's important to find guys that are versatile that can do those things, and then have great speed. When I say 'speed in space,' [I mean] to get out-flanked and get guys in the open field that can make guys miss and be explosive with big plays."

Three wide receivers were among the five offensive players listed as limited at Wednesday practice for the Patriots. The rest are Aaron Dobson (foot), Kenbrell Thompkins (hip/concussion) and Danny Amendola (groin).

The other two limited offesive players were guard Logan Mankins (ankle) and running back Shane Vereen (groin).

Contract negotiations between the Chargers and inside linebacker Donald Butler will resume after the Super Bowl. That's the word from general manager Tom Telesco, per the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Brown, whose deal runs out in March, was moderately productive in 2013. He recorded 84 tackles, but managed just a half-sack and one interception. His sack total was the lowest of his career.

The Titans' Chris Johnson is "not likely" to be new coach Ken Whisenhunt's starting running back, reports ESPN's Ed Werder. Whisenhunt shied away from commenting on Johnson during his introductory press conference Tuesday.

Johnson averaged 3.9 yards per carry this season and would be owed $8 million for 2014 if Tennessee keeps him.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews played through a high ankle sprain, according to San Diego Union-Tribune.

The typical recovery from the injury lasts four-to-six weeks, but Mathews didn't miss a game. Mathews first injured the ankle December 22 against Oakland, but was able to return to the game. He received a normal workload the following week, so it wasn't serious initially. But the injury got worse in the playoffs, forcing Mathews to stop practicing. He had just 26 yards against the Broncos, and did not play after halftime. 

It might just be coachspeak as the team angles to retain impending free agent Donald Brown, but Colts coach Chuck Pagano insists he remains high on running back Trent Richardson. 

"We all understand how he got here. He was thrown into the mix like that," Pagano said, per NFL.com, referring to the midseason acquisition of Richardson. "So now he has an opportunity to go through an offseason and be with us for a full year headed into the 2014 campaign.

"He wants to be great," Pagano added. "He's got all the talent, he's got all the ability. We would never have done what we did if we didn't believe that. We look for him to have a great offseason and have a great 2014 campaign."

Richardson averaged 3.0 yards on 188 carries, scoring four touchdowns.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews tried to play against the Broncos despite being badly hobbled by a left ankle injury. He had to come out after rushing five times for 26 yards, including a 16-yarder that could have been a bigger play.

“Ryan probably wasn’t 40 percent,” tight end Antonio Gates told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "When I saw him break one and be one-on-one with a dude, I said, ‘No, that isn’t Ryan.’ That’s a touchdown if Ryan is even 80 percent.”