NFL Player News

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman fumbled for the second straight game in Week 7, but this time his team didn't recover. Hillman's fourth-quarter fumble at the goal line was a pivotal play in the Broncos' 39-33 loss at Indianapolis.

Purely a change-of-pace option behind Knowshon Moreno, Hillman carried four times for 25 yards and caught his only target for 1 yard. He'll play the Redskins in Week 8.

Several Chiefs skill position players made small contributions to the win Sunday against Houston. Among them were Knile Davis, who had two carries for 5 yards, and Cyrus Gray, who added three yards on one attempt.

Anthony Sherman caught two passes for 10 yards. Tight end Sean McGrath, who lost his starting job upon the return of Anthony Fasano from injury, had one reception for 1 yard.

The Ravens received minor offensive contributions from a few role players Week 7 against the Steelers.

In the passing game, wide receiver Tandon Doss caught two passes from Joe Flacco for 35 yards while tight end Ed Dickson caught each of his first two passes for a first down and finished with 17 yards.

In the running game, Bernard Pierce had six carries for 13 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and caught one pass for a gain of 9 yards. Vonta Leach had three carries for 10 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and had only one catch for a 3-yard gain in a 19-16 defeat.

Titans running back Chris Johnson failed to make much of an impact in the running game but racked up over 100 yards of total offense Sunday against the 49ers in Week 7.

Johnson caught a short screen pass and took it up the field for a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was his 11th touchdown of 60-plus yards, which is the most in the NFL since 2008. Johnson finished the game with 110 yards of total offense, logging only 39 yards on nine carries (4.3 yards per carry) and 71 yards on four receptions with a touchdown in a 31-17 defeat.

Johnson has not rushed for more than 40 yards in each of his last four games played. He'll have a bye week to rest before returning to action at St. Louis in Week 9.

The Broncos listed seven players as inactive for the game at Indianapolis: offensive tackle Orlando Franklin (ankle), guard John Moffitt, quarterback Zac Dysert, running back C.J. Anderson, cornerback Tony Carter, cornerback Quentin Jammer and linebacker Wesley Woodyard (neck).

Running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who ran for two scores when the Falcons last played Week 5 against the Jets, couldn't find any running room Week 7 against the Buccaneers, picking up just 16 yards on a team-high eight carries. So instead, he made his presence known as a receiver, leading the team with nine targets even on a day when wide receiver Harry Douglas broke through with a career-high 149 receiving yards.

With Julio Jones (foot) and Roddy White (hamstring) both inactive, Jacquizz Rodgers emerged as quarterback Matt Ryan's primary short option while Douglas went long. And though Rodgers had just 46 yards on his season-high eight catches, he caught two of Ryan's three touchdown passes -- a 19-yarder in the second quarter and an 8-yarder in the fourth.

Of course, Rodgers is only the Falcons' primary backfield option for as long as Steven Jackson is out with a hamstring injury, but assuming Jackson doesn't return Week 8 at Arizona, Rodgers figures to contribute in one facet or another.

Jets running back Tommy Bohanon carried the ball six times for 21 yards in the team's 30-27 win over the Patriots. The carries and yards were both career highs for Bohanon, a rookie out of Wake Forest. 

The Jets are on the road in Week 8, traveling to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin, who left just after halftime and didn't return Week 7 at Atlanta, told the Tampa Bay Times after the game that X-rays on shoulder were negative and did not reveal a separation. Martin's arm was in a sling, however.

"We're still evaluating what it is," Martin said, adding that he wasn't sure if he would play in Thursday night's game against Carolina. "Just have to hope for the best," he said.

Martin took a hard hit attempting to haul in a pass near the goal line in the third quarter. He was off to a good start before the injury, finding some running room with rookie quarterback Mike Glennon establishing a connection with star wide receiver Vincent Jackson. He had 47 yards on 11 carries and 7 on one catch.

Mike James took Martin's place in the lineup, finishing with 45 yards on 14 carries and 8 on three catches. He would likely get the majority of the workload if Martin is unable to play in what figures to be a tough matchup Week 8 against the Panthers.

Cowboys rookie running back Joseph Randle made his first career start Week 7 at Philadelphia with starter DeMarco Murray sidelined by a knee injury. Randle performed well, rushing for a team-high 65 yards on 19 carries and added three catches for 28 yards.

"It felt really good and I got more comfortable as the game progressed," Randle said, per ESPN. "First half was a little slow but then we got moving well on offense. I think I ran the ball well North to South down the field but there are always things you would like to do better." 

Randle's longest carry went for 12 yards and his longest catch went for 13 yards. Unfortunately, backup Phillip Tanner had the team's only rushing touchdown Sunday -- a 1-yard score in the third quarter.

"I think Randle can really early the openings in the line and he understands his responsibilities more and more every week," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. "I thought he played really well today."

The Cowboys are back in action Week 8 at Detroit. Murray's status is week-to-week, so Randle might be called on to make another start Week 8.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews finally crossed the goal line this season as he scored his first touchdown in the Week 7 game at Jacksonville Sunday. Mathews scored on a 3-yard carry in the fourth quarter to ice the win.

Mathews ran for his second consecutive 100-yard game as he had 21 carries for 110 yards and the score in the game. He averaged 5.2 yards per touch of the football on the ground.

The RB was not targeted in the passing game. He's rushed for 212 yards in his last two contests and heads into a bye week on a roll. The Chargers return Week 9 to play in Washington.