NFL Player News

Rams running back Daryl Richardson's role continued to shrink in Week 7 against the Panthers, as he finished with just four touches in a 30-15 loss.

Richardson ran the ball just three times for 9 yards, while adding a single catch for 9 yards as well.

Richardson is clearly the backup for St. Louis,  as he has just eight touches over the last two games. That trend should continue in Week 8 against the Seahawks. 

The Dolphins changed things up at the start of Sunday's game against the Bills in Week 7, as Daniel Thomas received the start over Lamar Miller.

Thomas, who has struggled to get going this season, actually looked well suited for the role, as he outperformed Miller. He ran the ball 12 times for 60 yards, both of which were team-high totals, while hauling in one catch for -2 yards.

Thomas had just 11 combined carries in his previous three games, so it will be interesting to see if his role continues to grow in Week 8 against the Patriots. 

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden carried the ball eight times for 36 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the Jets. It was Bolden's first touchdown on the season, and the eight carries were his most this year. Bolden also caught a pass for seven yards. 

Bolden had most of the early-game work for the Patriots, with three carries by the end of the first quarter (to zero for Stevan Ridley). He was stuffed on a goal-line run in the first, then given the next opportunity and scored. By the end of the game, Bolden only had three fewer carries than Ridley, the presumed starter. 

The 36 rushing yards were the second-most for Bolden this season. 

The Pats return home to face the Dolphins in Week 8. 

Redskins running back Roy Helu saw eight fewer carries and 54 fewer rushing yards than did starter Alfred Morris in the Week 7 home win over Chicago. But while Morris did not score in the game, Helu crossed the goal line a career-high three times. 

Helu scored on a 14-yard run in the second quarter to make it 10-10 at the time. He scored on a 3-yard run in the third quarter and won the game with the go-ahead 3-yard TD run in the fourth with less than a minute to play. 

In the end, Helu rushed 11 times for 41 yards and the three scores. He also caught a pass for 5 yards and saw two targets. He has four rushing touchdowns on the year and all four have come in the last three games. The Redskins play at Denver Week 8.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin took a hard hit to the shoulder trying to haul in a pass near the goal line early in the third quarter and had to leave the game. He was taken to the locker room moments later and is questionable to return. Mike James took his place in the backfield.

Martin had 11 carries for 47 yards and one catch for 7 yards before leaving.

The 49ers have listed the following players inactive for Week 7 against the Titans: quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, wide receiver Quinton Patton, wide receiver Marlon Moore, running back LaMichael James, defensive back Nnamdi Asomugha, linebacker Jermaine Cunningham, guard Joe Looney.

Despite being listed as questionable Friday with a knee injury that limited his practice time Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Patriots running back Brandon Bolden is active for Week 7 at the Jets. He's expected to split time with Stevan Ridley and LeGarrette Blount in the backfield.

The Rams inactives list for Week 7 against the Panthers was unveiled prior to kickoff, and it is not heavy on injured players. Among those listed on Friday's injury report, only running back Benny Cunningham (ankle) and defensive back Cortland Finnegan (thigh) were unable to take the field.

They are joined by defensive linemen Gerald Rivers and Matt Conrath, and offensive linemen Mike Person, Barrett Jones and Brandon Washington.  

The Dolphins unveiled their inactives list for Week 7 against the Bills prior to Sunday's kickoff, and it does not feature many surprises. Among the team's injured players, Dannell Ellerbe (shoulder) is the only player who was unable to take the field.

The remainder of the list includes: quarterback Pat Devlin; running back Mike Gillislee; defensive back Will Davis; linebacker Josh Kaddu; and offensive linemen Danny Watkins and Dallas Thomas. 

Panthers running back Kenjon Barner (foot) is active for Week 7 against the Rams, after sitting out last week's game due to the injury.