NFL Player News

Trent Richardson is averaging 2.96 yards per carry, with one lonely reception, in three games as a Colt. While he's scored two touchdowns for Indianapolis, the 2012 fourth overall pick has been a big Fantasy disappointment.

Richardson should change that perception Monday in San Diego. The Chargers give up 4.9 yards per carry -- only three teams yield more. And Richardson's best game came against San Diego last season. In a 7-6 Browns' win in Cleveland, Richardson ran for 122 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and added a 12-yard reception. 

Richardson is averaging 17 carries as a Colt, though Fantasy owners were frustrated to see Donald Brown vulture a touchdown and get six carries last week. Consider Richardson an RB2 for Week 6. If he doesn't deliver in this matchup, he could lose his status as an every-week starter.

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers entered Week 5 with two career rushing touchdowns. He matched that total in the loss to the Jets, scoring on second-half runs of 4 and 19 yards.

Rodgers was frustrated by the Jets in the first half. On the final play before halftime, he got stuffed from the 1-yard line as Atlanta bypassed a sure field goal. The play came back to haunt the Falcons in the 30-28 loss.

Rodgers finished with 43 yards on 14 carries. He caught all four of his targets for 15 yards. With Steven Jackson expected to return Week 7 against the Buccaneers -- Atlanta is off next week -- Rodgers' role could diminish.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Monday he would like to see running back Andre Ellington continue to see 30-35 snaps per game. Arians added, unfortunately, he doesn't see Ellington with a much heavier workload since he doesn't believe Ellington would be able to hold up with more plays.

Arians did emphasize Ellington will continue to get work as both a running back and wide receiver.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews managed just 8 yards rushing on three carries Sunday in Oakland before leaving the game with a concussion. He added no receptions.

Mathews appears to be losing his grip on the featured back spot. Danny Woodhead did far more work in the backfield before Mathews incurred the injury. More will be determined when the Chargers host Indianapolis next Monday night.

49ers running back LaMichael James flashed his speed in limited action against the Texans, running four times for 31 yards. He was not targeted in the passing game.

James plays the Cardinals in Week 6.

Panthers running back Kenjon Barner barely made an impact in Sunday's Week 5 loss to the Cardinals.

Barner caught a 5-yard pass at the end of the third quarter for his only grab of the afternoon. He was targeted twice in a 22-6 defeat.

The Panthers will travel to Minnesota for a Week 6 showdown against the Vikings.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington had decent performance as he outplayed Rashard Mendenhall and finished as the team's leading rusher against the Panthers in Week 5.

Ellington finished the game with 83 yards of total offense, logging 52 yards on seven carries (7.4 yards per carry) and 31 yards on four receptions in a 22-6 victory. Mendenhall had only 43 yards and 17 attempts (2.5 yards per carry).

Ellington has 120 rushing yards on 18 carries this season. He'll look to build off Sunday's performance in Week 6 at San Francisco.

Chargers featured back Ryan Mathews is ready to roll for the game Sunday night in Oakland despite a hamstring tweak. Mathews, whose per-rush average has dropped to 3.5 this season, had been listed as probable.

Raiders featured back Darren McFadden could not recover in time from a hamstring injury to play against San Diego on Sunday night. He has been ruled out after having been designated as doubtful for the game.

The loss of McFadden could severely hinder the Oakland offense, though replacement Rashad Jennings was particularly effective as a pass-catcher after McFadden left the Week 4 loss to Washington.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman failed to make much of an impact on the ground but did have a productive role in the passing game in Sunday's shootout win over the Cowboys in Week 5.

Hillman finished the game with 59 yards of total offense, logging 17 yards on seven carries (2.4 yards per carry) and 42 yards on four receptions on four targets.

Hillman will look for a better game on the ground at home against the Jaguars in Week 6.