NFL Player News

Despite disappointing production, Colts new featured back Trent Richardson received praise from offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton on Thursday.

"He's been able to do some heavy lifting for us," Hamilton told the team website. "The major positive [is that] he's been able to avoid negative plays."

Richardson's rushing numbers have continued to dwindle in Indianapolis. He has rushed for just 95 yards on 33 carries for a 2.9 average since the trade that brought him from Cleveland. He has scored a touchdown in each of his two games with the Colts, but has just one catch.

He is destined for a heavier workload with backfield mate Ahmad Bradshaw perhaps out for the season.

It appears the Falcons miss the presence of former running back Michael Turner in the red zone, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Falcons rank 28th in red-zone offense, converting at 38.5 percent (7 for 18).

Turner had 51 red-zone rushing touchdowns in his five years with Atlanta (2008-12), which included nine last season. The Falcons brought in Steven Jackson to replace Turner, but he played in just one full game before getting hurt on the opening drive Week 2 and he's missed the last two games with a hamstring injury. He has been replaced by Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers, but Snelling has the lone rushing touchdown in the red zone this season.

"We are anxious to get Steven back," offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said. "At the same time, Jacquizz and Jason are doing a really nice job in his absence. Sure, we want Steven back out there as soon as we can get him back out there for the long haul. Whenever that is, the docs and trainers will let us know, but in the meantime Jacquizz and Jason are doing a nice job."

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said he used running back Daniel Thomas over Lamar Miller in the second half of Monday's loss to New Orleans because he wanted Thomas in pass protection.

“It was a little more pass protection-related than anything,” Philbin told the Palm Beach Post. “We didn’t have a lot of rhythm and balance. We couldn’t afford to really at that stage of the game. It was nothing Lamar did or didn’t do.”

Thomas is averaging 2.8 yards per carry after rushing four times for 5 yards against the Saints. Miller averages 4.6 yards per carry. But Philbin defended Thomas, saying Miller "had better opportunities and more room to run" against the Saints.

If a hamstring injury sidelines Raiders running back Darren McFadden Week 5 vs. San Diego, then Rashad Jennings will be the primary running back, according to CSN California. However, Marcel Reece, who is working his way back after hurting his knee Week 4, will also play some halfback.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who earlier tweeted that he isn't starting Sunday, backtracked and said he was told by coach Jeff Fisher there will be a competition. Richardson is averaging 2.7 yards per carry.

Richardson, Isaiah Pead, Benny Cunningham and Zac Stacy all are potential ballcarriers against Jacksonville.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday he is very optimistic rookie running back Kenjon Barner, who has missed the first three games with a foot injury, will be active Week 5 at Carolina.

In an interview posted by 101ESPN in St. Louis, Rams coach Jeff Fisher was directly asked on Monday about the running game and changes he'll make to it.

"There's going to be some adjustments made that you'll recognize. Some different people on the field," Fisher said. 

Later in the interview, he was asked by a fan if Isaiah Pead is going to see a more prominent role in the backfield in the near future.

"Yeah, I think so. I think you'll see it," Fisher said. " ... I think you'll see him get more opportunities. If he gets his hands on the ball enough he's gonna make some plays." 

That was on Monday. On Wednesday, Fisher told the media that he plans to use most, if not all of their running backs if they're active. 

Fisher vowed last week to fix the running game after Daryl Richardson struggled to find room since the start of the season. Both he and Pead, along with potentially Benny Cunningham and Zac Stacy, should be in the mix beginning with the matchup vs. Jacksonville this week. 

Raiders featured back Darren McFadden is not participating in Wednesday practice, CSNCalifornia.com is reporting. McFadden left the game Sunday against Washington with a hamstring injury.

Since Steven Jackson got hurt in Week 2, Jacquizz Rodgers has played 129 snaps to 98 for Jason Snelling. Rodgers outplayed Snelling substantially last week, averaging 4.6 yards on seven carries and catching six passes for 56 yards.

Look for Rodgers to start again Monday night as Jackson sits out against the Jets. While New York allows just 3.0 yards per carry and gives up the fewest Fantasy points to opposing running backs, 8.0 per game, Rodgers has the speed and shiftiness to break a few plays.

He's averaging 90.5 yards from scrimmage the past two weeks and should play another 40 snaps Monday. Consider Rodgers a solid Week 5 flex option.

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden appears to be losing all his Fantasy value to LeGarrette Blount for the Week 5 game at Cincinnati.

Blount and Stevan Ridley should split carries, as they did Week 4 at Atlanta, and Bolden should continue to be left behind. Bolden had just six carries for 17 yards last week and also had one catch for minus-5 yards.

The Bengals are tough on rush defense and we don't expect any of the Patriots backs to top 100 yards. Bolden is a low-end flex possibility for Week 5, but nothing more.