NFL Player News

Colts coach Chuck Pagano acknowledged Wednesday newly acquired running back Trent Richardson hasn't had great numbers in his short time with Indianapolis, but he's not concerned. Pagano said Richardson's low yards-per-carry average (2.9) since the trade is because he's still getting used to the offensive scheme.

"He's a shoelace here or there from breaking some really big runs," Pagano said, per the team's official website.

Raiders featured back Darren McFadden hasn't exactly been a Fantasy stud the last two weeks. He rushed for just 9 yards in 12 carries against Denver before leaving early in the loss to Washington on Sunday with a hamstring injury.

But keep an eye on his availability against San Diego because he could have a big game if healthy. The Chargers rank 30th in the NFL by yielding an average of 5.2 yards per carry. They have surrendered at least 92 yards on the ground in evey game, including 170 in Week 3 against Tennessee. They have at least been stingy to opposing backs near the goal line, having given up just two rushing touchdowns.

Think twice about playing McFadden if he is limited because the recurrence of the injury would then be a distinct possibility. The CBSSports.com senior Fantasy writers are certainly showing caution - none of them have McFadden listed as a top 48 play in Week 5. But if he gets the green light and is fully recovered, stick him in your Fantasy lineup.

Colts running back Trent Richardson has scored a touchdown in each of his first two games with Indianapolis. He will look to make it a touchdown in three straight games when the Colts host the Seahawks Week 5.

The Seahawks had done a good job keeping running backs in check before Texans running back Arian Foster bured the defense for 102 rushing yards, 69 receiving yards and one touchdown Week 4. Running backs now average 75.3 rushing yards and 13 Fantasy points per week against Seattle. Running backs have accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing) in four games against Seattle.

While Richardson has scored in each of his first two games since his acquisition, he's averaging just 2.9 yards per carry. It's clear he's still learning the Colts' offense, so you have to expect some growing pains. But the potential could be great once he settles in. 

Richardson could be the feature back again Week 5, if Ahmad Bradshaw (neck) is unable to play. But even though Foster played well against Seattle last week, it's best to view Richardson as a No. 2 Fantasy running back Week 5.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, responding to a Twitter question about whether he's starting Sunday, wrote, "not this week man." Richardson rushed for 16 yards on 12 carries in the loss to San Francisco.

Looks like Isaiah Pead or Benny Cunningham start against the Jaguars.

The encouraging stat in Week 4 for Chargers featured back Ryan Mathews should be an encouraging one for his Fantasy owners as well. That was his four catches for 41 yards in the win over Dallas, which more than doubled his season total of receptions.

Mathews has been established as no more than a second running back or flex option in any Fantasy lineup, but the fact that his receiving total gave him more than 100 yards of production against the Cowboys raises his stock a bit.

He needed to have his stock raised because his rushing numbers have proven unspectacular. He is averaging just 3.5 YPC and has not run for more than 73 yards in a game. More disturbing is the fact that he has yet to visit the end zone.

Week 5 opponent Oakland has been OK against the run, yielding just 4.0 YPC this season to rank 16th in the NFL. The Raiders should be wired in front of their rabid fans, so don't look for a breakout game from Mathews. The three CBSSports.com senior Fantasy writers have him ranked no higher than 16th among NFL running backs this week.

Mathews is a given as a decent Fantasy points producer. Just don't expect too much.

Rams running back Isaiah Pead explained why he was a healthy scratch Week 4 vs. San Francisco. 

"I knew about it. We had a private conversation and there was an understanding," Pead said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "In the game plan, they wanted to use Tavon (Austin) a little more. Like I said, it was a coach’s decision. It’s over and I’m attacking the week, like I try to do every week."

Rams running back Daryl Richardson should be completely over his foot injury when he takes the field on Sunday of Week 5 at home against the Jaguars.

Richardson, who missed Week 3, returned to action last week against San Francisco on Thursday and rushed for just 16 yards on 12 carries. In fact, Richardson hasn't topped 63 rushing yards all year and that was Week 1 against Arizona. He's also yet to score.

Richardson, who has yet to square up against the Jaguars for his career, will be facing a Jacksonville team allowing the eighth-most Fantasy points per game to opposing RBs on the year. Only Darren McFadden of the Raiders eclipsed 100 yards against them this season, but the Jags have given up two rushing touchdowns in the last three weeks.

Richardson certainly has a chance at scoring and should bounce-back with a big day at home. Consider Richardson a solid low-end No. 2 or high-end No. 3 Fantasy RB for Week 5 against the Jaguars.

Rams running back Benny Cunningham became a viable Fantasy option last week as he unexpectedly was the sole backup RB to Daryl Richardson in Thursday's game against the 49ers. Unfortunately, neither player did much on the ground in that game.

It will be interesting to see how Cunningham is used Week 5 at home against Jacksonville after Isaiah Pead was inactive for last week's game and Zac Stacy didn't even see a touch behind Richardson and Cunningham.

Richardson remains the top dog, but we expect Cunningham to continue to receive the secondary touches after he rushed the ball four times for 6 yards, while adding a single reception for 17 yards against San Francisco Thursday.

The backup RB will be facing a Jacksonville team allowing the eighth-most Fantasy points per game to opposing RBs on the year. Only Darren McFadden of the Raiders eclipsed 100 yards against them this season, but the Jags have given up two rushing touchdowns in the last three weeks. That said, due to his backup status, he's the lowest of the low-end Fantasy options for Week 5.

After back-to-back 90-yard games, Titans running back Chris Johnson had a clunker against the Jets last week, picking up 21 yards on 15 carries. It wasn't too surprising, really, considering the Jets have allowed fewest Fantasy points per game to running backs this season. But you know which team has allowed the second-fewest? That's right: Johnson's Week 5 opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs.

On the surface, the Chiefs don't seem like they're all that effective against the run. They've given up 117.5 yards per game, ninth-most in the league, and a whopping 5.4 yards per carry. But remember, they played the Eagles in Week 3. Between LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick, Philadelphia piled up 257 rushing yards against them, averaging 10.7 per carry. Otherwise, the Chiefs haven't allowed more than 55 rushing yards to any one player this season.

The Titans prefer to win with the run, and with starting quarterback Jake Locker sidelined by a hip injury, they're likely to lean more on Johnson than ever. But given the matchup this week, a big rebound appears unlikely. Of the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football analysts, only Dave Richard is willing to rank Johnson among his top 20 running backs.

After carrying six times for 25 yards (both career highs) in a tight game at Philadelphia in Week 3, Chiefs running back Knile Davis barely saw the field in a blowout win against the Giants in Week 4, picking up just one carry.

The rookie appears to be firmly behind Jamaal Charles on the depth chart, not even getting the chance to spell him in garbage time. He's still the obvious handcuff for Charles in Fantasy, but you wouldn't want to start him Week 5 at the Titans, who rank 11th against the run, allowing 99.0 yards per game.