NFL Player News

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas has run for two touchdowns in three games. That's about the extent of his Fantasy value.

Although Thomas is splitting snaps with Lamar Miller, Thomas hasn't done much with his opportunities except get in the end zone twice. He's averaging 3.1 yards per carry and one catch per game.

Thomas has cashed in both times he's carried inside the opponents' 10-yard line. He had a 5-yard score against the Falcons in Week 3, and a 1-yard touchdown plunge against the Browns in Week 1.

Keep Thomas benched unless you're in a touchdown-only league.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he prefers to share reps at running back between Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw. He said he will then go with the running back that gets the hot hand during a game.

"They just want to win," Pagano said about dividing carries between the two running backs.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who aggravated his foot injury during the Week 3 game against the Cowboys, was a full go in practice Tuesday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. 

Richardson was limited in practice Monday but said he'd be ready to play in Thursday night's Week 4 game at home against San Francisco. His status was upgraded Tuesday and it appears he's on track to play for the Rams. 

Richardson has struggled so far this year with 30 carries for 98 yards through two games. He did some damage as a receiver with 10 catches for 78 yards, but he's been playing hurt, which has been a problem.

The Raiders were hopeful switching from a zone-blocking to a power-blocking scheme this season would help running back Darren McFadden regain the form he had in 2010 and 2011, when he averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened through three games, as McFadden is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry.

"We have to continue to look for ways that we can get Darren the football and get him some space that he can run the ball in," coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday, according to the Contra Costa Times.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce might just be one of the best Fantasy starts of the week heading into Week 4's meeting with the Bills in Buffalo. That is because there is a decent chance that Ray Rice misses another game after sitting out last week due to his hip injury.

First of all, Pierce's matchup against the Bills is a favorable one. The Bills allowed 149 rushing yards last week to New York's Bilal Powell. They gave up 101 yards on 14 carries Week 1 to Shane Vereen. Even DeAngelo Williams neared 100 yards with 85 against them Week 2. That said, the Bills have yet to allow a rushing touchdown on the season. That said, no team has allowed more rushing yards.

Pierce started for Rice last week and wasn't phenomenal. He had 24 carries and went for 65 yards, though he did score a touchdown. Pierce has scored in consecutive games and will look to make it three straight Week 4 in Buffalo. If Rice is active, Pierce is still worth starting in most Fantasy formats. If not, Pierce becomes a must-start Fantasy RB.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman joked with reporters after Monday's game against the Raiders he won the right to score a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter after beating fellow running backs Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball in a game of "rock, paper, scissors." On Tuesday, coach John Fox dispelled the notion that was the reason Hillman got the carry.

"That’s just little stuff that people like to get on TV and have something to talk about," Fox said Tuesday, per The Denver Post. "Ronnie Hillman was going back in the game. That was just a little way to have fun, I guess. That wasn’t official. Ronnie was running the ball. We decide that, not them."

Buccaneers running backs Doug Martin has thus far avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, averaging 99 rushing yards per game, which is better than the 90.9 rushing yards per game he averaged as a rookie in 2012. His 297 rushing yards only trails that of Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy, who leads the NFL with 395 rushing yards.

Martin will look to keep the momentum rolling into Week 4 vs. Arizona. Though, it won't be easy since the Cardinals have done well against the run in 2013.

Running backs are averaging just 68.7 rushing yards and 3.7 yards per carry against Arizona. Running backs have also yet to score against the Cardinals and average 12 Fantasy points per week, which is the seventh-lowest average in the league.

Fantasy owners have been very happy to see Martin continue to have success early in the season despite an inefficient passing game not being a real threat to opposing defenses. Even with a less-than-favorable matchup on paper Week 4, Fantasy owners should keep Martin active in all formats.

Thrown into the fire just a few days after being acquired from the Browns in a shocking midseason trade, Colts running back Trent Richardson had a lackluster performance Week 3 at San Francisco, picking up 35 yards on 13 carries. But overall, the Colts liked what they saw, according to the Indianapolis Star.

"You can see Trent with his lateral movement, his explosion, his always going forward," owner Jim Irsay said. "What we're looking for is what we saw [Sunday]."

Maybe Irsay liked the potential Richardson showed, but Fantasy owners are still waiting around for the production. The good news is they're likely to get it Week 4 at Jacksonville. The Jaguars rank dead last against the run, allowing 167.7 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry.

Richardson still figures to split touches with Ahmad Bradshaw, who actually led the Colts with 95 yards on 19 carries last week, but the favorable matchup in a week he'll have a reasonable amount of time to prepare could lead to a breakout for Richardson. Jamey Eisenberg actually ranks him third among running backs this week.

The Colts waived wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers and running back Kerwynn Williams Tuesday. Both players were inactive Week 3 against the 49ers.

Active for the first time in Week 3, Patriots running back Brandon Bolden provided an intriguing glimpse of his PPR possibilities. He played 26 snaps, including 21 pass plays, and caught five of six targets for 49 yards.

Combined with three rushes for 51 yards, Bolden accounted for 100 yards and ensured he'll be a hot waiver pickup. Bolden has a chance to establish himself as the passing-down back while Shane Vereen remains sidelined.

New England's Week 4 contest in Atlanta could turn into a shootout, raising Bolden's Fantasy value. If you're in a deep PPR league and need a flex, roll the dice on Bolden this week.