NFL Player News

Panthers rookie running back Kenjon Barner, who has not played this season due to a foot injury, returned to practice Tuesday, reports the Charlotte Observer. Barner appears on track to play Week 5 when Carolina returns from its off week.

With Steven Jackson expected to be sidelined again, Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers is expected to start against the Patriots. Rodgers started last week against the Dolphins and ran for a career-high 86 yards on 18 carries.

Rodgers was not as active in the passing game as his Fantasy owners hoped, catching two of three targets for 7 yards. But remember, this is the same sparkplug who caught 53 balls last year. The receptions will come.

Consider Rodgers, who'll split snaps with Jason Snelling, a solid flex option in Week 4.

Ronnie Hillman was the third Broncos’ running back to see the field Monday night, but he turned in the top backfield performance. Entering in the second quarter, Hillman immediately made two positive plays, running for 7 yards and taking a screen pass 12 yards.

Hillman later used his speed to take advantage of the Raiders' playing two deep safeties. Early in the fourth quarter, he ripped off runs of 13 and 19 yards, then punched in a 1-yard touchdown off right tackle. Hillman finished with nine carries for 66 yards (7.3-yard average) and the score.

The rejuvenated Hillman plays the Eagles in Week 4.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden was supremely ineffective on the ground, gaining 9 yards on 12 carries in the loss at Denver. But he threw a scoring pass -- his first NFL passing touchdown -- and scored on a 1-yard run to account for two of Oakland's three touchdowns.

In the third quarter, McFadden took a pitch from Terrelle Pryor, rolled right and threw a 16-yard strike to Marcel Reece in the end zone. It was the second NFL pass attempt for McFadden, who tossed seven touchdowns at Arkansas.

McFadden also found paydirt diving for the pylon with just over a minute left in the game. Counting the passing score, McFadden is up to three touchdowns this season. He'll face the Redskins in Week 4.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who aggravated his foot injury on his first Week 3 snap, was limited in Monday's practice. But he told ESPN.com that he'll be "good to go" for Thursday's game against the 49ers.

The Broncos listed these players as inactive for Monday night's game against the Raiders: cornerback Champ Bailey (foot), tight end Joel Dreessen (knee), guard Chris Kuper (ankle), tackle Winston Justice, running back C.J. Anderson (knee), defensive back Quentin Jammer and quarterback Zac Dysert.

Whether it's Ray Rice or Bernard Pierce as the lead back, the Ravens will get their running game going, coach John Harbaugh said Monday. Baltimore is averaging 77.3 yards rushing and 2.6 yards per carry. Only the Jaguars (2.4) average fewer yards per tote.

"Our run game is not where it needs to be," Harbaugh said, per ESPN.com. "I think one thing you've seen is that philosophically we're going to stick with it. It's something that we think is important. We're going to be able to run the ball here. It's just part of our DNA. It's part of who we are as a football team." 

In Sunday's win over Houston, Pierce and Shaun Draughn were held to no gain or stopped behind the line nine times on 27 carries, reports ESPN.com.

"We have the people to do it," Harbaugh said. "We have some big, strong, tough offensive linemen. We have some really good backs. And we have a fullback who is the best blocking fullback in the league. So, the run game is something that has to happen for us."

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce did not look pretty Sunday in Week 3 against Houston, but he was productive for Fantasy owners. And sometimes that's all that matters.

Filling in for Ray Rice (hip), Pierce started against the Texans and had 24 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 7 yards on two targets. His 2.7 yards per carry were ugly, but you'll take his 12 Fantasy points in a standard league.

In Week 4, the Ravens face the Bills, and Pierce would be an amazing starting option if Rice remains out. Keep an eye on what happens, but if Pierce starts again he should be considered a must-start Fantasy option in all formats.

After bursting onto the scene with 62 yards and a touchdown Week 2 against the Lions, Cardinals running back Andre Ellington wasn't quite as effective Week 3 at New Orleans.

He played the same role on offense, serving as Rashard Mendenhall's change-of-pace option and the preferred pass-catcher out of the backfield, but even with the Cardinals in catch-up mode for most of the game, he finished with three carries for 19 yards and three catches for 36. He did tie for the team lead with six targets, though.

The Cardinals visit the Buccaneers in Week 4.

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden started for the team Sunday against the Bucs but had just three carries. One of them happened to go for 46 yards. He also caught five of six passes thrown his way, adding another 49 yards to his stat line. 

Bolden's always had good hands going back to his days in college. It could be assumed that until Shane Vereen comes back this is the player who will take passing downs work for New England. I like the idea of putting in a waiver claim for him this week and seeing where it goes.