NFL Player News

Ravens backing running back Shaun Draughn was forced to leave Sunday's game against the Texans in Week 3, and he was unable to return due to a high ankle sprain.

Draughn does not seem too concerned about the injury, but acknowledged it could cost him some practice time this weekend, at the very least.

"I had one before, and that's what it felt like," Draughn told the Baltimore Sun. "The pain was moving around. It don't feel too bad right now. I think I'll be back next week, I'll be good. I might have to take off Monday and Tuesday."

Draughn was pressed into a bit of duty in Sunday's 30-9 win, rushing for 2 yards on four carries. 

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews wasn't a big factor during his team's 20-17 loss Week 3 at Tennessee. He did rush for a team-high 58 yards on 16 carries, but his longest carry went 8 yards.

Mathews had no catches in the game and no touchdowns. He has no rushing touchdowns in three games and hasn't scored since recording a receiving touchdown in the opener. Mathews is also averaging 3.6 yards per carry this season.

Mathews will look to make a bigger impact when the Chargers host the Cowboys in Week 4.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson led the team in receiving yards Sunday against the Browns, in a 31-27 loss in Week 3.

Patterson brought in just two receptions, but totaled 49 yards on them, a career-high. He was targeted four times in the passing game. He also had his first career rushing attempted, though that went for no yards.

Patterson has five catches for 75 yards through the firs three games of his career. The Vikings take on the Steelers in Week 4. 

Browns running back Bobby Rainey saw some touches in backup action Sunday during the Week 3 win at Minnesota. Rainey rushed four times for 17 yards in the game. 

Rainey added one catch for 4 yards and was targeted just once in the passing game by quarterback Brian Hoyer. The Browns play against the Bengals Week 4. 

Titans running back Chris Johnson rushed for 90 yards on 19 carries during a 20-17 win Week 3 vs. San Diego. Johnson averaged 4.7 yards per carry and his longest rush went 23 yards.

Johnson, who had one catch for 1 yard, has rushed for 90 or more yards in two straight games. However, he still doesn't have a touchdown through three games.

Johnson will look to end his scoring slump when the Titans return to action Week 4 vs. N.Y. Jets.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce got off to a slow start Sunday against the Texans while starting in place of Ray Rice, but found a bit more success in the second half of a 30-9 win in Week 3.

Pierce had just 13 yards on seven carries in the first half of the game, making his final total look much more respectable in context. Pierce rushed for 65 yards overall, as the Ravens rode him for 24 carries. He scored once on a 1-yard rush in the second half, his second touchdown in as many weeks.

Pierce was not able to make up for Rice's absence in the passing game, finishing with just two catches for 7 yards.

Rice's status for next Sunday's game has obviously not yet been determined, so Pierce's chances of starting are up in the air. The Ravens travel to Buffalo in Week 4. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin still managed 88 yards rushing Sunday despite a 23-3 loss at New England. Martin led the way on the ground once again with 20 carries. He averaged 4.4 yards per touch. 

Martin, who did not score in the game, also caught two passes for 20 yards. He was targeted six times in the game by quarterback Josh Freeman. 

The 24-year-old Martin went for 144 yards last week and scored his only touchdown Week 1 for Tampa Bay. The Bucs play against Arizona Week 4. 

Rams running back Benny Cunningham had four carries for 16 yards in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Cowboys. Cunningham also had one catch for six yards. 

Rams starter Daryl Richardson was active, but played just one early snap, setting up a timeshare in the backfield for Cunningham and Isaiah Pead. While Pead had the better numbers, Cunningham spent a significant amount of time on the field and had two first-half carries to Pead's one. 

The Rams face the 49ers in Week 4, in the Thursday night game. 

Rams running back Isaiah Pead carried the ball six times for 20 yards in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Cowboys. Pead also caught seven passes for 43 yards. 

Pead found himself in a timeshare with Benny Cunningham at running back, as starter Daryl Richardson was active, but played just one snap. 

Pead, who was second on the team in targets, with seven, saw a slight boost in his stats thanks to the hurry-up offense in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't especially significant (four receptions for 15 yards in the final quarter).

The Rams face the 49ers in Week 4, on Thursday night. 

Rams running back Daryl Richardson was not among the team's inactives for Week 3, but he still failed to register a stat in Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Cowboys. Richardson played just one snap early in the first quarter and -- according to Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch -- had his injured foot stepped on and was out for the rest of the game. 

Richardson was battling a foot injury leading up to the game, but was a full participant Thursday and Friday in practice and was listed as probable for Week 3. He was expected to get a majority of carries for the Rams; instead, he had none after aggravating his injury.  

Richardson and the Rams next host the 49ers on Thursday night.