NFL Player News

Patriots running back Shane Vereen broke a small bone in his wrist on the first play of Week 1 at Buffalo, according to FOX Sports. Vereen, who rushed for 101 yards, is scheduled for surgery Monday and will miss a few weeks.

Vereen played the entire game with the injury Sunday, but he experienced numbness afterward because the bone he broke sits on a nerve.

Browns running back Trent Richardson managed just 15 touches (13 rushes) during a Week 1 loss to the Dolphins. On Monday, coach Rob Chudzinski said Richardson's limited touches were because the team went 1 for 14 on third downs.

"We have to convert on third down and we'll get plenty more opportunities for Trent," Chudzinski said, per The Plain Dealer.

Chudzinski added Richardson is a critical part of the offense and the team wants to get him the ball as much as it can.

Rams second-year running back Daryl Richardson made his first start Sunday, carrying 20 times for 63 yards and catching five passes for 33 yards. While the numbers don't jump off the page, coach Jeff Fisher sounded extremely pleased.

“I thought Daryl did great today," Fisher said. "Like I said, I think they threw a lot of different looks at us. I think he showed that he has matured a lot since last year, both in his ability to run the football and to pick up blitzes. I’m extremely proud of him and I’m excited for what this year is going to be for him.”

The Vikings signed Greg Jennings this offseason and drafted Cordarrelle Patterson in the first round of the NFL Draft. But it was Jerome Simpson who had the big game for Minnesota in Week 1 at Detroit.

Jennings had three catches for 33 yards on seven targets. He is a No. 3 Fantasy receiver at best, and we wouldn't start him in Week 2 at Chicago.

Patterson had one catch for 10 yards on one target. He's going to take time to develop, and he also should remain on your bench or waiver wire in Week 2 against the Bears.

But Simpson is interesting based on his performance against the Lions. He had seven catches for 140 yards on eight targets to lead the Vikings, and he might be worth adding in deeper leagues. 

Simpson has potential to help Fantasy owners, but if he does continue to play at this level then Jennings and Patterson will likely suffer. This passing game with Christian Ponder at quarterback doesn't have enough juice to support even two receivers playing at a high level.

So add Simpson where needed. Just don't overpay for him since he could struggle as early as Week 2 against the Bears.

Eight Cardinals caught passes from Carson Palmer in the team's 27-24 loss in St. Louis.

Among them, tight end Jim Dray caught two balls for 21 yards, tight end Kory Sperry had a 16-yard catch and wideout Jaron Brown had a 14-yard grab. Running back Andre Ellington caught one of his three targets for 13 yards.

Rams starting running back Daryl Richardson got 25 touches against the Cardinals but was unable to break a big play. He ran 20 times for 63 yards (3.2-yard average) and caught five of six targets for 33 yards.

Richardson showed a nice burst getting to the hole, but did not break many tackles. He received all but two of the team's handoffs. Richardson left briefly in the second quarter to get his toe wrapped.

When Richardson plays the Falcons in Atlanta next week, his touches could go down as running back Isaiah Pead returns from suspension.

With new starting running back Steven Jackson capable of contributing in both the running and passing game, Jacquizz Rodgers was barely a factor in the Falcons' season opener Week 1 at New Orelans. He carried the ball twice for minus-1 yards and caught one pass for 3 yards. Jackson, meanwhile, carried the ball 11 times for 77 yards and was the Falcons second-most targeted receiver, catching five passes for 45 yards.

Rodgers will remain in a backup role for Week 2 against the Rams.

Daniel Thomas was edged out by Lamar Miller for the featured back spot in Miami, but neither took a step forward Sunday in Cleveland. Thomas actually outplayed Miller despite rushing for just 14 yards on eight carries in the 23-10 win.

Thomas did manage to earn some Fantasy points with a 1-yard touchdown for the Dolphins midway through the fourth quarter. He played more in the second half than did Miller.

He will have a chance to make a greater impact next Sunday against the Colts, who gave up just 50 yards to Oakland running backs in their season opener.

Browns running back Trent Richardson is going to have a breakout campaign this year. It will just have to wait a week.

Richardson struggled in Week 1 against the Dolphins on Sunday. He was held to 13 carries for 47 yards and two catches for 30 yards on six targets.

Richardson will have better days, and he should remain a must-start running back in Week 2 against the Ravens. It's not an easy matchup, but the Browns will do a better job of getting Richardson involved.

I still expect Richardson to thrive in this Norv Turner system. The Dolphins run defense is good, and Richardson just had a bad game. Don't give up on him just yet. 

Chiefs running back Cyrus Gray totaled two carries for 8 yards and one catch for 6 yards Week 1 at Jacksonville. The Chiefs return to action Week 2 vs. Dallas.