NFL Player News

49ers running back LaMichael James (knee) will not play Week 1 vs. Green Bay, sources told NFL.com. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.

The Patriots downgraded four players to out for Sunday's game against the Bills in Week 1: wide receiver Aaron Dobson (hamstring); running back Brandon Bolden (knee); defensive backs Nate Ebner (ankle) and Duron Harmon (hamstring); and tight end Rob Gronkowski (back, forearm).

The Cardinals have a lengthy list of injuries heading into Week 1 against the Rams, however they are only expected to miss a handful of players in the game. Tight end Rob Housler (ankle) has already been ruled out, and defensive lineman Calais Campbell (quadriceps) is questionable for the game, however all other players are considered probable for the game.

They include: defensive lineman Dan Williams (ankle); defensive back Javier Arenas (hip); tight ends Mike Leach (hamstring) and D.C. Jefferson (knee); wide receiver Andre Roberts (quadriceps); and running backs Rashard Mendenhall (knee) and Andre Ellington (hamstring). 

The Patriots listed four players as questionable for Week 1 against the Bills on their official injury report Friday, with two coming on each side of the ball. Wide receivers Brandon Bolden (knee) and Aaron Dobson (hamstring) represent the offensive injuries, while defensive backs Nate Ebner (ankle) and Duron Harmon (hamstring) represent the wounded on defense. 

49ers running back LaMichael James is officially listed as questionable for Week 1 against the Packers, despite being held out of practice all week with a knee injury. According to The Sacramento Bee, James is not expected to play as he continues to deal with an MCL sprain suffered in the preseason. 

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was limited in practice throughout the week leading up to Sunday's game against the Lions due to a back injury. In spite of this, he is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 1 after being listed as probable on the team's official injury report Friday. 

The Panthers have already ruled out two players for Week 1 against Seattle Sunday, due to injuries that limited them in practice. Running back Kenjon Barner (foot) and defensive back James Dockery (thumb) will both be sidelined for the game due to their injuries, the team announced Friday. 

Joe Philbin said that the featured back competition between Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas was "very, very close" and that both performed well in the preseason, but the numbers scream otherwise. Thomas averaged just 2.7 yards a carry to Miller's 4.2, which is why the latter will start Sunday in Cleveland.

Though Thomas is likely to get some reps for the Dolphins, his playing time could be far too limited to warrant inclusion in any Fantasy lineup. The carries he does receive against a fairly strong Cleveland run defense are quite unlikely to result in long gains. Thomas is more of a plodding back than an explosive one.

His status should be monitored, however. Failure to produce by Miller could result in more playing time for Thomas in the future.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce saw a solid workload in Week 1 against the Broncos Thursday, but he did little with it in a 49-27 loss.

Pierce carried the ball nine times, compared to Ray Rice's 13, however he rushed for just 22 yards. And, unlike Rice, Pierce was a nonfactor in the passing game, as he failed to bring in the one pass thrown his way.

Pierce will try to find some more room to work in Week 2 against the Browns.  

The Broncos running back situation remained cloudy even after Thursday's season opener against the Ravens in Week 1, as none of their three backs stood out in a 49-27 win.

Ronnie Hillman was the second back to enter the game after starter Knowshon Moreno, but he failed to stand out much. Hillman was third on the team with four carries for 15 yards, though he showed a bit of playmaking skill in the passing game. He brought in both passes thrown his way for 27 yards, with a long reception of 17 yards.

Hillman was listed as the starter on the depth chart entering the week, but it is not clear if he will see a bigger role in Week 2 against the Giants.