NFL Player News

Titans running back Chris Johnson posted a decent performance Saturday in the third preseason game against the Falcons. Jackie Battle saw more carries, but certainly was not as impressive. 

Johnson rushed 11 times to Battle's 13, but finished with 65 yards to lead the Titans. He had a long run of 20 yards. Battle had 41 yards and mustered just a 5-yard run at his longest. 

Johnson caught one pass for minus-5 yards and Battle did not make a catch for the Titans. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman once again had trouble holding onto the football Saturday in the preseason win over St. Louis. Hillman fumbled early in the game and ended up seeing only six carries. 

Hillman rushed six times for 34 yards and added three catches for 15 yards but has fumbled three times in his last two preseason contests for the Broncos. Montee Ball looked decent behind him with 14 touches for 43 yards and a touchdown and could be breathing down his neck for carries this season. 

Ball scored from 1-yard out in the third quarter for Denver. Knowshon Moreno finished the game with five carries for 33 yards. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin said after Saturday's third preseason game against the Dolphins that he could have played.

In an interview with CBSSports.com, Martin said he "feels good." He said the trainers held him out as a precaution after suffering a head injury in the second preseason game against New England. 

Martin is not sure of his status for the final preseason game against Washington on Thursday, but he expects to play in Week 1 against the Jets. He said if Saturday's game against the Dolphins were a regular-season contest he would have been active.

For those of you wondering if Daniel Thomas is a threat to Lamar Miller this season as the Dolphins starting running back, the answer is yes and no. Confused? Let me explain.

I was at the Dolphins game against the Buccaneers on Saturday at Sun Life Stadium, and I watched first-hand from the press box as Miller clearly outplayed Thomas. Miller had eight carries for 35 yards, including an impressive 20-yard run, while Thomas managed just 3 yards on seven carries.

Miller will be the starter for the Dolphins, but Thomas is going to still play a role. The Dolphins like Thomas on passing downs, and he had two catches for 12 yards, while Miller had one catch for 2 yards. At this point, Thomas is a better pass blocker.

After the game, Miller expressed optimism that he won the starting job. He said his goals of 1,500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns remain the same, and he expects to do well this year.

It's highly unlikely Miller will be that good, but he does have the chance to be a solid Fantasy option. Put him back on your list as a high-end No. 2 running back worth drafting in Round 3. And Thomas is just a handcuff option with a late-round pick.

The Colts running game was not that exciting in Saturday's preseason blowout win over the Browns. In fact, it was Kerwynn Williams leading the way with nine carries for 37 yards in the 27-6 win.

With Andrew Luck throwing the ball around, starter Vick Ballard led the Colts with 10 touches, but finished with just 33 rushing yards. With Ahmad Bradshaw nearing a return, Ballard needs to continue making impact.

Backup running back Donald Brown finished the game with five carries for 35 yards. None of the RBs for the Colts scored in the win.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas failed to make much of an impact in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers.

Thomas did not earn the start but split carries with Lamar Miller in the opening drive. He played one half and rushed for only three yards on seven carries. He was targeted twice and finished with two catches for 12 yards.

Thomas has 19 carries for 52 yards through his first four preseason games. 

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams was not listed among the team's inactives for Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers. He will suit up and see sone snaps.

Williams practiced this week for the first time in three weeks due to a knee injury.

Keiland Williams and Chris Thompson are buried deep on the depth chart in the Redskins' backfield behind stud back Alfred Morris and dangerous Roy Helu. But when given the opportunity on Saturday against Buffalo, they displayed some pretty mean talent.

Williams rushed for 52 yards on just 8 carries and showed some burst with a 23-yard run around left end in the middle of the fourth quarter. He also scored on a 1-yard run. Thompson proved steady with 44 yards on 15 carries. He displayed plenty of speed and quickness with a 31-yard punt return.

Neither will usurp Morris as the featured back and Helu did nothing to hurt his standing as the backup with a performance in which he rushed for 70 yards on just 13 carries. But Williams and Thompson certainly raised their stock on Saturday.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was held out as a precaution Saturday night against the Dolphins, according to the team's official website.

Martin left his last preseason game against the Patriots with a head injury and avoided a concussion. Tampa Bay will play its final preseason game Thursday at home against Washington. Martin is expected to be ready for the opening game of the regular season against the Jets.

Panthers running back Kenjon Barner was unable to participate in Saturday's practice after suffering an ankle injury in Thursday's game against the Ravens.

Barner has 49 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries through two preseason games. His status remains uncertain for Thursday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh.