NFL Player News

Raiders rusher Darren McFadden dealt with a shoulder injury in practice on Sunday but coach Dennis Allen doesn't believe it will keep him from playing in the team's third preseason game vs. the Bears on Friday, per The Associated Press.

Redskins running back Roy Helu broke off a 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Steelers. It was the only carry of the game for Washington's No. 2 running back, who also caught a 14-yard pass.

The Rams made it official Monday, naming Daryl Richardson the Week 1 starter at running back, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Isaiah Pead started the last preseason game but failed to impress, averaging 1.9 yards on his 11 carries.

Richardson averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season as Steven Jackson's primary backup.

Packers running back DuJuan Harris got the first-team reps at Monday's practice, and coach Mike McCarthy indicated things will stay that way heading into the third preseason game Friday against Seattle, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. McCarthy noted Harris finished last season strong.

As for Eddie Lacy, McCarthy said the rookie played well at St. Louis but needs to "clean up details of his work," the paper reported. Lacy ran eight times for 40 yards and caught an 11-yard pass in the 19-7 win.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said running back Ryan Williams (knee) isn't expected to play against the Chargers in the team's third preseason game, reports the Arizona Republic.

The report says Arians said Williams "needs to start playing." He has been dealing with a knee injury, which continues to keep him out of practice.

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano told reporters Monday that running back Doug Martin was able to participate in practice but did not take on any contact.

The coach compared it to an in-season weekday practice. Martin left the team's preseason game at New England with a head injury but it wasn't a concussion, according to the team. 

Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner has been impressed with second-year running back Trent Richardson, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

Richardson ran for 33 yards on six carries last week in a preseason win over the Lions. He had missed time in practice with a shin injury.

"He is really rolling right now," Turner said. "I'm impressed with what I see in practice. The plays he had in the game, he was outstanding, and he's a guy that defenses have to gear their thinking to stopping."

Titans running back Chris Johnson is excited about this season because of the upgrades the team has made to improve the running game, reports Sports Illustrated.

"Go back to 2008, when we were 13-3," Johnson says. "People knew what we were going to do—just pound people—and it still worked."

The report said Tennessee ran the ball 52 percent of the time that season. Johnson: 251 carries for 1,228 yards. LenDale White: 200 carries for 773 yards.

The report predicts "a 320-carry season for Johnson, even with Shonn Greene in the house."

Patriots running back Shane Vereen has the chance to help New England replace departed tight end Aaron Hernandez in the passing game, reports Sports Illustrated.

The report says Vereen "looks like the kind of multi-threat weapon the Patriots could use out of the backfield to take some of Aaron Hernandez’s touches." The report also describes Vereen with soft hands, can break a tackle and makes linebackers miss.

"This is going to be a year we really have to grind it out," said Vereen.

Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar missed practice with a left foot sprain and is in a walking boot according to the official team website. He is expected to miss three to four weeks.  

Dunbar appeared to have the inside track at being the No. 2 back for the Cowboys before the injury. Now the likes of Phillip Tanner and Joseph Randle are in the mix to back up DeMarco Murray.