NFL Player News

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was forced to leave Friday's preseason game against the Patriots after taking a knee to the helmet, and was unable to return to the game. Fortunately, he appears to have dodged a serious injury, as he told the Tampa Bay Times he did not suffer a concussion on the hit.

The full extent of the injury is not known, but it appears as if he was merely held out as a precaution.  

With Kendall Hunter still out, 49ers running back LaMichael James has been unable to present himself as a serious contender for the backup running back job. James rushed for just 17 yards on five carries Friday against the Chiefs, while bringing in just one reception for -3 yards.

James has rushed for just 44 yards on 13 carries through the first two games of the preseason. Hunter has yet to play in the preseason while recovering from a torn Achilles. 

Chiefs running back Knile Davis showed he can step up in Jamaal Charles' absence, as he had a solid showing in Friday's preseason game against the 49ers.

With Charles dealing with a foot injury, Davis reserved the bulk of the work with the first team. Davis rushed for 37 yards on 10 carries, and made a big impact in the passing game, hauling in three passes for 31 yards to lead the team.

Davis is Charles' primary backup option, and should continue to see the majority of the work in his absence. Charles is expected back by the start of the regular season, however.

Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was less involved in the offense in Friday's preseason game against the Bills, after he debuted last week with 54 yards and four catches.

Patterson was targeted just three times in the passing game, and he brought in just two of those passes for 19 yards. He also did not make much of an impact in the return game, finishing with just one return for 22 yards. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin was forced to leave Friday's preseason game against the Patriots, after he took a knee to the helmet while trying to throw a block. Martin was taken immediately to the locker room, and his return is considered unlikely. The extent and nature of the injury is not yet known.  

Raiders running back Latavius Murray sat out Friday's preseason game against the Saints, though it is not yet clear whether he is dealing with an injury. Murray missed two weeks of practice early in training camp with an undisclosed injury, and it appears as if he has fallen well behind in his battle for the No. 2 running back spot. 

We've beaten the drum for Ryan Mathews in the past only to be left holding broken drumsticks. He's never delivered LaDainian Tomlinson-like numbers, which is what many expected of him when he was drafted back in 2010. And it's been made clear that 2013 is his last chance to be the primary rusher for the Chargers -- coach Mike McCoy said as much. 

But Mathews looks like he's trying to make this chance count, running quite effectively through a pair of preseason games. Mathews ran for 45 yards on nine carries at Chicago this week and rumbled for 19 yards on three carries against the Seahawks last week. It's a little frightening that most of Mathews' runs went between-the-tackles considering his collarbone issues last year, but he's fighting for yardage, a positive. In fact, of Mathews' 12 preseason carries, only three have gone for under four yards. 

Mathews' draft average as of now is 62nd overall. While the Chargers might stink this year and Mathews isn't exactly a lock for 16 games and big stats, the value of picking there or even 10 picks sooner isn't so bad. I'm keeping an eye on him when he plays at Arizona in the third week of the preseason. 

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee and will miss four to six weeks of work, the Denver Post reports. 

Though the Chargers brought in some more talent to push him for playing time in the backfield, running back Ryan Mathews does not seem willing to give up his spot easily.

Mathews was the team's top option in Thursday's preseason game against the Bears, leading the team with 45 yards rushing on nine carries. That followed up a solid three-carry, 19-yard performance in the team's opener. Mathews' running has opened the eyes of coach Mike McCoy.

"The way that (he) ran the ball was outstanding," McCoy told U-T San Diego after the game. "We ran the ball efficiently tonight. I think the way he's running the football (is) what we're looking for in our back."

 Panthers running back Kenjon Barner came tumbling back to Earth in the team's second preseason game against the Eagles Thursday.

Barner, who led the team in rushing and scored in his preseason debut, was significantly less successful this time around. Barner ran the ball six times for just 5 yards total, with a long run of 4 yards. He also brought in just one pass for -1 yards.

Barner is currently the No. 2 back on the depth chart with Jonathan Stewart out.