NFL Player News

Browns running back Trent Richardson made his preseason debut Thursday against the Lions, after sitting out the team's opener with a shin injury.

Richardson played the first two series of the game, rushing for 33 yards on six carries. He had a long carry of 17 yards.

Richardson has little to prove in the preseason, beyond showing he is healthy. He will likely see a slightly larger role in the third preseason game next week. 

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce was in uniform but did not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Falcons, due to a knee injury.

Pierce suffered the injury in the previous game and was able to practice this week, but the team did not feel the need to press him into action so early. He will try to play in the third game against the Panthers next Thursday. 

Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said the team will use more than one running back, meaning Lamar Miller is going to share work, likely with Daniel Thomas, reports the Miami Herald.

"I don't think it's just going to be Lamar’s position," Ireland said. "We've got a good running back in Daniel Thomas that's certainly making some noise."

Ireland said Miller and Thomas will each have a "breakout season" and "they’re a pretty good one-two punch." But Miller, per Ireland, still has the edge.

"Lamar is a tremendous athlete," Ireland said. "He's got great explosion. He's about 218 pounds. He's well built for the position, which I like. He runs low to the ground. He's got very good instincts. He can stop on a dime. I just felt like going into the season, we had to get this guy going. He can catch it out of the backfield. He can block. He was one of our best pass protectors last year. ... You give him a crease, he's going to get through it."

The running backs used in order for Wednesday's "Team run" period for the Packers were DuJuan Harris, Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin, reports FOX Sports.

James Starks was missing from practice with an illness. It was his first missed practice of training camp.

Upstart Broncos running back C.J. Anderson, who had been competing nicely for a roster spot, was carted from the practice field on Thursday. According to DenverBroncos.com contributor Andrew Mason, Anderson was unable to put any weight on his right leg as he was helped onto the cart. 

Green Bay Packers " data-canon="Green Bay Packers" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> running backs <player idref= (knee) and <player idref= Eddie Lacy (hamstring) were limited to individual drills Tuesday. They're part of a crowded backfield competition that includes rookie Johnathan Franklin.

Cardinals rookie running back Andre Ellington, who had been out with a concussion, resumed practicing Tuesday, reports the Arizona Republic.

Browns running back Trent Richardson will play a couple series Thursday against the Lions, Cleveland coach Rob Chudzinski said. Richardson sat out the preseason opener with a shin injury.

Dolphins running back Lamar Miller "is a first- and second-down back," the Sun-Sentinel says. "Daniel Thomas is the third-down back. He’s a better pass blocker, receiver, and short-yardage runner."

The paper dismisses Miller's stated goal of 1,500 rushing yards, saying Miller won't get the 300-plus carries needed to approach that number.

"Miller has the speed and moves to be an effective back in the NFL, but so do about 30 or 40 other guys. Miller has to prove he’s an effective ball carrier," the report said. "The best way to judge Miller is to look at his yards per carry, and if he’s around 4.3, and he stays healthy, it’s been a fairly productive year."

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams underwent a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right knee about 10 days ago, reports the Arizona Republic. Williams tore his patellar tendon nearly two years ago and is still having trouble with the knee.

Williams is doubtful  to play Saturday against the Cowboys, the report said.