NFL Player News

Raiders running back Darren McFadden could be set up for a big pay day if things work out for him this season, reports NFL.com.

The report says new offensive coordinator Greg Olson's power running system should be a big boost.

"Obviously he never felt comfortable in what we were doing last year," coach Dennis Allen said. "That led to some questions about him, but if you watch practice, the guy's still explosive. He's still a threat to take it all the way. And he feels more comfortable. If you don't quite trust it, there's always that doubt."

McFadden is entering a contract year, and the team has "checked in with him" about an extension. But McFadden wants to return to his old self and be in a position to command big dollars after the season, rather than talk now.

Panthers rookie running back Kenjon Barner is making a good impression in training camp and could end up playing a role in Carolina's backfield this year, reports the Charlotte Observer.

With Jonathan Stewart (ankle) hurt and Mike Tolbert (hamstring) banged up, Barner heads into the start of preseason action No. 2 on the depth chart behind DeAngelo Williams.

"Did I expect it? I never expect anything," Barner said of the reps he's gotten in training camp. "That’s kind of been my thing for as long as I can remember. I go in with no preconceived notions of what it's going to be like. But was I working toward it? Yes. And that’s what you have to do. You have to work in order to get what you want in this game. By me working I wanted to get those extra reps, and hopefully by showing those coaches my work day-in and day-out, I hope I've earned it."

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce injured his knee during Thursday's preseason game at Tampa Bay, but the Baltimore Sun reports it is not considered serious.

Pierce appeared to hurt his left knee when he was hit in the end zone following his 20-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. He had his knee wrapped after the game and is expected to get further treatment Friday.

Unheralded Broncos running back C.J. Anderson was the standout performer in Thursday's preseason opener against the 49ers, albeit while playing with and against second-team performers.

Anderson, an undrafted back out of Cal, led the team with 69 yards on 15 carries, while working the entire second half of the game.

Anderson is fourth on the depth chart at best for the Broncos right now, and he admitted after his solid performance he is going to make a place on the roster for himself in places beyond the backfield.

"I'm really serious about this special teams thing," Anderson told the Denver Post. "I've never played it before, so some things are new, live in your face. I'll just go look at the film, work on it, and I'll be alright. I've just got to keep my head down and keep grinding. You just try to fit your way when you can and when you're out there take advantage of your opportunity."

With Alfred Morris sitting out the preseason opener, running back Roy Helu got most of the work with the Redskins' first-team offense Thursday against the Titans.

Helu rushed the ball 13 times for 58 yards in the game, and he did not cede any carries to Evan Royster until midway through the second quarter.

Helu is battling to be the backup running back and third-down option, and he appears to be the first option behind Morris right now. 

With Marshawn Lynch on the bench and Robert Turbin on the PUP list, Seahawks rookie running back Christine Michael made his presence felt as he fell 11 yards shy of the century mark in Thursday's preseason opener against the Chargers.

Michael broke for five rushes of seven-plus yards, including a 24-yard gain early in the fourth quarter He rushed for a team-high 89 yards on 16 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per clip in a 31-10 victory. The rookie from Texas A&M has lined up as the backup to Lynch while Turbin remains on the PUP list during camp.

Titans running back Chris Johnson showed no lingering issues from his ankle injury in Thursday's preseason opener against the Redskins.

Johnson ran the ball just twice in the game, but that was all he needed to rack up 60 yards and a touchdown. Johnson did nearly all of his damage on a  vintage 58-yard touchdown run. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman got the start in Thursday's preseason opener against the 49ers.

Hillman broke for a 5-yard gain in his first carry, but did not make much of an impact the rest of the way. He was pulled from the game after the team's second drive. He rushed for nine yards on three carries and was not involved in the passing game.

Hillman is competing against rookie Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno for the starting running back job. He rushed for 330 yards and one touchdown on 85 carries last season.

Rams running back Isaiah Pead failed to impress in his work with the first-team offense Thursday, in the team's first preseason game against the Browns.

Pead, who appears to have fallen behind Daryl Richardson in the battle for the team's starting running back spot, lost a fumble on his first touch from scrimmage. He ran the ball just two more times, eventually finishing with three rushes for 18 yards, and he was a non-factor in the passing game as well. 

Rams running back Daryl Richardson received nearly all of the reps with the first-team offense Thursday, in the team's first preseason game against the Browns.

Richardson, who has the inside track on the starting job based on his performance last season, rushed the ball four times for a team-high 24 yards. He also brought in two receptions for 20 yards, while being targeted three times in the game.