NFL Player News

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden was back at practice Thursday, reports ESPN. 

Bolden had been absent from practice since Monday for unknown reasons. Bolden did battle an ankle injury this offseason.

Bolden is competing for backup rushing duties behind Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.

Redskins running back Roy Helu "seems to have the edge" in the competition for No. 2 back this season, reports the Washington Post.

The report says the Redskins have used him in a variety of ways – standard run plays, option pitches and as a receiver out of the backfield – to take advantage of his speed and catching ability.

Helu could open the season playing behind Alfred Morris.

Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has practiced mostly with the second-team offense in training camp thus far. The Vikings have used Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson as outside receivers and Jarius Wright as the slot man. 

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune noticed this and added that it's merely a matter of time before Patterson is elevated to the first unit. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman has "his arm wrapped tightly around the starting running back spot," reports the Denver Post, but it remains an open competition for playing time with Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno.

The report says that "eventually, Ball is to be the featured back." The Broncos hope he develops into a 15- to 20-carry back in the NFL.

"How it moves forward — we don't know enough about Montee Ball yet," coach John Fox said. "We know what style he has. I've been very impressed with his football character. And you do find out pretty fast at that position."

Whoever plays the most this season could depend on pass protection for quarterback Peyton Manning.

"Honestly, it's 60 percent pass protection, 40 percent running the ball," Ball said. "In the NFL, it's no secret: It's a passing league. And on this team, when you have a great quarterback like we have, you've got to protect him."

Moreno is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery that sidelined him through most of the offseason. He might be third on the depth chart, but the report said he'll also get his share of reps, even as soon as Week 1 against the Ravens.

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams should return to practice Thursday after it was determined he does not need a second opinion on his knee, according to the team's website. The team is off Wednesday.

Williams' knee "flared up" Sunday, according to coach Bruce Arians, but an MRI came back negative.

New England's offensive overhaul could set up running back Shane Vereen "for a breakout season," reports the Boston Herald. While Vereen has never rushed for 50 yards in a game, his speed, elusiveness and receiving ability will lead to more opportunities this fall, according to the paper.

“I’m getting more comfortable with the offense, the more we practice, the more I play in it,” Vereen said. “With more repetitions and more practice, the more comfortable we get, the better we execute.”

Vereen flashed his potential in the playoff win over Houston, running seven times for 41 yards and a touchdown and catching five balls for 83 yards and two more scores.

Titans running back Chris Johnson has "warmed to the idea" of letting Shonn Greene handle short-yardage carries, reports the Tennessean. The paper notes Greene went 11-for-11 in converting 3rd-and-3 or less for the Jets last season.

“I’m OK with it,” Johnson said. “I never really get any short-yardage plays, so it doesn’t really matter. … That’s just another piece of this offense -- continue to keep the drive going and run more plays.”

The paper expects Greene to be a major upgrade over Javon Ringer and Jamie Harper.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that running back DuJuan Harris will remain out at least another 2-3 weeks, reports the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Harris (chest) is on the PUP list as he continues to recover from a cyst on his lung. When healthy, he should compete for playing time in a crowded backfield with Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin, Alex Green and James Starks.

The Broncos used all three running backs -- Ronnie Hillman, Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno with the first team Monday, reports the Denver Post.

The report says the competition at running back "appeared to remain open."

This is the first report of Moreno working with the starters. Previously only Hillman has worked with the first group.

The initial MRI on Ryan Williams' right knee was "clean," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told the Arizona Republic.

“Ryan’s going to get a second opinion,” Arians said. “We’ll see when he comes back. It just flared up. There’s no injury; the MRI’s clean.”

Williams tore the patella tendon in his right knee nearly two years ago. Arians said the 23-year-old running back, who watched Sunday's practice with the knee wrapped in an ice pack, looked good in earlier practices.

“I was kind of surprised it flared up," Arians said.