NFL Player News

The Broncos could go with a running back by committee with rookie Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman and Knowshon Moreno, reports the team's official website.

The report cites coach John Fox's history in Carolina of using multiple running backs: Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster, then Foster and DeAngelo Williams, then Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

The report says Ball has the chance to start, but he will share carries and playing time with Hillman and Moreno.

Browns running back Trent Richardson (shin) has begun his running program at his home in Pensacola, Fla., putting him on track for the start of training camp, reports The Plain Dealer. Although, the paper suggests Richardson could be limited at the start of training camp in order to make sure Richardson is ready for the start of the season.

With Ahmad Bradshaw joining Vick Ballard in the Indianapolis backfield, ESPN believes Donald Brown and Delone Carter are vying for one roster spot in training camp and preseason this summer. This is in part because Colts rookie Kerwynn Williams should land a job with the team coming out of the preseason. 

With the Patriots offense in a state of flux this offseason, there are questions about whose playing time will increase now that Aaron Hernandez is no longer on the team. 

ESPN's Field Yates, a former Patriots intern, suggests Shane Vereen could see the biggest bump in playing time as a versatile weapon who could line up all over the field and contribute as a rusher and as a receiver. Vereen played sparingly as a receiver last year but did have some good plays when he wasn't used as a traditional running back.

Yates even went on to hint the Pats could use Vereen much like the Vikings used Percy Harvin and the Packers used Randall Cobb. 

The Broncos are aiming for rookie Montee Ball and second-year rusher Ronnie Hillman to get most of the rushing workload this season, according to the Denver Post. But questions about their ability to pass protect could open the door for veteran Knowshon Moreno to get in some reps on a weekly basis. The newspaper refers to Moreno as an "ideal" third-down back because of his pass protection and his receiving ability. 

Cowboys rookie running back Joseph Randle is looking forward to training camp now that the cast is off his surgically repaired thumb.

"Don't get me wrong, I've been putting in some good work," he said to the Cowboys' official team website. "There's a lot of other things I can be doing, and I can't be concerned with what I can't do right now. I'm getting a lot of great conditioning in."

While he wasn't able to do extensive running back work with his teammates, Randle said the solitary work could benefit him in ways he hasn't seen before.

"I think I'll be coming into the year in the best shape I've ever been in -- physically, and all of that," Randle said. "Learning the playbook, too -- we've been grinding on the plays. Because you won't be on the field anyway if you don't know the plays."

Despite a Monday morning report that claimed Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had been arrested after a fight in a San Diego night club Sunday evening, a San Diego Police Department spokesman told CBSSports.com that Mathews has not been arrested or cited.

"I don't know how that got out there," the spokesman said. "There was an incident, an allegation of a fight. But Mr. Mathews was not contacted by police."

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was reportedly arrested Sunday night following an alleged altercation at a club in San Diego.

The Examiner reports that Mathews "reportedly knocked one male out cold and the individual was taken to UCSD medical hospital" after, witnesses said, "words over a female were exchanged." The Examiner also reports that the San Diego Police Department could not comment at the time of what charges Mathews may face or any further details.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reacted to the report with negative responses from fans, and the ABC TV affiliate in San Diego confirmed with San Diego Fire-Rescue that an assault victim was taken from the location Sunday.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman claims he wasn't 100 percent healthy at any point during the regular season as a rookie after hurting his hamstring in training camp last summer.

"I never really recovered but I got healthier than what it was," he told reporters via the official team website. "I'm healthy now, so all I can do is look forward to it now."

Hillman, who has put on some weight this offseason to be more durable, is in a battle for playing time this summer with rookie Montee Ball and veteran Knowshon Moreno. Many expect Hillman to be a significant contributor for the Broncos in 2013. 

Chiefs rookie running back Knile Davis said he feels comfortable heading into training camp after the work he did this offseason.

"It was a learning experience," Davis told the Chiefs' official team website. "I had a good time, trying to learn the offense. I think I've come a long way and now, I'm just trying to get ready for camp."

Davis, who is expected to be the No. 2 running back behind Jamaal Charles, laid out his goals for this season.

"The main thing to me is just learning everything, because when you know what you're doing, the game slows down on its own and you can focus in on what you need to do," he said. "The small part that I do have in the offense, I just want to get that right. I don't want to make any critical mistakes. I just want to do my part and help the team in any way I can this year."