NFL Player News

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians made it clear Wednesday that Rashard Mendenhall is the starting running back heading into training camp. Arians said on the NFL Network that "there's no doubt" that Mendenhall would be the featured back if the season started today.

"He took me personally to a Super Bowl, and I know what he can bring to the table as a runner and a pass protector and also a receiver," Arians said, courtesy of NFL.com. "He's an every-down player. And I think he's looking forward to having an outstanding season."

Arians said Mendenhall is "ready to go" after dealing with complications from his torn ACL at the end of 2011, and he considers Mendenhall a three-down running back. That leaves Ryan Williams as the No. 2 running back heading into training camp, and he's expected to be used in a change-of-pace role.

Rookies Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor are clearly behind Mendenhall and Williams on the depth chart.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to use rookie Joseph Randle as the No. 2 running back behind DeMarco Murray, but Lance Dunbar could carve out a role for himself.

According to ESPN, Dunbar had a terrific offseason and appears to have earned the trust of quarterback Tony Romo with his receiving skills. The report says Dunbar can be elusive out of the backfield and give linebackers some trouble. He also has proven to be a willing blocker.

The bad news for Dunbar, however, is Randle has been out all offseason with a thumb injury. When Randle returns in training camp he could reduce Dunbar's role.

Every year we find reasons to like Darren McFadden and every year he finds a way to disappoint us. In 2011 he totaled five touchdowns and over 750 yards in seven games before messing up his foot. In 2012 he managed to stay healthy for 12 games (tied for the second-most in his career) but sported the worst rushing average of his career and scored a total of three times. 

This year McFadden enters training camp for the Raiders healthy and with dollar signs in his eyes. If he has a sensational year he will land a nice chunk of change from a team probably not called the Raiders because of their salary cap issues. If he doesn't, he could still earn a decent contract but probably will be used in a part-time role elsewhere in the league. McFadden has to know this and should put up a good effort. Helping his case is an Oakland coaching staff that redesigned the offense to his strengths including scrapping the zone-blocking scheme that seemingly baffled McFadden last year. 

McFadden's always a risky proposition -- just ask the Fantasy owners who took him the past two seasons -- but a late Round 3/early Round 4 selection might be the right price for a player aiming for a monster showcase season. 

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman told the Charlotte Observer that he's not sure if running back Jonathan Stewart will be ready for the start of training camp. Stewart has already missed all of the OTA and minicamp practices after offseason surgery on his ankles. 

"We'll see," Gettleman said. "Time will tell."

DeAngelo Williams would likely see a bump in work if Stewart were to miss any time with Mike Tolbert and rookie Kenjon Barner also getting a chance at some carries. 

With an estimated 15 pounds of muscle added this offseason, Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman told NFL Network he believes he can handle being the primary rushing option this season ahead of veteran Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball. 

"Of course you hear [criticism]," Hillman said about being too small to handle the amount of reps a starting running back gets. "I'm not going to sit here and say I don't hear what they say, but you just got to let it go. Obviously, getting 22 carries in negative-13 degree weather against the Ravens (in the divisional playoffs), they shouldn't have much else to say about that if they're paying attention."

Hillman noted that he's actually younger than Ball and that the coaches would prefer he slim down 5-10 pounds. Perhaps the weight issue is because the team doesn't want him to trade his explosiveness for his bulk. 

Cowboys rookie Joseph Randle disclosed he actually had two thumb surgeries this offseason, causing him to miss all of the team's offseason workouts. He told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he'll get the cast off in a week and wear a brace. Randle also said he's put on close to 10 pounds since last year. He's expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rams running back Daryl Richardson is ready to compete for the starting job with Isaiah Pead and Zac Stacy. “I’m definitely working toward a bigger role," Richardson said. “I’m excited about getting a chance to show the coaching staff what I can do. I definitely feel like I can be the starter, but I guess that’s something that will be decided in training camp. We’re all friends, working to push each other and to make each other better, but we’re also all trying to be that No. 1 guy." Coach Jeff Fisher acknowledged that getting Richardson more involved, whether he starts or not, is a priority. “We have to get the ball to him in the passing game more than we did (in 2012)," Fisher said. “We were spreading it out, but we weren’t necessarily going to the backs as much as we would’ve liked. Any time we can get Daryl the ball in space, it’s going to put added pressure on the other team."

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Packers running back DuJuan Harris has no doubt he'll be participating in the first day of training camp. After having a "grapefruit"-sized, noncancerous cyst removed from his lung, Harris expects to be full go July 26. "I'll be ready," Harris said. "I'll be there." For Harris, the removal was a blessing in disguise. He would've never even known about the cyst if not for the routine check-up and now his breathing may improve without the cyst jammed up against his lungs. Harris enters training camp in competition with Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin, Alex Green and James Starks. By the postseason a year ago, Harris finished as the starter. In six games, Harris rushed for 257 yards on 62 carries with four touchdowns.

With Willis McGahee now gone after being released, the Broncos could start Ronnie Hillman in Week 1 with rookie Montee Ball eventually taking over the starter's role. The Colorado Springs Gazette predicts that Hillman is the starter for the season opener. Ball assumes the position by the end of September, and Knowshon Moreno remains a significant contributor in part because he's the most reliable pass-blocker and protecting quarterback Peyton Manning is priority No. 1.

Referring to himself as an "average back" up to this point in his career, Chargers running back Ryan Mathews admitted to Union-Tribune San Diego that he stressed himself out over trying to play like LaDainian Tomlinson, the guy he replaced when he was taken with a first-round pick in 2010. Since entering the league Mathews has 14 touchdowns, one year with over 1,000 total yards, 10 games missed, seven fumbles lost, one high-ankle sprain, two broken collarbones and some regrets. But Mathews is far from quitting and has even shed some of the weight he put on last year. He's been studying more than he has in the past and working on his blocking technique. And he has a new outlook on this season. "I’m just gonna be myself," he said. "In practice, I’m just trying to focus on what I do. I’m not trying to focus on what would (Tomlinson) do? I’m just gonna go back to like I was playing at Fresno State -- just running the ball catching the ball and scoring touchdowns."