NFL Player News

Titans general manager Ruston Webster said from the NFL Combine Thursday he anticipates drafting a change-of-pace running back to pair with Chris Johnson. Head coach Mike Munchak said the same thing, adding it needs to be a priority for the team. This is in line with what running backs coach Sylvester Croom said less than two weeks ago about giving Johnson some help, though Croom said they really don't want to take Johnson off the field.

Broncos head coach John Fox said from the NFL combine Thursday he believes running back Ronnie Hillman is "capable" of being an every-down running back but added he needs to improve his physique. The coach added he liked what he saw from Hillman in their playoff loss to Baltimore. "Like any first-year player, you have a lot of room for improvement," Fox said. " ... I think it takes time to grow into the NFL game. These guys coming out of college call it developing a pro body, and with a full offseason, our strength and conditioning people do a great job. It’s all-year-round training. We’re anticipating that he’ll be much improved and be able to play more extended time."

The San Jose Mercury News reports that new Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Olson said he will bring back the power and gap running plays that running back Darren McFadden excelled in in the past. "What we've decided to do, as a staff, is see what Darren McFadden is comfortable doing,'' Olson said Wednesday at the team facility. "Let's try and make it more comfortable for Darren, because he's one of our premier players.'' That means emphasizing much more of the power scheme within which McFadden flourished in 2011. It means more north and south running, fewer angles and horizontal attacks. And much less need to read blocks. After averaging more than 5 yards per carry in each of the past two seasons in a power-running system under Hue Jackson, McFadden averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season - the lowest ever for a Raiders back with at least 150 carries in a season.

Comcast Sportsnet believes that if running back Kendall Hunter is healthy for training camp he'll be the "clear-cut No. 2 running back" behind Frank Gore. Hunter tore his Achilles in late November and was replaced by rookie LaMichael James.

Packers running backs coach Alex Van Pelt told ESPN that while he believes DuJuan Harris could be an every-down back, there's no reason for him to be one. Harris was the best of the Packers' mediocre troupe of running backs in 2012, finishing the season and postseason (six games) with 257 yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries and 81 yards on nine catches. "I don’t see why he couldn't [be an every-down back]. Do we need him to be one? I don’t think we do," Van Pelt said. "It would be tough for him to see a body of work for the season, if he wore down later in the season. But he was great for us when we had him. He was fresh and was quite the change-up from what we have in the room. But would we need him for every down? I don't think we would. If we had a Cedric [Benson] back, James [Starks] and DuJuan, I think you would have to give everybody some touches."

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams told the official team website he's worried about his spot on the roster after suffering what the site says was a coracoid process fracture to his left shoulder in Week 5. But he's also happy about coming back from the injuries (the shoulder and the knee injury suffered as a rookie) if only so he can prove doubters wrong. "I've got the label of damaged goods," Williams said. "People can say what they want to say, feel how they feel. I don't want anybody on my side. I know they are going to talk, say what they will say, and that's cool. I don't need anybody on my side. I need all those doubters, I need all those haters."

ESPN reports reports that new Titans running back coach Sylvester Croom said he wants to bring in another running back to take the load off Chris Johnson in 2013. “I truly believe if you’re serious about running the football, you’ve got to have two guys actually both able to carry the load during the season,” Croom said. “... If you’re going to really run, I’m talking 30-plus times a game, there aren’t many that can do that for 16 games anymore, their bodies can’t take it.” Croom said he doesn't want to take Johnson off the field. The report says "they still want to feature the explosive guy who can score any time he touches the ball from a handoff or a catch." But the Titans do want to have a second guy who can do other things in a different kind of role with a different style that can help the team in certain situations.

The Tennessean reports that Titans coach Mike Munchak said Thursday that running back Chris Johnson will be back and the team will pay his salary for 2013, which is $10 million. The report says Munchak said Johnson's status was never an issue and blown out of proportion.

CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports the Titans intend to exercise the $10 million option on Johnson's contract. Nine million dollars will be guaranteed on February 9. Johnson said previously that he does not believe money has changed him and that his mediocre play can be blamed on a number of factors including his offensive line, the revolving door of position coaches and offensive coordinators he's had and his own failure to make plays.

Bucs running back Doug Martin went on a local radio show in Tampa on Monday and talked about a variety of topics, including his success in his rookie season when he had 319 carries for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns and 49 catches for 472 yards and a touchdown. “I would hope that in my future, eventually in my career, that I would," Martin said of doing well as a rookie. "But so early? Probably not. … I’ve been blessed. I’m taking advantage, enjoying this time and reflecting on the past season.” Martin said by Week 5, which was Tampa Bay's bye week, he felt like he was ready to shine. “Probably after that bye week," he said. "I just told myself, ‘Just play the game. Just have fun. Just go out there and just have fun and play football.’ … You have to let your blocks develop and be patient and find that hole.”