NFL Player News

Last week it was Packers running back DuJuan Harris leading the way on the ground for Green Bay against the Vikings. Harris had 70 rush yards on 14 carries and two catches for 17 yards. Harris will take on the Vikings again at Lambeau Field in the first round of the playoffs. Minnesota's run defense has come up big over the last three weeks, giving up 317 total yards to running backs with no touchdowns.

The Denver Post reports that after fumbling in the first quarter Sunday against the Chiefs, Broncos rookie running back Ronnie Hillman was benched by coach John Fox the rest of the game. "I made a mistake, I'm living with it," Hillman said. "I'm not going to be mad about it. What he did was justified." Although it was Hillman's only lost fumble of the season, he was replaced in the backup role by veterans Lance Ball and Jacob Hester, who combined for 111 yards on 22 carries against the Chiefs. Hillman finished his rookie season with 330 yards rushing on 85 carries, a 3.9-yard average. "I have to win coach Fox's confidence back, my teammates," Hillman said. "I let them down at that point, but I have to do something to work hard this week and move forward and try not to let it happen again."

The Chargers official team website reports that running back Ryan Mathews sees this offseason as a way to heal and come back stronger next season after suffering a season-ending broken clavicle (his second of the year) in Week 15. “Just getting my body ready,” Mathews said. “Last year, I did the same thing. Just working out, just staying here, being able to work out with coach and just being around the facility and everything. I live in San Diego. I might go home to Fresno or Bakersfield a couple times, but that’s just a three-hour drive. It ain’t much. Just get ready. (There’s) a lot of stuff I need to work on, stuff I need to get better, but I have what it takes to reach that next level and that’s what I plan to do.” As far as his clavicles are concerned, Mathews said they are “pretty stable right now” and though he missed the last two games of the season, he feels good.

The Jaguars added depth to their ailing backfield Friday, claiming running back Jonathan Grimes off waivers from the Texans. Grimes was released by Houston earlier this week after suiting up for just six games with the team after being dropped by the Jets.

The Colts placed running back Robert Hughes (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.

The Bengals promoted running back Dan Herron from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday.

The Ravens placed rookie running back Bobby Rainey on injured reserve Tuesday because of a knee injury.

The Dolphins activated running back Jonas Gray from the physically-unable-to-perform list Monday. The team has three weeks to decide whether to keep him on the 53-man roster or release him.