NFL Player News

Redskins running back Roy Helu may get an opportunity to see more touches after a solid Week 1 at home against Philadelphia. He only totaled 16 yards from scrimmage, but looked good on his 11-yard reception.

Heading into Week 2 at Green Bay, Helu is still just the backup for Alfred Morris, who struggled Week 1. Morris will be out to prove this is his team and Helu will be looking to take advantage if he can.

The Packers gave up 68 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards and a TD to San Francisco RBs Week 1. There is always the chance Helu could get into the end zone. That said, he is not a recommended Fantasy start outside the deepest of leagues due to his usage by coach Mike Shanahan.

49ers running back LaMichael James, who sprained his MCL in the preseason finale, remains sidelined. He was unable to practice Wednesday, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Panthers rookie running back Kenjon Barner (ankle) won't play Sunday at Buffalo, but he's progressing well and could play in Week 3, coach Ron Rivera told the Charlotte Observer.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce was limited in practice Wednesday because of a thigh injury. The Ravens are preparing to host the Browns Week 2.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson (foot) did not practice Wednesday. Coach Jeff Fisher said Richardson "needed a day off," but is expected to practice Thursday, according to ESPN.

Those who believe in patterns forming might have a hunch that Raiders featured back Darren McFadden will make a big Fantasy impact Sunday against Jacksonville. He enjoyed a huge game against the Jaguars in 2010 and a poor one in 2012, so perhaps he's due for another explosion.

McFadden rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns in their first meeting, but just 53 yards in 19 carries against them last year. That, however, could be explained more by the fact that 2010 was his only great season.

The Jaguars proved fairly vulnerable against the run in their loss Sunday to the Chiefs. They surrendered 77 yards on 16 carries to Jamaal Charles before he was sidelined with a quad injury. But McFadden has not proven the consistency for Fantasy owners to have anywhere near the same confidence in him as they do Charles.

McFadden is a fairly strong second-back play in Week 2. But don't expect big numbers from him. Emerging quarterback Terrelle Pryor has assumed some of the load in the ground attack and McFadden boasts just three 100-yard performances in his last 17 games.

Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (knee) returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out Week 1. Wednesday was also the first time he was in pads since injuring his MCL in training camp.

In Week 1 Ronnie Hillman played the fewest snaps, 15, among the Broncos' three-man running back committee. Hillman ran four times for 15 yards and caught both his targets for 27 yards.

Hillman, who played just two snaps before halftime, sits behind Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball in the pecking order. Hillman is nothing more than a sheer desperation play Sunday at the Giants.

The Ravens have signed former Chiefs running back Shaun Draughn, ESPN is reporting. Draughn earned his first significant NFL playing time with Kansas City in 2012 and ran for 239 yards with a 3.9 per-rush average. He displayed some versatility with 24 receptions for 158 yards, but was among the team's last cuts this preseason.

There remains no featured back on the Broncos, John Fox told the Denver Post. He said that Knowshon Moreno, Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball will all play Sunday against the New York Giants.

The trio combined for 21 carries in Week 1, spending most of their time blocking for quarterback Peyton Manning or watching from the sideline as he fired seven touchdown passes to bury the Ravens. Moreno received the most carries with nine.

The sharing of reps won't change in Week 2. "All three played Thursday, and all three will play Sunday," Fox said.