NFL Player News

The Minnesota VikingsVikings signed seven players to their practice squad: running back Joe Banyard, guard Travis Bond, defensive tackle Everett Dawkins, tight end Chase Ford, offensive tackle Kevin Murphy and wideouts Rodney Smith and Adam Thielen.

Minnesota also claimed former Bears right tackle J'Marcus Webb off waivers and cut offensive lineman <player idref=.

The Bengals placed seven players on their practice squad: offensive tackle Reid Fragel, wideout Cobi Hamilton, running back <player idref=, center T.J. Johnson, cornerbacks Chris Lewis-Harris and Onterio McCalebb and linebacker J.K. Schaffer.

TheColts claimed tight end Jack Doyle off waivers from the Titans and waived running back Kerwynn Williams. In addition, Indianapolis signed six players to its practice squad: linebackers Daniel Adongo and Josh McNary, center Thomas Austin, quarterback Chandler Harnish, tight end Dominique Jones and cornerback Sheldon Price.

Updating a previous item, the Browns cut running back Brandon Jackson while claiming a pair of running backs off waivers, Dennis Johnson and Bobby Rainey, according to the Akron Beacon Journal .

The Browns claimed running back Bobby Rainey off waivers from the Ravens, and running back Dennis Johnson off waivers from the Texans. They'll add depth in Cleveland's backfield behind <player idref=, <player idref= and <player idref=.

Daryl Richardson is the Rams' starter at tailback, but it's unclear who's backing him up, reports the Post-Dispatch. Benny Cunningham and Zac Stacy impressed in the final preseason game, making Isaiah Pead no lock for the job when he returns from his suspension in Week 2, the report said.

Cunningham, an undrafted rookie from Middle Tennessee State, ran eight times for 76 yards against the Ravens. Stacy ran 11 times for just 37 yards, but "once again displayed a knack for gaining tough yards by burrowing his way across the goal line on a one-yard TD plunge in the second quarter," the report said. Pead gained 27 yards on seven carries but fumbled on a kickoff return.

"At face value, it looks like nothing more was settled at running back in the preseason other than the fact that Richardson is the starter," the paper said.

The Broncos' initial depth chart came out Saturday following their team's final round of cuts. On it, Ronnie Hillman was atop the list for running backs. 

Don't buy it. 

For starters, Hillman hasn't been any better than any other back on the roster. Some would say he's been worse because he fumbled three times over preseason action. Teammates Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno haven't been as turnover prone and in the case of Ball the stats are similar. 

Broncos coach John Fox loves to use more than one back and that's what's going to happen in Denver. Ball and Hillman might rotate series while Moreno works in the hurry-up offense. That's a realistic expectation to begin the season but once Hillman shows his buttery hands Ball could wrestle the job away. That could happen sooner than later. 

I'll still take Hillman ahead of Moreno because he's younger, healthier and could play more this year (Moreno's knees are a constant concern). But Ball's ahead of both. I like Ball with a Round 5-6 pick, Hillman about two or three rounds later and Moreno just behind Hillman. I also wouldn't go crazy starting any of these guys Week 1 against the Ravens. 

The Dolphins officially finalized their 53-man roster Saturday by terminating the contract of linebacker Antwan Applewhite. Miami also placed tackle Jeff Adams and quarterback Aaron Corp on the Reserve/Suspended List by the NFL.

In addition, the Dolphins waived the following 19 players from the roster: guard Chris Barker, center Sam Brenner, wide receiver Chad Bumphis, wide receiver Keenan Davis, defensive tackle A.J. Francis, running back Jonas Gray, safety Keelan Johnson, safety Jordan Kovacs, tackle Andrew McDonald, wide receiver Marvin McNutt, tight end Kyle Miller, defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo, cornerback Julian Posey, cornerback De'Andre Presley, defensive tackle Kheeston Randall defensive tackle Tracy Robertson, linebacker Lee Robinson, linebacker Austin Spitler and wide receiver Brian Tyms.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman will get the starting nod ahead of Montee Ball, then Knowshon Moreno, Jacob Hester and C.J. Anderson, according to the team's official depth chart for Week 1 against the Ravens.

Hillman led all running backs with 91 yards on 24 rushing attempts in the preseason. Ball had 25 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown on the ground in preseason. The Broncos may use a committee-type backfield approach this season between Hillman, Ball and Moreno.

The Rams officially finalized their 53-man roster Saturday by placing linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar and running back Isaiah Pead on the reserve/suspended list by the NFL.

St. Louis also released offensive lineman Ryan Lee with an injury settlement and placed tackle Ty Nsekhe on the waived/injured list.

In addition, the Rams waived the following 19 players from the roster: wide receiver Emory Blake, defensive end Mason Brodine, linebacker Sammy Brown, quarterback Austin Davis, safety Cody Davis, defensive tackle Garrett Goebel, safety Rashard Hall, tackle Sean Hooey, linebacker Josh Hull, receiver Nick Johnson, tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, cornerback Andre Martin, tight end Zach Potter, fullback Eric Stevens, cornerback Drew Thomas, receiver Justin Veltung, tackle D.J. Young, defensive end R.J. Washington, and cornerback Darren Woodard.