NFL Player News

Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman continued to insist Tuesday that the race for the starting tailback spot is close. "I think Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas are competing neck-and-neck," Sherman said.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Monday that he thought Daryl Richardson "would probably take the first snap against Arizona," effectively naming him the starting back. But he had an interesting take on the race to back up Richardson. 

"As far as who’s going to come in (second), that remains to be seen," Fisher said. "We still have some more evaluating to do. ... It's consistency, and it's not just the game. It's consistency on the practice field, understanding, first and foremost, probably how to play without the football. For us, that's more important than how he plays with the football. By that I mean, is getting to the right place in the passing game? Is he proficient, and does he know exactly what to do in protection? Once you get that down, then we'll evaluate the run skills."

Isaiah Pead and rookie Zac Stacy are competing for the spot. Pead underwhelmed in the Rams' second preseason game and fumbled the ball away in the first. He's also suspended for the team's Week 1 game against the Cardinals. Stacy averaged 3.3 yards over seven attempts in the Rams' first preseason action but missed the second game with a leg injury. 

Pead had every opportunity to close the door on Stacy last week and didn't do it. If he doesn't do it against the Broncos on Saturday then Stacy -- or perhaps another back on the roster -- could leapfrog him. Whoever helps Richardson with the rushing workload is worth a late pick in Fantasy drafts. 

Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner wants running back Trent Richardson "to be prepared to play every down," reports ESPN.com. Turner is planning to give Richardson 300 carries and targeting him for 60 catches, the report said.

In 15 games last season, Richardson got 267 carries and caught 51 passes.

"It's hard for a tailback now to play every down the entire game, but they have to be prepared to play every down," Turner said. "If we're in a two-minute situation, I don't think any of us want Trent standing on the sidelines." 

The Browns don't have much behind Richardson, as Dion Lewis broke his leg last week.

Raiders rusher Darren McFadden dealt with a shoulder injury in practice on Sunday but coach Dennis Allen doesn't believe it will keep him from playing in the team's third preseason game vs. the Bears on Friday, per The Associated Press.

Redskins running back Roy Helu broke off a 30-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Steelers. It was the only carry of the game for Washington's No. 2 running back, who also caught a 14-yard pass.

The Rams made it official Monday, naming Daryl Richardson the Week 1 starter at running back, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Isaiah Pead started the last preseason game but failed to impress, averaging 1.9 yards on his 11 carries.

Richardson averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season as Steven Jackson's primary backup.

Packers running back DuJuan Harris got the first-team reps at Monday's practice, and coach Mike McCarthy indicated things will stay that way heading into the third preseason game Friday against Seattle, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. McCarthy noted Harris finished last season strong.

As for Eddie Lacy, McCarthy said the rookie played well at St. Louis but needs to "clean up details of his work," the paper reported. Lacy ran eight times for 40 yards and caught an 11-yard pass in the 19-7 win.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said running back Ryan Williams (knee) isn't expected to play against the Chargers in the team's third preseason game, reports the Arizona Republic.

The report says Arians said Williams "needs to start playing." He has been dealing with a knee injury, which continues to keep him out of practice.

Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano told reporters Monday that running back Doug Martin was able to participate in practice but did not take on any contact.

The coach compared it to an in-season weekday practice. Martin left the team's preseason game at New England with a head injury but it wasn't a concussion, according to the team. 

Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner has been impressed with second-year running back Trent Richardson, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

Richardson ran for 33 yards on six carries last week in a preseason win over the Lions. He had missed time in practice with a shin injury.

"He is really rolling right now," Turner said. "I'm impressed with what I see in practice. The plays he had in the game, he was outstanding, and he's a guy that defenses have to gear their thinking to stopping."