NFL Player News

Titans running back Chris Johnson is excited about this season because of the upgrades the team has made to improve the running game, reports Sports Illustrated.

"Go back to 2008, when we were 13-3," Johnson says. "People knew what we were going to do—just pound people—and it still worked."

The report said Tennessee ran the ball 52 percent of the time that season. Johnson: 251 carries for 1,228 yards. LenDale White: 200 carries for 773 yards.

The report predicts "a 320-carry season for Johnson, even with Shonn Greene in the house."

Patriots running back Shane Vereen has the chance to help New England replace departed tight end Aaron Hernandez in the passing game, reports Sports Illustrated.

The report says Vereen "looks like the kind of multi-threat weapon the Patriots could use out of the backfield to take some of Aaron Hernandez’s touches." The report also describes Vereen with soft hands, can break a tackle and makes linebackers miss.

"This is going to be a year we really have to grind it out," said Vereen.

Cowboys running back Lance Dunbar missed practice with a left foot sprain and is in a walking boot according to the official team website. He is expected to miss three to four weeks.  

Dunbar appeared to have the inside track at being the No. 2 back for the Cowboys before the injury. Now the likes of Phillip Tanner and Joseph Randle are in the mix to back up DeMarco Murray. 

Colts running back Donald Brown got nine touches Sunday against the Giants, but wasn't all that productive. The fifth-year pro ran six times for 21 yards (3.5 average) and caught three passes for 17 yards.

Brown was the second running back the Colts used, after Vick Ballard.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas rushed for a team-high 25 yards on four carries during Saturday's preseason game at Houston. Thomas' longest carry went 13 yards, and he also had one catch for 27 yards. 

Thomas is averaging 4.1 yards per carry through three preseason games (12 carries for 49 yards).

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman earned the start and received the bulk of the carries over Montee Ball in Saturday's preseason game against the Seahawks.

Hillman had a chance to score but had some issues hanging on to the ball as he recovered his own fumble during his fourth series with the first unit. 13 plays later, he coughed up the ball right before breaking the plane. Brandon Browner returned the fumble 106 yards back for a Seahawks touchdown. Hillman finished with 34 yards on 13 carries, averaging 2.6 yards per clip.

Ball got his first touch of the night during the team's third drive and was pulled out after haltime. He rushed for 28 yards on six carries, averaging 4.7 yards per rush.

The Broncos will play their third preseason game Aug. 24 at home against the Rams, which could indicate who has the edge for the starting job.

The Seahawks held wide receiver Sidney Rice (knee) and Christine Michael (back) were both held out of Saturday's preseason game against the Broncos.

Rice, the team's leading receiver last season, has yet to play a preseason game. Michael was the team’s leading rusher in last week’s preseason opener.

The Seahawks will travel to Green Bay to play the Packers on Friday.

Rams running back Isaiah Pead earned the start over Daryl Richardson in the team's second preseason game against the Packers Saturday night.

Pead got four series with the first-team offense but did not make much of an impact as he finished with 31 yards of total offense, logging 21 yards on 11 carries (1.9 yards per carry) and 10 yards on one reception.

Richardson also worked with the first unit as he caught the only pass thrown his way for a 24-yard gain in the opening drive. He also broke for an 8-yard run and a caught a 14-yard pass before they were wiped off by offensive holding and illegal formation penalties, respectively.

Richardson appeared to have had an edge over Pead entering Saturday's game. The Rams will likely have its dress rehearsal game on Aug. 24 at Denver, which could indicate who has the edge for the job.

Cardinals rookie running back Andre Ellington, who had been out with a concussion, returned to action in Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys.

Ellington took over in the fourth quarter as he made a quick impact in his first drive. He broke for a 24-yard run and brought down a 12 yard pass from third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley. He finished the game with 39 yards of total offense, logging 24 yards on 10 carries (2.4 yards per carry) and 15 yards on two receptions in a 12-7 victory.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin, who left Friday's preseason game against the Patriots after taking a knee to the helmet, told the Tampa Bay Times that he passed all concussion tests and could have returned to the game.

Martin is not expected to miss any time and should be ready to return Aug. 24 at Miami for the team's third preseason game.

"It was just a tough play," Martin said. "Things happen."