NFL Player News

Packers running backs coach Alex Van Pelt told ESPN that while he believes DuJuan Harris could be an every-down back, there's no reason for him to be one. Harris was the best of the Packers' mediocre troupe of running backs in 2012, finishing the season and postseason (six games) with 257 yards and four touchdowns on 62 carries and 81 yards on nine catches. "I don’t see why he couldn't [be an every-down back]. Do we need him to be one? I don’t think we do," Van Pelt said. "It would be tough for him to see a body of work for the season, if he wore down later in the season. But he was great for us when we had him. He was fresh and was quite the change-up from what we have in the room. But would we need him for every down? I don't think we would. If we had a Cedric [Benson] back, James [Starks] and DuJuan, I think you would have to give everybody some touches."

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams told the official team website he's worried about his spot on the roster after suffering what the site says was a coracoid process fracture to his left shoulder in Week 5. But he's also happy about coming back from the injuries (the shoulder and the knee injury suffered as a rookie) if only so he can prove doubters wrong. "I've got the label of damaged goods," Williams said. "People can say what they want to say, feel how they feel. I don't want anybody on my side. I know they are going to talk, say what they will say, and that's cool. I don't need anybody on my side. I need all those doubters, I need all those haters."

ESPN reports reports that new Titans running back coach Sylvester Croom said he wants to bring in another running back to take the load off Chris Johnson in 2013. “I truly believe if you’re serious about running the football, you’ve got to have two guys actually both able to carry the load during the season,” Croom said. “... If you’re going to really run, I’m talking 30-plus times a game, there aren’t many that can do that for 16 games anymore, their bodies can’t take it.” Croom said he doesn't want to take Johnson off the field. The report says "they still want to feature the explosive guy who can score any time he touches the ball from a handoff or a catch." But the Titans do want to have a second guy who can do other things in a different kind of role with a different style that can help the team in certain situations.

The Tennessean reports that Titans coach Mike Munchak said Thursday that running back Chris Johnson will be back and the team will pay his salary for 2013, which is $10 million. The report says Munchak said Johnson's status was never an issue and blown out of proportion.

CBSSports.com NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports the Titans intend to exercise the $10 million option on Johnson's contract. Nine million dollars will be guaranteed on February 9. Johnson said previously that he does not believe money has changed him and that his mediocre play can be blamed on a number of factors including his offensive line, the revolving door of position coaches and offensive coordinators he's had and his own failure to make plays.

Bucs running back Doug Martin went on a local radio show in Tampa on Monday and talked about a variety of topics, including his success in his rookie season when he had 319 carries for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns and 49 catches for 472 yards and a touchdown. “I would hope that in my future, eventually in my career, that I would," Martin said of doing well as a rookie. "But so early? Probably not. … I’ve been blessed. I’m taking advantage, enjoying this time and reflecting on the past season.” Martin said by Week 5, which was Tampa Bay's bye week, he felt like he was ready to shine. “Probably after that bye week," he said. "I just told myself, ‘Just play the game. Just have fun. Just go out there and just have fun and play football.’ … You have to let your blocks develop and be patient and find that hole.”

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce could not get going on the ground against the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII. Pierce, who occasionally came in for Ray Rice, rushed for just 33 yards on 12 carries in a 34-31 victory. He was not involved in the passing game as he was held without a catch or a target.

San Francisco running back LaMichael James couldn't get going as he turned in a disappointing performance during Super Bowl XLVII against Baltimore. With the 49ers close to scoring position, James coughed up the ball in the second quarter. It was his second fumble lost in the postseason. He finished with just three carries for 10 yards in a 34-31 defeat. He was not involved in the passing game as he finished with out a catch or a target.

Chris Johnson was candid in an interview with 104.5 The Zone in Nashville about his play over the last two years and the Titans in general. Johnson opined that it "kind of is a big deal" to have five different running back coaches and three offensive coordinators since he entered the league. He's hoping for the offense to shift back to what he worked with when Mike Heimerdinger was his offensive coordinator. Johnson also wished for the Titans to revamp their offensive line, noting that things went downhill once they lost their starting center to injury early in the year. As for the team in general Johnson said they're not close to winning a Super Bowl but could be if they added a couple of free agents and got him back on track. He wants to be the first player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards twice in a career and get to the Super Bowl but when the topic of the team picking up his $9 million extension came up, he said he's not sure where he stands as he's had no communication with the team since they made some coaching changes. "I couldn't say I wouldn't be surprised but it wouldn't be no bad blood," he said. He dismissed the idea that he stopped playing well because he got a rich contract extension, suggesting he's had money since being a first-round pick. "I don't take the blame for what all's going on, I'm sure I'm part of it because I'm part of the team," he said. "I don't like to make excuses, I just go with the flow and do my best with what's given to me."

Many 49ers players told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel they believe Packers running back DuJuan Harris is good enough to remain a starter for the team in 2013. The Niners got an up-close-and-personal look at Harris in the Divisional Playoffs when he had 53 yards on 11 carries with a rushing score, adding another 11 yards on two catches. "We saw the game he played the week before or two weeks," safety Dashon Goldson said. "We didn't (know a lot). We still knew their game plan. We didn't know what kind of back he would be. But he had a lot of speed. We knew he had a lot of speed. I think he’ll hang around that football team."