NFL Player News

After sputtering on the ground last season, the Raiders chose a coordinator to hopefully get their offense back to a power-running scheme suited to star back Darren McFadden. Oakland hired former Jacksonville quarterbacks coach Greg Olson as its new offensive coordinator on Saturday to revive a unit that had its worst production on the ground since 2005. Coach Dennis Allen interviewed a number of candidates, including Norv Turner and Marc Trestman, before settling on Olson to replace the fired Greg Knapp. Olson previously served as offensive coordinator with Detroit, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. In his two years with the Rams, running back Stephen Jackson rushed for at least 1,000 yards in 2006 and 2007, including a career high of 1,528 his first season.

The Ravens injury report from Friday had running back Bernard Pierce listed as questionable after he turned in a limited session at practice. Pierce did not practice Thursday but was also limited Wednesday. He has been dealing with a knee injury, which he re-aggravated in the third quarter of the team’s 38-35 double overtime win against the Broncos last Saturday. Pierce, however, pledged to be available for Sunday's AFC Championship Game at New England, and he appears on track to play.

Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers helped Atlanta reach the NFC Championship Game against San Francisco on Sunday with a strong outing against the Seahawks in the previous round. Rodgers had 10 carries for 64 yards, and he hopes to play well again this week. San Francisco has been vulnerable to opposing running backs of late with Danny Woodhead, Marshawn Lynch and DuJuan Harris all reaching double digits in Fantasy points against the 49ers in three of their past four games.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that "the Packers are looking for a go-to back" this offseason, which means even more competition for holdovers DuJuan Harris, Alex Green and James Starks, who are all under contract in 2013. The report says "Harris showed a lot of potential, but the Packers aren't blind to the fact he's 5-7 and 208 pounds." Running backs coach Alex Van Pelt said he would like to see how Harris can do with a full workload. "You'd have to see a body of work over an entire season, whether he wore down later in the season," Van Pelt said. "He was great for us when we had him. He was fresh. Quite a change from what we had in the room."

Patriots running back Shane Vereen will look to remain hot in the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore on Sunday. Vereen was stellar in the Divisional playoff victory against the Texans. He piled up 124 total yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns with Danny Woodhead (thumb) dealing with an injury. Woodhead is expected to return against the Ravens, but Vereen should have earned a prominent role after his performance against the Texans. The Ravens have allowed four of their past six opposing running backs to reach double digits in Fantasy points, including Ronnie Hillman last week.

The Contra Costa Times reports that Raiders running back Darren McFadden is a big part of the team's plans moving forward in 2013, general manager Reggie McKenzie said Thursday. McKenzie brushed aside the notion that McFadden could be moved entering the final season of his contract following a disappointing season. “I’m confident Darren’s going to play his last season, regardless of what’s out there,’’ McKenzie said. “We have no decision to do anything with Darren.’’ McFadden gained 707 yards on 216 carries, averaging 3.3 yards per attempt, as the Raiders dropped to 28th in rushing after gaining more yards on the ground than any team in the NFL from 2010-11. The Raiders switched to a zone blocking systems under recently-fired offensive coordinator Greg Knapp after playing more gap and power power schemes under Hue Jackson. While McKenzie said execution was more of an issue than scheme, he also said, “It’s obvious Darren is much better on certain types of plays. That goes without saying. That’s how you’ve got to do it.’’

The Ravens injury report from Thursday had running back Bernard Pierce listed as did not participate. He has been dealing with a knee injury, which he re-aggravated in the third quarter of the team’s 38-35 double overtime win against the Broncos last Saturday. Pierce, however, pledged before practice to be available for Sunday.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens running back Bernard Pierce participated on a limited basis in practice Wednesday. Pierce, who was not present during the portion of practice open to media, re-aggravated a nagging right knee injury in the third quarter of the team’s 38-35 double overtime win against the Broncos last Saturday. Pierce, however, pledged before practice to be available for Sunday.

The Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn't offer an update on the status of rookie running back Bernard Pierce on Monday. Pierce has been bothered by a knee injury, aggravating it against the Broncos and not finishing the game. He rushed for only 14 yards on five carries. "He seems like he is feeling good," Harbaugh said. "He was in good spirits. He had a big smile on his face. He had a nice big lunch. He seemed like he was happy. I think his son slept the whole night last night, so he was happy."

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Browns running back Trent Richardson has not met new coach Rob Chudzinski and he as no idea what type of scheme he will run on offense. Richardson said he has only a handful of ideas when it comes to the new coach. "I like what [Chudzinski] did with (Carolina QB) Cam (Newton)," Richardson said. "He got those boys to ball. Cam was successful in [Chudzinski's] offense. He's an offense guy, and that's another good thing." Richardson also addressed his health after suffering a rib injury that slowed him this season. "I'm just looking forward to getting back and working out for real," Richardson said. "Because of my injury, I haven't been able to lift hard with my upper body for 12 weeks. I'm ready to get back at it."