NFL Player News

Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon the St. Paul Pioneer Press earlier this week that he wants to be the top back if Adrian Peterson is not back in Minnesota for the 2015 season.

"If A.P. comes back, there's no doubt he's going to be the starter," McKinnon said. "But it's not going to change my mind-set or how I approach things or how I work. Whatever they do, my mind-set is to come in and be that guy next year.

"There's no doubt in my mind I can last the season," McKinnon said. "If that's something I have to prove, that's not a big deal for me. I'll prove it this year. I'm just really excited to get back out there with my teammates and coaches and show how far I've come since surgery."

McKinnon, 22, underwent back surgery in early December that cut his rookie season short. In 2014, he rushed for 538 yards on 113 attempts through 11 games.

The Vikings signed running back DuJuan Harris to a one-year deal, reports the National Football Post. Harris, 26, spent the past three seasons with the Packers.

He battled knee injuries but played in 19 games, rushing for 211 yards and two touchdowns and catching three passes for 28 yards.

Running back Bernard Pierce was claimed off of waivers by the Jaguars on Thursday, according to the Florida Times-Union. He carries a base salary of $660,000 for 2015.

Pierce was recently waived by the Ravens after he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Wednesday morning. In three seasons with the team he racked up 1,334 yards on 353 carries with five touchdowns.

The Ravens announced they've released running back Bernard Pierce, who was arrested early Wednesday morning and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Pierce, 23, played three seasons for Baltimore, averaging 3.8 yards per carry and rushing for five total touchdowns.

Pierce was the third Ravens player arrested -- and released -- this offseason. According to Baltimore County police, Pierce failed field sobriety tests after getting pulled over for speeding.

The Ravens will enter 2015 with Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro as their top two running backs.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce was arrested early Wednesday morning and charged with driving under the influence, the Baltimore County police told the Baltimore Sun. Pierce was pulled over for speeding just before 2 a.m. and failed field sobriety tests, police said.

"We are aware of the situation and learning more about it. We take these matters seriously," Ravens spokesman Chad Steele told the paper.

The Raiders announced they've signed running back Trent Richardson, who was cut by the Colts last week after two disappointing seasons with the team.

The deal is set to pay Richardson $3.9 million over two years but includes incentives that can raise the deal to $4 million per year, NFL.com reports.

Richardson joins a backfield featuring Latavius Murray, Roy Helu and Marcel Reece. Richardson has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over his career since being drafted No. 3 overall in 2012 by Cleveland.

Richardson scored 12 touchdowns as a rookie but has a total of seven in the past two seasons.

Fullback Ray Agnew has signed with the Cowboys, per the Baltimore Sun. The 24-year-old worked out for the Cowboys on Tuesday.

Agnew, formerly of the Browns, played in 12 games in 2014, starting nine games. The two-year fullback had only two carries for two yards last season. He added three receptions for 15 yards.

Trent Richardson has filed a grievance over his January suspension, according to Pro Football Talk on Friday. Approximately $3.184 million hangs in the balance of Richardson's grievance.

Richardson was cut by the Colts on Thursday after the Colts signed veteran running back Frank Gore when free agency opened on Tuesday. He had an unimpressive two seasons with the Colts that ended in turmoil after he missed a walkthrough before the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. He was suspended from the game as a result.

Richardson rushed for 950 yards his rookie season with the Browns. He has just 1,082 rushing yards since his rookie season.

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Trent Richardson said that he felt disrespected by the way he was used in Indianapolis, and envisions himself as a starter once he signs with a team in free agency.

"Me and the GM didn't see eye to eye," Richardson told Mike Wells of ESPN. "My next step, I'll be the starter. Indy didn't fit me."

Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, was cut by the Colts on Thursday after the Colts signed veteran running back Frank Gore when free agency opened on Tuesday. He rushed for 519 yards and three touchdowns, and lost his starting spot to Dan Herron. He was inactive for Indianapolis' two postseason games and even saw some time working on special teams.

"Special teams, scout teams, I did whatever they asked me despite it being a big slap in the face for me," Richardson said. "I really did whatever they asked me to do.

"Right now, I'm training until whoever wants a running back that runs downhill calls," Richardson said. "Whoever it is, I guarantee you it'll be the last place I play at. I guarantee you that. I'll never be traded unless I want to be traded. Being released will never happen again."

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The Cowboys moved quickly after the departure of DeMarco Murray, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with former Raiders running back Darren McFadden, reports Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Friday. The deal with worth up to $5.85 million with $200,000 in bonus incentives, per Todd Archer of ESPN.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was reportedly tempted to draft McFadden out of Arkansas in 2008, but instead he went to the Raiders at No. 4 in the draft. McFadden, 27, totaled 4,247 yards and 25 rushing touchdowns in his seven-year run with the Raiders. He played in all 16 games for the first time in his career last season, totaling 534 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

He joins fellow running backs Lance Dunbar, Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams in Dallas.

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