NFL Player News

The Buccaneers have given running back Bobby Rainey a $1.54 million tender offer, which gives Tampa Bay the right to match any offer from another team, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

Rainey, who ran for 406 yards on 94 carries in 2014, is not guaranteed to make the roster and could become a free agent if the team voids the deal.

The Jets are showing interest in free-agent running back Roy Helu, the New York Post reports.

Helu spent his first four seasons with the Redskins, who are "probably" out of the running to sign the free agent, ESPN.com reports.

Helu has proven to be an asset in the passing game during his career, and he caught 42 passes for a career-high 477 receiving yards in 2014. He's also averaged 4.4 yards per carry on 255 attempts over four seasons.

Despite their reported agreement with free agent running back Shane Vereen, the Giants are expected to retain running back Rashad Jennings in a crowded backfield with second-year bruiser Andre Williams, reports The Star-Ledger.

Jennings averaged 17.9 touches in the 11 games he played last season, averaging 3.8 yards per carry and rushing for four touchdowns while catching 30 passes for 226 yards. Williams ran for seven scores while averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

It's unclear how the Giants will divide up backfield work. Cutting Jennings after June 1 would save the team $2.25 million against the cap.

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The Giants are expected to sign running back Shane Vereen to a three-year, $12.35 million deal on Tuesday, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. The deal could be worth more than $16 million in total for four years, per the New York Daily News.

Vereen, 26, was a prime target out of the backfield for Tom Brady during his time with the Patriots. He will join a crowded backfield that includes Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams in New York. On his career, the 26-year-old has carried the ball 217 times for 907 yards and seven touchdowns. As a receiver out of the backfield, he has 107 catches for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns.

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The Patriots have shown interest in former Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas, reports the Providence Journal.

Thomas worked out for New England when he was waived mid-season by the Dolphins. Due to injuries, Miami lacked running back depth and soon brought Thomas back for the remainder of the year. He rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries last season.

The Giants are very interested in signing running back Shane Vereen, according to the NY Daily News. The same report states that there is a serious chance of the team signing him.

Vereen, formerly of the Patriots, has shared time in the backfield with mulitple running backs throughout his career. He has eight starts during his time with the Patriots.

On his career, the 26-year-old has carried the ball 217 times for 907 yards and seven touchdowns. As a receiver out of the backfield, he has 107 catches for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Running back Ryan Mathews and the Chargers talked about contract options on Monday, according to the UT San Diego. 

The Chargers traded up to the 12th pick in the first round of the 2010 draft to select Mathews. The two sides have discussed an incentive-laden deal in order to retain his services.

Mathews had a career year in 2013 running for 1,255 yards on 285 carries with 6 touchdowns. Last season he was limited to six games played as he suffered multiple injuries.

The sixth-year running back was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2011.

Restricted free agent running back Matt Asiata will sign a one-year contract to remain with the Vikings, according to a report by Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The deal is believed to be incentive-laden with a salary below $1 million. 

The Giants have their eyes set on a couple of versatile free agent running backs. 

According to NJ.com, the Giants will target Redskins running back Roy Helu and Falcons running back Antone Smith. Both backs are shifty, versatile options out of the backfield that can also make plays int he passing game. 

The Giants' goal is to find a change-of-pace back to compliment both Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams. 

Helu only ran for 216 yards and one touchdown a season ago but caught 42 passes for 477 yards and two touchdowns. Smith never recorded more than six touches in a game this past season but still managed to total 366 combined rushing and receiving yards and five touchdowns. 

Free-agent running back Chris Johnson is recovering at an Orlando hospital after being shot in the arm Saturday night, NFL.com reports.

Johnson has been training in Los Angeles, FOXSports.com reports, but was back home this weekend an riding around with friends when his car took gunfire. One person in the car, the driver, was killed, according to ESPNNewYork.com.

Johnson is stable and expected to be OK following the shooting. No arrests have been made at this time.