NFL Player News

The Jaguars announced that tight end Clay Harbor (calf), running back Storm Johnson (ankle) and offensive tackle Austin Pasztor (hand) didn't participate in practice Monday.

In addition, wide receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring), kicker Josh Scobee (quad), offensive tackle Josh Wells (shoulder), punter Bryan Anger (groin), guard Zane Beadles (calf) and defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (shoudler) were limited participants in practice.

Vikings wide receive Cordarrelle Patterson became a must-watch player whenever the Vikings had the ball last December. In five December games, the rookie scored six touchdowns, three through the air and three on the ground. Four of those scores came from at least 33 yards out, including all three as a rusher. He also delivered a 79-yard touchdown reception against the Ravens. The second-year player picked up where he left off in August, grabbing a 53-yard touchdown in Week 3 during the team's dress rehearsal for the regular season.

If this were 2013, he'd be a virtual lock to carve up the Rams defense Sunday. St. Louis had the worst performance against No. 1 receivers in the league, per Football Outsiders, surrendering 97.7 yards per game against them. They took measures to correct that weakness, jettisoning top cornerback Cortland Finnegan and defensive coordinator Tim Walton. Patterson may have a little more difficulty this season against Gregg Williams' defense and presumably Janoris Jenkins at cornerback.

Patterson wasn't a high-volume player in his rookie season, topping five catches only once while chipping in a couple rushes per game near the end of the season. All Fantasy owners should be starting him in Week 1 hoping he breaks a carry or reception for a long touchdown.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman participated in individual drills Wednesday as he "inched toward availability" for Sunday night's game against the Colts, reports the Denver Post. Hillman was sidelined last Thursday by an undisclosed medical issue.

If available, Hillman will spell starter Montee Ball.

Andre Ellington took umbrage at the view circulating last season that he could not be a team's primary running back.The Cardinals agree it's a silly notion; they plan to give Ellington 18-22 touches per game, according to the team's website.

Ellington's debut as a feature back comes Monday night against the Chargers.

"I am very confident," said Ellington, who at 5-9, 203 pounds says he's stronger than last year. "Last year I wasn't aware of what my role would be on the team. Now I have got kind of an idea. I am approaching the year a lot differently."

Ellington will get the ball on handoffs, tosses, and swing passes. He'll operate out of the slot and line up wide, the website said. "It's fun creating things with a player like him," coach Bruce Arians said.

Arians saw enough last season to know Ellington is special. He averaged an NFL-high 5.5 yards per carry, broke off eight runs of 20-plus yards and averaged 9.5 yards on his 39 receptions.

In Week 1, Ellington faces a middle-of-the-pack run defense. Start him as an RB1.

Even though he opens the season as the starter with Ray Rice suspended, Fantasy owners aren't exactly thrilled about the prospects of starting Bernard Pierce in Week 1. With a tough matchup on the way against the Bengals, it doesn't seem like Pierce is likely to make anyone regret overlooking him this Sunday.

The Bengals allowed just 13.8 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs last season, and Pierce was basically invisible in two matchups against them. Pierce had just seven Fantasy points over those two games, while racking up a total of just 89 yards on the ground and in the air.

The good news for Pierce is he did put together a solid performance in his lone career start last season, logging 12 Fantasy points while scoring one of his two touchdowns a year ago. However, the matchup against a tough Bengals defense that allowed just six touchdowns to running backs a year ago could lead to a long day for him and his Fantasy owners this Sunday.

Pierce falls just inside the top-30 among running backs in our expert rankings for Week 1, and should be considered more of a low-end Fantasy starter. 

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said running back Christine Michael will be held out of Thursday's season opener against the Packers due to a hamstring injury.

Patriots running back Shane Vereen was limited to just eight games a year ago, but he enters Week 1 against the Dolphins healthy, looking to make up for a lackluster showing against the divisional rivals a year ago.

Vereen was almost a non-factor in Miami's 24-20 win over the Patriots in Week 15 last season, as he caught just three passes for 8 yards while rushing twice for 13. That was a disappointing showing against a middle-of-the-road defensive unit, but Vereen has actually struggling to find much room to operate against the Dolphins in his career, racking up just 65 yards through the ground and 8 yards through the air in three career games.

The Dolphins allowed just two touchdowns through the air to opposing running backs a year ago, and only one touchdown total over the final seven games of the season. History is not on Vereen's side for a big game in Week 1, but he should still get enough looks in the offense to be a solid No. 2 Fantasy option to open the season. 

Browns rookie running back Terrance West averaged 2.7 yards per carry in the preseason because he often tried "hitting the home run by cutting outside, instead of keeping the pile moving forward four yards at a time," according to the team's website. Coach Mike Pettine recently sat down with West to talk about the rookie "taking the next step" and competing for time as the third-down back.

"We're pleased with where Terrance is, but it's something ... he just needs to continue to get better," Pettine said. "Some guys kind of say, 'OK, I made it, I'm on the roster,' but to me they need to accelerate, not decelerate."

West began training camp competing with Ben Tate, but Tate won the starting job hands down.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews played 16 games for the first time in his career last season. He rushed for a career-high 1,255 yards, scored seven total touchdowns, and finished as the No. 12 Fantasy running back.

Mathews opens the season Monday night against Arizona, the league's stingiest run defense last year. The Cardinals allowed an NFL-low 84.4 rushing yards per game while giving up 3.7 yards per carry (tied for second). But their defense is not quite as tough now due to injuries, defections and linebacker Daryl Washington's suspension.

The bigger concern for Mathews is San Diego's three-headed backfield monster. When running backs coach Ollie Wilson was asked about the team signing Donald Brown to join Mathews and Danny Woodhead, he said, "There is no such thing as a featured back any more."

Mathews still will get most of the early-down work and goal-line carries. Consider him a low-end RB2 in Week 1.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce passed the NFL's concussion protocol and practiced Tuesday as the team began preparations for Week 1 against the Bengals, reports the Baltimore Sun. Pierce suffered the concussion in the third preseason game.

With Ray Rice suspended, Pierce will start Sunday.