NFL Player News

Rookie running back Terrance West is getting first-team reps during team drills and should "play a major role for the Browns offensively," reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "West has shown power through the first level and quickness when eluding defenders."

Free-agent acquisition Ben Tate participated in individual drills the first two days of minicamp; it was unclear why he missed team drills. The paper noted Tate played through four cracked ribs last season, so it could be a maintenance issue. With Tate watching, Chris Ogbonnaya also took some first-team reps.

Browns running back Terrance West signed his rookie contract this afternoon, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

West received a four-year contract worth $2.796 million. The Browns traded up to draft West in the third round (No. 94 overall). The rookie from Division II Towson University is expected to compete with Ben Tate for the starting job.

West believes he's an ideal fit to run behind the zone-blocking scheme used heavily by new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan because of his one-cut rushing style.

"That's where I get my money at," West said. "I was doing that at Towson. I'm pretty good and confident in what we're doing. It's instinct. That's how I run — one cut and downfield."

Even though the Buccaneers plan to use multiple running backs this season, Doug Martin is still the primary option according to coach Lovie Smith, reports the Tampa Bay Times.

"What I've said is I like Doug a lot. Doug's a good football player," Smith said. "Everywhere I've ever been, if you look at my history, our history, we've played more than one running back. ... One running back just can't make it through the season."

In nine seasons in Chicago as the Bears coach, Smith's leading rusher started all 16 games four times, averaging 14.5 starts. Smith's leading rusher each year accounted for 60.4 percent of his team's total rushing yards in Chicago, averaging 1,055 yards per season.

That statistic comes in contrast to what Martin has known in his short Bucs career -- as a rookie in 2012, he rushed for 1,454 yards, or 79.2 percent of the Bucs' team total; in five games in 2013 before his shoulder injury, he rushed for 82.5 percent of the team's total rushing yards.

Smith dismissed talk of a lesser role for Martin on Tuesday as "chatter," maintaining that he'll still have a central role for the Bucs, even if it's part of a group effort from the running backs.

The Vikings on Tuesday signed rookie third-round pick Jerick McKinnon, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

McKinnon, a running back from Georgia Southern taken with the No. 96 overall selection, is expected to be utilized as a third-down back and compete with Matt Asiata to be Adrian Peterson's primary backup. McKinnon was in line to receive a signing bonus of $515,000 and a total deal worth about $2.75 million over four years.

"I think we're going to find some things for him to do," coach Mike Zimmer said during organized team activities last week. "He's short in stature, but he's got big legs and a big rear end. He's got explosiveness, so I think we'll find some things for him to do."

Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who raised eyebrows by saying the team planned a committee approach at running back, backtracked from that comment. According to the Everett Herald, Bevell said he meant he'd use a committee approach during OTAs, not the season.

Marshawn Lynch still should see the bulk of the carries, but the explosive Christine Michael is headed for a bigger role. Robert Turbin will see some work on passing downs.

Even though Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell recently said the team plans to use a "running back by committee" with Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael and Robert Turbin, there is still one leader in the backfield.

And that's Lynch, reports the Seattle Times.

The report says there may be a committee this season, but "expect Lynch to be the Chairman of the Board." Michael will likely be second, and Turbin will be third and play on passing downs.

Chiefs running back Knile Davis is making a good impression on his coaches this offseason.

Running back coach Eric Bieniemy likes what he sees so far from Jamaal Charles' backup.

"First and foremost, Knile has taken a tremendous jump mentally," Bieniemy said. "The beauty of it is last year was his first time going through it. Now he's been through it. Now we're just rehearsing everything, and we're going over the things we made mistakes on. He has a better awareness of what's going on with the game. Obviously he comes out here every day and he works his tail off. The beauty of it is he's learning how to become a professional. He's gaining a better understanding of awareness, of what it takes to be a professional, what it takes to see a blitz coming, how to apply the proper technique when pressure is coming. So he's doing a great job so far."

Speaking during a team Town Hall event, Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Wednesday that he intends to not lean on one running back like Marshawn Lynch but rather utilize a number of them in 2014. Carroll added that the team wants to remain focused on the run. 

"We are going to be running back by committee," Bevell said according to ESPN. "We really like what Christine Michael is doing right now."

Michael is the Seahawks' second-year running back who averaged 4.4 yards per carry in very minimal play last season but came into the league with high accolades (and an injury) from his days at Texas A&M. He's been impressive in OTA workouts while Lynch has skipped the voluntary practices.

"We want to run the football whenever we want to," Carroll said per the Seattle Times. "We are an absolutely committed running football team."

The Broncos are going with Montee Ball as the starting running back this season, but the No. 2 job behind him is wide open.

The battle will likely come down to C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman, and Anderson is pushing Hillman for the job, reports the Denver Post.

The report says "Anderson is a serious threat" to be No. 2 behind Ball even though Hillman still has the inside track.

Seahawks running back Christine Michael is making a strong impression during OTA workouts, reports ESPN.

The report says Michael is getting plenty of reps since Marshawn Lynch has elected to skip OTAs so far, and Michael is making the most of it. Coach Pete Carroll has walked up to Michael a few times after his runs to give him high fives and let him know how much he appreciates what Michael is doing in practice.

Michael is expected to be No. 2 on the depth chart behind Lynch this season.