NFL Player News

Colts running back Trent Richardson knew he would answer dozens of questions about his disappointing 2013. He proved he was prepared on Wednesday. Richardson told the Indianapolis Star that after reviewing his own film he realized he was "trying to hit the home run" instead of playing patiently.

"When I (missed) the cuts and the holes, I said, 'Dang, how the heck did I miss that?'" Richardson said. "'How in the world did I miss that?' That's second nature. You never miss a cut. You get as much yards as you can get at every opportunity."

Richardson did feel like defenses were ganging up on him, "tacking 10 (defenders) in the box, nine in the box." But he's focused as ever about proving he can still play at a high level. 

"I want everybody to be on the edge of their seats," he said.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin tore his labrum Week 7 and underwent surgery, ending his 2013 season. New coach Lovie Smith said Martin is showing no ill effects.

"Did he have an injury last year? It doesn't look like it right now," Smith told the Tampa Tribune.

Despite averaging 3.0 yards per carry last season, Colts running back Trent Richardson insists his confidence hasn't wavered. “As far as confidence, man, I can’t wait," he said, per Pro Football Talk.

"There’s a lot that I want to do. I’ve been playing football my whole life. I never thought it would become a struggle for me. I look back at it and I say, ‘Hey, you’re still the guy, you’re still the Trent Richardson you’ve always been. Just keep your mindset right.’”

49ers running back LaMichael James was not present for the start of the team's offseason workouts, more evidence he's unhappy with his situation with the team. The Niners have rumored to be interested in trading James. 

Comcast Sportsnet says James is training in Texas, far from the Niners' camp in Northern California. Because he's not with the team James is forfeiting a $50,000 bonus.

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams has apparently been working hard this offseason on regaining his form. Williams didn't play at all in 2013 and was listed as inactive every week after injuries sidelined him in 2011 and most of 2012. 

"3 yrs ago i was told that i wouldnt be able to run like i use to," Williams tweeted. "[M]y squad will tell u, since last summer...i've been runnin better. Blessed!!...To still be doin it like i do it!! In due time...itll show!!"

The Cardinals have spoken highly of Williams this offseason and seem open to giving him a chance to earn a roster spot. 

New Jets running back Chris Johnson could be limited with his offseason work, reports ESPN.

Johnson had arthroscopic surgery this offseason for a torn meniscus and has some arthritis in his right knee. He passed the team physical when he signed with the Jets, but coach Rex Ryan said Monday that Johnson will be among several players limited in the offseason program.

When he does get on the field, several of his teammates are excited to see what he can do.

"The first thing that comes to mind is speed and home-run hitter," quarterback Geno Smith said. "I don't know how many times he's broken runs for 50, 60 yards, but it seems like he does almost every week. He brings another explosive dimension into our running-back room."

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Monday that second-year running back Knile Davis did not need surgery following the broken fibula he suffered in the playoff loss to the Colts, reports the Kansas City Star.

Reid said Davis is "healed" and "doing everything" at offseason workouts. Davis had 70 carries for 242 yards and four touchdowns and 11 catches for 75 yards as the primary backup to Jamaal Charles last year.

Jets coach Rex Ryan said Monday that new running back Chris Johnson isn't coming into the season with any guarantees about his workload, reports the New York Daily News.

"Nothing was ever promised (like), 'You're going to get X amount of carries,'" Ryan said. "No role determined for really anyone."

Johnson is expected to split playing time with Chris Ivory this season.

Colts running back Trent Richardson spoke openly about his disappointing 2013 season, saying that it took him too long to learn a new playbook and get over leaving Cleveland after Week 2. Richardson also told the official team website that he's planning to do everything within his power to be as prepared as possible for 2014. 

"Y'all will see a big significant difference in the way I play, the speed. I won't have to think about a lot of stuff," Richardson said earlier this offseason. "It's going to be big -- timing with the offensive line, timing with Andrew (Luck), just knowing a lot more with the program, the whole system.

"They haven't seen everything they're going to get out of me yet. A lot of it is going to come next year. A lot of it is going to come in the offseason. I'm going to put in a lot of work, as I've been doing this whole season. This season humbled me. ... This season was a lesson to me."

Colts coach Chuck Pagano has had Richardson's back, says the running back, and the coach stressed back in March that his running back's involvement in the offseason program will be key. 

"It's going to be very, very important for (Richardson) to be here for the offseason program and to dive into this thing full steam ahead, which he will," Pagano said. "He wants to be great. He's got all the talent. He's got all the ability. We would have never done what we did if we didn't believe that deep down in our core. So we look for him to have a great offseason and to have a great 2014 campaign."

The Jets are hoping running back Chris Johnson can do for them what LaDainian Tomlinson did in 2010, reports ESPN.

That season, Tomlinson came from San Diego to New York after he was released. He responded with a team-high 914 yards with six touchdowns on 219 carries and caught 52 passes. He was supposed to be Shonn Greene's backup, but Tomlinson was so impressive that he won the starting job and became an integral part of a team that came within one game of the Super Bowl.

Maybe Johnson, who was let go by the Titans, can do the same thing.

"I can turn the bad things people are saying into a good thing for me, to give me motivation, to keep me hungry and to keep a chip on my shoulder and prove the naysayers wrong," he said Thursday.

Johnson had a disappointing year in 2013 when he averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, but he played 13 games on a torn meniscus and was running behind a suspect offensive line for a team that didn't have its starting quarterback for half the season. The situation in New York should be improved, and hopefully being teamed with Chris Ivory will allow him to play like Tomlinson did in 2010.