NFL Player News

The Falcons aren't expected to make a play for running back Chris Johnson, reports Fox Sports. Atlanta, which signed two defensive backs Tuesday, had a bigger need in the secondary, the report said.

The Titans released Johnson on Friday.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin, who's working out with his teammates, said he has full range of motion in his surgically-repaired shoulder, according to Pewter Report. Martin called new offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford "an offensive genius" and said he's looking forward to being pushed by fellow backs Mike James and Bobby Rainey.

The Jets "really like" the idea of a backfield featuring running backs Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson, reports the New York Daily News. Ivory would provide the power, Johnson the speed.

Tennessee cut Johnson on Friday, and the Jets are expected to pursue him. No visit, however, has been scheduled.

Ivory led the Jets last season with 833 rushing yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.

Despite a report that Titans coaches didn't like Chris Johnson's laid-back attitude, the Jets have no concerns about the running back's work ethic, reports the New York Daily News. Johnson officially became a free agent at 4 p.m. ET, with the Jets expected to be one of his primary suitors.

Tennessee released Johnson on Friday.

Running back Chris Johnson has become "more of a singles hitter, but that doesn't mean he can't help a team in need at running back -- if the price is right (two-year deal for $6 million maybe?)," reports CBS Sports Senior NFL Columnist Pete Prisco.

After watching tape of Johnson with the Titans last season, Prisco concluded Johnson's "acceleration isn't what it used to be." His longest runs were 30, 24 and 23 yards. Still, Prisco noted Johnson has gone over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his six seasons and "at 28 he has good football left in his body."

Cut last Friday, Johnson is expected to sign with a new team this week.

All signs point to Colts running back Vick Ballard being ready for training camp, reports ESPN.com. Ballard tore his ACL in Week 2 last season, making a cut in practice.

The website says Ballard won't necessarily be the No. 3 back behind Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw, noting Richardson flopped last year and Bradshaw (neck) needs to prove he can stay healthy.

Ballard ran for 814 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2012.

Former Titans running back Chris Johnson didn't have a bad attitude and rarely missed practice. But at times, "Johnson rubbed team officials wrong because of what they felt was a questionable work ethic and laid-back approach," reports The Tennessean. "Let's put it this way: he wasn't the first guy in the meeting room. The team is trying to create a different culture."

Tennessee released Johnson on Friday. Reports indicate he'll sign with another team this week.

If the Jets sign running back Chris Johnson, they'd have five veteran running backs and the most expendable would be Mike Goodson, reports ESPN.com. Goodson is recovering from ACL surgery and dealing with legal issues, the report noted.

Cutting Goodson would save the Jets $720,000.

Running back Chris Johnson, who was cut by the Titans on Friday, is expected to pick his next team by the middle of this week, reports Pro Football Talk. The report said it's unclear where he will sign but mentions the Jets as having "the strongest link."

There hasn't been a ton of interest in Johnson, so the 28-year-old might be forced to take a one-year deal "that allows him to get back to the open market on the first day of 2015 free agency," PFT said.

The Rams are not expected to pursue running back Chris Johnson, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

With Johnson's former coach, Jeff Fisher, now in charge of the Rams, there was some thought Johnson might want to reunite. It's not "impossible" the two sides come together on a deal, but the Rams haven't shown much interest in Johnson thus far. The team is also concerned about how much money Johnson will commmand on the open market. While it will be less than he was set to make with the Titans, the Rams don't want to pay too much for a running back who will split time with Zac Stacy.