NFL Player News

It is expected that running back Chris Johnson will be released from the Titans on Friday. And once he is, three teams expected to be in the race to sign him are the Cowboys, Jets and Giants according to NFL Network. 

Johnson has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his six NFL seasons but has been underwhelming for the past three years, totaling 16 rushing touchdowns and an average of 70.1 yards per game on the ground over that span. His receiving numbers have improved over those three years as he's put up 20.7 receiving yards per game with four receiving touchdowns last year. Johnson has 1,742 career regular-season carries and turns 29 in late September.

Although the Jets are widely seen as Chris Johnson's next team, they "are in a cost-conscious mode" and won't spend "a ridiculous amount of money" on a running back who turns 29 in September, reports ESPN.com. The Titans are expected to release Johnson by this weekend.

The Jets are in the market for a back to complement Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, and they need a home run hitter like Johnson, the report said. New York showed interest in Donald Brown and Maurice Jones-Drew before they signed elsewhere.

Joel Segal, the agent for running back Chris Johnson, told SiriusXM NFL Radio Tuesday evening that his client will not be back with the Titans. 

"I had some communication with Titans management and I think it's a matter of time before Chris won't be with the Titans. I don't know when," Segal said, not speculating on whether he'll be traded or released. 

Many reports suggest it's just a matter of days before the Titans part ways with Johnson. Teams like the Jets and Falcons have been linked to him, though the Falcons have denied it. 

Johnson averaged a career-worst 3.9 yards per carry last season but totaled 10 touchdowns. 

The Titans are expected to release running back Chris Johnson this week, and when they do, "look for the Jets to pounce," reports CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. La Canfora calls the Jets "a strong fit" for Johnson, whose speed would complement Chris Ivory's power in the backfield.

New Chargers running back Donald Brown will see five to 10 touches per game and serve as insurance in case Ryan Mathews gets hurt, according to a projection by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The paper noted Brown played 16 games for the first time last season.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas is in danger of not making the team, reports the Miami Herald. Miami just signed Knowshon Moreno to pair with Lamar Miller, and the team plans on drafting a running back too, the report said.

Thomas was drafted by former general manager Jeff Ireland. Under the new regime, "Thomas is going to have an interesting time making the team in training camp with his primary advocate gone," the report said.

Thomas has averaged 3.6 yards per carry in his three seasons.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin, who tore his labrum in Week 7 and underwent surgery, tweeted that he's been medically cleared. New coach Lovie Smith says he'll "lean on" Martin as his lead back in 2014.

New Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith plans to lean on running back Doug Martin this season, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Martin is expected to be 100 percent recovered from last year's shoulder injury.

"We're going to lean on one guy, but I like the rotation," Smith said of Martin, Mike James and Bobby Rainey. "I think you have to have a bell cow. He's ours. At the running back position, there are enough reps to go along. We want three guys we feel comfortable with. Two will play, but it's not a rotation that where every series we're going to have a different guy in there."

While the Tennessean speculated the Titans' Chris Johnson would end up in Atlanta, a source told Pro Football Talk the Falcons have no interest in the 28-year-old running back. Tennessee is expected to release Johnson before offseason workouts start April 7, PFT said.

The Tennessean expects Titans running back Chris Johnson, who could be released soon, to end up with the Falcons. In Atlanta Johnson would team with Steven Jackson in a very experienced but declining backfield.

Reports indicate the Jets also might pursue Johnson upon his release. Johnson averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season.