NFL Player News

Raiders top back Darren McFadden missed practice again on Thursday with a hamstring injury. His unavailability for the game Sunday against the Giants becomes more of a possibility with every missed session.

Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton indicated Thursday that running back Trent Richardson could miss time with an ankle injury. Hamilton said in his press conference that the offense will remain intact if Donald Brown must replace Richardson as the featured back. Richardson was sidelined from practice both Wednesday and Thursday.

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews is facing a strong matchup Week 10 against the Broncos.

Denver has struggled against opposing runners, allowing 18.75 Fantasy points per game. Through eight games, the teams has allowed eight rushing touchdowns. The team has given up two receiving touchdowns to running backs, but that was early in the season. The team has done better defending running backs in the passing game since then.

Mathews was just starting to get into a groove before Week 9 knocked him off track. After seeing two straight weeks with 20+ carries, Mathews fell back to just seven carries against Washington. Mathews continues to be the team's primary starter, but there's no guarantee how much work he'll get with Danny Woodhead in town. Mathews has a good matchup, but there's no way to know how much he'll be used.

Colts disappointing featured back Trent Richardson was absent from a second straight practice on Thursday with an ankle sprain, per the Indianapolis Star. His availability for the game Sunday against visiting St. Louis remains unknown.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin still doesn't have a timetable for his shoulder injury.

Martin's injury is said to be improving, but the team still isn't sure whether he'll be able to suit up again this year. Head coach Greg Schiano said that determination will be made in the "upcoming weeks," and that he would inform the media of the decision. Martin has to be cleared by team doctors, but the team also needs to determine whether it's in his best interest to play at that time. Martin said things were getting better, but stressed it was still a day-to-day process. 

Martin has played in six games this season.

Ravens running back Bernard Pierce has scored four Fantasy points over his last three games. He hasn't seen more than six carries since Week 5 and his only two touchdowns this season came in games where Ray Rice was injured. 

With a career-low 2.7 yards-per-carry average (Rice's is way down, too, for what that's worth), Pierce's Fantasy value is limited to a handcuff for Rice, and little more.

He can be left on the bench in most formats. 

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who sat out Week 9 with a foot injury, did not return to practice Wednesday. The Rams are preparing to play the Colts Week 10.

The sophomore season continues to head south for Colts running back Trent Richardson. He was a DNP on Wednesday with an ankle injury. There had been no indication of an injury following his poor performance Sunday in Houston.

Richardson had been inundated with injuries with knee surgery after the 2012 draft and broken ribs as well last season. But he had been healthy this year, which was cause for alarm considering his production had actually weakened. Richardon, who managed just 20 yards rushing in eight carries against the Texans, is averaging just 3.1 YPC in 2013.

Although he sat out practice Wednesday, Buccaneers running back Doug Martin said his left shoulder injury is improving. Martin said will require surgery at some point, but he hasn't ruled out playing again this season.

"Everything is looking good," Martin said, per The Tampa Tribune. "I’m doing everything the trainer’s telling me and it is improving. The pain’s decreasing and the range of motion is increasing."

Bucs coach Greg Schiano said the success of running back Mike James won't have an impact on Martin's potential return to the lineup.

"(James’ success) doesn’t affect our urgency," Schiano said. "It’s about having as many good players you can have on your 46-man game-day roster to help you win. It’s just a matter of dealing with Doug and our trainers and doctors -- is he OK to play and is it in his best interest? What is best for everybody involved?"

Oft-injured Raiders featured back Darren McFadden was a no-go again in practice on Wednesday, per ESPN. McFadden managed just 12 yards on five carries in the win over the Steelers before his removal from the game in the second quarter with the injury.