NFL Player News

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman joked with reporters after Monday's game against the Raiders he won the right to score a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter after beating fellow running backs Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball in a game of "rock, paper, scissors." On Tuesday, coach John Fox dispelled the notion that was the reason Hillman got the carry.

"That’s just little stuff that people like to get on TV and have something to talk about," Fox said Tuesday, per The Denver Post. "Ronnie Hillman was going back in the game. That was just a little way to have fun, I guess. That wasn’t official. Ronnie was running the ball. We decide that, not them."

Buccaneers running backs Doug Martin has thus far avoided the dreaded sophomore slump, averaging 99 rushing yards per game, which is better than the 90.9 rushing yards per game he averaged as a rookie in 2012. His 297 rushing yards only trails that of Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy, who leads the NFL with 395 rushing yards.

Martin will look to keep the momentum rolling into Week 4 vs. Arizona. Though, it won't be easy since the Cardinals have done well against the run in 2013.

Running backs are averaging just 68.7 rushing yards and 3.7 yards per carry against Arizona. Running backs have also yet to score against the Cardinals and average 12 Fantasy points per week, which is the seventh-lowest average in the league.

Fantasy owners have been very happy to see Martin continue to have success early in the season despite an inefficient passing game not being a real threat to opposing defenses. Even with a less-than-favorable matchup on paper Week 4, Fantasy owners should keep Martin active in all formats.

Thrown into the fire just a few days after being acquired from the Browns in a shocking midseason trade, Colts running back Trent Richardson had a lackluster performance Week 3 at San Francisco, picking up 35 yards on 13 carries. But overall, the Colts liked what they saw, according to the Indianapolis Star.

"You can see Trent with his lateral movement, his explosion, his always going forward," owner Jim Irsay said. "What we're looking for is what we saw [Sunday]."

Maybe Irsay liked the potential Richardson showed, but Fantasy owners are still waiting around for the production. The good news is they're likely to get it Week 4 at Jacksonville. The Jaguars rank dead last against the run, allowing 167.7 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry.

Richardson still figures to split touches with Ahmad Bradshaw, who actually led the Colts with 95 yards on 19 carries last week, but the favorable matchup in a week he'll have a reasonable amount of time to prepare could lead to a breakout for Richardson. Jamey Eisenberg actually ranks him third among running backs this week.

The Colts waived wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers and running back Kerwynn Williams Tuesday. Both players were inactive Week 3 against the 49ers.

Active for the first time in Week 3, Patriots running back Brandon Bolden provided an intriguing glimpse of his PPR possibilities. He played 26 snaps, including 21 pass plays, and caught five of six targets for 49 yards.

Combined with three rushes for 51 yards, Bolden accounted for 100 yards and ensured he'll be a hot waiver pickup. Bolden has a chance to establish himself as the passing-down back while Shane Vereen remains sidelined.

New England's Week 4 contest in Atlanta could turn into a shootout, raising Bolden's Fantasy value. If you're in a deep PPR league and need a flex, roll the dice on Bolden this week.

Panthers rookie running back Kenjon Barner, who has not played this season due to a foot injury, returned to practice Tuesday, reports the Charlotte Observer. Barner appears on track to play Week 5 when Carolina returns from its off week.

With Steven Jackson expected to be sidelined again, Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers is expected to start against the Patriots. Rodgers started last week against the Dolphins and ran for a career-high 86 yards on 18 carries.

Rodgers was not as active in the passing game as his Fantasy owners hoped, catching two of three targets for 7 yards. But remember, this is the same sparkplug who caught 53 balls last year. The receptions will come.

Consider Rodgers, who'll split snaps with Jason Snelling, a solid flex option in Week 4.

Ronnie Hillman was the third Broncos’ running back to see the field Monday night, but he turned in the top backfield performance. Entering in the second quarter, Hillman immediately made two positive plays, running for 7 yards and taking a screen pass 12 yards.

Hillman later used his speed to take advantage of the Raiders' playing two deep safeties. Early in the fourth quarter, he ripped off runs of 13 and 19 yards, then punched in a 1-yard touchdown off right tackle. Hillman finished with nine carries for 66 yards (7.3-yard average) and the score.

The rejuvenated Hillman plays the Eagles in Week 4.

Raiders running back Darren McFadden was supremely ineffective on the ground, gaining 9 yards on 12 carries in the loss at Denver. But he threw a scoring pass -- his first NFL passing touchdown -- and scored on a 1-yard run to account for two of Oakland's three touchdowns.

In the third quarter, McFadden took a pitch from Terrelle Pryor, rolled right and threw a 16-yard strike to Marcel Reece in the end zone. It was the second NFL pass attempt for McFadden, who tossed seven touchdowns at Arkansas.

McFadden also found paydirt diving for the pylon with just over a minute left in the game. Counting the passing score, McFadden is up to three touchdowns this season. He'll face the Redskins in Week 4.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who aggravated his foot injury on his first Week 3 snap, was limited in Monday's practice. But he told ESPN.com that he'll be "good to go" for Thursday's game against the 49ers.