NFL Player News

Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder said Jerome Simpson's play at the beginning of the season is the reason rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson hasn't had many opportunities. Though, coach Leslie Frazier said earlier in the week the team is trying to rectify Patterson's absence in the passing game.

"He’s great with the ball in his hands," Ponder said of Patterson. "The problem is he’s behind a guy who is number four in the league in average yards per catch. Jerome (Simpson) is playing at an extremely high level, but we do want to continue to get Cordarrelle involved. He’s made plays for us and we’re going to keep getting him out there and put the ball in his hands. We see what he did in the return game and a couple of the screens that he has. He’s a great player."

Rams running back Isaiah Pead and Benny Cunningham earned more reps in practice Wednesday with starter Daryl Richardson sidelined by a lingering foot injury. With Rams coach Jeff Fisher expecting Richardson back at practice Thursday, Pead said you can't look too much into Wednesday's workload.

"Can’t worry about coaches’ decisions. I just have to focus on the next day’s practice and on doing what I need to do to get better," Pead said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Cunningham had similar sentiments.

"I don’t feel (Richardson) not practicing will change my approach at all," he said. "I just feel like no matter who’s practicing, I have to prepare myself as if I’m a starter. That way, when my number is called, I’m ready because I’ve prepared myself for the opportunity."

If you're in a desperate situation at running back for Week 3 -- and I mean desperate -- then the Browns might have some options for you heading into their matchup at Minnesota.

Cleveland traded running back Trent Richardson to the Colts on Wednesday for a first-round pick. They are expected to sign Willis McGahee, but he likely won't be ready for the matchup against the Vikings.

With Richardson gone, the only other running backs on the roster are Chris Ogbonnaya and Bobby Rainey. Ogbonnaya would likely start and share carries with Rainey.

So far this season, Ogbonnaya has no carries and three catches for 34 yards. He was a reserve in 2012 with eight carries for 30 yards and 24 catches for 187 yards. But in 2011, Ogbonnaya started four games and finished the season with 73 carries for 334 yards and a touchdown and 23 catches for 165 yards.

Rainey has yet to touch the ball this year or in the NFL.

The matchup at Minnesota is tough, and Cleveland also has a new quarterback in Brian Hoyer for the injured Brandon Weeden (thumb). We'd avoid this backfield if possible, but in deep leagues for a desperate owner, give Ogbonnaya a look over Rainey if needed.

The Browns made a shocking move Wednesday when they traded running back Trent Richardson to the Colts for a first-round pick. We hope this will jumpstart Richardson's Fantasy value after a slow start.

Through two games, Richardson has struggled with just 31 carries for 105 yards and seven catches for 51 yards. He loses the Norv Turner system, which has been great for running backs over time like Emmitt Smith, Ricky Williams and LaDainian Tomlinson, but he goes to a better offense with more talent.

The Colts will likely split playing time with Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw early on, but they didn't make this move to keep Richardson in a timeshare. He'll be the featured back, and he should be a must-start option in all leagues.

For Week 3, be cautious with Richardson since he might not play at San Francisco. Coming to a new team during the week, especially a road trip, doesn't give him much time to prepare. And if he does play his snaps could be limited. 

But moving forward we could see Richardson playing at a high level, and hopefully this is motivation for him to have a big season.

The Colts pulled off a major trade Wednesday, acquiring former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson from the Browns in exchange for their 2014 first-round pick. 

Richardson has 1,055 yards on 298 carries through his first 17 career games, with 11 total touchdowns. 

The Browns also announce they will be bringing in free-agent running back Willis McGahee for a physical, with the expectation of signing him this week. 

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is having a fine season, despite Tampa Bay starting off at 0-2 with the prospects of facing a well-rested Patriots team on Sunday of Week 3.

Martin ran for just 65 yards Week 1 but scored his first touchdown. He didn't score last week against the Saints, but averaged 5.0 yards per carry on his way to 144 rushing yards.

He should have a chance for a solid performance Week 3 against New England. He's never squared off against the Patriots in his career, but New England has given up an average of over 100 yards per game on the ground thus far this year. No back has individually topped 100 yards against them, but they have played the Jets and Bills, two teams that share carries more than the Bucs have with Martin.

He's been the best and most consistent offensive weapon that Tampa Bay has to offer. Martin should remain active in all Fantasy leagues as a No. 1 RB for Week 3.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson, who was limited last week, had his injured foot in a boot Wednesday, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Richardson, who played Week 2, did not practice Wednesday as the team prepares for Week 3 at Dallas.

Titans running back Chris Johnson has a good history against his Week 3 opponent -- San Diego. Johnson is averaging 72.7 rushing yards, 5.0 yards per carry and has two rushing touchdowns in three career games against San Diego.

The Chargers have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher in 2013, but running backs are averaging 89 rushing yards, 77.5 receiving yards and 15 Fantasy points per week against San Diego. Running backs are also averaging 4.3 yards per carry, but they have yet to score a touchdown against the Chargers.

Johnson has just one 100-yard game in his last eight appearances dating back to last season. He has just two rushing touchdowns in that span. Johnson is no longer the elite Fantasy running back he once was, but he's averaged 25 carries through the first two games, so he's still a valuable asset. Johnson remains a viable Fantasy start in all formats Week 3.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington showed his ability to impact the offense with a 36-yard touchdown reception Week 2 against Lions and actually ended up being the team's leading receiver with 42 yards on two catches. But unless something happens to starter Rashard Mendenhall, he'll need to break another long one to factor in Fantasy at New Orleans in Week 3.

The Saints have struggled against the run this season. They rank 27th, allowing 124.0 yards per game, and just gave up 144 rushing yards to Buccaneers running back Doug Martin last week. But Ellington had only four carries to Mendenhall's 15 against the Lions last week and had only the two targets in the passing game. Getting him the ball clearly isn't a priority for the Cardinals.

Ellington has emerged as the obvious handcuff option for Mendenhall, but you wouldn't want to start him against the Saints.

Panthers rookie running back Kenjon Barner, who had set a goal of playing this week, was unable to practice Wednesday as he continues to deal with a foot injury, reports the Charlotte Observer.