NFL Player News

Raiders running back Darren McFadden has one major problem: he gets hurt. Often. But McFadden is entering 2013 healthy, and the zone blocking scheme that was rumored to be behind his string of poor performances last year has been scrapped. 

Additionally, McFadden has a history of putting up big numbers in Week 1. Last season, he managed 118 total yards (being a huge boon for PPR owners, with 13 receptions). In 2011, McFadden rushed for 150 yards on 22 carries in Week 1. And in 2010, McFadden had 150 Week 1 total yards with a touchdown. He had 93 total yards in 2009 and managed 57 total yards in his NFL debut in 2008.

Add it all up, and you have a reliable option in McFadden, who has a solid, proven string of Week 1 performances. And the Colts allowed the seventh-most Fantasy points to opposing running backs last season. He may not last the entire season, but if you drafted McFadden, you're probably going to be rewarded by starting him this Sunday against Indianapolis. 

Patriots coach Bill Belichick talked Tuesday about what running back Shane Vereen worked on this offseason.

"Shane has had a good spring and a good camp," Belichick said. "He's been relatively healthy, he's gotten a lot of snaps out there on all three downs, all four downs really – the kicking game and third down and first and second down offensively as well. I think he's continued to grow and develop as a player, both in an understanding and working on it his run reads, his route running technique, blitz pickup, various things in the kicking game. He's continued to improve and I think he's had a good camp here, good preseason. I think he's ready to go in the season. [We'll] see how it all turns out, but I think his preparation has been good."

When asked about the challenges Vereen might face at tight end, Belichick gave no hints he planned to use him in that role.

"One challenge would be size," Belichick said. "He's a good athlete, he's quick, he's fast but I don't really see him as a tight end. I don't know, I think he's really a running back for us."

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson will look to get his season off to a little better start than he did last year when he takes the field Sunday Week 1 at Pittsburgh. Last year against New England on opening day, Johnson managed just 4 yards on 11 carries, though he did catch six passes.

Johnson will have his work cut out for him against the Steelers. While he did have a good game against them Week 6 last year -- 19 carries for 91 yards with four catches for 23 more -- Pittsburgh allowed the fourth-fewest Fantasy points per game to the running back position last season. It should be noted that the last time Johnson played in Pittsburgh, Week 5 of 2011, he rushed for 51 yards with a touchdown.

Johnson has rushed for a combined 28 yards in Week 1 games since going for 142 and two scores Week 1 of 2010 against Oakland. He'll look to get off to a better start against the Steelers and should be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy RB for the game.

The Browns released a new running back depth chart Tuesday, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. The team lists Bobby Rainey as the backup running back to starter Trent Richardson and Dennis Johnson as the third-string running back.

Daryl Richardson's time has come. The second-to-last pick in the 2012 draft, from tiny Abilene Christian, will start for the Rams at tailback in Sunday's opener against Arizona.

"I'm just glad they took the opportunity to have me come up here and show what I can do. You've got to have confidence to believe in yourself," Richardson told the Associated Press. "If you believe, you can achieve anything."

Richardson showed terrific burst spelling Steven Jackson last season, averaging 4.8 yards on 97 carries. In three preseason games he ran nine times for 34 yards and caught four passes for 49 yards.

The Cardinals ranked 23rd in Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs last year. With Isaiah Pead suspended for the opener, Richardson should get the vast majority of carries. He'll be backed up by Zac Stacy, a strong short-yardage runner, and Benny Cunningham. Consider Richardson a strong flex option for Week 1.

Browns running back Trent Richardson is focused on a strong start to the season Week 1 against the Dolphins.

"You really want to set the tone," Richardson said, per the Beacon Journal. "I know people say it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. You still want to get off to a good start. You still want to win that season opener. You still want to go in and get guys’ confidence up and have high hopes for the whole season. It is very important to win this game."

Richardson said he expects to run outside the tackles more in 2013.

"It came time where they’d just run me on the inside," Richardson said of his rookie season. "It was like, ‘Can I get an outside zone play? Can I get a mid-zone play? Can I get out in space some?’ With that, I’m the type of person that never questions. I just do what I’m told and do what I’m asked, and I just go give it my all whatever it is.

"I know it’s going to be way different this year. So when that time comes to run outside zone, get in space or whatever it is, I’m going to be prepared and in shape and running full speed, 100 mph, whatever I’ve got to go. I’m going to be ready to go downhill."

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams, who dealt with knee problems in the preseason, is back at "full speed," coach Bruce Arians told the team's website. Williams will back up Rashard Mendenhall.

As expected, running back Lamar Miller is listed as the starter for Miami's opener at Cleveland, reports the Miami Herald. Miller, who had been battling plodder Daniel Thomas, apparently won the job with a solid effort in the third preseason game.

The Minnesota VikingsVikings signed seven players to their practice squad: running back Joe Banyard, guard Travis Bond, defensive tackle Everett Dawkins, tight end Chase Ford, offensive tackle Kevin Murphy and wideouts Rodney Smith and Adam Thielen.

Minnesota also claimed former Bears right tackle J'Marcus Webb off waivers and cut offensive lineman <player idref=.

The Bengals placed seven players on their practice squad: offensive tackle Reid Fragel, wideout Cobi Hamilton, running back <player idref=, center T.J. Johnson, cornerbacks Chris Lewis-Harris and Onterio McCalebb and linebacker J.K. Schaffer.