NFL Player News

The Raiders put rookie running back Latavius Murray (ankle) and cornerback Joselio Hanson (groin) on injured reserve, ending their seasons.

Murray underwent ankle surgery recently. Hanson played in all three preseason games and made an interception last Friday against the Bears.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced Tuesday running back DuJuan Harris will miss the 2013 season because of a knee injury. McCarthy then expressed disappointment about losing Harris since he said he planned to form a "1-2 punch format" with Harris and rookie running back Eddie Lacy.

"He’s a young player I felt would be an important player for us on offense. It’s a tough blow for him. DuJuan was a big part of my individual focus for the season,” McCarthy said, per NFL.com.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced Tuesday running back DuJuan Harris was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

"It's a tough one. He would have been impactful player, but we need to get him healthy," McCarthy said, per the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Monday running back Ryan Williams will get the majority of carries during Thursday's preseason finale against the Broncos. Williams, who missed most of the preseason with a knee injury, said he came out of his preseason debut Saturday against the Chargers unscathed. 

"Since I injured my knee (in 2011), that’s the best I’ve felt on the field," Williams said, per NFL.com. "I wasn’t hesitant to cut off my right leg, I wasn’t hesitant to run up in there or get contact. I was getting hit and I wasn’t thinking about grabbing my knee or protecting my knee. I was thinking about protecting the ball."

Williams is excited to see heavy playing time Thursday.

"To be able to show the world what I can do," Williams said. "We’ll see how that goes."

Browns running back Trent Richardson said Tuesday he weighs about 225 pounds and wants to maintain that weight all season. He said he weighed 237 pounds last season and he feels quicker now he's lost weight.

Richardson is averaging 4.9 yards per carry through two preseason games, totaling 13 carries for 64 yards. His longest carry has gone 17 yards.

Broncos rookie rusher Montee Ball took first-team reps on Monday, a sign that the coaches are going to give him a chance to earn the starting job. That's after second-year back Ronnie Hillman fumbled the ball away for the second time this preseason, right near the goal line against the Rams last week. 

Through 25 carries Ball has 80 yards and a score with 26 yards on three catches and no fumbles. Hillman has 22 carries for 77 yards, three catches for 15 yards and three fumbles (two lost) with no scores. 

I'm not wired into what the Broncos are thinking, but here's an educated guess: If Ball and Hillman are both weak pass protectors and neither one has stood out as a flashy rusher -- see the stats -- then the one who doesn't fumble should have an edge. Ball is deserving of the first-team reps for now and shouldn't lose them until either Hillman cleans up his act or the Broncos tire of Ball whiffing on blocks.

But if Ball's working with the starters it gives him the chance to protect Peyton Manning and thus improve. 

Ball is the back to go with in Denver, that much is now certain. Hillman should still figure in their plans but it might be less work for him than it looked like roughly a month ago. As such, Hillman looks more like a Round 7 through 9 pick while Ball is firmly in the Round 5-6 conversation. 

Broncos coach John Fox warned reporters not to read into the fact that Montee Ball ran with the first team at Monday's practice. Ronnie Hillman, who has fumbled three times in the preseason, is still atop the depth chart at running back.

"It's just practice, I wouldn't read too much into anything," Fox said, via the Denver Post. "We're evaluating everybody regardless of who gets what reps at what number. So, he's a guy that we want to get some touches and we'll go from there."

Broncos rookie running back Montee Ball was promoted to the first-team offense in Monday's practice, likely due to Ronnie Hillman's fumbling problems. Hillman, who's had a fumble returned for a touchdown in two straight games, "was carrying around a football everywhere," reports the Denver Post.

Ball has run 25 times for 80 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games, adding three catches for 26 yards. Hillman has fumbled three times in the preseason.

Dolphins running back Lamar Miller, who ran eight times for 35 yards Saturday against Tampa Bay, says he believes he won the starting job over Daniel Thomas. "I do feel like I won the job," Miller told the Miami Herald.

Thomas gained 3 yards on seven carries, so it's hard to make any kind of case for him.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Monday running back DuJuan Harris is getting a second opinion on his injured knee. McCarthy added he isn't sure about his status for the season opener (Sept. 8) against the 49ers.