NFL Player News

" data-canon="Oakland Raiders" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> rookie running back <player idref= was back at practice Wednesday after missing nearly two weeks with an undisclosed injury, reports the Oakland Tribune.

Broncos rookie running back Montee Ball has shown "better hands in the passing game than some scouts believed he had," reports ESPN.com. Ball caught just 10 balls at Wisconsin last season while carrying 356 times.

While Ball lacks the speed and big-play ability of Ronnie Hillman, the report says Ball has "good vision" and "quick feet" and could be used more in scoring situations due to his size. Ball weighs 214 pounds, about 20 more than Hillman.

"But Ball will have to continue to progress in pass protection to see work in longer-yardage situations," the report concludes.

The Ravens might use Ray Rice as a wide receiver in certain formations, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said. "They love Bernard Pierce," Mortensen said. "There's some thought of shifting Ray Rice out to receiver."

Browns " data-canon="Cleveland Browns" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> running back <player idref= Trent Richardson " data-canon="Trent Richardson" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0"> won't play Thursday against the Rams, reports the Plain Dealer. Richardson hasn't participated in team drills since being kicked in the right shin last Thursday, but coach Rob Chudzinski indicated Richardson could play if it was a regular-season game.

Dion Lewis is expected to start at tailback.

Rams running back Isaiah Pead's career has not gone as hoped, and he received another setback Tuesday, in his battle to emerge from training camp as the team's top running back. 

"I think Daryl [Richardson] comes back as our starter," head coach Jeff Fisher told the team's sideline reporter Tuesday. "He played significantly more last year than anybody, and so Isaiah is working himself up and competing with Daryl."

This is the first time Fisher has really indicated that one player or the other is in the lead, but it does not come as much of a surprise. Richardson entered the offseason with more playing time last season, despite being drafted five rounds after Pead in the 2012 draft. Pead rushed the ball just 10 times as a rookie, finishing with 54 yards.  

Pead has also been suspended for the first game of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, and it looks like he will begin the season as Richardson's understudy. 

The Rams entered training camp with an open competition for the starting running back spot between Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead, and it looks like one has already moved into the lead.

"I think Daryl comes back as our starter," head coach Jeff Fisher told the team's sideline reporter Tuesday. "He played significantly more last year than anybody"

This is the first time Fisher has really indicated that one player or the other is in the lead, but it does not come as much of a surprise. Richardson entered the offseason with more playing time last season, despite being drafted five rounds after Pead in the 2012 draft.

Richardson ran for 475 yards on 98 carries last season, while bringing in 24 catches for 163 yards, and thinks he is ready to take on a bigger role in his second season.

"I'm a good quality back," he said. "I feel I can do it all, be an every down back".

Second-year Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman is playing at around 195 pounds, compared to his 178-pound rookie weight, reports ESPN.com. Hillman bulked up so he could better protect Peyton Manning.

"We all know we have to keep Peyton from getting hit," Hillman said.

Sharing first-team reps with rookie Montee Ball, Hillman is "the most explosive runner the Broncos have, the big-play threat in an offense that wants more big-play runs this time around," the report adds.

Roy Helu is solidifying his status as the Redskins' third-down back, reports ESPN.com. "He’s done a decent job in pass protection and he remains their best receiving threat out of the backfield," the report said.

While the Broncos list running back Ronnie Hillman as the starter, he continues to share first-team reps with rookie Montee Ball, reports the Denver Post.

"I've most definitely seen (the depth chart), but I think that's right, because Ronnie's done a great job this camp," Ball said. "He most definitely deserves it right now, but I'm going to try to take it."

Browns running back Trent Richardson returned to practice Monday after missing a few days with a bruised right shin. While it looks like he'll be fine for the regular season, coach Rob Chudzinski isn't sure if Richardson will play Thursday vs. St. Louis. 

"It was good to have him back out there," he told the media, "but I have not decided anything about Thursday night in regard to Trent. Yes, we want to work him back in, but we are going to be smart with him, just like we've been saying all along."