NFL Player News

Running back Ryan Williams has missed four more days of practice than expected with a right knee injury, and Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the absences are costing Williams.

“It’s hurting him extremely not to be on the field competing for the job, because those other guys are doing so well,” Arians told the Arizona Republic, referring to Alfonso Smith and rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington.

Projected starter Rashard Mendenhall also has missed practice lately with knee tendinitis, but his status does not appear in any jeopardy.

Running back Shane Vereen "is going to get a lot of touches from the look of things" in Patriots camp, reports SI.com's Peter King. Vereen should be a big factor in the passing game due to all the personnel changes in New England.

Vereen caught five balls for 83 yards and two touchdowns in the Pats' playoff win over Houston.

The Redskins released their first depth chart Monday, and Roy Helu was the No. 2 running back behind Alfred Morris, reports the Washington Post.

The depth chart reads Morris, Helu, Evan Royster, Keiland Williams and Chris Thompson as the Top 5 running backs. Helu has earned plenty of praise so far in training camp in his comeback from an injury-filled 2012.

Some within the Rams organization are concerned about running back Isaiah Pead's pass protection, reports CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora. "There is still much debate about whether or not he can get it together at this level," La Canfora wrote.

Fellow second-year back Daryl Richardson could benefit from concerns about Pead.

The report adds that rookie Zac Stacy "looks like a good fit in a lot of the one-back stuff [offensive coordinator Brian] Schottenheimer wants to run to spread the field and attack defenses." Stacy "has explosion and could be a sleeper who emerges as a rookie."

Raiders rookie running back Latavius Murray is missed the past week of work with an undisclosed injury according to Comcast Sportsnet. Fellow backup Rashad Jennings has taken the second-team reps in his place. Darren McFadden remains the Raiders' starter. 

Murray's current injury isn't known but in June minicamps he hurt his foot. 

The " data-canon="San Francisco 49ers" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> look at running back <player idref= "as a trusted agent back there to field punts and kickoffs," coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. James will get a chance to earn the return specialist job starting Thursday in the preseason opener against Denver.

Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas carried four times for five yards against the Cowboys. Only two of his snaps came with the first-team offense.

In advance of Thursday's preseason game at San Francisco, the Broncos released a depth chart showing Ronnie Hillman as the starter at tailback. Rookie Montee Ball is No. 2, followed by Knowshon Moreno.

Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall joined teammate Ryan Williams on the injury list Saturday when he was held out of practice with knee tendinitis according to the Arizona Republic. Coach Bruce Arians doesn't consider the issue serious and says Mendenhall will be back Monday. 

Of course, Arians said last week he expected Williams in action soon and he's on crutches. A knee issue that required a doctor's visit has kept him out of action. He's unlikely to play in the Cardinals' first preseason game.

Rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington along with veteran Alfonso Smith are taking reps in their place. 

Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase told reporters this week that running back Ronnie Hillman has remained impressive in training camp. Hillman is battling rookie Montee Ball and veteran Knowshon Moreno for playing time this season and thus far has fended them off. 

"He has done a good job," Gase said. "The last two days he has been very impressive and has had very minimal mistakes. ... It is good to see him really develop. With the limited playing time he got last year, and now it is increased more, every day is a huge improvement for him."