NFL Player News

Cardinals running back Ryan Williams continues to miss practice with a knee injury. Per the official team website, Williams needs rest after irritating the "fatty pad" under the patella tendon. 

Rams coach Jeff Fisher told NFL.com that the team's run game could depend on more than one player. The Rams could be "playing two or three backs all the time. Which is good."

Daryl Richardson is believed to be in the lead for work with the Rams and almost assuredly will take the passing downs role. Zac Stacy and Isaiah Pead figure to compete for the rushing downs role. Stacy could hold an edge with a solid camp and preseason along with a nice effort Week 1 against the Cardinals (Pead is suspended for that game). 

The Titans had running back Chris Johnson back at practice Friday after taking Thursday off, TitansInsider.com reports. Johnson had been dealing with some ankle soreness but the injury wasn't considered significant. 

Patriots running back Shane Vereen could emerge as an X-factor on offense for the Patriots this season, reports the Boston Herald.

Even though Vereen had just eight catches last year, the report says quarterback Tom Brady has used Vereen "as he would have Kevin Faulk or [Danny] Woodhead in the past." Vereen has become Brady's outlet option.

The report calls Vereen "one of Brady’s safety valves during passing situations."

After it was believed Cardinals running back Ryan Williams would be at practice Thursday, the official team website reported he sat out. Williams is dealing with some knee issues.

He's expected to battle for playing time with Rashard Mendenhall, among others, in training camp. 

Titans running back Chris Johnson told TitansInsider.com he rolled his ankle on Wednesday and will miss practice. Coach Mike Munchak referred to the injury as ankle "soreness."

Johnson said his ankle was swollen and was told to take Thursday off. He expects to play against the Redskins on Aug. 8. 

Patriots running back Brandon Bolden was back at practice Thursday, reports ESPN. 

Bolden had been absent from practice since Monday for unknown reasons. Bolden did battle an ankle injury this offseason.

Bolden is competing for backup rushing duties behind Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.

Redskins running back Roy Helu "seems to have the edge" in the competition for No. 2 back this season, reports the Washington Post.

The report says the Redskins have used him in a variety of ways – standard run plays, option pitches and as a receiver out of the backfield – to take advantage of his speed and catching ability.

Helu could open the season playing behind Alfred Morris.

Vikings rookie receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has practiced mostly with the second-team offense in training camp thus far. The Vikings have used Greg Jennings and Jerome Simpson as outside receivers and Jarius Wright as the slot man. 

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune noticed this and added that it's merely a matter of time before Patterson is elevated to the first unit. 

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman has "his arm wrapped tightly around the starting running back spot," reports the Denver Post, but it remains an open competition for playing time with Montee Ball and Knowshon Moreno.

The report says that "eventually, Ball is to be the featured back." The Broncos hope he develops into a 15- to 20-carry back in the NFL.

"How it moves forward — we don't know enough about Montee Ball yet," coach John Fox said. "We know what style he has. I've been very impressed with his football character. And you do find out pretty fast at that position."

Whoever plays the most this season could depend on pass protection for quarterback Peyton Manning.

"Honestly, it's 60 percent pass protection, 40 percent running the ball," Ball said. "In the NFL, it's no secret: It's a passing league. And on this team, when you have a great quarterback like we have, you've got to protect him."

Moreno is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery that sidelined him through most of the offseason. He might be third on the depth chart, but the report said he'll also get his share of reps, even as soon as Week 1 against the Ravens.