NFL Player News

The Broncos are aiming for rookie Montee Ball and second-year rusher Ronnie Hillman to get most of the rushing workload this season, according to the Denver Post. But questions about their ability to pass protect could open the door for veteran Knowshon Moreno to get in some reps on a weekly basis. The newspaper refers to Moreno as an "ideal" third-down back because of his pass protection and his receiving ability. 

Cowboys rookie running back Joseph Randle is looking forward to training camp now that the cast is off his surgically repaired thumb.

"Don't get me wrong, I've been putting in some good work," he said to the Cowboys' official team website. "There's a lot of other things I can be doing, and I can't be concerned with what I can't do right now. I'm getting a lot of great conditioning in."

While he wasn't able to do extensive running back work with his teammates, Randle said the solitary work could benefit him in ways he hasn't seen before.

"I think I'll be coming into the year in the best shape I've ever been in -- physically, and all of that," Randle said. "Learning the playbook, too -- we've been grinding on the plays. Because you won't be on the field anyway if you don't know the plays."

Despite a Monday morning report that claimed Chargers running back Ryan Mathews had been arrested after a fight in a San Diego night club Sunday evening, a San Diego Police Department spokesman told CBSSports.com that Mathews has not been arrested or cited.

"I don't know how that got out there," the spokesman said. "There was an incident, an allegation of a fight. But Mr. Mathews was not contacted by police."

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was reportedly arrested Sunday night following an alleged altercation at a club in San Diego.

The Examiner reports that Mathews "reportedly knocked one male out cold and the individual was taken to UCSD medical hospital" after, witnesses said, "words over a female were exchanged." The Examiner also reports that the San Diego Police Department could not comment at the time of what charges Mathews may face or any further details.

The Union-Tribune San Diego reacted to the report with negative responses from fans, and the ABC TV affiliate in San Diego confirmed with San Diego Fire-Rescue that an assault victim was taken from the location Sunday.

Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman claims he wasn't 100 percent healthy at any point during the regular season as a rookie after hurting his hamstring in training camp last summer.

"I never really recovered but I got healthier than what it was," he told reporters via the official team website. "I'm healthy now, so all I can do is look forward to it now."

Hillman, who has put on some weight this offseason to be more durable, is in a battle for playing time this summer with rookie Montee Ball and veteran Knowshon Moreno. Many expect Hillman to be a significant contributor for the Broncos in 2013. 

Chiefs rookie running back Knile Davis said he feels comfortable heading into training camp after the work he did this offseason.

"It was a learning experience," Davis told the Chiefs' official team website. "I had a good time, trying to learn the offense. I think I've come a long way and now, I'm just trying to get ready for camp."

Davis, who is expected to be the No. 2 running back behind Jamaal Charles, laid out his goals for this season.

"The main thing to me is just learning everything, because when you know what you're doing, the game slows down on its own and you can focus in on what you need to do," he said. "The small part that I do have in the offense, I just want to get that right. I don't want to make any critical mistakes. I just want to do my part and help the team in any way I can this year."

Titans running back Chris Johnson likes what he sees from the upgraded offensive line the team has put in front of him this season, and he feels like he could become the first player in league history to post a pair of 2,000-yard rushing seasons.

The National Football Post reports the Titans signed Andy Levitre, arguably the premier guard in free agency, and drafted Alabama's Chance Warmack in the first round. Levitre has missed some time while he recovers from offseason knee surgery, but is making good progress.

"It looks like, besides (mauling) people at the line of scrimmage," Johnson said, "those guys can get up the field."

Raiders running back Darren McFadden might need a big year in 2013 if he wants to get paid, reports Joel Corry, a former sports agent who writes for CBSSports.com.

McFadden has been unable to reach his potential because he has been plagued by injuries during his five seasons in Oakland. He hasn't played 16 games in any season and has missed 23 games during his NFL career.

McFadden was ineffective last year in the zone blocking scheme implemented by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who was fired after the season. The power blocking scheme under new coordinator Greg Olson could help McFadden return to his 2010 form, when he rushed for 1,157 yards -- his only 1,000-yard rushing season -- and was sixth in the NFL with 1,664 yards from scrimmage.

The Raiders are expected to have more than $50 million of cap room in 2014, so they could carry McFadden's $11.586 million franchise tag number if necessary.

Cowboys rookie running back Joseph Randle said the cast on his injured thumb will be coming off soon, reports FOX Sports.

Randle said the cast would have been off already, but the doctor went on vacation. Randle missed all of the team's offseason workouts with two surgeries on his thumb. 

Randle is competing to be the No. 2 running back in Dallas behind DeMarco Murray.

Seahawks rookie running back Christine Michael is making a good impression, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The report says Michael impressed Seattle's coaching staff despite nursing a sore hamstring early on during OTA workouts and in minicamps. His style fits with the Seahawks -- he is hard-nosed, tough and explosive like current starter Marshawn Lynch.

Michael is expected to challenge Robert Turbin for the No. 2 job behind Lynch this season.