NFL Player News

With an estimated 15 pounds of muscle added this offseason, Broncos running back Ronnie Hillman told NFL Network he believes he can handle being the primary rushing option this season ahead of veteran Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball. 

"Of course you hear [criticism]," Hillman said about being too small to handle the amount of reps a starting running back gets. "I'm not going to sit here and say I don't hear what they say, but you just got to let it go. Obviously, getting 22 carries in negative-13 degree weather against the Ravens (in the divisional playoffs), they shouldn't have much else to say about that if they're paying attention."

Hillman noted that he's actually younger than Ball and that the coaches would prefer he slim down 5-10 pounds. Perhaps the weight issue is because the team doesn't want him to trade his explosiveness for his bulk. 

Cowboys rookie Joseph Randle disclosed he actually had two thumb surgeries this offseason, causing him to miss all of the team's offseason workouts. He told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram he'll get the cast off in a week and wear a brace. Randle also said he's put on close to 10 pounds since last year. He's expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Rams running back Daryl Richardson is ready to compete for the starting job with Isaiah Pead and Zac Stacy. “I’m definitely working toward a bigger role," Richardson said. “I’m excited about getting a chance to show the coaching staff what I can do. I definitely feel like I can be the starter, but I guess that’s something that will be decided in training camp. We’re all friends, working to push each other and to make each other better, but we’re also all trying to be that No. 1 guy." Coach Jeff Fisher acknowledged that getting Richardson more involved, whether he starts or not, is a priority. “We have to get the ball to him in the passing game more than we did (in 2012)," Fisher said. “We were spreading it out, but we weren’t necessarily going to the backs as much as we would’ve liked. Any time we can get Daryl the ball in space, it’s going to put added pressure on the other team."

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Packers running back DuJuan Harris has no doubt he'll be participating in the first day of training camp. After having a "grapefruit"-sized, noncancerous cyst removed from his lung, Harris expects to be full go July 26. "I'll be ready," Harris said. "I'll be there." For Harris, the removal was a blessing in disguise. He would've never even known about the cyst if not for the routine check-up and now his breathing may improve without the cyst jammed up against his lungs. Harris enters training camp in competition with Eddie Lacy, Johnathan Franklin, Alex Green and James Starks. By the postseason a year ago, Harris finished as the starter. In six games, Harris rushed for 257 yards on 62 carries with four touchdowns.

With Willis McGahee now gone after being released, the Broncos could start Ronnie Hillman in Week 1 with rookie Montee Ball eventually taking over the starter's role. The Colorado Springs Gazette predicts that Hillman is the starter for the season opener. Ball assumes the position by the end of September, and Knowshon Moreno remains a significant contributor in part because he's the most reliable pass-blocker and protecting quarterback Peyton Manning is priority No. 1.

Referring to himself as an "average back" up to this point in his career, Chargers running back Ryan Mathews admitted to Union-Tribune San Diego that he stressed himself out over trying to play like LaDainian Tomlinson, the guy he replaced when he was taken with a first-round pick in 2010. Since entering the league Mathews has 14 touchdowns, one year with over 1,000 total yards, 10 games missed, seven fumbles lost, one high-ankle sprain, two broken collarbones and some regrets. But Mathews is far from quitting and has even shed some of the weight he put on last year. He's been studying more than he has in the past and working on his blocking technique. And he has a new outlook on this season. "I’m just gonna be myself," he said. "In practice, I’m just trying to focus on what I do. I’m not trying to focus on what would (Tomlinson) do? I’m just gonna go back to like I was playing at Fresno State -- just running the ball catching the ball and scoring touchdowns."

The Contra Costa Times reports that Raiders rookie running back Latavius Murray remains sidelined during minicamp with a sore foot. Murray, a sixth-round pick from Central Florida, is competing with Rashad Jennings to be the No. 2 running back in Oakland behind Darren McFadden.

Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that the running back job is wide open as four guys compete. He added that whoever can pass protect will have a leg-up in getting reps. "Daryl (Richardson) and Isaiah (Pead), Zac Stacy is a guy that’s doing great. Terrance Ganaway’s a guy that we like," Schottenheimer said. "You need multiple backs in this league. We’re going to try to play to their strengths. With ‘Jack’ (Steven Jackson) last year, it was a little bit different. It was harder to do the committee because every time you took him out, you knew you were missing his leadership and his toughness. This year I think we've got nice pieces to try to blend in and differently attack people."

In what is an encouraging step for both backs, the Broncos official team website cited both Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman as improved pass protectors in the backfield. They had already shown an ability to run effectively but protecting Peyton Manning is the top priority for the running back in Denver -- and the key to getting on the field. "I keep narrowing down my mistakes in practice. Today I had no mistakes, just a bad position on a block," Ball said Tuesday. "But other than that I did pretty good today and I can see that it’s all starting to come along."

Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that the running back job is wide open as four guys compete. He added that whoever can pass protect will have a leg-up in getting reps. "Daryl (Richardson) and Isaiah (Pead), Zac Stacy is a guy that’s doing great. Terrance Ganaway’s a guy that we like," Schottenheimer said. "You need multiple backs in this league. We’re going to try to play to their strengths. With ‘Jack’ (Steven Jackson) last year, it was a little bit different. It was harder to do the committee because every time you took him out, you knew you were missing his leadership and his toughness. This year I think we've got nice pieces to try to blend in and differently attack people."