NFL Player News

Raiders coach Dennis Allen said in an interview with CBSSports.com at the NFL owners meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday that he "would jump and down excited" if he knew running back Darren McFadden would play 16 games this season. "You tell me I’m going to get 16 games out of one of our most explosive players, that’s a good thing," Allen said. But Allen realizes that injuries are just part of the equation with McFadden, and the Raiders need a plan in place for when McFadden goes down. "Darren is an extremely explosive player, and we need to use him in that regard," Allen said. "What we’ve got to do is create some depth behind him so if and when Darren has to miss any time we’ve got a capable guy that can go in there and play at a starter’s level."

Broncos coach John Fox said in an interview with CBSSports.com at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday that second-year running back Ronnie Hillman has the chance to play a bigger role this season. "Our young guy is getting better," Fox said. "We’re really pleased with him. ... I thought for a rookie — if Ronnie Hillman went to a place where they just called a play and ran it, his transition would have probably been quicker than a guy that’s probably going to call one in 10 plays and nine of them are going to be passes and they’re exotic protections that are changed right there for a rookie to look at. Our style of offense didn’t help him much. I think it takes a year to develop a pro body. He is a guy at the end of the season weighed 189 pounds. He needs to be bigger and stronger and needs a full year to develop and train what I call a pro body. I think that will only help him.”

Former Browns legendary running back and Hall of Famer Jim Brown told CBSSports.com at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix that he's fond of second-year running back Trent Richardson. "I'm very high on Trent," Brown said. "I know he was hurt (last year), and that hindered his performance. But I think he's a real fine back. He's going to be much better. He has a great attitude. I'm looking forward to whatever input I can have with him to do it." Richardson had a productive rookie season with 267 carries for 950 yards with 11 touchdowns and another 51 catches for 367 yards and a score despite playing through a knee injury and bruised ribs, but Brown is expecting big things for Richardson in his sophomore campaign. "He's going to have a chance to prove himself," Brown said. "I don't want to make any predictions, but he has the goods. He has the speed, the quickness, the power and the attitude. He's willing to listen. He's a positive."

The Titans signed running back Shonn Greene on Wednesday, signaling a modest shift in how they're approaching running backs in 2013. The Titans' brass has said they intended to add another back to the mix with Johnson and did so with a physical inside rusher who can convert short-yardage situations. Greene figures to cut into Johnson's workload a little bit more than previous running backs have and also serves as an insurance policy just in case Johnson comes out cold like he has each of the last two seasons.

The Cardinals released veteran running back Beanie Wells before the start of free agency, helping pave the way for Ryan Williams to get a legitimate chance to contribute on a larger basis in 2013. Though the Cardinals are still expected to add another running back Williams has been the prized pupil of new head coach Bruce Arians thus far. In February, Arians made no qualms about Williams' athletic ability, adding he needs to stay healthy to truly make an impact. General manager Steve Keim chimed in, adding that the team is "expecting big things out of Ryan moving forward."

With the news of Michael Turner's release Friday, many Fantasy owners are hopeful the Falcons will give the starting running back job to Jacquizz Rodgers. Not so fast -- while Falcons head coach Mike Smith talked him up as being a guy who could be a three-down running back, the team still is going to look at other running back options. They've already been linked as a possible destination for veteran Steven Jackson.

In a quick interview, Chris Johnson told NFL.com Wednesday he would not like the Titans to bring in another running back to split reps with him. "Throughout all the years I've been in the league, when we get in the red-zone area they always put another guy in there," he said. " ... But if it comes down to a two-back system, I don't agree with that. ... I played in a two-back system in college (East Carolina) and I don't like it because you really can't get into a groove. That's something I wouldn't be happy with."

With Steven Jackson expected to hit the free-agent market this offseason, attention has turned to the Rams' remaining running back corps. At the NFL combine Rams head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead expressed optimism in both Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Fisher said both have the capability of being every-down backs, though he added Pead was the one they took because they thought he could be "the guy," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

With Steven Jackson expected to hit the free-agent market this offseason, attention has turned to the Rams' remaining running back corps. At the NFL combine Rams head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead expressed optimism in both Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson. Fisher said both have the capability of being every-down backs, though he added Pead was the one they took because they thought he could be "the guy," according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said that running back Darren McFadden has suffered some "flukey" injuries. "He is as tough as they come," McKenzie said. "Those things happen." McKenzie also said he is counting on a big year for McFadden in 2013. "I'm looking forward to Darren McFadden having a great season this year," McKenzie said.