HEADLINES

LaRod Stephens-Howling

Broncos Auditioned Leshoure, Stephens-Howling

October 7th, 2014 at 5:07pm CST by Luke Adams

In the wake of Montee Ball suffering a strained groin, the Broncos took a look at several veteran running backs today, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Klis tweets that Mikel Leshoure and LaRod Stephens-Howling were among the players working out for the team, but the Broncos opted not to sign anyone.

With Ball out, the Broncos figure to hand over the biggest share of the workload to Ronnie Hillman, though C.J. Anderson and Juwan Thompson should also get a few reps. While the Broncos have yet to use the designation to return on their injured reserve list, Ball isn’t really a candidate for that spot, given his projected recovery timetable. As such, if the Broncos wanted to sign another running back without losing any of their current options, they’d be carrying five for the next few weeks, which may not be the best use of roster space.

NFC Links: Cowboys, 49ers, Suh, Cardinals, Redskins

July 27th, 2014 at 10:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Let’s see what’s happening around the NFC on this Sunday evening…

  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones acknowledged that the team nearly selected Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel, tweets NFL.com’s Dan Hellie. The owner added that he will rethink the decision “for the rest of (his) career.” Jones did clarify that he ultimately made the correct pick in offensive tackle Zack Martin (again via a tweet from Hellie).
  • 49ers running back LaMichael James dislocated his elbow in practice and will miss a month, writes Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee. With Kendall Hunter out for the season with a torn ACL, the team only has rookie Carlos Hyde and Jewel Hampton as backup options for Frank Gore.
  • With a depleted running back group, ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson can envision the 49ers placing Hunter on the IR and adding a free agent running back (Twitter link). ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets out a list of possibilities: Willis McGahee, Felix Jones, Michael Bush, Kahlil Bell, Bernard Scott, LaRod Stephens-Howling and (in a separate tweet) fullback Brian Leonard.
  • Count Lions head coach Jim Caldwell among those who believe a contract extension will get done between the team and Ndamukong Suh. “I’m always optimistic,” Caldwell said to ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein. “I think you know me by now, and I think without question they are working at it, and I think something will be done at the appropriate time.”
  • The Cardinals used Robert Hughes as a fullback during practice, and ESPN.com’s Josh Weinfuss says the player is a “strong possibility” to be the team’s fourth running back.
  • The Redskins’ release of linebacker Brandon Jenkins should allow some younger players to shine, writes ESPN.com’s John Keim. “We like the play of the guys behind him,” head coach Jay Gruden said. “We thought the earlier we make that move to give Brandon a chance to go somewhere else would be beneficial to him.”