How many running backs are on a football team

Hamstring: IR. Cantrell Undisclosed: IR. Undisclosed: IR. Football Team's Cornelius Lucas: Not listed on injury report. Ankle: Questionable for Week 10 vs. Young Chase Young J. Jelks Undisclosed: IR. Jaw: Did Not Practice on Thursday. Toney Shaka Toney. Pectoral: IR. Norris Shoulder: IR. Shoulder: IR. Elder Corn Elder. Illness: Did Not Practice on Thursday. Apke Troy Apke. Roberts Quadriceps: IR. Quadriceps: IR. Forrest Darrick Forrest. Way Tress Way — — Kicker J.

Cheeseman Camaron Cheeseman — — Holder T. Carter DeAndre Carter D. Carter DeAndre Carter J. Patterson Jaret Patterson —. Heinicke Taylor Heinicke. Allen Kyle Allen. Running Back. McKissic J. Wide Receiver. McLaurin Terry McLaurin. Humphries Adam Humphries D. Tampa Bay D. Carter DeAndre Carter C. Tampa Bay A. Tight End. Seals-Jones Ricky Seals-Jones. Bates John Bates. Fullbacks are also still used occasionally as rushers on plays when a short gain is needed for a first-down or touchdown, as they are large and powerful and therefore effective at breaking through the line for a short distance.

More modern examples include Mike Alstott and Tony Richardson. There is a great diversity in those who play at the running back position.

At one extreme are smaller, faster players. These fast, agile, and elusive running backs are often called "scat backs" because their low center of gravity and maneuverability allow them to dodge tacklers. Prototypical "scat backs" would be Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith.

At the other extreme are "power backs": bigger, stronger players who can break through tackles using brute strength and raw power. They are usually but not always slower runners compared to other backs, and typically run straight ahead or "North-and-South" in football terminology rather than dodging to the outside edges of the playing field i.

Over the years, NFL running backs have been used more and more as receivers out of the backfield, especially with the rise in popularity of the West Coast offense and its variants.

On passing plays, a running back will often run a "safe route," such as a hook, that gives a quarterback a target when all other receivers are covered. Some teams have a "third down back", who is skilled at catching passes or better at pass blocking and "picking up the blitz," and thus is often put in the game on third down and long.

He can also be used to fool the defense by making them think he is being put into the game for a pass play, when the play is actually a run. Running backs are also required to help the offensive line in passing situations, and, in the case of the full back, running plays.

Running backs will often block blitzing linebackers or safeties on passing plays when the offensive line is occupied with the defensive linemen. On running plays, the fullback will often attempt to tear a hole in the offensive line for the running back to run through. Effective blocking backs are usually key components for a running back's success. On passing plays, a running back will stay back to help block and pick up the blitz.

Many teams also have a running back designated as a "goal line back" or "short yardage specialist". This running back comes into the game in short yardage situations when the offense needs only a little bit of yardage to get a first down or a touchdown.

They also come into the game when the offense nears the goal-line. Normally when an offense gets inside the 5 yard line they send in their goal-line formation which usually includes 8 blockers, a quarterback, a running back, and a fullback. The closer they are to the goal-line the more likely they are to use this formation. If a certain running back is used often near the goal-line he is called the goal-line back. Short yardage and goal-line backs often are Power Backs that are not prone to fumbling.

Their job is to get the first down or touchdown by muscling through or pushing a large mass of defenders to push their way to the designated area. Running backs are sometimes called upon to return punts and kickoffs , a role usually filled by wide receivers and defensive backs , such as cornerbacks, who are generally the fastest players on the team.

Doubtful for Week 10 vs. Ankle: Did Not Practice on Thursday. Gallman Wayne Gallman. Abdullah Ameer Abdullah. Williams Knee: Questionable for Week 11 vs. Knee: Questionable for Week 11 vs. Nall Ryan Nall. Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott: Reps capped Thursday. Knee: Limited Practice on Wednesday.

Clement Cowboys' Corey Clement: Absent from practice. Illness: Did Not Practice on Wednesday. Cowboys' Corey Clement: Absent from practice. Dowdle Hip: IR. Lions' Jamaal Williams: Another absence Thursday. Thigh: Did Not Practice on Thursday. Questionable for Week 10 at Pittsburgh. Jefferson Jermar Jefferson. Igwebuike Godwin Igwebuike. Taylor Patrick Taylor. Howell Ankle: Limited Practice on Thursday. Questionable for Week 10 at San Francisco. Ankle: Limited Practice on Thursday.

Akers Achilles: IR. Reserve - Non Football Injury. Achilles: IR. Funk Hamstring: IR. Hamstring: IR. Nwangwu Kene Nwangwu. Saints' Alvin Kamara: Idle for another practice. Knee: Did Not Practice on Wednesday. Questionable for Week 10 at Tennessee. Washington Dwayne Washington.

Jones Ankle: IR. Ankle: Questionable for Week 11 at Tampa Bay. Hip: Questionable for Week 11 at Tampa Bay. Brightwell Undisclosed: IR. Undisclosed: IR. Gainwell Kenneth Gainwell. Sanders Ankle: IR. Seahawks' Alex Collins: Puts in limited work again.

Groin: Limited Practice on Thursday. Questionable for Week 10 at Green Bay. Homer Travis Homer. Dallas DeeJay Dallas. Carson Neck: IR. Neck: IR. Ribs: Questionable for Week 10 vs. Wilson Jeff Wilson. Cannon Trenton Cannon. Sermon Trey Sermon. Mostert Knee - Meniscus: IR. Knee - Meniscus: IR. Bernard Giovani Bernard. Vaughn Ke'Shawn Vaughn. Shin: Limited Practice on Thursday. Tampa Bay. Patterson Jaret Patterson.

Legend News Injury. Freeman Devonta Freeman. Bell Le'Veon Bell T. Williams Ty'Son Williams J. Injured Reserve J. Injured Reserve G. Moss Concussion: Limited Practice on Thursday. Jones Taiwan Jones M. Mixon Joe Mixon. Perine Samaje Perine.