NFL Player News

Huntley totaled 13 carries for 51 yards and failed to haul in his only target during his only appearances during the 2021 campaign. He also added 84 kick return yards.

With Miles Sanders (hand), Boston Scott (illness) and Jordan Howard (illness) all unavailable for Week 18, Huntley was elevated to the active roster and shared backfield duties with Kenneth Gainwell. Huntley drew one more rushing attempt than Gainwell during the contest, but the latter had 27 more rushing yards and was the only running back involved in the passing game. Huntley also returned three kickoffs for 84 yards. He was drafted by the Lions in 2020, but he was waived before the start of his rookie season and claimed off waivers by the Eagles. He'll be a likely candidate to be a member of Philadelphia's practice squad again during the 2022 season.

Taylor finished the 2021 season with 23 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for three yards.

Taylor spent roughly the first half of the season on the Packers' practice squad, but he took over as the team's third running back after Kylin Hill (knee) went down for the season Week 8 and filled that role the rest of the way. With fellow running backs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon under contract for 2022, Taylor will not be in position to climb the depth chart if he remains with Green Bay. However, Hill may not be ready to play Week 1, so Taylor could open next season in the same spot he finished this one.

Mitchell rushed 11 times for 20 yards and caught all three targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the Rams.

Mitchell didn't get much help from the usually-creative run designer Kyle Shanahan in this one. A good portion of the 23-year-old's carries were inside zone runs out of shotgun formations directly into the human wall that is known better as Aaron Donald. Mitchell was able to break free on a huge catch and run in an eventual loss, putting an end to an impressive rookie campaign (1,100 combined yards and six touchdowns over 11 regular-season games). It is unclear what the 49ers backfield will look like in 2022, but Mitchell clearly established himself as the team's best option, making him a strong fantasy asset heading into next season's drafts.

Akers rushed 13 times for 48 yards and brought in his only target for two yards during the Rams' 20-17 win over the 49ers in their NFC Championship Game matchup on Sunday.

Akers navigated a shoulder injury that led to a brief exit from the contest in the first half, and while his final yardage total was nothing to write home about, he was more efficient than during a difficult divisional-round performance against the Buccaneers. The second-year back fumbled twice in that game and also was held to 2.0 yards per carry, while Sunday's performance saw him at least average a slightly more palatable 3.7 per tote and not turn the ball over. Akers did outpace Sony Michel by only three carries, but that was partly the byproduct of the former's aforementioned temporary in-game absence. Given Akers is arguably the more explosive and higher-upside option of the two, it's likely he maintains a lead-back role in the Super Bowl LVI matchup versus the Bengals on Sunday, Feb. 13.

Edwards-Helaire rushed six times for 36 yards and added a four-yard catch on two targets in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

Edwards-Helaire worked in a change-of-pace role behind Jerick McKinnon, who totaled 95 yards on 15 touches. McKinnon will be a free agent this offseason, but Edwards-Helaire -- who was selected in the first round of the 2020 Draft -- has been unable to grab the leading role in Kansas City's backfield by the horns over his first two seasons. Given Edwards-Helaire's modest production, the Chiefs likely will bring in competition for touches this offseason, either by re-signing McKinnon or adding an alternative option via free agency or the draft.

Akers (shoulder) has returned to Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the 49ers, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Akers hurt his shoulder in the first half but gained clearance to return prior to halftime. He'll return to a leading role in the Los Angeles backfield.

McKinnon rushed 12 times for 65 yards and caught three of four targets for 30 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.

McKinnon was the leading backfield option for the Chiefs, mustering 95 yards from scrimmage on 15 touches compared to Clyde Edwards-Helaire's 40 total yards on seven touches. The 29-year-old McKinnon will be a free agent this offseason, but his strong postseason performance as both a rusher and a pass catcher should lead to a robust market for the running back, be it in Kansas City or elsewhere.

Perine recorded three receptions on four targets for 43 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game.

Perine didn't see a single carry, with Joe Mixon instead seeing all the work out of the backfield on the ground. However, Perine scored on a 41-yard screen pass late in the first half, which began Cincinnati's comeback effort. Perine isn't likely to see a major role in the Super Bowl, but he's flashed effectiveness as a pass catcher at various points throughout the campaign.

Mixon rushed the ball 21 times for 88 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game. He added three receptions for 27 yards.

Mixon was the only running back to get a carry out of Cincinnati's backfield, and he worked fairly effectively on the ground. His longest rush of the day went for 23 yards late in the first quarter and pushed Cincinnati into field-goal range for their first score of the game. Mixon also was a major contributor in the team's game-sealing drive in overtime, as he broke off a 13-yard run to set up a field goal three plays later. He now has topped 100 total yards in consecutive games heading into a Super Bowl matchup against either the Rams or 49ers.

Akers (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against San Francisco, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.

Akers went to the locker room to have the injury examined after rushing six times for 31 yards and adding a two-yard catch in the NFC Championship Game. Sony Michel will take over as the Rams' leading backfield option in Akers' absence.