NFL Player News

Robinson's return timeline from an Achilles injury remains unclear at this stage, but Michael DiRocco of ESPN suggests it's possible the running back could be ready for the start of the 2022 season.

Robinson suffered a torn Achilles back on Dec. 26 and faces a lengthy recovery period, so it's not a lock that he'll be a go for Week 1. The recent return of Rams RB Cam Akers from a similar injury does offer hope that Robinson could factor in early on next season, however. Once he is back, the 23-year-old will face competition from 2021 first-rounder Travis Etienne, who is bouncing back from a Lisfranc injury that he suffered this past August, while veteran Carlos Hyde is also under contract with the Jaguars through the 2022 campaign, and there's always the possibility further depth is brought in via free agency or the draft. Robinson's progress should become clearer once the team resumes its on-field activities. Prior to his injury, he recorded 767 yards and eight TDs on 164 carries and added 31 catches for 222 yards in 14 games.

Wilson suffered a low-ankle sprain during Saturday's divisional-round win in Green Bay but has a chance to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game at the Rams, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wilson picked up the injury while in coverage on the opening kickoff this past Saturday. Fortunately for the fourth-year running back, he doesn't have a more serious high-ankle sprain, per coach Kyle Shanahan. Wilson's activity level in practice this week likely will determine whether he's able to suit up Sunday.

Barner signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on Monday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.

Barner joined Tampa Bay's practice squad in mid-December and was elevated to the active roster for the final three games of the regular season. He had four carries for zero yards and also returned six punts for 47 yards. His likeliest path to a roster spot in 2022 will be as a return man, assuming he's able to stick around with the Bucs through the offseason.

Mack rushed 28 times for 101 yards while securing two of five targets for eight yards across six appearances in 2021.

The 25-year-old began the 2021 campaign as the Colts' No. 3 running back behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, but he saw limited playing time early in the season. Mack and the Colts mutually agreed to seek a trade in late September, but a trade partner wasn't found. The 2017 fourth-rounder didn't appear in any of the final nine games of the season, mainly due to being a healthy scratch. Mack is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him attempt to carve out a role elsewhere.

Jackson rushed 13 times for 31 yards and a touchdown across nine appearances in 2021.

Jackson established himself as the Colts' No. 3 running back behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines during the second half of the 2021 campaign, but he still played primarily on special teams. While the 22-year-old reached the end zone Week 13, Jackson wasn't a reliable fantasy contributor while serving in a depth role.

Hines rushed 56 times for 276 yards and two touchdowns while catching 40 of 57 targets for 310 yards and a touchdown during the 2021 campaign.

Hines was in a relatively even timeshare with Jonathan Taylor across the first few weeks of the season, but Taylor established himself as the clear lead back later in the year. However, Hines still played in every game and was on the field for double-digit offensive snaps in all but one of his appearances. He remains under contract with the Colts for two more years and could continue to see playing time in a reserve role during the 2022 campaign, but Taylor will remain the clear No. 1 back for Indianapolis.

Singletary rushed 10 times for 26 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 25 yards on five targets in Sunday's 42-36 overtime loss to the Chiefs.

SIngletary capped Buffalo's opening drive with his ninth scrimmage touchdown in the last six games. After Singletary's one-yard rushing score, the game turned into a passing battle between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, with Mahomes coming out on top in thrilling fashion. Singletary grabbed hold of the lead role in Buffalo's backfield down the stretch, and the 2019 third-round pick out of FAU will likely pick up where he left off as the team's top running back next season.

McKinnon rushed 10 times for 24 yards and caught five of seven targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 42-36 overtime win over Buffalo.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) made his return and was far more effective than McKinnon on the ground, with 60 yards on seven rushing attempts. McKinnon maintained a prominent role as a receiver, and he's clearly the best backfield option through the air in the pass-heavy Chiefs offense ahead of what could be another high-scoring affair in the AFC Championship Game against the Bengals.

Edwards-Helaire (shoulder) rushed seven times for 60 yards and caught one of two targets for nine yards in Sunday's 42-36 overtime win over the Bills.

Edwards-Helaire looked spry in his first action since Week 16, mustering 69 scrimmage yards on just eight touches compared to Jerick McKinnon's 78 yards on 15 touches. McKinnon's the superior pass catcher out of the backfield, but Edwards-Helaire has reestablished himself as the leading option on the ground for the pass-heavy Chiefs ahead of next week's AFC Championship Game against Cincinnati.

Akers ran 24 times for 48 yards and caught all three targets for 20 yards Sunday. He also lost two fumbles in a 30-27 win over the Bucs.

Akers was finally given the keys to the Rams' backfield, but the end results were not what many were expecting. The Buccaneers do boast one of the premier rush defenses in the league -- spearheaded by dominant nose tackle Vita Vea -- so that should be factored into the rough go of things under a national spotlight. Sony Michel finished with just one carry for four yards, so it appears that Sean McVay believed Akers to be the superior option to use in this particular matchup. The 49ers' rush defense is no slouch either, but Akers figures to find a bit of relief in next week's matchup.