NFL Player News

The Giants aren't expected to trade Barkley, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

GM Joe Schoen noted earlier this week that he's at least willing to entertain calls from other teams regarding any player on the team's roster, fueling speculation that Barkley could potentially be dealt. At this stage, it doesn't look like such a move is in the works, with Rapoport reporting Friday that it "doesn't seem like teams have called, doesn't seem like [Schoen] has listened if they have. I don't believe Saquon's going anywhere." Barkley -- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft -- is in line to earn $7.2 million in 2022 after the Giants exercised the fifth-year option of his rookie contract last April.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday that he's "very confident" that Dobbins (knee) will make a healthy return in 2022.

It's unclear at what point Dobbins -- who tore his ACL last August -- will be cleared for full activity, but DeCosta intimated the Ravens have confidence the 2020 second-round pick will eventually re-emerge as the dual-threat running back he was as a rookie. Once Dobbins completes his rehab program, he'll look to reclaim his role in a Baltimore backfield that also has Gus Edwards (knee) and Justice Hill (Achilles) currently under contract for the coming season.

Barkley could be a candidate to get traded this offseason after Giants general manager Joe Schoen said Tuesday that he's at least willing to entertain calls from other teams regarding the running back's availability, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.

Though they parted ways Wednesday with tight end href="https://www.rotowire.com/football/player.php?id=7246">Kyle Rudolph and running back Devontae Booker, the Giants still have to navigate, some salary-cap issues in advance of the 2022 season. With that in mind, Schoen indicated that he's "open to everything" in terms of roster management. Though any potential transaction involving Barkley is purely speculative at this stage, the 24-year-old's poor durability and waning production following his brilliant 2018 rookie season means that he's not untouchable. Barkley is guaranteed $7.2 million in 2022 after the Giants exercised the fifth-year option of his rookie contract last spring.

Etienne is a bit ahead of schedule in his recovery from left foot surgery, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Etienne underwent surgery in early September for a Lisfranc injury in his left foot and missed the entire 2021 campaign. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke didn't provide any specifics regarding the 2021 first-round pick's recovery, but it's nonetheless a good sign Etienne is apparently ahead of schedule. The 23-year-old should have a chance to be ready for the start of training camp this summer, though his outlook is likely to remain a bit uncertain until he's back on the field for some offseason work.

GM George Paton is open to re-signing Gordon, who is poised to become an unrestricted free agent, Field Yates of ESPN reports. "I've had really good discussions with Melvin," Paton noted. "I'd like to have him back."

Gordon, who signed a two-year deal with Denver back in March of 2020, worked in a time-share this past season with 2021 second-rounder Javonte Williams, an arrangement that resulted in both backs logging 203 carries. It remains to be seen if Gordon is amenable to splitting work again in 2022, but if the 2015 first-rounder ends up departing for a chance at a more clear-cut starting assignment, Williams' fantasy stock would get a boost in the process.

Jones restructured his contract with the Packers on Thursday to create roughly $3 million in cap space for the 2022 season, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Green Bay converted $3.85 million of Jones' salary for 2022 into a signing bonus and added two voidable years to the deal. The news comes one day after Kenny Clark agreed to a similarly significant restructure, moves which may signal the team's intention to keep its current roster relatively intact and target another playoff run. Looking ahead to the 2022 campaign, Jones once again stands to be deployed as one of the Packers' top offensive playmakers while sharing backfield work with teammate AJ Dillon.

The Seahawks will sign Thompson to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

After spending time on the Tampa Bay and Kansas City practice squads during the 2021 campaign, Thompson will have a chance to carve out a role in Seattle during the offseason. He appeared in 26 games for the Chiefs during his first two seasons in the league, carrying 64 times for 225 yards and touchdowns and adding 16 receptions for 108 yards and another score.

Perine had two carries for zero yards and failed to catch his lone target Sunday during 23-20 loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

Perine played only 13 offensive snaps Sunday, with his most impactful play being a zero-yard run on third down late in the fourth quarter, which helped set up Cincinnati's turnover on downs a play later. The 26-year-old caught three passes for 43 yards and a touchdown during the AFC Championship Game but was unable to replicate that production in the Super Bowl. Perine totaled 55 carries for 246 yards and 27 receptions for 196 yards and two total touchdowns in 16 games during the regular season, and he remains under contract with the Bengals for $1.5 million in 2022.

Mixon rushed the ball 15 times for 72 yards in Sunday's 23-20 Super Bowl LVI loss to the Rams. He added five receptions for one yard and also threw a six-yard touchdown.

Mixon was effective as a rusher, delivering three gains of at least 10 yards. However, his primary impact came midway through the second quarter when he delivered a six-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins in the back corner of the end zone on a trick play. Mixon posted one of his better games of the postseason and combined to record 160 rushing yards combined between the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. He'll return to Cincinnati as the team's lead back for the 2022 season, and it's possible that he'll have more running lanes if the Bengals upgrade their offensive line during the offseason.

Akers rushed 13 times for 21 yards and brought in three of four targets for 14 yards during the Rams' 23-20 win over the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday.

Akers comfortably paced the backfield in carries even with Darrell Henderson making his return from injured reserve, but as was the case most of the postseason, he found running room very much at a premium. The second-year back nearly outpaced his rushing yardage total through the air on just three touches, underscoring the tough sledding he encountered on the ground. Naturally, the Super Bowl win for his team is the ultimate consolation, and Akers could also certainly be heartened by the fact he made a very rapid recovery from the Achilles tear he suffered in July. With a full offseason ahead of him to get back to full strength, the FSU product will undoubtedly aim for a major comeback effort in the Rams' 2022 title-defense season.