NFL Player News

Washington rushed eight times for 15 yards over 11 regular-season games in 2020.

Washington saw very limited action as a running back this season, and he ended the year with one fewer touch than he saw in 2019, including no work as a receiver. He played primarily on special teams, and that's likely the role he'll fill in 2021 if he returns to the Saints. Washington will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason after spending the last three seasons with New Orleans.

Murray, who missed the team's final playoff game with a quad injury, finished the regular season with 146 carries for 656 yards and four touchdowns and added 23 receptions for 176 yards and an additional score in his second season with the Saints.

Murray finished with the same number of carries as he had in 2019, though he was less involved as a receiver and ended the season with fewer scrimmage yards and one fewer touchdown. Playing second fiddle to Alvin Kamara, Murray still played solid football, going for 832 yards on 179 touches and flashing his upside in a big Week 12, where he went 19-124-2. Still under contract, he'll return to New Orleans in 2021, where he'll likely play the lesser half of a timeshare with Kamara, a role he's already performed for two seasons.

Singletary carried six times for 17 yards and caught two of three targets for nine yards Sunday in the Bills' 38-24 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Singletary received the opportunity to work as the Bills' lead man out of the backfield for the team's final two playoff games while Zack Moss (ankle) was sidelined, but the Florida Atlantic product was mainly an afterthought in Buffalo's pass-happy offense. He logged just 13 carries between the Bills' divisional-round win over the Ravens and the loss to Kansas City, mustering only 42 yards. Assuming he experiences no complications in his recovery from offseason ankle surgery, Moss should open 2021 as Option 1A on the ground, relegating Singletary to more of a change-of-pace role.

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was a full practice participant Thursday.

This is the rookie's first full practice since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 15. He did return for the AFC Championship Game, but the Bills limited him to seven yards (and a TD) on seven touches and 49 percent snap share. It's possible Edwards-Helaire takes on a larger share of backfield work in the Super Bowl, at which point he'll be another two weeks removed from the initial injury.

Patterson doesn't seem likely to re-sign with Chicago, according to SI.com's Gene Chamberlain.

Given their hefty salary commitments and unsettled QB situation, the Bears don't seem likely to spend significant money on a player who primarily makes an impact on special teams. Patterson did add backup RB work to his bag of tricks in 2020, but he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry and 6.3 per reception, while starter David Montgomery put up 4.3 YPC and 8.1 YPR. In any case, the Bears hope to have Tarik Cohen (knee) back in the mix next season, so Patterson won't necessarily get carries even if the team somehow manages to keep him around at a reasonable price. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

The Chiefs listed Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Edwards-Helaire returned from a month-long absence to suit up in last weekend's 38-24 win over the Bills in the AFC Championship Game, taking six carries for seven yards and a touchdown while playing 49 percent of offensive snaps. He should be ready for the Feb. 7 Super Bowl matchup with the Buccaneers, likely splitting work out of the backfield with Darrel Williams. The Chiefs also hope to have Le'Veon Bell (knee) available, though his role isn't likely to be significant behind the top two options on the depth chart.

Wilson signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wilson topped 100 yards twice during the 2021 season, including a 183-yard effort against the Cardinals in Week 16. He finished with 126 carries for 600 yards (4.8 YPC) and seven touchdowns, adding 12 receptions (28 targets) for 133 yards and three scores. Raheem Mostert is under contract for next season as well, so Wilson is slated to operate as the 1B back once again, barring any offseason additions. The 49ers' offensive dynamic could change next year if Jimmy Garoppolo is cut or traded, but head coach Kyle Shanahan has a long track record of setting his running backs up for success regardless of who is under center.

Benjamin spent the entire 2020 season on Arizona's roster but never played in a game.

The 2020 seventh-round pick was a healthy scratch all year, with Kenyan Drake playing 15 games and Chase Edmonds suiting up for all 16. Depth running back D.J. Foster also made 10 appearances, logging 25 snaps on offense and 115 on special teams. With Drake and Foster both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Benjamin could have an opening to make an impression during OTAs and minicamp.

McFarland could benefit from working with offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who held the same position at The University of Maryland when the running back ran for 1,034 yards in 2018, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

McFarland and Canada both experienced their first NFL season in 2020, with the former seldom used as a backup running back, while the latter served as QBs coach. Canada replaces Randy Fichtner, who was criticized for ranking 31st, 29th and 32nd in rushing yards during his three-year tenure as offensive coordinator. With James Conner scheduled for free agency and none of McFarland, Benny Snell or Jaylen Samuels making a strong impression this past season, it's hard to get a read on the future of the Pittsburgh backfield. The murky situation isn't necessarily a bad thing for McFarland, a soon-to-be 22-year-old with 4.44 speed and decent organizational investment in him (2020 fourth-round pick).

Jones (chest), who was unable to return to Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, is uncertain to return for the Packers in 2021, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports.

Jones didn't retake the field after suffering a hard hit from Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (shoulder), a play that resulted in a crucial fumble on the opening drive of the third quarter. He finished Sunday's loss with just six carries for 27 yards and four catches for seven yards. Now having reached the end of his rookie contract, Jones is on track to hit the free-agent market this offseason unless he comes to terms on a new deal with the Packers. Demovsky reports that Green Bay offered Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, a deal that would make him one of "the top-five highest paid running backs in terms of average per year," but includes minimal guaranteed money. With Jamaal Williams also having reached the end of his rookie deal, the stage could be set for 2020 second-round pick AJ Dillon to take over as the top dog in Green Bay's backfield next season.