NFL Player News

Dobbins ran the ball 10 times for 42 yards, hauling in three of five targets for 51 yards during Saturday's 17-3 divisional-round loss to the Bills.

Dobbins came into the AFC playoff matchup having posted eight rushing scores over his past seven outings, but Buffalo held the rookie back without a TD despite him receiving three red-zone opportunities. As was a prevailing trend over the latter stages of the season with Mark Ingram a frequent healthy scratch, Baltimore deployed Gus Edwards and Dobbins in equal measure on the ground as each back garnered 10 rush attempts Saturday night. The rookie from Ohio State closed out the campaign with double-digit rush attempts over seven of his final eight games of the regular season, racking up an astronomical 6.0 yards per carry during that span. The 22-year-old will play a vital part of the Ravens' ground attack looking ahead to 2021 after totaling 805 yards and nine TDs on 134 carries in the regular season.

Dowdle gained 24 rushing yards on seven carries over 15 games in 2020.

The undrafted rookie out of South Carolina carved out a regular role on special teams as the season went on, amassing 152 yards on kickoff returns, but he saw snaps on offense in only four games and was used sparingly. With Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard both expected back in 2021, Dowdle should remain a depth option for Dallas if he retains his roster spot.

Akers rushed the ball 18 times for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' divisional-round loss to the Packers on Saturday. He added one reception for six yards.

Akers' longest rush of the day went for 13 yards, though he managed to gain five or more yards on nine of his carries. He also converted the Rams' second touchdown of the contest, scoring from seven yards away on a direct snap. Though it took much of his rookie campaign, Akers established himself as the Rams' lead back by commanding at least 15 carries in each of his final six games -- dating back to the regular season. His role should only become more secure in 2021, as Malcolm Brown is set to hit free agency.

Jones rushed the ball 14 times for 99 yards and a touchdown in the Packers' divisional-round win over the Rams on Saturday. He added one reception for 14 yards.

Jones began the second half with a 60-yard run and ultimately capped the same drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. He was held under wraps for the most part otherwise, with his only other significant rushes going for 11 and eight yards. Even so, he topped 100 total yards third time in his last four games -- spanning back to the regular season. He'll draw a tough matchup in the NFC Championship Game, when the Packers will take on either the Buccaneers or Saints.

Dillon was forced out of Saturday's NFC divisional-round game against the Rams with a quad injury, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

With the game secured in the Packers' favor, Dillon isn't expected to return. In turn, Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams will handle the rest of the backfield reps. Dillon finished the game with six rushes for 27 yards. The rookie out of Boston College will aim to recover for the NFC Championship Game next week.

Murray (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff game against the Buccaneers after returning to a limited practice Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Back-to-back DNPs Wednesday and Thursday set the stage for Friday to be pivotal with regard to Murray's chances of suiting up this weekend. If available Sunday, Murray would be in line to work in a complementary role behind the team's lead back, Alvin Kamara.

Jones (quad/finger) is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game against New Orleans after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Bruce Arians previously noted that Jones will be a game-time decision for the contest, while relaying Friday that regardless of whether Jones ends up playing Sunday, Leonard Fournette -- who turned in a strong performance in the team's wild-card win over Washington this past Saturday -- will get the start at running back. That said, Arians added that if Jones is "full-speed" by game-time, he'd get "his normal reps."

Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) did not practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional-round game against the Browns, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Edwards-Helaire has now missed back-to-back practices since logging a limited session Wednesday, but Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports that the starting running back's lack of recent activity has been intentional to provide him rest, rather than representative of a setback. Coach Andy Reid hinted that Edwards-Helaire could be a true game-time decision for Sunday's contest. Le'Veon Bell and Darrel Williams will stand to lead the Chiefs' backfield if Edwards-Helaire can't go.

Coach Bruce Arians noted Friday that Jones (quad) will be a game-time decision for Sunday's divisional-round playoff game at New Orleans, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With that in mind, Jones seems like to be officially listed as questionable for the contest. Either way, however, Leonard Fournette will be the Buccaneers' starting running back Sunday following his strong performance in the team's wild-card win over Washington this past Saturday.

Freeman ran for 170 yards on 35 carries and added 81 yards on 12 catches during the 2020 season.

Freeman's workload took a hit following the Broncos' acquisition of Melvin Gordon. Though he averaged 4.9 yards per carry, a full yard above his career average, Freeman seldom garnered many touches with Gordon serving as the bell cow more often than not and Phillip Lindsay also a factor in the 11 games he played.  With the exception of Week 13's game against the Saints, in which Freeman took snaps at wildcat quarterback, the 2018 third-rounder never topped 35 yards and didn't log more than nine touches in any contest. Freeman may still offer value as a third-down back, but depending on what the Broncos do in the offseason, his role is far from guaranteed heading into 2021.