NFL Player News

Sims, who will become an unrestricted free agent March 14, would likely remain in a change-of-pace role next season if retained by the Buccaneers, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Sims saw even less action on the ground than in previous seasons in 2017, despite the since-released Doug Martin having endured a three-game suspension, injury and ultimately, a benching. The former West Virginia standout earned a career-low 21 carries, though he did post the second-best reception (35) and receiving yardage (249) totals of his four NFL seasons. Given that Sims has never logged more than 107 totes in any season as a professional, it's unclear whether any potential suitor sees him an all-around back.

Rodgers is considered an internal option to replace the since-released Doug Martin as the Buccaneers' lead back in 2018, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers finished the 2017 campaign with just 73 total touches from scrimmage, a modest workload considering he had been the de facto lead back for the first three games of the season while Martin finished serving a suspension. Given his ability to contribute on offense and special teams along with his reasonable $1.6 million cap hit for 2018, Rodgers seems likely to return to Tampa Bay during the upcoming season and could get the opportunity to compete with Peyton Barber for the top spot on the depth chart. It's quite likely, however, that the Buccaneers bring in multiple reinforcements at running back through free agency and/or the draft.

The Buccaneers released Martin on Tuesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After following up a strong rookie year in 2012 with back-to-back disappointing seasons, Martin temporarily quieted his critics by amassing 1,673 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns in 2015, netting him a five-year, $35.75 million contract extension the following spring. However, Martin regressed badly thereafter, averaging less than three yards per carry in both of the past two seasons while missing time due to injury and an untimely four-game suspension, which delayed the start to his 2017 campaign. In cutting Martin loose, the Buccaneers will save $6.75 million against the cap in 2018 while taking on no dead money due to the structure of the contract. Martin's departure currently leaves Peyton Barber as the top candidate to start at running back in 2018, though there's a decent possibility the Buccaneers address the position through the draft or free agency in the coming months.

Foreman (Achilles) was dismissed from all charges pertaining to his July 2017 arrest in Austin, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Foreman was arrested last summer on the University of Texas campus on charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon. However, the passenger in Foreman's car took responsibility for the former and Foreman tested clean of any drug use. The NFL reportedly said it won't undertake any disciplinary action should these pending charges be dismissed, so Foreman looks to be in the clear. He can now focus his attention on rehabbing the ruptured Achilles he suffered last November, which is expected to be fully healed in time for the 2018 season.

Conner (knee) recently said via SoundCloud that he has resumed sprinting on a treadmill.

Conner spent the final three games of the 2017 season on injured reserve due to a damaged MCL in his right knee. It isn't clear if he'll be operating under any physical limitations when offseason workouts commence in April, but he at least seems to be on track to be available in some capacity.

Pumphrey indicated he has fully recovered from his torn hamstring, Derek Togerson of NBC San Diego reports. "I'm 100 percent healed up and ready to attack next year," the running back said. "I know what's to come. I know the whole playbook in and out and by the time the offseason comes with OTAs and all that, I'll be ready to shine. You're going to see the versatile Donnel Pumphrey I once was and a stronger and faster back that can also do it on special teams."

Pumphrey originally tore his hamstring in practice leading up to Week 2 and spent the near majority of his rookie season on injured reserve. The 2017 fourth-rounder said he gained valuable insight from the "mental reps" he took advantage of during his time off, and he also added 10 pounds of muscle to his frame, according to Sam Gordon of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. If the Eagles choose not to re-sign LeGarrette Blount or Darren Sproles (knee/ankle), who are both unrestricted free agents, Pumphrey could have a fantasy-relevant role in 2018 while competing with Corey Clement for playing time behind Jay Ajayi.

Gillislee finished the 2017 season with 104 carries for 383 yards and five TDs to go along with one catch for 15 yards in nine games.

As he was at times down the stretch during the regular season, Gillislee was a healthy scratch for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Eagles. The 27-year-old scored four of his TDs in the Patriots' first two games and subsequently saw teammate Dion Lewis supplant him as the team's top back. Gillislee remains under contract with New England in 2018, but it's not out of the question that the Patriots consider parting ways with him, with the running back's contract for next season not calling for any guaranteed money.

Clement rushed just three times for eight yards but hauled in four of five targets for a team-high 100 yards and a touchdown during the Eagles' 41-33 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Sunday. He also returned one kickoff for 25 yards.

The rookie more than made up for his minimal role in the ground game with an outstanding effort through the air, a performance he punctuated with an acrobatic 22-yard touchdown reception with 7:18 remaining in the third quarter. It appeared that Clement may have not had full control of the ball at the time that each of his feet landed inbounds, but the call ultimately survived replay review. The former Wisconsin Badger also notched a game-long 55-yard reception, and he put together a respectable first season that included a combined 444 rushing and receiving yards and six total touchdowns. His performance Sunday could serve as a springboard to a bigger role in 2018, particularly if the team opts to not bring free-agent-to-be LeGarrette Blount back into the fold.

Gillislee (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Eagles.

Gillislee avoided the injury report this week, suggesting the knee injury that's plagued him in the second half of the season was behind him. After calling himself a game-time decision for this game Wednesday, the relative health of the Patriots backfield likely made head coach Bill Belichick's decision an easy one. With Gillislee on the sideline again, the Patriots will rely on Dion Lewis, James White and Rex Burkhead to man the running back position.

Gillislee (knee) does not carry an injury designation for Super Bowl LII.

Gillislee is thus slated to be available for Sunday's game against the Eagles, though with Dion Lewis, James White and Rex Burkhead also in the Patriots' backfield mix, it's possible that Gillislee could be made inactive for the contest in the event that the team chooses not to suit up four running backs.