NFL Player News

Head coach Anthony Lynn said he believes in using multiple running backs, but he also added that Gordon (knee, hip) will get the ball "over and over" if he gets in a groove, Chargers.com reports. "I'm a proponent of let the hot hand roll," said Lynn. "If Melvin touches the ball and Melvin produces, Melvin will stay in the game. But, we will be using multiple running backs."

Though injuries cost him the final three games of the season, Gordon spent most of his sophomore campaign serving as one of the NFL's few three-down workhorse backs. Lynn seemingly wants to increase the involvement of the team's other running backs next season, but there's no question Gordon will still be heavily used. The biggest concern would be if the team re-signed Danny Woodhead (knee), who could pose a major threat to Gordon's receiving workload. Gordon caught 41 of 57 targets for 419 yards and a pair of scores last season, with four or more receptions in six straight games between late October and early December.

Barner (hamstring) will be a restricted free agent, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

A 2013 sixth-round draft pick, Barner has displayed occasional usefulness as a change-of-pace runner and return man. He won't garner a first-round or second-round RFA tender, but the Eagles might use an original-round tender, which would require another team to surrender a sixth-round selection if it signs Barner. The Eagles would also have the right to match any contract. Should he stick around in Philadelphia, the 27-year-old scat back could compete for touches in a committee.

Vereen (triceps) is scheduled to receive a $500,000 roster bonus on March 13, NJ.com reports.

It would thus make sense for the Giants to release Vereen before March 13 if they don't plan to keep him for 2017. While the late-season emergence of Paul Perkins could make Vereen expendable in the wake of an injury-plagued 2016 campaign, the veteran pass-catching back doesn't have an overly cumbersome contract. Vereen might even be willing to forgo the roster bonus or accept a smaller base salary in exchange for more guaranteed money as he enters the final year of his three-year deal.

Head coach Adam Gase wants to get Drake more involved in the offense next season, the Miami Herald reports.

Drake mostly just served as a change-of-pace option in his rookie campaign, taking a back seat to lead runner Jay Ajayi while also competing with Damien Williams for touches. With Ajayi seemingly locked in as the workhorse and Williams set to become a restricted free agent, Drake's shot at an expanded role may depend largely on his ability to contribute on passing downs. He should at least have a key role on special teams, after returning 13 kickoffs for 397 yards (30.5 average) and a touchdown last season.

Rodgers is expected to re-sign with Tampa Bay, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.

Rodgers, who finished the 2016 season with 560 rushing yards and two TDs on 129 carries, also caught 13 passes for 98 yards over the course of 10 contests for the Bucs. In his expected return to the team's backfield mix, Rodgers would likely profile as a complementary option, though the team's overall approach to the position is tied to the status of Doug Martin, who is slated to miss the first three games of the 2017 season as he completes a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing substances.

Gillislee was tendered by the Bills on Monday.

The tender will allow the Bills to match any offer Gillislee receives in the upcoming free-agent window. The fifth-year back proved himself as one of the top backup running backs in the NFL last season, recording 101 attempts for 577 yards and nine total touchdowns. Buffalo's run-heavy offensive style creates a lot of opportunity for its backs, as the team averaged a league-high 164.4 rushing yards per game in 2016. Even though LeSean McCoy (ankle) saw the brunt of the benefits from the Bills' rushing attack, Gillislee remained a very relevant piece of the offense. Considering McCoy's tendency to get injured, Gillislee should be one of the most valuable handcuffs available in 2017.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman said last week that Mathews was doing well as he recovers from surgery on his herniated disk, Calkins Media reports. "Ryan is doing great and we full expect him to be ready to play," Roseman noted at the Combine. "He's under contract and it's as simple as that at this time."

It has been speculated that Mathews will be released to bring the Eagles $4 million in cap relief, but Roseman would not comment on the situation since league rules prohibit cutting an injured player. The running back will be entering his age-30 season in 2017 and has always struggled with injuries and ball-control issues, but he should be healthy by the time next season begins and able to contribute wherever he ends up. Wendell Smallwood (knee) and Darren Sproles remain in the fold for the Eagles, but the club is likely to try and bring in additional help via free agency or the draft, if Mathews is in fact let go once he's healthy, according to Philly.com.

Harris will not receive a tender offer from the 49ers, which will allow him to hit the open market when free agency begins Thursday, Matt Barrows on The Sacramento Bee reports.

Harris first signed with San Francisco back in December of 2015, and although he's played 12 games for the team since then, he's also been released a couple times along the way. In total, Harris has gained 278 yards on 65 carries for the 49ers and also boasts 17 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown. While that production wasn't enough for the team to extend a tender offer his way, fellow running back Shaun Draughn's status as an unrestricted free agent leaves another opening behind Carlos Hyde on the Niners' current depth chart.

Abdullah (foot) is fully cleared to return to the field, ESPN reports.

Expectations were high for Abdullah entering the 2016 campaign, as the former second-rounder was coming off a successful rookie year and appeared in line for an expanded role within the offense. He started off hot -- averaging 5.6 yards per carry across 18 totes -- until a torn ligament in his left foot from Week 2 sentenced the tailback to injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Various combinations of Theo Riddick (wrist), Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington and Justin Forsett comprised the Lions' running back corps game by game thereafter, but no runner in particular ever emerged as the team's clear lead back. Now healthy, Abdullah enters the offseason as the favorite for No. 1 duties in 2017. However, Detroit management has stated its intent to improve its rushing attack and could potentially add another running back via the draft to compete for the starting gig.

Rawls will compete with C.J. Prosise for touches next season, coach Pete Carroll said Thursday, according to the Seattle Times.

The most important thing for both backs is to stay healthy, something neither has proven capable of. No matter who starts, the Seahawks will use both, if healthy, as a 1-2 punch in the backfield.