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C.J. Anderson RB | LAR
Broncos' C.J. Anderson: Running full speed
Anderson (knee) is running full speed and expects to be cleared for football-related activities later this month, 9News Denver reports.
Anderson went under the knife in late October to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Although he's now able to run without any problems, he's yet to resume cutting, the very movement that caused his injury in the first place. However, he doesn't seem to think that will be a problem, as Anderson believes he'll be cleared to resume all football-related activities within the month. If the running back is to be believed, that timeline would leave him plenty of time to get back into shape before offseason workouts start up in April.
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Fitzgerald Toussaint RB | PIT
Steelers' Fitzgerald Toussaint: Signs extension with Pittsburgh
Toussaint signed a one-year exclusive rights contract with the Steelers on Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
Toussaint played in just 4.2 percent of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps in 2016, as Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams handled the vast majority of the running back duties. Toussaint did see significant time on special teams, occasionally seeing return opportunities on kickoffs. He'll look to continue his role on special teams and possibly earn some added reps on offense in 2017.
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Melvin Gordon RB | BAL
Chargers' Melvin Gordon: Recovering from sprained PCL
Gordon (hip) didn't suit up for the Chargers' final three games due to a PCL sprain in his left knee, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gordon suffered what was eventually a season-ending knock in Week 14, but the ailments were merely termed a hip strain and knee sprain at the time. With the latter clarified, it's no surprise that he was unable to make a return to the lineup, bringing a breakout campaign to an abbreviated end. Falling just shy of 1,000 yards rushing in 13 games -- 997, to be exact -- Gordon also corralled 41 of 57 passes for 419 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.
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James Wilder Jr. RB | BUF
James Wilder: Switching to linebacker
Wilder is switching from running back to linebacker for the 2017 season, Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Wilder spent 2014 and 2015 on practice squads as a running back and had his 2016 season cut short due to a head injury. He hasn't played defense since high school, where he was one of the best defenders in his area. He isn't currently with a team, and he's free to sign at any point.
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C.J. Anderson RB | LAR
Broncos' C.J. Anderson: Scores five touchdowns in injury-shortened season
Anderson rushed for 437 yards and four touchdowns on 110 carries and added 16 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown during the 2016 season.
The beginning of Anderson's 2016 season started off as hot as the end of the 2015 postseason, with Anderson tallying 232 total yards and three touchdowns in the season's first two games. He cooled off considerably for four weeks until he busted out a 107-yard day against the Texans in Week 7, a game in which Anderson suffered a season-ending knee injury. Anderson will return to a new offense in 2017. Gone will be Gary Kubiak's inside-outside zone scheme and, instead, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is expected to install a more wide-open attack. Expect Anderson to thrive in such an environment as he exploded onto the scene in 2014 when Denver was more spread out with Peyton Manning. One of Denver's few holdovers from the offensive staff will be Anderson's position coach, Eric Studesville.
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Cordarrelle Patterson RB | PIT
Vikings' Cordarrelle Patterson: Would love to play running back
Patterson said he would like to play running back next season. "I just want to touch the football," Patterson told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I would love it."
Patterson is an unrestricted free agent, so the versatility to play running back similar to how Ty Montgomery was used in Green Bay would only add to his value. It's not clear if the Vikings intend to re-sign him or use him more at running back. Patterson entered the 2016 season relegated to special teams, but revived his career with 52 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns. He's had 31 carries for 333 yards and four touchdowns in his career, mostly on reverses or sweeps, but has lined up a few times in the backfield.
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Bernard Pierce RB | DEN
Broncos' Bernard Pierce: Signs future contract
Pierce signed a reserve/future contract with the Broncos on Tuesday.
The fifth-year back has played in 52 NFL games, including three starts, with the Ravens and Jaguars since 2012. Most recently, he spent time with the Jets but landed on injured reserve due to a hamstring issue, forcing him to miss the entirety of the 2016-17 season.
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Christine Michael RB | IND
Packers' Christine Michael: Plays for two teams in 2016
Michael featured in 15 games for the Seahawks and Packers this season, finishing with a combined 583 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 148 attempts and 22 catches (on 29 targets) for 107 yards and another score.
Michael scored seven times through nine appearances prior to being released by the Seahawks in mid-November. After that production, and with the Packers dealing with injuries to their backfield, Michael quickly landed in Green Bay. However, given the emergence of Ty Montgomery at running back, Michael was only handed more than four carries twice in six regular season outings for the Packers. Although he provided nice depth for a team in need and easily had his best season overall, it's unclear whether Michael fits into Green Bay's plans for the future. As a result, his impending unrestricted free agency will have to pan out before expectations of him can be formed ahead of the 2017 campaign.