NFL Player News

Rodriguez finished the 2024 regular season with 35 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns and one catch for 12 yards.

The 2023 sixth-round pick spent much of the season on Washington's practice squad and was a healthy scratch for the final two playoff games, but he also had a few chances to handle a significant role when the team was missing either Brian Robinson or Austin Ekeler, both of whom are under contract through 2025. Rodriguez is set to be an exclusive rights free agent, which means he'll likely be back with the Commanders in a depth role at the league-minimum salary for a third-year player. There is some chance Rodriguez gets an opportunity to move up the depth chart, as he's averaged 4.9 yards on 86 career carries after a prolific college career at Kentucky.

Ekeler finished the 2024 regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns and 35 catches for 366 yards in 12 games, adding 34 touches for 173 yards in three playoff appearances.

Ekeler mostly played well in the first season of a two-year contract, but he suffered a pair of concussions along the way and then lost a fumble in the NFC Championship Game. His future in Washington is uncertain, as the team can add $3.46 million in cap space by releasing Ekeler this offseason. Regardless of how things play out with the Commanders, his days as a top fantasy asset appear numbered, with Ekeler now trying to continue his career as a backup/passing-down specialist. He'll turn 30 in May.

Gainwell (concussion/knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Gainwell took part in his first notable on-field work since he sustained a concussion in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 26. He'll have to clear the five-step concussion protocol in order to make himself available for Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Chiefs, but he at least has made some progress on that front.

Gainwell (concussion/knee) is listed as questionable for Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9 against the Chiefs.

Gainwell hasn't been able to practice since sustaining a concussion on the opening kickoff of the second half of this past Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Commanders. On a positive note, he still has more than a week to make his way through the protocol for head injuries, but progress on that front will need to happen on the practice field next Wednesday through Friday.

Gainwell (concussion/knee) was listed as a DNP on Thursday's injury report.

Gainwell entered concussion protocol during the Eagles' NFC Championship Game victory over the Commanders this past Sunday. With another week of practice ahead for the Eagles before Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 9, Gainwell has additional time to clear the league's five-step concussion protocols. The 2021 fifth-round pick logged seven carries for 32 yards and caught all three of his targets for 26 yards across three playoff games.

Williams did not record a carry or target across 17 regular-season games in 2024, but he did finish with 408 kick return yards and 185 punt return yards.

After sitting out the entire 2023 campaign due to a torn ACL in his knee, Williams was able to earn a spot on the Falcons' 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign. With the Falcons' backfield dominated by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, Williams was exclusively used on special teams as a returner on both kickoffs and punts, but he managed to record six tackles (two solo) while on coverage duties. Williams will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and should get plenty of interest from teams looking to add a return specialist who could also contribute out of the backfield.

Gainwell (concussion/knee) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's estimated practice.

Gainwell was ruled out of Philadelphia's win over Washington in the NFC Championship Game this past Sunday due to a concussion, and he's also currently dealing with a knee injury. The depth running back and return man will work to return to full health in time to contribute in the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX matchup with the Chiefs on Feb. 9. For the time being, rookie Will Shipley will be in position to handle increased practice reps behind lead back Saquon Barkley.

McNichols finished the 2024 regular season with 55 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns, and nine catches for 27 yards, adding five carries for nine yards and a touchdown in three playoff appearances.

McNichols got a bunch of chances to step in as Washington's No. 2 back, with Brian Robinson missing three games and Austin Ekeler five. While he mostly performed well, the enduring memory of McNichols' season for a lot of Washington fans will be be his lost fumble on a kick return during the NFC Championship Game -- a mistake that allowed the Eagles to stretch their lead from eight points to 15. The 29-year-old McNichols is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this offseason.

The Bills signed Gore to a reserve/future contract Monday.

The undrafted rookie from Southern Mississippi spent his 2024 campaign with the Bills' practice squad after failing to make the active roster in late August. Gore was elevated to the active roster for Buffalo's Week 6 win over the Jets but did not play a single snap. He's now expected to compete for a reserve role in the Bills' backfield this summer, aiming to make his regular-season NFL debut in 2025.

Johnson had five carries for 19 yards and secured his only target for a gain of zero yards during 32-29 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Johnson worked behind backfield leader James Cook, and above rookie fourth-round pick Ray Davis, during Buffalo's narrow season-ending loss to Kansas City. While suiting up for all 17 regular-season games, Johnson compiled 41 carries for 213 yards (5.1 YPC) and one touchdown, while also hauling in 18 of 25 targets for 284 yards and another three scores. He compiled 130 kick return yards, as well. Johnson is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.