NFL Player News

Wilson rushed three times for six yards and caught one of three targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 22-10 wild-card loss to the Eagles.

Wilson was mostly an afterthought Sunday, as his six rushing yards counted for his lowest rushing total since Week 15. The 25-year-old running back played just 11 of the Packers' 66 offensive snaps in the contest, behind fellow running backs Josh Jacobs (41) and Chris Brooks (16). Wilson finished the 2024 regular season with 103 carries for 502 yards and four touchdowns, adding 11 receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Wilson proved to be a solid depth option for Green Bay this season, but he'll enter this offseason as an exclusive rights free agent. If the Packers make Wilson a qualifying offer, he'll be back with the team in 2025. If not, the Fort Valley State University product will be able to sign with any other team ahead of next season.

McLaughlin rushed twice for minus-two yards and secured his lone target for zero yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card loss to the Bills.

McLaughlin was not a big part of the game plan Sunday, playing just eight of the Broncos 42 offensive snaps in the contest behind teammate Javonte Williams (31) and ahead of Tyler Badie (3). The 24-year-old running back finished the 2024 regular season with 113 carries for 496 yards and one touchdown, a 24-76-2 receiving line on 27 targets and one lost fumble across 16 games. McLaughlin's carry total and rushing yards set career highs in both categories, as he saw his involvement in the ground game increase in his sophomore season. The Youngstown State product will enter his third season in 2025 with the opportunity to take a step forward in the offense. Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so his possible departure could open things up for McLaughlin to step into a larger role in Denver's backfield. With that said, he'll likely continue to face competition from Audric Estime, Badie and any other running back who could be added through free agency or the draft.

Estime finished the 2024 regular season with 76 carries for 310 yards and two touchdowns while catching all five of his targets for 27 yards. He also committed two fumbles (one lost) across 13 games.

Estime was inactive for the Broncos' wild-card loss to the Broncos, as Denver opted to go with a three-man running back rotation of Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie. The 21-year-old Estime was stuck in a committee in his rookie campaign, unable to separate himself as the go-to option in the Denver backfield. With that said, the Notre Dame product showed flashes in his limited opportunities throughout the season, so his continued development may help him attain a more secure role in his sophomore campaign. Williams could be in a new locale in 2025, as the veteran is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. His potential departure would leave Estime, McLaughlin and Badie competing to be Denver's lead back. It's also possible the Broncos will address the position in free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jones rushed 13 times for 48 yards and secured three of six targets for 12 yards in the Vikings' 27-9 wild-card loss to the Rams on Monday night. He finished the 2024 regular season with 255 carries for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, a 51-408-2 line on 62 targets and five fumbles (three lost) across 17 games.

Jones didn't look encumbered by the quadriceps injury he'd been dealing with since the Week 17 win against the Packers, but his opportunities were limited by game script. The veteran's modest final numbers somewhat belied the fact he was a very good fit overall in his first Vikings season, as Jones' rushing yardage total was a new personal best, and his receiving yardage tally was the second highest of his career. Jones is due to hit unrestricted free agency when the new league year begins in March after playing 2024 on a one-year, $7 million deal, but there may be mutual interest in a return to Minnesota.

Williams rushed 16 times for 76 yards and secured all three targets for 16 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' 27-9 wild-card win over the Vikings on Monday night.

Williams served as the ideal complement to the efforts of Matthew Stafford through the air and the Rams' stellar defensive performance, helping move the chains on the ground and opening the scoring with a five-yard touchdown catch to cap off the opening possession of the contest. Williams looked refreshed after getting Week 18 off, but he'll have his work cut out for him in Sunday's divisional-round road matchup against an elite Eagles run defense.

Tucker, who was active but did not log any snaps in Sunday night's 23-20 wild-card loss to the Commanders, finished the 2024 regular season with 50 carries for 308 yards and two touchdowns, a 9-109-1 line on 12 targets, 410 kickoff-return yards and one fumble, which remained with Tampa Bay, across 17 games.

The second-year running back established new career-high figures across the board, with the highlight of his season coming in a Week 6 win over the Saints where he posted 14 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 56 yards and another score. Tucker continued to see sporadic opportunities throughout the season and flashed plenty of his trademark explosiveness, and he could be set to see another increase in opportunity in his 2025 contract year, perhaps at the occasional expense of Rachaad White behind starter Bucky Irving.

White, who rushed once for one yard and secured both targets for 14 yards in the Buccaneers' 23-20 wild-card loss to the Commanders on Sunday night, finished the 2024 regular season with 144 carries for 613 yards and three touchdowns and a 51-393-6 line on 57 targets across 16 games. He also committed three fumbles, losing them all.

White went into his third season set to still operate as the lead back while rookie Bucky Irving was eased into the NFL ranks as a complementary option. However, there was eventually a changing of the guard in the backfield once it became clear Irving was the more explosive player and capable of handling a true No. 1 workload, and White ultimately finished the regular season with zero touches for only the second time in his career during the Week 18 win over the Saints. The 2022 third-round pick is set to play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, and considering what Irving put on film once given control of the ground attack, White may not receive a contract extension offer this offseason.

Patterson signed a reserve/future contract with the Chargers on Monday.

Patterson was unsuccessful in making the Chargers' 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but he signed with their practice squad Sept. 2. He was elevated for the Chargers' wild-card game against the Texans on Saturday, but he ended up being inactive for the contest. The 25-year-old running back will stay with the Bolts during OTAs, minicamp and training camp in an effort to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2025 campaign.

Akers (illness) is listed as active for Monday's wild-card game against the Rams.

Akers wasn't able to practice Saturday due to an illness, which left him questionable for the Vikings' playoff opener. Despite the ailment, he'll be able to suit up Monday and serve as the primary backup to starting RB Aaron Jones, which has amounted to 6.2 touches for 29.1 yards from scrimmage per game and three total TDs in 12 appearances for Minnesota this season.

Badie rushed twice for eight yards in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card round loss to the Bills.

Badie played just three of the Broncos' 42 offensive snaps in his first game back from a long stint on injured reserve due to a back injury suffered in Week 4. The 24-year-old running back missed the remainder of the regular season, finishing the year with just 11 carries for 86 yards while catching all three of his targets for minus-2 yards. Badie also lost one fumble in his three games played. The Missouri product remains under contract for the 2025 season, and he'll likely compete with fellow running backs Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime next season while Javonte Williams could be headed out of Denver as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Broncos could, however, choose to sign a free-agent running back this offseason or address the position in the draft, adding more competition ahead of the 2025 campaign.