NFL Player News

Ogunbowale had two carries for seven yards and caught his lone target for 13 yards in Houston's 34-10 playoff loss to Baltimore last Saturday. He finished the 2023 regular season with eight carries for 35 yards and two catches on seven targets for 18 yards over 12 games.

Ogunbowale eventually became the No. 2 back behind Devin Singletary, surpassing Dameon Pierce, who struggled all season. Had Singletary gotten hurt at any point leading up to the postseason, perhaps the rotation might have been different. Ogunbowale, who enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, has been a valuable depth piece and special-teams regular since joining the Texans ahead of the 2022 season. He's returned kickoffs, served on coverage teams and even converted a 29-yard field goal attempt as the emergency kicker in a Week 9 win over Tampa Bay. The organization will likely want him back for 2024.

Edmonds rushed four times for 19 yards and brought in both targets for 18 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-23 divisional-round loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Edmonds overcame a questionable tag due to a toe injury to suit up for the postseason contest, and he filled his typically modest No. 2 role behind lead back Rachaad White. The veteran was reasonably effective with his opportunities during a 13-game regular season, recording 176 yards at 3.6 yards per carry and adding a 14-81-0 receiving line. Edmonds then had 11 carries for 31 yards and three receptions for another 26 yards during Tampa Bay's two postseason games. He's slated for unrestricted free agency this offseason after playing 2023 on a one-year deal.

Laird reverted to the Bucs' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

With Chase Edmonds (toe) listed as questionable, the Bucs elevated Laird to the active roster ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Lions. Edmonds was healthy enough to play, so Laird was inactive for the game. Laird hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2021.

The Texans signed Taylor to a reserve/future contract Monday.

After being cut by the Patriots following training camp, Taylor eventually landed on Houston's practice squad back in October and spent the rest of the season there. Taylor has 52 career carries for 156 yards (3.0 YPC) and two touchdowns across 12 appearances. He'll try to make an impression this offseason.

The Packers signed Merriweather to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Merriweather did not suit up for a regular-season game in his rookie season, but he'll now get a shot at a spot on Green Bay's 53-man roster for 2024. He took 150 carries for 575 yards and three touchdowns at Massachusetts in 2022.

Taylor had 32 carries for 141 yards and 11 receptions for 49 yards over 11 regular-season games in 2023.

Taylor easily had his most productive campaign as a professional, as he set career highs nearly across the board and ran for a respectable 4.4 YPC. He's been a trusted back for the Packers since 2021, but he spent the early portion of the season on the practice squad and was even waived before being brought back in late November. There's a chance he could return to Green Bay for a fourth go-around, but he ended the season fourth on the depth chart, so it would not be surprising if the Packers opt to go in a different direction.

Wilson had four carries for 16 yards and one reception for 11 yards in Saturday's 24-21 loss to the 49ers.

Wilson -- an undrafted free agent -- broke camp with the Packers after an impressive preseason, and he worked mainly in a bit role before missing six games with a shoulder injury. He returned for Week 18 and did not see action, but fellow running back AJ Dillon (thumb/neck) missed both playoff games the Packers played, and Wilson worked as the backup behind Aaron Jones in both of them. The Packers will have some decisions to make at the running back position over the offseason, and Wilson showed enough during his first season as a professional to be part of the mix heading into the 2024 campaign.

GM Andrew Berry said Monday that the Browns intend to bring back Chubb (knee) for the 2024 season, despite his current health and contract situation, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.

Berry's mention of Chubb's contract refers to the fact that the Browns have a potential out this offseason for only $4 million in dead cap, whereas, barring a restructure, the veteran running back would carry a $15.8 million cap hit for the next campaign. Those are details that Chubb and the team can negotiate if there is indeed mutual interest in a continued partnership. On the injury front, Chubb's recovery from a significant ACL tear appears to be progressing on track. He shed his crutches mid-December and also was spotted walking without a brace on his left knee at that time.

Dowdle finished the regular season with 361 yards and two touchdowns on 89 carries while catching 17 of 22 targets for 144 yards and two more TDs over 16 games.

The 25-year-old running back made his NFL debut with the Cowboys in 2020 but had only seven career carries coming into 2023. Dowdle won the No. 2 job in the backfield behind Tony Pollard in camp and never looked back, setting career highs across the board and posting a couple big performances in blowouts, including 79 yards and a TD on 12 totes against the Giants in Week 10. Dowdle is a restricted free agent this offseason while Pollard is unrestricted, but even if the former stays and the latter departs it's unlikely Dallas would simply hand Dowdle the starting role in 2024. A timeshare or committee role might be the best he can hope for.

Cook rushed 18 times for 61 yards and caught four of five targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to Kansas City.

Cook had trouble finding holes (3.4 YPC) against a tough defensive front led by the Chiefs' Chris Jones, finishing with 82 total yards and no touchdowns Sunday. With the loss ending Buffalo's season, Cook will finish his breakout fantasy campaign after posting 1,567 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns in 17 regular-season games as the Bills' starting tailback. Barring a big-name addition to the backfield this upcoming offseason, Cook figures to lead Buffalo's rushing attack alongside quarterback Josh Allen in 2024.