NFL Player News

Ford rushed the ball nine times for 17 yards in Saturday's 45-14 loss to the Texans. He added four receptions on four targets for 15 yards.

Ford fell slightly behind Kareem Hunt in total workload out of the backfield and lost out on touches near the goal line and as a receiver. Even when he did have the ball in his hands, he was held in check by the Texans' defense to turn in a disappointing final game of the campaign. Overall, Ford had the chance to serve as Cleveland's lead back for much of the season due to Nick Chubb (knee) being sidelined and managed an impressive nine total touchdowns with 1,132 yards from scrimmage in the regular season. Chubb's status from a health and contract perspective is ambiguous at this point, so Ford may maintain a significant role in Cleveland's offense in 2024.

Singletary rushed the ball 13 times for 66 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 45-14 win over the Browns. He added three receptions on three targets for four yards.

The Texans relied on C.J. Stroud for their scoring in the first half, as the rookie quarterback had three touchdowns. That, combined with a tough matchup against the Browns' run defense limited Singletary's production for much of the game, even though he out-touched Dameon Pierce 16-3. The former managed to salvage his performance with a 19-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to tack on Houston's final score of the day. Singletary will continue to lead the team's backfield in the divisional round, though the offense is likely to run through Stroud once again.

Mostert (knee/ankle) is listed as active for Saturday's wild-card game against the Chiefs.

Mostert, who missed the Dolphins' last two regular-season games as he contended with knee and ankle issues, was deemed limited on the team's practice reports Tuesday through Thursday and approached the contest listed as questionable. With the running back's active status confirmed, he'll have an opportunity to reclaim his key role in a Miami backfield that figures to be busy, with extreme cold weather on tap for Saturday's matchup in Kansas City. In that context, barring any in-game limitations or setbacks, Mostert should make an impact in his return to the mix, with De'Von Achane and Jeff Wilson, to a lesser degree, also available to handle their share of touches in the looming harsh playing conditions.

Strong (back) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Texans.

Strong sustained a back injury in the Browns' regular-season finale that will hold him out of the Saturday's wild-card matchup. With Strong missing time, expect John Kelly to serve as Cleveland's third-string running back.

Blasingame ended the 2023 season with eight rushes for 23 yards along with three receptions for two yards.

Balsingame served as Chicago's fullback, playing less than 18 snaps in all but one game. In Week 5, the Bears had injuries to each of their running backs, leading to the fullback rushing eight times for 23 yards. Otherwise, he was targeted once in three different games, which accounted for all of his season stats. In his five-year career, he has a total of 24 touches, as Blasingame's main role is to block. The veteran has one year remaining on his contract.

The Packers cut Drake from their practice squad Friday.

Drake appeared in just one game for the Packers since signing with their practice squad in early December, carrying the ball once for zero yards on five total snaps (all offensive). In a corresponding move, Green Bay signed cornerback David Long to its practice squad.

Johnson (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's wild-card round game against the Steelers.

Johnson was a limited participant in all three of Buffalo's practices heading into the postseason, but Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 reports that the running back has cleared concussion protocol. Johnson, Leonard Fournette and Latavius Murray are all options to spell starting running back James Cook, with Johnson profiling as the youngest and shiftiest of the three depth options.

Cook -- who is currently on Baltimore's practice squad -- is likely to get an opportunity in the playoffs, as the Ravens are dissatisfied in the current state of their running back room, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and Melvin Gordon have posted underwhelming numbers recently, averaging a combined 4.0 yards per carry in recent games. Edwards has also fumbled in each of the last two games, and Gordon added to his extensive history of fumbling in Baltimore's regular-season finale. The situation is ripe for Cook to take on a larger role in the postseason, but whether he can take advantage of that opportunity is a different matter, as Cook averaged a paltry 3.2 yards per carry without a touchdown in 15 appearances for the Jets prior to being waived and eventually winding up on Baltimore's practice squad.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Friday that Dillon (thumb/neck) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's wild-card contest in Dallas, Ryan Wood of USA Today reports.

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, Dillon was absent from drills for a third day in a row Friday, so his designation for Sunday doesn't come as a surprise. Assuming Dillon misses a second consecutive game due to a neck stinger, the Packers backfield will be in good hands with Aaron Jones (knee/finger), who has cracked the century mark in rushing yards in three straight outings. Any RB reps that don't go to Jones likely will be handled by Patrick Taylor.

Jones (knee/finger) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's wild-card game in Dallas, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The Packers have managed Jones' practice reps since he returned to action Week 15 following three games off due to a sprained MCL. The regimen has worked out well for him over the last three contests, in particular, when he went for at least 110 yards on 20-plus carries each time. With AJ Dillon (thumb/neck) doubtful to suit up Sunday after sitting out every practice this week, Jones should have all the backfield work he can handle against the Cowboys.