NFL Player News

Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that he's optimistic Mostert (knee/ankle) will be able to play in Saturday's playoff game against the Chiefs, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

McDaniel said Mostert and Jaylen Waddle (ankle) both pushed to play against the Bills in Week 18, but the doctors advised against it, saying both players could do more damage. It sounds like a week off is what Mostert and Waddle needed. With all of the injuries on the defensive side of the ball for Miami, it needs all the help it can get on offense. Should Mostert play, he and De'Von Achane should carry the bulk of the load out of the backfield, with Jeff Wilson in tow as a third ball-carrying option.

Goodson did not handle a carry in Saturday's 23-19 loss versus the Texans, and he failed to bring in either of his two targets.

The last meaningful play of a must-win game for Indianapolis was a dropped pass by Goodson that would have extended a potential game-winning drive with just over a minute to play. It's a difficult pill to swallow for Goodson, who had an otherwise promising season in 2023 relative to his rookie year in 2022. He has enough speed to get a second look during the offseason.

Sermon recorded 35 carries for 160 yards over 14 games in 2023, adding three catches for 13 yards on six targets.

Sermon had something of a bounce-back season in his third year after suiting up for just two games in his sophomore season in 2022. He was only able to fill a rotational role behind the capable duo of Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss, but he was efficient while averaging 4.6 yards per tote. Sermon enters the offseason as a free agent, but he's put himself in a position to land on a roster somewhere in the league in 2024.

Hill caught three of 10 targets for 26 yards in Saturday's loss to the Steelers.

Hill did not factor into the carry rotation Saturday but did lead the team in targets in what was an anomalous game for the Ravens with Tyler Huntley at quarterback. In Weeks 16 and 17, Hill commanded a 22 percent rushing share in the wake of Keaton Mitchell's season-ending injury. Hill has been active in the passing game throughout the season and that should continue when the Ravens return to action in the divisional round, but his rushing usage has been sporadic all year as well. Gus Edwards projects to be first in line for carries during the postseason but Hill can still be a fantasy factor with a small rushing workload to go with his passing game role.

Freeman rushed four times for two yards and caught his lone target for 13 yards during Sunday's 21-20 victory against San Francisco.

Freeman essentially split snaps with starter Ronnie Rivers (13-52-0) but was ineffective with his limited touches aside from his lone catch, his first of the season. In 14 games with the Rams this season, Freeman finished with a modest 77-319-2 rushing line as the tertiary option in the backfield behind Kyren Williams and Rivers, and he'll likely retain the same limited role in the Rams' playoff opener against the Lions.

Denver signed Badie to a reserve/future contract Monday, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.

Badie was with the Broncos' practice squad since late October, and the team apparently saw enough to give him a chance to compete for a spot on their 53-man roster in OTAs and training camp. Badie boasts good speed, but at 5-foot-8, 197 lbs., it's unlikely he'll ever see a bellcow workload in the NFL.

Clement was cut from the Cardinals' practice squad Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Clement suited up three times this season for Arizona, only appearing on special teams. According to Pelissero, the purpose of releasing the Wisconsin product at this juncture is to give him a chance to join a playoff team in need of depth at running back.

Dowdle carried the ball nine times for 46 yards and caught three of four targets for 54 yards in Sunday's 38-10 rout of the Commanders.

The backup running back mixed in regularly with Tony Pollard in the Cowboys backfield before taking over completely in the fourth quarter, and Dowdle wound up reaching 100 yards from scrimmage in a game for the first time in his career while seeing double-digit touches for the fourth time this year. The 25-year-old had a solid regular season in his depth role, amassing 505 total yards and four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) on 106 touches, and Dowdle should remain involved in the game plan when Dallas faces Green Bay on Sunday in the wild-card round.

Homer played 17 snaps on special teams in the Bears' 17-9 loss to the Packers on Sunday.

After signing a two-year deal with Chicago entering the season, Homer was a core special-teams player who was only used on six offensive snaps in 16 games played. Going into the final year of his contract, the five-year veteran could be in a similar role next season.

Mitchell rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts while catching both of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 21-20 loss to the Rams.

The NFC's No. 1 seed opted to sit multiple stars in Week 18 with nothing to play for. Mitchell took full advantage of Christian McCaffrey's absence by leading the team in all rushing categories and scoring his second touchdown in as many weeks. The oft-injured Mitchell was dealing with an illness during the practice week but seemed 100 percent Sunday, and with an extra week of rest in store for all San Francisco players due to a first-round playoff bye, he should be available to back up CMC when the team resumes play in the divisional round.