NFL Player News
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Ray Davis RB | BUF
Bills' Ray Davis: Still in concussion protocol
Head coach Sean McDermott noted Wednesday that Davis remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
A concussion forced Davis out of this past Sunday's AFC wild-card win over the Broncos, and the running back has yet to progress through the protocol since then. If Davis is unable to gain clearance ahead of this Sunday's divisional-round contest against the Ravens, Ty Johnson would be in line to see added snaps behind top back James Cook, with Frank Gore a candidate to be elevated from Buffalo's practice squad.
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Eric Gray RB | NYG
Giants' Eric Gray: Shows little progress in Year 2
Gray rushed 14 times for 31 yards and caught 10 of 11 targets for 82 yards in 17 regular-season games during the 2024 campaign. He also tallied 554 kick-return yards on 21 opportunities while losing two fumbles.
Gray played in all 17 games and logged 41 more defensive snaps in 2024 compared to his rookie 2023 campaign, but he got three fewer carries and tallied 17 fewer rushing yards. His 2.2 YPC gave New York little reason to use him as a ball carrier, though Gray did improve mildly on his numbers as a pass catcher. The Oklahoma product's biggest role was as a kick returner, but his ball-security issues led the Giants to turn to Ihmir Smith-Marsette as their lead kick returner late in the campaign. Gray will be in the third year of his rookie contract in 2025, and given his lack of production thus far along with Tyrone Tracy's emergence as the team's lead back, there doesn't seem to be much room for Gray to ascend on New York's depth chart.
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Isiah Pacheco RB | KC
Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco: Good to go for divisional round
Pacheco (rib) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice.
Pacheco emerged from the Chiefs' Dec. 25 win over the Steelers with a rib injury, though head coach Andy Reid mostly downplayed any concern about the issue shortly after that game. The running back ended up sitting out the Chiefs' Week 18 loss to the Broncos, though he was likely inactive mostly as a precaution since Kansas City had already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed and had little to gain by exposing him to further injury in the regular-season finale. After sitting out Week 18 and benefiting from the Chiefs' first-round playoff bye, Pacheco's ability to practice in full suggests he'll be ready to go for Saturday's postseason opener versus the Texans. Pacheco played less than half of the Chiefs' offensive snaps in each of his five appearances since being activated from injured reserve in Week 13 following an extended absence due to a fractured right fibula, so he could once again find himself in a timeshare out of the backfield with Kareem Hunt in the divisional-round matchup.
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Aaron Shampklin RB | PIT
Steelers' Aaron Shampklin: Inks deal with Pittsburgh
The Steelers signed Shampklin to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Shampklin spent the 2024 season in Pittsburgh, mostly on the practice squad, but he did get promoted to the active roster several times and appeared in three regular-season contests. Shampklin rushed six times for 17 yards, logging the first carries of his career. He'll try to win a job this upcoming offseason.
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Evan Hull RB | IND
Steelers' Evan Hull: Signs with Pittsburgh
The Steelers signed Hull to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Hull was a fifth-round pick of the Colts in the 2023 NFL Draft and spent each of the past two seasons with the team, mostly on the practice squad. He appeared in two games for the team, logging one rushing attempt for one yard, while catching one pass for six yards. Hull will try to win a backup job in Pittsburgh's backfield this upcoming offseason.
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David Montgomery RB | DET
Lions' David Montgomery: Gauged as full practice participant
The Lions listed Montgomery (knee) as a full participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Though the Lions didn't take the field for a traditional practice coming off a bye week in the opening round of the playoffs, Montgomery's listed full participation seemingly supports the notion that the running back will be ready to go for Saturday's divisional-round game against the Commanders. Given that Montgomery missed the final three contests of the regular season due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, he could be asked to handle a more limited role out of the backfield in the Lions' postseason opener than he taken on prior to suffering the injury. Second-year tailback Jahmyr Gibbs thrived as the Lions' clear lead option out of the backfield during Montgomery's absence and still projects to get the larger share of the touches Saturday, though Montgomery's bruising running style and ability to contribute as a receiver will make him a welcome addition to the offense. Montgomery made 14 appearances during the regular season, carrying 185 times for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 341 yards on 38 targets.
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Ronnie Rivers RB | LAR
Rams' Ronnie Rivers: Earns three touches
Rivers carried the ball three times for eight yards during Monday's 27-9 wild-card win against the Vikings.
With Blake Corum (forearm) out for the playoffs, Rivers stepped in as the primary backup to Kyren Williams at running back. As has been the case all season, Williams didn't come off the field often, playing 46 snaps and earning a total of 19 touches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Rivers played just seven snaps, and his three touches all came in the fourth quarter with the Rams holding a comfortable lead. Rivers is likely to continue to see limited volume on offense in the divisional round against a stout Eagles run defense.
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DJ Williams RB | TB
Buccaneers' D.J. Williams: Back with Tampa Bay
The Bucs signed Williams to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports.
The 24-year-old spent the season on Tampa Bay's practice squad. Williams was elevated for one contest, playing eight special-teams snaps against the Saints in Week 6, finishing with a pair of kickoff returns for 54 yards. Williams will compete for a job this upcoming offseason.
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Christopher Brooks RB | GB
Packers' Chris Brooks: Minimal production against Eagles
Brooks caught two of three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 22-10 wild-card loss to the Eagles.
Brooks failed to record a single carry for the sixth time this season. The 25-year-old running back played just 16 of the Packers' 66 offensive snaps Sunday, behind Josh Jacobs (41) and ahead of Emanuel Wilson (11). Brooks finished the 2024 regular season with 36 carries for 183 yards and a touchdown, adding 11 receptions for 69 yards on 13 targets. The BYU product is under contract for the 2025 season before becoming a restricted free agent in 2026. Brooks will likely continue to compete with Wilson for backup duties behind Jacobs next season.
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Emanuel Wilson RB | GB
Packers' Emanuel Wilson: Four touches in wild-card loss
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.