NFL Player News

Patterson doesn't seem likely to re-sign with Chicago, according to SI.com's Gene Chamberlain.

Given their hefty salary commitments and unsettled QB situation, the Bears don't seem likely to spend significant money on a player who primarily makes an impact on special teams. Patterson did add backup RB work to his bag of tricks in 2020, but he averaged only 3.6 yards per carry and 6.3 per reception, while starter David Montgomery put up 4.3 YPC and 8.1 YPR. In any case, the Bears hope to have Tarik Cohen (knee) back in the mix next season, so Patterson won't necessarily get carries even if the team somehow manages to keep him around at a reasonable price. He's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

The Chiefs listed Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Edwards-Helaire returned from a month-long absence to suit up in last weekend's 38-24 win over the Bills in the AFC Championship Game, taking six carries for seven yards and a touchdown while playing 49 percent of offensive snaps. He should be ready for the Feb. 7 Super Bowl matchup with the Buccaneers, likely splitting work out of the backfield with Darrel Williams. The Chiefs also hope to have Le'Veon Bell (knee) available, though his role isn't likely to be significant behind the top two options on the depth chart.

Wilson signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Wilson topped 100 yards twice during the 2021 season, including a 183-yard effort against the Cardinals in Week 16. He finished with 126 carries for 600 yards (4.8 YPC) and seven touchdowns, adding 12 receptions (28 targets) for 133 yards and three scores. Raheem Mostert is under contract for next season as well, so Wilson is slated to operate as the 1B back once again, barring any offseason additions. The 49ers' offensive dynamic could change next year if Jimmy Garoppolo is cut or traded, but head coach Kyle Shanahan has a long track record of setting his running backs up for success regardless of who is under center.

Benjamin spent the entire 2020 season on Arizona's roster but never played in a game.

The 2020 seventh-round pick was a healthy scratch all year, with Kenyan Drake playing 15 games and Chase Edmonds suiting up for all 16. Depth running back D.J. Foster also made 10 appearances, logging 25 snaps on offense and 115 on special teams. With Drake and Foster both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, Benjamin could have an opening to make an impression during OTAs and minicamp.

McFarland could benefit from working with offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who held the same position at The University of Maryland when the running back ran for 1,034 yards in 2018, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

McFarland and Canada both experienced their first NFL season in 2020, with the former seldom used as a backup running back, while the latter served as QBs coach. Canada replaces Randy Fichtner, who was criticized for ranking 31st, 29th and 32nd in rushing yards during his three-year tenure as offensive coordinator. With James Conner scheduled for free agency and none of McFarland, Benny Snell or Jaylen Samuels making a strong impression this past season, it's hard to get a read on the future of the Pittsburgh backfield. The murky situation isn't necessarily a bad thing for McFarland, a soon-to-be 22-year-old with 4.44 speed and decent organizational investment in him (2020 fourth-round pick).

Jones (chest), who was unable to return to Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game, is uncertain to return for the Packers in 2021, Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports.

Jones didn't retake the field after suffering a hard hit from Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (shoulder), a play that resulted in a crucial fumble on the opening drive of the third quarter. He finished Sunday's loss with just six carries for 27 yards and four catches for seven yards. Now having reached the end of his rookie contract, Jones is on track to hit the free-agent market this offseason unless he comes to terms on a new deal with the Packers. Demovsky reports that Green Bay offered Jones, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, a deal that would make him one of "the top-five highest paid running backs in terms of average per year," but includes minimal guaranteed money. With Jamaal Williams also having reached the end of his rookie deal, the stage could be set for 2020 second-round pick AJ Dillon to take over as the top dog in Green Bay's backfield next season.

Edwards-Helaire registered seven yards and one touchdown on six carries while catching one of two targets for zero yards during Sunday's 38-24 win against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game.

The first-round rookie back hadn't appeared in a game since Week 15, having been beleaguered by a left ankle sprain and a left hip strain suffered during the Chiefs' win over New Orleans. Edwards-Helaire was a limited participant throughout the practice week, however, and he ultimately showed enough to the training staff to earn his first career playoff nod. While Le'Veon Bell (knee) was deemed inactive Sunday, Darrel Williams paced the backfield in carries (13) and rushing yards (52) while registering Kansas City's only other rushing score of the evening. Edwards-Helaire may have more of a role in the Super Bowl, as he'll be afforded two weeks to recuperate further before a Sunday, Feb. 7 matchup against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay, the first team in league history to host a Super Bowl at its home stadium, boasts the NFL's most prohibitive rush defense.

Williams ran the ball 13 times for 52 yards and a touchdown while securing his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 38-24 win against Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle/hip) was healthy enough to suit up for his first game appearance since Week 15, and he remained active throughout Sunday's playoff tilt. Williams paced the backfield in carries and rushing yards for a second straight outing, however, helping provide Kansas City back-to-back Super Bowl berths by way of his second-quarter TD run. Williams and the Chiefs' running back committee will have to contend with Tampa Bay's top-ranked rush defense, which held opponents to 82.2 yards per game during the regular season while containing Green Bay to just 67 yards in the NFC Championship Game.

Jones rushed 10 times for 16 yards and did not receive a target during the Buccaneers' 31-26 win over the Packers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Jones once again played second fiddle to Leonard Fournette, who logged a total of 17 touches. He also averaged three yards less per carry than Fournette's 4.6, and Jones' complete lack of a role in the passing game seems to further cement the fact the two backs have swapped places on the depth chart ahead of a Super Bowl LV matchup versus either the Bills or Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 7.

Jones was forced out of Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers due to a chest injury.

As long as Jones is sidelined, Jamaal Williams and AJ Dillon are next up for Green Bay's carries versus Tampa Bay.