NFL Player News

McFarland totaled five carries for 17 yards while failing to haul in his lone target in Sunday's 24-22 loss to the Browns.

McFarland saw some increased usage Week 17 because the Steelers elected to rest some of their primary players ahead of the playoffs. The 2020 fourth-rounder didn't make much of an impact for Pittsburgh during his rookie season, logging just 33 carries for 113 yards while hauling in six of his 10 targets for 54 yards. McFarland could compete for an increased role in 2021 if James Conner doesn't re-sign with the team, but he should continue to see minimal work during the Steelers' postseason run.

Ogunbowale had 14 carries for 50 yards and caught four of seven targets for 22 yards during Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Colts.

The 26-year-old played all but two offensive snaps in the absence of workhorse James Robinson (ankle). Ogunbowale spent most of the season working in a passing-down role with minimal production, but he was the lead tailback for the final two games of the season, rushing 28 times for 121 yards while catching seven passes for 29 yards in that stretch. He's set to be an exclusive rights free agent in 2021 and could remain in Jacksonville, though he'd revert to a reserve role with Robinson back in the mix.

Breida did not handle an offensive snap during Sunday's blowout 56-26 loss to the Bills.

Breida wrapped up an underwhelming season in Miami with back-to-back games without a carry or target, playing just nine snaps on special teams Week 17. Outside of a Week 15 tilt against the Patriots in which injuries and complications related to COVID-19 thrust Breida into a larger role, the Dolphins' coaching staff never saw fit to trust him with more than occasional touches. He had 59 carries for 254 yards (4.3 YPC) through 12 contests, while also securing nine of 10 targets for 96 yards. Breida is set to hit free agency this offseason, and he'll no doubt look to find a landing spot that will afford him more regular opportunities.

Ahmed had six carries for 29 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's blowout 56-26 loss to the Bills.

Ahmed split Miami's backfield work fairly evenly with Myles Gaskin during the Week 17 loss, and the backs managed to score despite both being held under 30 rushing yards. Through six appearances with the Dolphins in 2020, the undrafted rookie compiled 319 yards and three touchdowns on 75 carries (4.3 YPC). Ahmed also secured 11 of 14 targets for 61 yards. He remains under contract with Miami through 2021, so barring any offseason pickups he could begin next season as the No. 2 option behind Gaskin.

Williams had five carries for 26 yards in Sunday's victory over the Bears.

Williams got the ball nearly half the time he was on the field, but Aaron Jones received the bulk of the backfield work in Sunday's contest and Williams played only 12 snaps. Williams was still far more involved than fellow reserve AJ Dillon -- who tallied just five snaps and one carry -- and he remains the clear backup behind Jones heading into the postseason.

Dillon played just five snaps on offense and finished Sunday's victory over the Bears with one carry for three yards.

Dillon ran for 124 yards and two scores in Week 16 with fellow running back Jamaal Williams sidelined, and it was thought that his breakout game could help him carve out a bigger role. However, with Williams back and the Packers leaning on Aaron Jones in Week 17, Dillon was an afterthought just as he has been for most of the season. The Packers could get Dillon more involved in the divisional round if conditions are subpar at Lambeau Field, but the rookie will be a clear third on the depth chart heading into that contest.

McNichols did not log a stat in Week 17 against the Texans. He closed the regular season with 47 rushes for 204 yards and a touchdown to go along with 12 receptions for 55 yards.

McNichols worked as the backup to Derrick Henry for much of the season. He had flashes of production, highlighted by games with 51 and 49 rushing yards. However, due to Henry's dominance, McNichols was regularly relegated to little or no action on offense. McNichols remains under contract with the Titans through the end of the 2021 season, and will likely fight for the backup role once again.

Evans did not record a rush or target in Week 17 against the Texans. He returned one kick for 16 yards.

Evans was on the field for only one offensive snap and did not record a statistic. However, he did log 17 special teams snaps and continued to serve as the primary kick returner for the Titans. Evans had a quiet rookie year, in part due to a hamstring injury and also because of Derrick Henry's dominance. He'll look to make a special teams impact during the Titans' wild-card matchup with the Ravens.

McCaffrey (thigh) said Monday that he doesn't expect to require offseason surgery, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.

McCaffrey endured an injury-plagued 2020 season, ultimately only suiting up for three contests on the year due to a combination of thigh, shoulder and ankle issues. Avoiding any offseason procedures would seemingly bode well for McCaffrey's chances of making an unhindered recovery in time for Carolina's offseason program and the start of the 2021 season, at which time he'll no doubt be back in the conversation at the top of fantasy drafts. In his three 2020 appearances, McCaffrey accumulated 225 yards and five touchdowns on 59 carries (3.8 YPC). He also secured 17 of 19 targets for 148 yards and another score.

Penny rushed six times for 19 yards in Sunday's 26-23 win over the 49ers.

Penny took on a larger role in his third game back from a torn ACL because Carlos Hyde (illness) didn't make the trip to San Francisco. The San Diego State product logged 28 of 65 offensive snaps, finishing just behind Chris Carson's 30 snaps but comfortably ahead of Alex Collins' 11 snaps. Carson drew more work while on the field, as he totaled 83 yards on 13 touches, and Collins was more efficient than Penny with 29 yards and a touchdown on five carries. Penny shapes up as a change-of-pace back when the playoffs start Saturday against the Rams.