NFL Player News
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Kareem Hunt RB | KC
Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Minimal production on four touches
Hunt took three carries for nine yards and brought in his only target for five yards in Sunday's 40-22 loss to Philadelphia in Super Bowl LIX.
Isiah Pacheco technically drew the start against the Eagles, but both tailbacks finished with four touches apiece with neither doing much from a fantasy perspective. Hunt failed to extend his postseason touchdown streak to three games, resulting in a disappointing performance overall. The 29-year-old is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason after rejuvenating his career in Kansas City in 2024.
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Saquon Barkley RB | PHI
Eagles' Saquon Barkley: Workhorse role in SB win
Barkley rushed 25 times for 57 yards and brought in six of seven targets for 40 yards in the Eagles' 40-22 win over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday.
Playing in his first Super Bowl on his 28th birthday, Barkley filled his usual workhorse role but finished with unremarkable numbers on the ground. However, the prized offseason acquisition ground out some tough yards throughout the night to help keep the clock running, and he was a key outlet receiver for Jalen Hurts on multiple occasions while posting a team-high number of receptions that also served as his most yet in an Eagles uniform. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year also broke Terrell Davis' 26-year-old record for most combined rushing yards in a regular season and postseason, edging the former Bronco's mark of 2,476 yards by finishing with 2,490. Additionally, Barkley became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season during his first campaign with Philadelphia, and despite his relatively nondescript night Sunday, there's no disputing his addition was key to the second Super Bowl win in franchise history.
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Kenneth Gainwell RB | PIT
Eagles' Kenneth Gainwell: Set for Super Bowl
Gainwell (concussion/knee) doesn't carry a designation into Sunday's Super Bowl LIX matchup versus the Chiefs.
Since sustaining a concussion in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 26, Gainwell didn't take part in drills last week, but a limited session Wednesday was followed by back-to-back uncapped practices. Now, with no designation to speak of, he's gained clearance from an independent neurologist and thus is good to serve as the direct backup to workhorse RB Saquon Barkley this weekend. In three postseason games so far, Gainwell has combined for 10 touches for 58 yards from scrimmage.
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Andrew Beck RB | NYJ
Jets' Andrew Beck: Joins Gang Green
The Jets signed Beck to a one-year contract Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Beck appeared in four regular-season games with the Texans in 2024, in addition to the team's divisional-round loss to the Chiefs. Now, the veteran fullback will spend the offseason competing to carve out a role with New York.
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Saquon Barkley RB | PHI
Eagles' Saquon Barkley: Wins Offensive Player of the Year
Barkley was named the 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press reports.
Barkley had a remarkable first season in Philadelphia, turning 345 carries into 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while also catching 33 of 43 targets for 278 yards and two touchdowns over 16 regular-season games. The running back became the ninth player all-time to surpass 2,000 rushing yards and he edged out the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Derrick Henry for OPOY. Barkley and his Eagles squad will look to defeat the back-to-back champion Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
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Kenneth Gainwell RB | PIT
Eagles' Kenneth Gainwell: Bumps up to full participation
Gainwell (concussion/knee) practiced in full Thursday,
Gainwell has followed up Wednesday's limited session with all activity one day later, indicating he's in the later stages of his recovery from the concussion that he sustained in the NFC Championship Game against the Commanders on Jan. 26. He remains subject to an examination from an independent neurologist in order to be available as Saquon Barkley's direct backup for Super Bowl LIX versus the Chiefs this Sunday.
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Michael Wiley RB | TB
Commanders' Michael Wiley: Gets future deal with Washington
The Commanders signed Wiley to a reserve/future contract Thursday.
Wiley spent time on Washington's practice squad during the 2024 campaign, though the undrafted rookie didn't ultimately suit up for a single regular-season or playoff game with the team. Now, Wiley will get a chance to continue his development with the Commanders for a second consecutive offseason.
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Chris Rodriguez Jr. RB | WAS
Commanders' Chris Rodriguez: Finishes season with 173 rush yards
Rodriguez finished the 2024 regular season with 35 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns and one catch for 12 yards.
The 2023 sixth-round pick spent much of the season on Washington's practice squad and was a healthy scratch for the final two playoff games, but he also had a few chances to handle a significant role when the team was missing either Brian Robinson or Austin Ekeler, both of whom are under contract through 2025. Rodriguez is set to be an exclusive rights free agent, which means he'll likely be back with the Commanders in a depth role at the league-minimum salary for a third-year player. There is some chance Rodriguez gets an opportunity to move up the depth chart, as he's averaged 4.9 yards on 86 career carries after a prolific college career at Kentucky.
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Austin Ekeler RB | WAS
Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Tough ending to solid season
Ekeler finished the 2024 regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns and 35 catches for 366 yards in 12 games, adding 34 touches for 173 yards in three playoff appearances.
Ekeler mostly played well in the first season of a two-year contract, but he suffered a pair of concussions along the way and then lost a fumble in the NFC Championship Game. His future in Washington is uncertain, as the team can add $3.46 million in cap space by releasing Ekeler this offseason. Regardless of how things play out with the Commanders, his days as a top fantasy asset appear numbered, with Ekeler now trying to continue his career as a backup/passing-down specialist. He'll turn 30 in May.
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Kenneth Gainwell RB | PIT
Eagles' Kenneth Gainwell: Limited in return to practice
Gainwell (concussion/knee) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.
Gainwell took part in his first notable on-field work since he sustained a concussion in the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 26. He'll have to clear the five-step concussion protocol in order to make himself available for Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Chiefs, but he at least has made some progress on that front.