NFL Player News

McNichols agreed to a one-year deal with Washington on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

McNichols mostly served as the No. 3 running back for the Commanders in 2024 behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler, and he'll likely do the same in 2025. McNichols finished the 2024 regular season with 55 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns while adding nine catches (on 12 targets) for 27 yards and 164 kick return yards.

Dowdle agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the Panthers on Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Dowdle emerged as the Cowboys' top running back last season and rushed for a career-high 1,079 yards on 235 carries (4.6 YPC) with two touchdowns while adding 249 yards on 39 catches and three touchdowns. In Carolina, he'll be joining a backfield headlined by Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee), who had his own breakout last season with a career-best 1,195 rushing yards on 250 carries and 10 touchdowns. Dowdle's fantasy stock may take a hit as a result of being part of a timeshare with Hubbard in a best-case scenario, but the signing gives the up-and-coming Panthers a potentially formidable 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Jonathon Brooks, whom the Panthers selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, is expected to miss most of next season while recovering from his second torn ACL.

Wright became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday after the Ravens opted not to tender his contract, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Wright missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a hairline fracture in his foot during the Ravens' preseason finale in August. He underwent a procedure to fix the injury, but he is not in the Ravens' plans for the 2025 campaign. Wright appeared in just one regular-season game for the Ravens in 2023 and played eight snaps on special teams against the Cardinals in Week 8. Wright will explore his options and look to catch on with a team in need of backfield depth and help on special teams.

The Eagles and Dillon (neck) agreed to terms on a one-year contract Wednesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

Dillon sustained stingers in Week 17 of the 2023 campaign and also during the 2024 preseason, which kept him on injured reserve this past season. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Dillon has received clearance from a top neck specialist, allowing him a new opportunity in Philadelphia, where he'll compete with 2024 fourth-round selection Will Shipley as the top backup behind workhorse running back Saquon Barkley.

Herbert agreed to a one-year contract with the Colts on Wednesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Indianapolis is a favorable landing spot for Herbert, who fell out of favor in Chicago last season and then barely received playing time in Cincinnati until Chase Brown missed Week 18 with an ankle injury. Herbert started in 12 of his 48 appearances in three-plus seasons with the Bears, averaging 4.8 yards on 372 carries and 6.5 yards on 45 receptions. He'll turn 27 years old in April and has a nice opportunity ahead, joining an Indianapolis offense that relied on Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson for depth behind Jonathan Taylor in 2024. The downside for Herbert is that he has zero opportunity to become the starter outside of an injury to Taylor.

The Eagles re-signed VanSumeren (knee) to a one-year deal Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

VanSumeren was a key special-teamer for Philadelphia in 2024 before sustaining a season-ending knee injury following a Week 12 win over the Rams. He made 11 appearances and recorded three total tackles (all solo) while playing 209 special-teams snaps. After re-signing with the Eagles, VanSumeren -- who will presumably be past his knee issue when the team takes the field again -- is expected to play a similar role in 2025.

The Steelers agreed to terms with Gainwell on a one-year contract Tuesday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

The former Eagle won't have to move far, as he's staying in the state of Pennsylvania. With the Steelers, Gainwell slides into a backfield with a clear opening after Najee Harris left to join the Chargers on Monday. In four seasons with Philly, Gainwell rushed 280 times for 1,185 yards and 12 touchdowns, while adding 102 catches for 721 yards and an additional score in the passing game. He's a quality change-of-pace back, though his skill set feels a bit redundant with Jaylen Warren already on the roster. Gainwell is unlikely to have much fantasy relevance in 2025 barring an injury to Warren, and the Steelers may not be done adding at the position.

Johnson and the Bills agreed to a two-year, $5 million contract Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Johnson finished the 2024 regular season with 497 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 59 touches across 17 games, and his 289 offensive snaps were his most since the 2021 campaign with the Jets. Johnson figures to reprise his role as a kick-return specialist and backup running back behind James Cook for the 2025 campaign.

Evans is slated to sign with the Bills, per his representation at Priority Sports.

Evans appeared in five games with Chicago last season while also spending time on the team's practice squad. Across those five appearances, he rushed three times for three yards and played on special teams. Now, the 2020 third-round pick will get a chance to compete for a reserve role in Buffalo.

The Panthers released Sanders on Tuesday, Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com reports.

Sanders made it through two seasons of a four-year, $25.4 million contract, mostly backing up Chuba Hubbard during that time. The deal ended up being a disaster for Carolina, with Sanders arguably the most overpaid running back in the league. He'll turn 28 in May and seems unlikely to be handed a prominent spot in another backfield.