NFL Player News

Pacheco isn't practicing Wednesday due to a toe injury, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports.

Pacheco has operated as a pillar of Kansas City's offense for both of the team's playoff victories so far, totaling 39 carries for 186 yards (4.8 YPC) and two touchdowns between the two contests. Given his heavy usage of late the Chiefs may simply be giving Pacheco an opportunity to rest up and get fully ready for Sunday's AFC Championship Game in Baltimore. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La'Mical Perine will stand to handle increased practice reps Wednesday in Pacheco's stead.

Johnson carried once for minus-one yard versus the Titans in Week 18. He played in all 17 games and had 41 rushes for 108 yards and 10 catches for 140 yards this season.

The 27-year-old opened and closed the campaign as Jacksonville's No. 3 tailback, though he did have a few weeks in the middle of the season where he worked in the No. 2 role ahead of rookie Tank Bigsby. Johnson will become a free agent during the offseason and will likely look for a new home as a backup tailback in 2024.

The Bills signed Evans to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.

Evans has spent time with three different teams over the last four seasons, recording 366 yards and two touchdowns on 74 total touches. The 2020 third-round pick is expected to compete for a depth role in the Bills' backfield this offseason.

Laird signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on Tuesday, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

Laird was elevated from Tampa Bay's practice squad for each of their two playoff games this season, but he was ultimately left inactive. The 28-year-old hasn't seen NFL action since 2021 when he was with the Dolphins, appearing in six contests but getting only one carry for four yards.

Harris (head/neck) should be healthy before free agency begins this offseason, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

The 2019 third-round pick signed a one-year contract with the Bills in March 2023 after spending his first four seasons with the division-rival Patriots. Harris then had a small role off the bench for the first six weeks of the season before a scary injury sent him to injured reserve for the remainder of the year. He'll turn 27 in February, a month before he's scheduled to hit free agency again.

Ogunbowale had two carries for seven yards and caught his lone target for 13 yards in Houston's 34-10 playoff loss to Baltimore last Saturday. He finished the 2023 regular season with eight carries for 35 yards and two catches on seven targets for 18 yards over 12 games.

Ogunbowale eventually became the No. 2 back behind Devin Singletary, surpassing Dameon Pierce, who struggled all season. Had Singletary gotten hurt at any point leading up to the postseason, perhaps the rotation might have been different. Ogunbowale, who enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, has been a valuable depth piece and special-teams regular since joining the Texans ahead of the 2022 season. He's returned kickoffs, served on coverage teams and even converted a 29-yard field goal attempt as the emergency kicker in a Week 9 win over Tampa Bay. The organization will likely want him back for 2024.

Edmonds rushed four times for 19 yards and brought in both targets for 18 yards in the Buccaneers' 31-23 divisional-round loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Edmonds overcame a questionable tag due to a toe injury to suit up for the postseason contest, and he filled his typically modest No. 2 role behind lead back Rachaad White. The veteran was reasonably effective with his opportunities during a 13-game regular season, recording 176 yards at 3.6 yards per carry and adding a 14-81-0 receiving line. Edmonds then had 11 carries for 31 yards and three receptions for another 26 yards during Tampa Bay's two postseason games. He's slated for unrestricted free agency this offseason after playing 2023 on a one-year deal.

Laird reverted to the Bucs' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

With Chase Edmonds (toe) listed as questionable, the Bucs elevated Laird to the active roster ahead of Sunday's playoff game against the Lions. Edmonds was healthy enough to play, so Laird was inactive for the game. Laird hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2021.

The Texans signed Taylor to a reserve/future contract Monday.

After being cut by the Patriots following training camp, Taylor eventually landed on Houston's practice squad back in October and spent the rest of the season there. Taylor has 52 career carries for 156 yards (3.0 YPC) and two touchdowns across 12 appearances. He'll try to make an impression this offseason.

The Packers signed Merriweather to a reserve/future contract Monday.

Merriweather did not suit up for a regular-season game in his rookie season, but he'll now get a shot at a spot on Green Bay's 53-man roster for 2024. He took 150 carries for 575 yards and three touchdowns at Massachusetts in 2022.