Tag: running back

Fantasy Football: 5 waiver wire running backs to target in Week 17

Trey Benson is among the top running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire this week.

Congratulations, you’ve made it to your fantasy football championship game!

Either that or you’re taking a consolation bracket very seriously, or you play in a league that has a Week 18 championship game (which is a bad idea). Regardless of why you’re here, we’re happy to have you.

Bryce Young (4.9%) is suddenly fantasy-relevant at quarterback, Jalen McMillan’s (33.1%) stock is through the roof at wide receiver, and Chigoziem Okonkwo (6.4%) has had a great two-week run at tight end. Today, though, we’re taking a look at the running back position.

We’ve put together a quick list of five running backs to target on the fantasy football waiver wire going into Week 17.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire RB Targets

1. RB Kendre Miller (47.6%): Alvin Kamara is dealing with a groin injury, leaving Miller as the Saints’ primary running back. New Orleans wasn’t able to get anything going against the Packers on Monday, but they’ll have an easier matchup against the Raiders next week.

2. RB Trey Benson (18.1%): James Conner might miss the final two games of the season with a knee injury, leaving Benson as Arizona’s new RB1 (health permitting). Benson missed last week with an ankle injury, so it’s worth taking a look at Michael Carter (0.1%) in case Benson is also held out this week.

3. RB Audric Estime (8.4%): Estime led Denver’s backfield in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) on Thursday and scored his first NFL touchdown. Broncos coach Sean Payton has hinted that Estime’s workload could increase over the next two weeks.

4. RB Tyjae Spears (48.2%): Spears (14) got more touches than Tony Pollard (12) and he totaled more yards (66 vs. 40) and touchdowns (2 vs. 0). TDs can be fluky, but Spears is worthy of flex consideration.

5. RB Patrick Taylor (33.0%): Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo are all banged up, leaving Patrick Taylor as the 49ers’ de facto RB1. Taylor led the team in carries (eight on Sunday), but Deebo Samuel (five) was also involved. Taylor is worth a look in case Guerendo is sidelined again in Week 17.

Roster percentages for players listed in this article were sourced from ESPN. For more fantasy coverage, check out our fantasy football hub.

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Sean Payton hints Broncos RB Audric Estime will get more carries

“We’ll keep playing those guys,” Broncos coach said after Kris Abrams-Draine and Audric Estime impressed against the Chargers.

Take note, fantasy football managers. Just in time for championship games, it might finally be Audric Estime time in Denver.

With Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) sidelined in Week 16, Estime led the Broncos‘ backfield in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) in a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Chargers. Estime also scored the first touchdown of his rookie career.

Javonte Williams and rookie Blake Watson both received four carries (and Williams was the most involved in the passing game). After an eventual 34-27 loss, Broncos coach Sean Payton hinted that the rookies will continue to get looks to close out the season.

“I thought the young backs did a good job,” Payton said. “We’ll keep working those guys.”

When he was later asked about rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, Payton referenced Estime again. 

“Overall, he’s [Abrams-Draine] been a pleasant surprise watching him. I’m encouraged that he’s getting to play. Some of these young guys are getting to play. Audric the same way, so we’ll keep playing those guys.”

Denver has two games remaining and after impressing against the Chargers, Estime figures to remain involved down the stretch.

“They played really well in the first half,” quarterback Bo Nix said of Estime and Watson. “Gave us a spark, especially on the first drive. They both had a few good runs and it’s just good to see those guys. They got their opportunity.

“We’ve seen it from Audric and with Blake. He’s been practicing really well, so he got his opportunity and ran the ball really well. I think that’s going to be good for us going forward.”

Estime has rushed 55 times for 252 yards through his first 11 games in the NFL. His workload has not been consistent enough for him to be a reliable option in fantasy football, but that might change soon. Stay tuned.

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Broncos elevate 2 players from practice squad to game-day roster

The Broncos are elevating RB Blake Watson and DL Matt Henningsen from the practice squad ahead of TNF.

The Denver Broncos are calling up reinforcements from the practice squad ahead of their Week 16 showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Broncos elevated running back Blake Watson and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen from the practice squad to the game-day roster, the team announced Thursday. They will revert back to the practice squad on Friday.

Players can be elevated up to three times during the season without having to clear waivers to return to the practice squad. This marks the first elevations of the season for both Watson and Henningsen.

The Broncos are turning to Watson after losing Jaleel McLaughlin to a quad injury. Watson will serve as the team’s No. 3 running back in L.A. behind Javonte Williams and Audric Estime (wide receiver Marvin Mims might get some snaps at running back as well).

Watson dressed for one game earlier this season, playing one snap on offense and one snap on special teams. He was bumped from the active roster down to the practice squad in October.

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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5 things to watch for when Broncos face Chargers on ‘TNF’

Here are five storylines to watch for when the Broncos face the Chargers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 16.

The Denver Broncos (9-5) are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Here are five quick storylines to watch for going into Thursday’s game.

1. Broncos running back rotation: Jaleel McLaughlin has been the team’s best running back in recent weeks, but he was ruled out with a quad injury on Wednesday. That will leave Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime as the next men up, and Denver will likely elevate Blake Watson from the practice squad. We could see Marvin Mims mix in at running back as well, something he did leading up to the team’s bye week.

2. Denver’s cornerback depth: Riley Moss (knee) has been ruled out again, marking the third game he has missed. Fortunately, Pat Surtain (ankle) was able to practice this week and he was not given an injury designation for Thursday. Kris Abrams-Draine will likely start across from Surtain with Ja’Quan McMillian playing in the slot and Damarri Mathis getting rotational snaps like last week. When these teams met earlier this season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert went 21-of-34 for 237 yards and a touchdown in a game that Surtain left with a concussion.

3. Broncos’ defense against Herbert and Co.: J.K. Dobbins rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos earlier this season, but he’s now on injured reserve. Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto has scored a touchdown in each of the team’s last two games and he’s just one sack away from tying the NFL leader (Trey Hendrickson has 12.5 sacks). The Broncos, Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles have a three-way tie for the fewest points allowed per game (17.6), so Thursday night could be a defensive struggle.

4. Bo Nix bouncing back from three turnovers: Nix struggled against the Indianapolis Colts last week, throwing a career-high three interceptions. He had a bit of an in-game bounce back with three touchdown passes in a 31-13 win over Indy, but now Nix will have a fresh game to put those mistakes behind him. Nix will face an L.A. defense that allows the 10th-fewest passing yards per game (211.6), a unit that has totaled the seventh-most interceptions (14) and the eighth-most sacks (40) in the league this season.

5. Denver’s potential return to the postseason: The Broncos have already secured their first winning season since 2016. With one more win, Denver will clinch its first playoff berth since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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Cardinals sign ex-Broncos running back to practice squad

The Cardinals signed running back Tony Jones to their practice squad on Wednesday.

The Arizona Cardinals have signed former Denver Broncos running back Tony Jones to their practice squad, the team announced Wednesday.

Jones (5-11, 224 pounds) played under coach Sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-2021 before later joining the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. He reunited with Payton in Denver during the 2023 offseason.

Jones rushed for 66 yards and totaled 29 receiving yards in three preseason appearances with the Broncos that summer. He failed to make the team’s active roster as Payton opted to carry Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin on the 53-man roster to begin the 2023 season.

After being cut by Denver, Jones returned to New Orleans and he spent half the season with the Saints. Jones was picked up by the Cardinals last October. He was cut during training camp this summer and now returns to Arizona on their practice squad.

Jones, 27, has 370 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in 25 career games in the NFL (six starts).

Elsewhere on the ex-Bronco front, the Cardinals also designated kicker Matt Prater to return from injured reserve after recovering from a meniscus injury. Prater, 40, played in four games earlier this year before suffering the injury.

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Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire shares cryptic message about leaving the team

Kansas City #Chiefs RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire shares cryptic message about leaving the team | @EdEastonJr

According to a post from his X account on Monday, the Chiefs are parting ways with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire after more than four years with the franchise.

“Love ya, KC! A family I didn’t know I needed, y’all made a Kid from Baton Rouge dreams come true!” said Edwards-Helaire via X. “To Chiefs Kingdom, its all love and the support I had in troubling times will forever be unmatched from you guys! With love!”

The Chiefs have yet to officially announce the former LSU standout’s status, but he has already shared his goodbyes with Chiefs fans. Edwards-Helaire was a first-round pick of the Chiefs in 2020 and has spent his entire career with the franchise. He’s been inactive this season due to an ongoing battle with PTSD, which has landed him on the NFI list to start the year.

Edwards-Helaire re-signed with the Chiefs on a one-year deal in the offseason and could not rejoin his team on the field this season with a crowded backfield.

Broncos players laugh about Jonathan Taylor’s ‘early Christmas present’

Jonathan Taylor’s fumble was “an early Christmas present,” leaving Broncos players all in smiles in the locker room after the win.

Early in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run to give his team a 13-point lead. Well, almost.

After review, officials determined that Taylor dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. Taylor’s fumble rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. So instead of scoring a touchdown, Taylor gave the ball back to Denver.

Following that game-altering play, the Broncos went on to score 24 unanswered points in an eventual 31-13 victory. Denver coach Sean Payton was flabbergasted when asked about the play after the game.

“That was significant,” Payton said. “I don’t get it, but I’m not going to try to. That was a significant play that you go from breaking a long run for a touchdown for your team to us having the ball.”

Payton was asked if the play could be a teachable moment for his own players.

“Fair question,” Payton said. “I cannot recall covering that. It would not be a teaching point. I think that will be difficult for the coaches and every one of his teammates. It’ll just be difficult, I don’t get it. I’ll leave it at that. I don’t want to say something.”

At the risk of putting words in the coach’s mouth, it seemed that Payton might have been suggesting such a scenario shouldn’t even need to be taught because it’s common sense to not drop the ball before you score. Those are Broncos Wire’s words, though, as Payton was careful to not say too much.

Denver’s players, on the other hand, weren’t quite as diplomatic.

Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper gave Taylor a shoutout in the locker room, Nik Bonitto said he was happy the running back bailed out the defense and safety P.J. Locke thanked the “football Gods.” Everyone had big smiles when asked about the play.

The best reaction of the night came from defensive back Brandon Jones.

“I think it was kind of fitting for the kind of season it is,” Jones said, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “It’s an early Christmas present, which we are super grateful for it and we appreciated it so much.”

Denver defensive lineman John-Franklin Myers also had a great reaction:

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said any Denver players who made such a blunder would have to answer to the wrath of Payton.

As for Taylor himself, the running back took responsibility for the blunder.

“It just can’t happen,” Taylor said. “No matter the game, no matter the scenario, you could be up 50, down by 50, in a playoff game, the first game of the season. That should never happen.”

Taylor said he apologized to his teammates and vowed never to let it happen again.

“I told them, I apologized, and I just know that it will never happen again,” the running back said. “That has never happened to me before, and it will never happen again.”

The Broncos are now just one more win away from clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs. Indy’s postseason hopes are now all but dead.

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Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco fined for lowering his helmet vs. Chargers

Kansas City #Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco fined for lowering his helmet vs. Los Angeles #Chargers | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are AFC West champions for the ninth consecutive season after their thrilling victory in Week 14 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The exciting win came with another disciplinary ruling from the league, as the NFL has reportedly fined running back Isiah Pacheco.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Pacheco was fined $45,020 for unnecessary roughness because he lowered his helmet and collided with Chargers defensive back Kristian Fulton on a rush during the second quarter.

The fine is unexpected because Pacheco wasn’t penalized during the game, so it went relatively unnoticed at the moment. The third-year running back is known for his rugged rushing style, often seeking out contact on plays to intimidate and wear down the defense. The infraction follows the fine laid on quarterback Patrick Mahomes for unsportsmanlike conduct in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills.

Pacheco finished the game with 14 carries for 55 yards, continuing to split time with Kareem Hunt since returning to the lineup after his ankle injury.

Bears sign former Broncos running back to practice squad

The Bears signed former Broncos third-round draft pick Royce Freeman to their practice squad.

Former Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman has found a new home in the NFL.

Freeman (6-0, 238 pounds) has signed with the Chicago Bears’ practice squad, according to multiple reports. He joins a backfield in Chicago that includes D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer and Darrynton Evans.

Freeman entered the league as a third-round pick out of Oregon with the Broncos in 2018. He spent the first three years of his career in Denver, rushing 297 times for 1,187 yards and eight touchdowns in 46 games (eight starts). The Broncos cut Freeman ahead of the 2021 season and he landed with the Carolina Panthers.

After half a season with the Panthers, Freeman joined the Houston Texans. He appeared in 11 games with the Texans from 2021-2022 and then signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. He rushed 77 times for 319 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games with the Rams last fall.

Freeman went to training camp with the Dallas Cowboys this summer and he spent time on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns earlier this season. The 28-year-old running back will now get a fresh start with the Bears.

Freeman has 2,324 career yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns on his resume.

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Early rankings of Broncos’ needs in 2025 NFL draft

Do you agree with our list of top needs for the Broncos in the 2025 NFL draft?

The Denver Broncos (8-5) still have four regular season games remaining and then a potential playoff run, but it’s never too early to look ahead to the next NFL draft. Today, we’re taking a quick look at our early rankings of the Broncos’ top needs in the 2025 NFL draft.

1. Offensive tackle: This one comes with a caveat because it’s largely dependent on whether or not the Broncos re-sign Garett Bolles in 2025.

2. Tight end: Denver has gotten little production from the tight end this fall and the team could use a playmaker at the position.

3. Running back: Javonte Williams has not returned to his pre-injury form and he’s scheduled to become a free agent in 2025. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos use an early pick on a RB in April.

4. Wide receiver: Courtland Sutton remains Mr. Reliable, but Denver needs a dynamic receiver to pair with him. Devaughn Vele has the potential to be a very good WR3. Now the Broncos need a top talent.

5. Inside linebacker: Alex Singleton will be 31 years old and coming off a serious injury in 2025. Cody Barton will be a 28-year-old free agent. Even if both are back and starting in 2025, Denver should start planning for the future.

6. Defensive back: The Broncos need more competition and depth at safety, and the team’s cornerback depth is also thin.

7. Defensive line: Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers are both under contract for next season, but D.J. Jones is scheduled to hit free agency. Even if Denver is confident in Malcolm Roach stepping up, the team will still need to add more depth to the defensive line.

Agree or disagree with the rankings? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter: @TheBroncosWire.

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