Cowboys To Shut Down CeeDee Lamb
Battling a shoulder injury for a few weeks, CeeDee Lamb will not continue to play through the issue. The Cowboys are shutting down their recently extended wide receiver.
Additional testing conducted this week will lead the Cowboys (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo) to sit Lamb during the season’s final two games. Lamb, however, is not expected to need surgery. It could be implied from this report that Lamb would have remained active had the Cowboys been vying for a playoff spot. Now that they are eliminated, their top weapon will be shut down.
Lamb signed a monster extension this offseason, with the Cowboys giving in on term length. Preferring five- or six-year deals, the Cowboys granted Lamb a four-year re-up worth $168MM ($67MM at signing). Lamb’s $25MM 2026 base salary will lock in by 2025. This shoulder setback figures to be relatively minor for the fifth-year wideout in the grand scheme, as no surgery being expected should not threaten any training camp availability.
It will be somewhat interesting if this issue impacted Lamb’s availability for voluntary Dallas workouts come April. Those will be of greater importance if the Cowboys do not give Mike McCarthy another contract. Lamb being off the field will hinder Dallas’ ability to add more wins to their season total, something that would play into the team’s thinking on McCarthy. Despite being a lame duck, however, the fifth-year Cowboys HC has seemingly reestablished some momentum as he attempts to cement his case to stay.
Dak Prescott‘s midseason hamstring injury hampered Dallas’ passing attack, but Lamb has remained productive. The 2020 first-round pick posted his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, finishing with 101 catches for 1,194 yards. While this is well south of where Lamb got to in 2023 (135/1,749), he played 17 games and had Prescott targeting him throughout. Making a handful of starts like he did in 2022, Cooper Rush has done a good job finding his All-Pro weapon. Lamb’s 79.6 yards-per-game number barely trails his 2022 rate (79.6). He will be back in place as Dallas’ lead wideout in 2025.
Seahawks Place RB Kenneth Walker On IR
Producing in spurts, Kenneth Walker has also dealt with steady injury trouble. The starting running back’s latest setback will move him out of the picture during the Seahawks’ final push for the playoffs.
Seattle is moving Walker to IR, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. This will sideline Walker for at least four games; the third-year RB is dealing with an ankle injury. The team moved George Holani up from its practice squad to fill Walker’s roster spot, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets, but Zach Charbonnet will return to a lead role in Seattle’s backfield.
A 2022 second-round pick, Walker has flashed as a pro. He gained 1,050 rushing yards as a rookie, averaging a career-best 4.6 yards per carry, and surpassed 900 rushing yards last season. Both campaigns involved two missed games apiece; this one will stop at 11. Walker has missed time due to ankle, calf and oblique injuries this season.
Groin and abdomen issues also dogged Walker during his first two NFL seasons, with ankle trouble intervening during that span as well. This shutdown — barring a Seattle run to the NFC championship game — could complicate Walker’s status in 2025. While the Seahawks have generally used Walker as their clear lead back when healthy, his inability to stay on the field this season may lead the team to reassess its backfield. Walker has one season remaining on his rookie deal; two more years remain on Charbonnet’s.
Walker’s 3.7-yard average this season represents a career-low mark; in all likelihood, the former Michigan State and Wake Forest back will finish the year with 573 yards on the ground. Charbonnet has played well in relief of Walker, and the 2023 second-round pick will have an interesting opportunity ahead. Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected per attempt metric places Charbonnet as the more effective runner this season, slotting him in the top 15 (0.66). Walker (minus-0.1) sits outside the top 30 here.
Charbonnet totaled 193 scrimmage yards and two scores in Seattle’s Week 14 win over Arizona. The Seahawks will need solid production from their backup over the final two weeks, as they are now 8-7 and trail the Rams in the NFC West. ESPN’s FPI gives the Haws a 19.1% chance to make the playoffs.
Lions Designate Kalif Raymond For Return
Higher-profile players potentially returning from injury have become one of the defining storylines for a dominant Lions team, as the Lions will need to give careful consideration as to whom they choose to activate from IR. A role player is the next man up here, however.
The NFC North-leading team is opening Kalif Raymond‘s practice window Thursday. Raymond has been on IR with a foot injury since late November. After missing the necessary four games, Raymond is back in the mix. The wide receiver/return man will not count toward Detroit’s activations until officially moved back onto the 53-man roster.
Four activations remain for the Lions, who also have linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the IR-return window. However, an offseason rule change has freed up two more IR activations for teams during the postseason. The Lions may have those two spots earmarked for injured standouts, so they will need to be careful in the near term. But Raymond appears on track to be one of Detroit’s returning players soon.
The team has already used two activations on safety Ifeatu Melifonwu. David Montgomery is not in this equation, having not been placed on IR; the starting running back is viewed as a player who could return in the playoffs. Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone, however, are in play to be activated. The team will need to save enough activations to accommodate that trio. Linebacker Derrick Barnes also may be in the mix to come back, but he has not been designated for return.
Teams regularly take short-term approaches to their IR-return puzzles, activating players who are ready as opposed to waiting on others’ returns. The Lions are in a more interesting situation, however, with a few defensive starters on the radar to be activated. Hutchinson could return if the Lions reach the NFC championship game, while Davis (broken jaw) has not been deemed out for the season yet. The Lions not placing Davis on IR suggests they expect him to have a chance at returning. Anzalone suffered a broken forearm last month; he may factor into the team’s plans as well. Alim McNeill and Malcolm Rodriguez will not, but the Lions have choices to make.
As for Raymond, he hit IR while leading the NFL in punt-return yards (390). Raymond is in Year 4 with the Lions, having established himself as one of the NFL’s best return men while also contributing as a role player on Detroit’s offense. The Lions have used Tim Patrick as their primary No. 3 wideout, but Raymond would provide another option for the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense. He put together 576- and 616-yard seasons in 2021 and ’22; through 11 games, Raymond caught 16 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.
Eagles To Bring Back QB Ian Book
Dealing with multiple injuries at quarterback, the Eagles hosted Ian Book on a visit. That meeting will lead to a free agency addition. Book is signing with Philadelphia.
This is a practice squad deal, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. With Jalen Hurts in concussion protocol and backup Kenny Pickett dealing with a rib injury, the Eagles are suddenly vulnerable at the game’s most important position. Book profiles as insurance.
Book is making a return trip to Philly, having been with the team for just more than a year earlier in his career. The Eagles claimed Book off waivers from the Saints in August 2022 and carried him until moving on in August 2023. He will join Tanner McKee as healthy Philly QBs presently.
As he goes through the protocol, Hurts did not practice Wednesday. His availability for Week 17 is up in the air. Pickett logged a limited session on Christmas Day, but the former Steelers starter-turned-Hurts backup did not make it through his first extended 2024 appearance unscathed. McKee did not see any game action, but he would be the next man up if both Philadelphia’s starter and backup could not go against the Cowboys. The Eagles drafted McKee in the 2023 sixth round.
The Saints made Book a 2021 fourth-round pick, and he made an emergency start that season. A Saints team wrecked by COVID-19 turned to Book in a Monday-night outing against the Dolphins. It did not go well for the hosts that night, as Book threw two interceptions during the short-notice start. The Notre Dame alum has not played in a regular-season game since. The Eagles rostered him during their 2022 Super Bowl LVII season but did not keep him for the 2023 season, having drafted McKee to play behind Hurts and Marcus Mariota.
Book, 26, has bounced from the Saints to the Eagles to the Patriots to the Chiefs. He has not been with a team since being cut by Kansas City in August. To make room on their practice squad, the Eagles released DB Tariq Castro-Fields. The team also signed running back Lew Nichols to its P-squad.
Dolphins To Waive Shaq Barrett From Reserve/Retired List
Shaq Barrett‘s 2024 has been rather complicated. He has been involved in a few transactions despite not playing this season. After Barrett unretired, he did not factor into the Dolphins’ plans due an NFL deadline.
The Dolphins did not activate Barrett from the reserve/retired list by a late-November deadline that would have allowed him to play this season. Barrett informed the team he wished to come back, after initially retiring, but the Dolphins did not greenlight that opportunity. They are now waiving Barrett from their reserve/retired list, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.
[RELATED: Dolphins Will Not Activate Bradley Chubb From PUP List]
Since we are well past the trade deadline, all vested veterans released hit waivers. Barrett can play in 2024 if he clears waivers, but Schefter adds his contract being claimed would keep him on the reserve/retired list for the rest of the season. A team could make a play to effectively block a rival from adding the veteran edge rusher, but Barrett has a path to free agency and a potential role soon.
The former NFL sack leader informed the Dolphins in November he wished to play this season, doing so after telling the team he was done just before training camp. Miami had signed Barrett in March, stepping in after the former Super Bowl starter became a Tampa Bay cap casualty. Barrett, 32, would have been on track to help the Dolphins fill their Bradley Chubb void. But his retirement changed those plans. Despite applying for reinstatement, Barrett did not end up being activated by the Dolphins in time to help them this season.
Barrett signed a one-year, $7MM deal with the Dolphins. The terms of that contract would make it a slight surprise if he is claimed. The Dolphins have effectively done right by Barrett, who retired after 10 NFL seasons in July. He could soon catch on with a contender that is attempting to make a Super Bowl push. A team like the Lions, who have dealt with numerous defensive injuries since Aidan Hutchinson went down, would come to mind as a possible suitor. They probably would not be the only team to consider the ex-Bucs starter if he clears waivers.
A rotational role would likely be Barrett’s best-case scenario if he hits free agency and signs with a team soon after. The regular season is coming to a close, and the former Broncos UDFA has not shown top form since an Achilles tear ended his 2022 season. Barrett came back from the injury last season but finished with just 4.5 sacks — his lowest full-season total during his Tampa Bay tenure — and nine QB hits. The Bucs designated him a post-June 1 cut soon after. That said, Barrett is now more than two years removed from that Achilles setback, potentially helping his sales pitch to teams.
Barrett played the lead role for a Bucs defense that dominated the high-scoring Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, keying a second-half onslaught. Tampa Bay then signed off on a four-year, $72MM deal to retain him. Barrett, who led the league with 19.5 sacks in 2019 en route to a 2020 franchise tag, registered 10 sacks in 2021 and made the Pro Bowl. He will become a free agent if unclaimed by 3pm CT Friday.
Buccaneers Place DB Christian Izien On IR
Christian Izien has provided good value for the Buccaneers, who have used the former UDFA in various capacities in their secondary. More Izien plans may well need to wait until next season, however.
The pectoral injury Izien sustained during Tampa Bay’s Week 16 loss in Dallas will lead the second-year defender to IR. The Bucs moved Izien off their 53-man roster Thursday, and the move will sideline him for at least four games. Only a run to the NFC championship game would allow Izien to play again this season, and it is also unclear if he would be ready to return by that point.
Even a partial pec tear would presumably rule out Izien for a return by that point; a full tear would stand to impact the young DB’s offseason program. The Bucs have used Izien in the slot, on the boundary and at safety this season. The versatile piece had most recently been tasked with helping Tampa Bay navigate injuries to safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead.
Added out of Rutgers last year, Izien earned a season-opening role as Tampa Bay’s primary slot corner. The Bucs used him on 719 defensive snaps. He was on pace to eclipse that this season, logging 697 defensive plays in 14 games. The Bucs drafted Tykee Smith in Round 3 this year, changing their plans in the secondary. Izien has still played on 75% of Tampa Bay’s defensive snaps this year.
As Smith has played in the slot, Izien has shifted around the formation. He has logged more snaps at safety than corner this season, being used to help the team cover for the injuries to Winfield and Whitehead. Pro Football Focus has not viewed Izien as a productive safety, ranking him outside the top 70 at the position, but he has also seen slot time due to Smith health issues and would stand to be in the Bucs’ plans for 2025. Tampa Bay has Izien under contract for one more season.
The Bucs designated Whitehead for return from IR on Tuesday, opening the door to a Week 17 activation. Winfield has missed the past two Bucs games, with this being his second injury-driven hiatus this season. The high-priced DB is not on IR, however.
Texans Claim WR Diontae Johnson
Stefon Diggs‘ injury did not prompt the Texans to act at wide receiver. Tank Dell‘s will. The AFC South champions are adding to their receiver room, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting they have claimed Diontae Johnson.
This will be Johnson’s second revenge game in two months, but the Houston fit also suddenly proves vital for the veteran wide receiver’s long-term value. Johnson’s refusal to enter the Ravens’ Week 13 game brought a suspension, and the AFC North team did not bring the trade acquisition back for Week 15. The parties officially separated late last week, sending Johnson to waivers.
[RELATED: Chargers Tried To Claim Diontae Johnson]
At this point, Johnson is a rather volatile investment. He sought exits from Pittsburgh and Carolina this year, seeing both teams move on. While backup-level players have journeyed to four teams in one year before, it is quite rare for a player of Johnson’s caliber to do so. How Johnson fares in Houston will help shape his 2025 free agent market, which has likely taken a substantial hit after the events of this year.
Beyond Johnson’s recent issues, he has been one of this decade’s best at creating separation. The former third-round pick ranked in the top four in ESPN’s Open Score metric each year from 2019-22, leading the league twice in that span. Johnson was among the league’s top target-commanding wideouts during his time in Pittsburgh, drawing at least 140 looks from 2020-22. Delivering his only 1,000-yard season during Ben Roethlisberger‘s 2021 finale, Johnson eventually wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh. But he has shown an ability to create space; that will be important for a Texans team that has lost two of its top three receivers.
The Texans’ Christmas Day game against the Ravens will be rather interesting now, as Johnson will see a team he recently clashed with immediately after being claimed. It may not be a lock Johnson plays, but with the Texans so shorthanded post-Diggs and Dell, he may have a limited role.
Tertiary status played a central role in Johnson’s Baltimore exit; the sixth-year receiver was believed to be dissatisfied playing behind the Ravens’ Zay Flowers–Rashod Bateman–Nelson Agholor trio. But Baltimore did not move the trade pickup into its top three; Johnson maxed out at 17 snaps in a game as a Raven. After an extended break post-Christmas, Johnson may see an expanded opportunity in Houston, as the Texans will need a proven pass catcher to complement Nico Collins as they prepare for a home playoff game.
It will be interesting to learn if any other teams claimed Johnson. The Chargers and Chiefs came up as potential landing spots via a claim. Houston was comfortably ahead of Kansas City for priority and this will prevent the two-time reigning champions from further adding to their wideout room. Though, Marquise Brown‘s return does give the Chiefs a nearly full depth chart, with DeAndre Hopkins having replaced Rashee Rice.
The Steelers have been lacking at receiver during George Pickens‘ hamstring-driven absence. The team that initially moved on from Johnson this year was not expected to make an effort to reacquire him, per veteran Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly. Pittsburgh has Mike Williams and Calvin Austin in place as Pickens complementary options, and the team’s top weapon is expected back to face the Chiefs on Christmas.
Johnson could make his Texans debut shortly after that Chiefs-Steelers game wraps, and while he did only catch one pass as a Raven, it is notable he played a regular role with the Panthers this season. Although he fell out of favor in Charlotte, Johnson caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns with the Panthers. The NFC South team moved on from him for a surprisingly cheap return — a pick-swap deal involving fifth- and sixth-round choices — and agreed to pay much of the salary. As a result, the Texans are adding Johnson for next to nothing.
This will help a Texans team in the same predicament as 2023’s squad, as Dell has suffered a season-ending injury for the second straight year. Houston has the likes of Robert Woods, John Metchie and Xavier Hutchinson as fill-in options. While Woods is a more decorated receiver, he is also 32. Johnson is 28 and will be playing to improve his 2025 market.
Though, this claim gives the Texans exclusive negotiating rights with Johnson until March 10. With Diggs a free agent-to-be and Dell set to rehab two significant injuries (ACL tear, dislocated kneecap), how Johnson performs as a Texan may influence the organization’s thinking at receiver.
Poll: Where Will Aaron Rodgers Play In 2025?
Aaron Rodgers‘ latest Pat McAfee Show appearance again made reference to (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) potentially being a first-time free agent soon. Although the Jets should not be ruled out from reversing course on their rumored QB divorce and keeping their aging quarterback, a look for 2025 landing spots remains relevant.
The 20th-year veteran has stopped short of confirming he will be back next season, but as of mid-November he was pointing to a return for 2025. If nothing else, Rodgers may want a chance to provide a better conclusion to his decorated career compared to what is transpiring this season in New York. The Jets are 4-11, which will clinch their worst record since Zach Wilson‘s rookie year, and are expected to draft a quarterback.
It is worth wondering if the Jets could keep Rodgers as a bridge, considering he has expressed interest in staying. The 41-year-old passer said he would prefer to stay rather than relocate again, but reports in the wake of Joe Douglas‘ ouster place the team as being ready to move on. Rodgers and Woody Johnson also appeared to disagree on Nathaniel Hackett‘s employment this offseason, and the owner — perhaps on multiple occasions — called for the QB’s benching this year. Rodgers has played better as of late, however, and could be an option for a Jets team that is unlikely to earn a top-two pick. Barring a trade-up, the Jets would not then be in position for one of the top two arms in the 2025 class (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders) and may then need to expand their options.
Ranking 23rd in QBR and averaging a career-low 6.6 yards per attempt, Rodgers should not be closely associated with his prime years or even the late-prime seasons that brought him his third and fourth MVPs. But he is certainly good enough to hold a starting job somewhere. A team would need to provide an opportunity, and Rodgers carries some baggage at this stage of his career some franchises may be fine avoiding. Though, it is not hard to see a few teams showing a degree of interest.
Sam Darnold will be the 2025 free agent class’ prize, should the Vikings not use their franchise tag on the surging starter. Russell Wilson wants to re-sign with the Steelers, who are expected to pursue a second contract with their starter. But his value is somewhat murky right now. Minnesota’s second-best QB, Daniel Jones, will be a lower-cost option. Justin Fields would be as well, with Jameis Winston an unstable bridge for teams who do not project to land one of the top rookie arms. A host of backup-level options will once again hit the market as well.
The Jets still have Tyrod Taylor under contract; if Rodgers is not brought back, he would be a midlevel stopgap option. But a new GM-HC duo is coming — one that will bring a new offense for Taylor to learn, if he in fact is retained. It would cost more for the Jets to drop Rodgers in 2026 — due to a roster bonus that reminds of his 2023 Packers situation — than it would in 2025, when he would bring a $49MM dead money hit. Like the Broncos and Wilson, the Jets cannot designated Rodgers a post-June 1 cut — which would split the dead money between 2025 and ’26 — until March 12, the start of the 2025 league year. If the team’s new regime would be onboard with absorbing all of that $49MM in 2025, it could cut the cord in mid-February like the Raiders did with Derek Carr in 2023.
Expanding the board for Rodgers beyond New York, the Titans seem like a place to start. A Trade Rumors Front Office piece explored a Rodgers-Tennessee fit last month, and Will Levis has since been benched. The Titans added a host of pieces on offense (Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Lloyd Cushenberry, JC Latham) to improve Levis’ situation but did not see the additions matter much in that regard. With Brian Callahan and Ran Carthon not steering their ship into calm waters post-Mike Vrabel, a semi-desperate solution exists in Rodgers. Beyond Tennessee, some creativity may be necessary.
The Colts reside in a similar situation, having seen 2023 draftee Anthony Richardson display one of the modern NFL’s worst completion percentages. He is still carrying a 47.7% completion rate; only six passers have previously posted sub-50% accuracy numbers (minimum 200 attempts) in a season this century. The Colts have obviously tried the veteran route extensively post-Andrew Luck, with the Matt Ryan experiment potentially making Rodgers a non-starter. But Indianapolis probably will need to look into competition for Richardson in 2025. Its quartet of Day 2 wideout investments, all under contract next year, would benefit from a significant accuracy upgrade.
The Browns are believed to be interested in Darnold; would a regime that has moved onto hotter seats, then, be interested in Rodgers? The latter would not cost as much as Darnold soon will, though a QB contract beyond the rookie-scale level will be an issue for a Browns team stuck with Deshaun Watson. The team is planning to retain the wildly underwhelming starter in 2025, as it would cost $172MM to drop him. Even with Andrew Berry‘s penchant for void years that reduce cap charges in exchange for future hikes, a midlevel starter contract would be a complicated effort. But a veteran-laden Browns roster that observed Joe Flacco elevate Kevin Stefanski‘s offense would at least align with Rodgers’ shortened timeline.
If the Steelers cannot reach a deal with Wilson, their roster would also line up with a potential Rodgers one-off. On the surface, Rodgers’ antics probably do not mesh with this organization — as interesting as a fit with Mike Tomlin would be — though the team may still need to see how Wilson performs over the next few weeks to determine whether a substantial raise is called for. How different Wilson and Rodgers’ price points will be also checks in as an issue for what still seems like a poor fit in Pittsburgh, even though the team — which famously does not negotiate in-season — has both Wilson and Justin Fields due for free agency.
The Raiders dropped several spots in the draft order thanks to their Week 16 win over the Jaguars, and Rodgers did have them on his destination list during his 2021 offseason standoff with the Packers. That said, the Raiders are squarely in rebuilding mode and do not seem a likely landing spot. With the Giants now moving toward the No. 1 overall pick, neither do they.
We fired up a similar poll two years ago, as rumors circulated about Tom Brady being likely to leave the Buccaneers after 2022. The legendary passer was connected to teams but did not end up playing again, retiring for a second time. Rodgers, who classified himself as “90% retired” two offseasons ago before joining the Jets will have retirement squarely in play once again. Will the future first-ballot Hall of Famer take that route or end up with one of these teams? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Chargers Tried To Claim Diontae Johnson
The Chargers came up as a team that was on the radar to claim Diontae Johnson. Hours after that report, the Texans lost Tank Dell to another season-ending injury. The end zone fall that ended Dell’s second season appears to have affected the Bolts’ receiver plans.
Johnson is Houston-bound, having been claimed by the Texans ahead of their Christmas Day matchup against Johnson’s most recent team. As Johnson prepares to potentially face the Ravens, the Chargers saw their chances to land him denied. The Bolts were the only other team to submit a claim, ESPN.com’s Field Yates reports. The Texans carrying the slightly weaker strength of schedule gave them the advantage among these two 9-6 AFCers, as The Athletic’s Daniel Popper reminds.
This waiver effort after the Chargers and Panthers discussed Johnson at the deadline, The Bolts also . Though, a low-level Ravens offer — a pick swap involving fifth- and sixth-rounders — was believed to be the best the Panthers received. The trade backfired on Baltimore quickly.
Although both the Chargers and Texans are 9-6, the latter held the waiver priority. This could be significant for a Chargers team that has depended on second-round rookie Ladd McConkey this season. McConkey has battled injuries, most notably missing the Bolts’ rematch with the Chiefs, but emerged as their clear No. 1 target. Johnson could have given Los Angeles another proven option ahead of a likely playoff berth, albeit a rather volatile option based on how uneven his 2024 has been.
Traded twice, Johnson asked out of both situations (Pittsburgh and Carolina) and refused to enter Baltimore’s Week 13 game against Philadelphia. The Ravens suspended the sixth-year vet and then cut him. Known for his separation skills (and drop issues), Johnson caught just one pass in four Ravens games after being acquired in a low-end pick-swap trade at the trade deadline.
Jim Harbaugh‘s first offseason in L.A. led the Bolts to trade Keenan Allen and cut Mike Williams, ending a seven-year partnership. The Chargers were connected to potentially reacquiring Williams at the deadline, but the Steelers sent the Jets a fifth-round pick to do so. Los Angeles stayed the course at receiver, keeping the likes of Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston in place as McConkey complements.
Palmer’s 543 yards sit second among Chargers, but McConkey has amassed 960 in his rookie year. He is poised to become the first Charger rookie since Allen (2013) to post a 1,000-yard receiving season. Still, Justin Herbert is short on weapons in an offense that also has not seen much from its tight ends in the passing game. Palmer is due for free agency, and a pre-deadline report pointed to the sides being likely to separate come March. Johnston is also at best a work in progress, having not yet justified his 2023 draft slot while first-round peers Jordan Addison, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Zay Flowers have been better options for their respective teams. Johnston has totaled 477 yards and eight touchdowns, however, showing more than he did as a rookie. For now, the TCU alum remains in the Chargers’ plans.
It would seem Harbaugh’s second offseason will require an addition at receiver and perhaps help at tight end, the coach’s run-game interest notwithstanding. Johnson would have provided an interesting player on that front, as the Bolts would have secured exclusive negotiating rights with him until March 10 had the claim gone through. The Texans now hold those rights, as Johnson will attempt to salvage some free agency value amid his worst NFL season.
Chargers Designate J.K. Dobbins For Return
After missing J.K. Dobbins for the past four games, the Chargers will give their starting running back an opportunity to provide a strong ending to his first season in Los Angeles.
The Bolts are designating Dobbins for return, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper tweets. An MCL sprain halted Dobbins’ bounce-back season, offering a reminder of his issues staying healthy in Baltimore. But the former second-round pick had provided good value for a Chargers team that signed him on a low-end contract following a lost 2023 season.
Dobbins amassed 766 rushing yards this season (4.8 per carry), scoring eight touchdowns in his return from a September 2023 Achilles tear. The former Ravens starter also missed all of the 2021 season and much of the 2022 campaign due to an ACL tear. The Bolts had been using their other Baltimore import, Gus Edwards, in Dobbins’ place. Edwards figures to still be involved, but a return to a complementary role appears likely soon.
Although the Chargers are down to just two injury activations, the offseason rule change giving playoff teams two more to use during the postseason keeps the team on steady ground here. Edwards had returned off IR previously, but he has not provided the Chargers the spark his longtime teammate has this season. The higher-paid back is averaging just 3.6 yards per tote. Dobbins’ injury past still figures to keep Edwards involved, however.
Dobbins’ run of injury trouble led to an April signing, as the Bolts gave the Ohio State product a one-year deal worth just $1.61MM. Dobbins, 26, can probably do better on the 2025 market — especially after would-be free agents James Conner, Chuba Hubbard and Rhamondre Stevenson all signed extensions. The current Chargers starter will need to stay healthy, however, and his injury past will undoubtedly still factor into his market. But a bump from that $1.61MM number appears likely.
As the fifth-year back prepares an effort to boost his market, he can help a Chargers team secure playoff positioning. The Bolts are 9-6 and could rise as high as the No. 5 seed depending on results over the season’s final two weeks.