ROYCE FREEMAN NEWS

Team-high 12 carries Saturday Freeman had 12 carries for 25 yards in Saturday's 17-13 preseason win over New Orleans. He caught all three of his targets for 19 yards.

Impact The bulk of Freeman's work came in the second half, a signal that he's a depth back and on the bubble. The top three backs are Marlon Mack, Rex Burkhead (who did not play) and Dameon Pierce. The only thing to change that would be if Pierce, whose five carries for a team-high 49 yards, puts him on the radar for a larger role. If the Texans keep four running backs, which they usually do, it will come down to Freeman or Dare Ogunbowale (three snaps, one reception), but offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton may prefer to have a fullback, such as Andy Janovich, for that fourth spot.

AUGUST 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Texans resign Royce Freeman and Pharaoh Brown The Houston Texans have resigned two former Oregon Duck Football players to its roster for the upcoming season. On Friday, the Texans announ...

MARCH 25, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM

Stays with Houston Freeman is re-signing with the Texans on a one-year, $1.2 million contract, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Impact The deal reportedly includes $895,000 fully guaranteed, suggesting Freeman is expected to have a spot on the 53-man roster. That's certainly the case given the current state of Houston's backfield depth chart, though the team has plenty of time to add more talent before Week 1. In all likelihood, Freeman will be a special teams player and backup.

MARCH 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Quiet finale Freeman played one snap on offense and 15 on special teams in Week 18's 28-25 loss to the Titans.

Impact Freeman dropped to the third back with the return of David Johnson from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Prior to Week 18 and without an available Johnson, he had served as the second back but never threatened Rex Burkhead for the top role. Houston's rushing offense finished last in the league, so it's expected there will be some churn in 2022. Freeman is not under contract heading into the free agency period, and if the team had plans for him, they would have used him more over the final six weeks.

JANUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Backs up Burkhead Freeman had six carries for 25 yards and did not catch his lone target in Sunday's 23-7 loss to San Francisco.

Impact With David Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list after missing last week's game due to a quadriceps injury, Freeman served as Houston's top backup to starter Rex Burkhead for a second straight week. He's had 42 touches over the last five games following a backfield shakeup, but if the Texans had any thoughts of Freeman being a lead back, they would have elevated him above Burkhead already.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Serves as backup in win Freeman had 12 carries for 34 yards in Sunday's 41-29 win over the Chargers.

Impact Freeman returned to a significant role in Houston's backfield with David Johnson inactive due to a quadriceps injury. Freeman's seen decent touch volume in two of the last three weeks, but those opportunities are the result of injuries and COVID-19 issues for other backs. The Texans may want to give the 25-year-old running back some additional chances over the final two weeks of the season, with the intent of evaluating him for a potential role in 2022.

DECEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Reduced role in win Freeman had three carries for eight yards in Sunday's 30-16 win over the Jaguars.

Impact Freeman was the last back standing in Week 14's loss to the Seahawks, making him an interesting speculative play Week 15. However, his projected role took a hit when both Rex Burkhead and David Johnson were available and capped Freeman's playing time at nine snaps. He did have Houston's lone carry in the red zone, but Freeman should serve as the third back, at best, next weekend at home against the Chargers. If Scottie Phillips (ankle) can get healthy, Freeman would drop another peg on the depth chart.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Texans, Jaguars try to end skids in meeting without Meyer

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to show whether Urban Meyer’s sudden dismissal three days before a game will pull them together or tear them apart

DECEMBER 17, 2021 • Associated Press

Should have role this Sunday Freeman is expected to complement David Johnson in the Houston backfield with Rex Burkhead (hip) ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 AM...

Impact The Houston backfield has largely been unproductive this season regardless of who takes the snaps, though there's at least a little extra potential for somebody to step up over the next couple weeks with a favorable schedule and thinned-out depth chart. Freeman was actually the team's only healthy tailback at one point in Sunday's 33-13 loss to the Seahawks, ultimately finishing with 11 carries for 15 yards and a 6-51-8 receiving line on eight targets. Texans head coach David Culley said Johnson will be the lead back this weekend in Jacksonville, but Freeman should also get a bunch of touches.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mills struggles in second half as Seahawks beat Texans 33-13

Houston rookie Davis Mills threw for a career-high 331 yards and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks starting in place of Tyrod Taylor, who was benched after the Texans were s...

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • Associated Press

Takes lead role after Burkhead hurt Freeman rushed 11 times for 15 yards and caught six of eight targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 33-13 loss to the Seahawks.

Impact Freeman took over as the lead back after Rex Burkhead (groin) left the game, as David Johnson didn't dress because he's in COVID-19 protocols. He couldn't find any running room but was effective as a pass-catcher. If neither Burkhead nor Johnson are cleared to return in Week 15, Freeman would be an appealing option in a favorable matchup against Jacksonville.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Serving as No. 2 back again Freeman is slated to serve as the top backup to starting running back Rex Burkhead in Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact When David Johnson was inactive last week due to an illness and thigh injury, Burkhead stepped into the starting role in the Texans' 31-0 loss to the Colts, while Freeman served as his top understudy. Freeman was expected to fall to third on the depth chart Sunday after Johnson returned to practice this week and wasn't given a designation, but those plans changed on short notice after Johnson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list less than two hours before kickoff. Additionally, practice-squad back Jaylen Samuels, who was elevated to the roster ahead of last week's game, was also placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving Freeman as the sole depth option behind Burkhead. Expect Burkhead to see the bulk of the work out of the backfield, though Freeman could have an expanded role from the 44-percent snap share and four touches (three carries, one reception) he picked up Week 13.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Seattle looks to win 2 straight in visit to terrible Texans

The Seattle Seahawks look to win consecutive games for the first time this season when they visit the terrible Texans, losers of 10 of their last 11

DECEMBER 9, 2021 • Associated Press

Steps up as second back Freeman had three carries for 10 yards and caught his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Colts.

Impact Freeman, who moved up the depth chart after the Texans made David Johnson (illness) inactive for the game, played 22 snaps in his most significant contribution since being claimed off waivers in early November. He served as the No. 2 back behind Rex Burkhead. It was his second game as part of the active roster and first time getting work on offense. The Texans may give Freeman and Jaylen Samuels more work in the coming weeks as the organization focuses on its 2022 roster.

DECEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could have role on offense Sunday Freeman could step in as the Texans' No. 2 running back behind Rex Burkhead in Sunday's game against the Colts with David Johnson (thigh/illness) listed as questionable for the con...

Impact While both Burkhead and Johnson were active for last week's loss to the Dolphins, the two handled all of the Texans' running-back snaps, relegating Freeman exclusively to special-teams work. Johnson's absence will likely allow Burkhead to take on a greater portion of the snaps and touches out of the backfield, but expect Freeman to have at least a small role on offense as a change-of-pace option. Freeman isn't projected to see enough volume to make him a trustworthy play in weekly fantasy lineups, but a strong showing Sunday could allow him to earn more work during the final quarter of the season.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets work on special teams Freeman was active for Week 12's loss to the Jets and played five snaps on special teams.

Impact Freeman made his Houston debut after being claimed off waivers from Carolina early in November. He was added to the active roster after the Texans waived Phillip Lindsay during the week leading up to the game against the Jets. It would normally be a spot for Scottie Phillips (ankle), but he's on injured reserve. The 25-year-old Freeman served as the third back behind veterans Rex Burkhead and David Johnson. As the youngest back on the active roster for a team that's 2-9, Freeman could work his way into the rotation if the Texans are serious about developing younger players. That movement began at wide receiver (Nico Collins) and tight end (Brevin Jordan), so it would be natural to see what Freeman and the 24-year-old Phillips can bring over the final six games.

DECEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to be activated Week 12 Freeman is likely to serve as Houston's third running back Sunday against the Jets, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Freeman was claimed off waivers Nov. 9 and inactive for Week 11 against the Titans. However, after the Texans released Phillip Lindsay on Wednesday, there's an opening for a third back behind Rex Burkhead and David Johnson. That spot might normally go to Scottie Phillips (ankle), but he's on injured reserve and ineligible to return until Dec. 12 at the earliest. As a newcomer to the offense, Freeman is not expected to have a significant role Week 12.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Texans OC Tim Kelly says RB Royce Freeman has been 'diligent' in learning offense Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly says that running back Royce Freeman has done well in learning the offense.

NOVEMBER 26, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Not ready for game action Freeman (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Titans, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Freeman was claimed off waivers by Houston on Nov. 9, joining his third team this season. The Texans were on a bye during Week 10, so the matchup against Tennessee would've been his first chance to suit up for Houston. However, he apparently isn't ready for game action, which means David Johnson, Rex Burkhead and Phillip Lindsay will continue to share the workload against the Titans on Sunday.

NOVEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Finds work in Houston The Texans claimed Freeman off waivers from the Panthers on Tuesday.

Impact The six-foot, 238-pound back will move on to his third team of the season after he joined the Panthers prior to Week 1 upon being cut by Denver. Freeman was buried on the depth chart in Carolina and was unable to find much work even while top back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) was sidelined for multiple weeks, finishing his time with the Panthers with 21 carries for 77 yards and three catches for 15 yards in eight appearances. He'll likely start out fourth on the depth chart with the Texans, but Freeman should have a better opportunity to push for playing time in Houston in light of how poorly the three other running backs on the roster have performed this season. Rex Burkhead paces the group with an average of 4.1 yards per carry, while David Johnson (3.6 YPC) and Phillip Lindsay (2.7 YPC) lag further behind.

NOVEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Carolina The Panthers waived Freeman on Monday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact With top back Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) returning from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's loss to the Patriots, Freeman dropped to fourth on the depth chart and was relegated to special-teams work Week 10. Over eight games with Carolina this season, the fourth-year back carried 21 times for 77 yards (3.7 average) and hauled in three of six targets for 15 yards.

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Darnold is 'day to day' after MRI on shoulder

Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold will be listed as day to day following an MRI on his right throwing shoulder, according to a person familiar with the situation

NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • Associated Press

Not available Sunday Freeman (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Patriots, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official website reports.

Impact Christian McCaffrey is active for Sunday's contest, which leaves Freeman as the odd man out in the Panthers' running back room. McCaffrey is expected to be on a snap count, so Chuba Hubbard and Ameer Abdullah will be the primary backups Sunday.

NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets six carries Freeman rushed six times for 25 yards in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Falcons.

Impact Freeman was efficient with his opportunities but saw recent signing Ameer Abdullah take on a larger role, garnering 11 touches in his team debut. With starter Chuba Hubbard commanding 25 touches, it was a busy backfield for the Panthers, with each tailback holding their own. However, with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) reportedly on track to return in Week 9 versus the Patriots, Freeman and company could all see their respective roles reduced going forward.

NOVEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE