ROYCE FREEMAN NEWS

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

Garners four touches Freeman rushed three times for 18 yards and caught one of two targets for one yard in Sunday's 25-3 loss to the Giants.

Impact Freeman played just five fewer offensive snaps than starting tailback Chuba Hubbard, but his mere four touches paled in comparison to the rookie's 16. Freeman is yet to garner more than six touches in a game this season, so although star Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) will still be sidelined in Week 8 versus the Falcons, Freeman remains without much fantasy value.

OCTOBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Just one touch Freeman rushed once for three yards in Sunday's 34-28 overtime loss against the Vikings.

Impact Freeman played nearly a third of Carolina's offensive snaps but was only given the ball once. Conversely, rookie Chuba Hubbard finished with 16 rushes for 61 yards and a touchdown, and hauled in a four-yard pass as well. Although star tailback Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) being on IR should keep Freeman in the gameday backfield rotation, it's clear that his spare usage pales in comparison to Hubbard, who's been trusted with a starter's workload the past couple weeks.

OCTOBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Limited usage Sunday Freeman rushed three times for two yards and caught one of two targets for six yards in Sunday's 21-18 loss to the Eagles.

Impact Freeman's first touch came on Carolina's opening drive, but the veteran was incorporated sparingly with rookie Chuba Hubbard going for over 130 scrimmage yards on his 29 touches. Overall, Freeman played 20 percent of the offensive snaps compared to Hubbard's 65 percent. With Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) seemingly likely to return in Week 6 versus the Vikings, both Freeman and Hubbard could see their respective roles reduced, but unlike Freeman, Hubbard showed enough Sunday to potentially remain in the mix to limit McCaffrey's exposure upon his return.

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Just three touches Freeman rushed three times for 12 yards in Sunday's 36-28 loss to the Cowboys.

Impact Freeman was listed as Carolina's second option at tailback with Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) sidelined, but that role still didn't offer him much usage. Overall, the veteran played just 12 offensive snaps, trailing both starter Chuba Hubbard (33 snaps) and fellow reserve Rodney Smith (26 snaps). If McCaffrey remains sidelined for Week 5's matchup against the Eagles, Freeman would have another shot at helping fill in, but his spare involvement Sunday should keep expectations tempered, especially with Smith factoring in behind Hubbard.

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Future waiver wire: A look ahead to Week 5 — and the possible breakouts of Royce Freeman and Sammy Watkins Royce Freeman, Marlon Mack and Sammy Watkins are three of the players David Gonos says you should add now, before the waiver frenzy.

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Slated for top backup role Week 4 Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Freeman will serve as the top backup to starting running back Chuba Hubbard in Sunday's game in Dallas, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact With Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) expected to miss several weeks, Hubbard and Freeman will both temporarily bump up a spot on the depth chart. Following McCaffrey's early exit in the Panthers' Week 3 win over the Texans, Hubbard finished the night with a 39-10 edge over Freeman in terms of snaps, with the latter carrying five times for 17 yards and catching one ball for eight yards. Though Hubbard may not to take on the 90-plus-percent snap shares that a healthy McCaffrey has typically handled in competitive contests, the rookie has demonstrated the sort of three-down skill set that could make him the clear No. 1 back over Freeman rather than Option 1A in a timeshare. If that's the case, Freeman may struggle to see enough volume to have fantasy relevance even while McCaffrey is sidelined.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers' Hubbard stepping in for McCaffrey

As the Carolina Panthers were preparing to make their pick in the fourth round of this past April’s draft, coach Matt Rhule received an unexpected text message from his wife

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Panthers won't place McCaffrey on injured reserve

Panthers coach Matt Rhule said the team has decided not to place running back Christian McCaffrey on injured reserve while he recovers from a strained hamstring

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Injuries to McCaffrey, Horn sour Panthers' 3-0 start

Normally teams would be fired up after starting the season 3-0

SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Opportunity arises Thursday Freeman rushed five times for 17 yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Thursday night's 24-9 win over the Texans.

Impact Freeman hardly saw the field on offense in his first two games with the Panthers, but after superstar tailback Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) exited in the second quarter Thursday, Carolina's recent signing suddenly was forced into the fray. Although Freeman saw fewer opportunities than rookie fourth-rounder Chuba Hubbard, who finished with 79 scrimmage yards on 14 touches, he still had some opportunities, including on an unsuccessful one-yard touchdown leap in the fourth quarter. Should McCaffrey be sidelined or limited in Week 4's matchup versus the Cowboys, Freeman would again figure to help Hubbard fill the void, bringing his fantasy stock to life as he now embarks on an extended preparation period prior to that contest.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fast starts have propelled surprising Panthers to 2-0 record

The Carolina Panthers are using fast starts to start fast this season

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS