ROYCE FREEMAN NEWS

No offensive snaps Freeman did not play an offensive snap in Sunday's 19-14 win over the Jets.

Impact Freeman has only been with the Panthers for just over a week, so he was restricted to special-teams duty, playing four snaps overall. With superstar Christian McCaffrey leading the charge, Carolina rarely calls upon its backup tailbacks, and rookie fourth-rounder Chuba Hubbard currently sits atop Freeman on the depth chart anyway. Unless either of those factors change, Freeman's fantasy value should remain limited.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ravens tried to claim former Broncos RB Royce Freeman on waivers The Ravens tried to claim a former Denver Broncos running back off of waivers

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Panthers add depth at running back, claim Royce Freeman

The Carolina Panthers have claimed running back Royce Freeman off waivers from the Denver Broncos, giving them some veteran experience behind Christian McCaffrey

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Claimed off waivers The Panthers have claimed Freeman off waivers from the Broncos.

Impact In a corresponding move, the Panthers waived fellow running back Trenton Cannon. Freeman, who spent the last three seasons with the Broncos after being taken in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, gives Carolina some valuable depth and experience behind star back, Christian McCaffrey. Also in the team's backfield mix is rookie fourth-rounder Chuba Hubbard.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Teddy's Time? Bridgewater solid as Broncos thump Seahawks

Teddy Bridgewater made another strong statement in his case to be Denver’s starting quarterback, leading a pair of touchdown drives in the Broncos’ 30-3 preseason win over the Seat...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets seven touches in win Freeman carried the ball five times for 33 yards, while also catching both of his targets for 14 yards in Saturday's 33-6 win over Minnesota.

Impact Freeman was active with limited touches in both the rushing and passing game. The veteran running back has been the beneficiary of a quadriceps injury suffered by Denver's presumed No. 3 running back Mike Boone, as he could take on more of a workload in Boone's absence. With starter Melvin Gordon sitting Saturday, Freeman and rookie Javonte Williams handled most of the carries early in the contest. Although the 25-year-old didn't exactly turn heads with his performance, he didn't do anything to hurt his cause for retaining the third spot on the depth chart while Boone is out. Either way, Freeman appears on track to serve as a complementary back behind Gordon and Williams to start the season, a context that limits his fantasy upside.

AUGUST 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Following RB Mike Boone's injury, Royce Freeman 'ready to step in and make it happen' Plus, find out which player GM George Paton said "looks like a different guy" this year.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Could be busy Saturday Freeman could see plenty of work in Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings once Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams are done for the day, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic repo...

Impact Whereas Freeman had potentially been on the roster bubble, he's now looking at starting the coming season as Denver's No. 3 back, with Mike Boone on track to miss time early due to a quad injury. That's an assignment with limited fantasy utility; however, if either Williams or Gordon misses time for any reason, Freeman could subsequently emerge as a factor in deeper formats.

AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Could be done in Denver Freeman is on the roster bubble after Denver added running backs Javonte Williams and Mike Boone in the offseason, ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold reports.

Impact Williams was a second-round draft pick, and Boone signed a two-year contract that includes $2.6 million guaranteed. Even if the latter move was more about special teams than offense, it gives Boone a level of security that Freeman doesn't have. Freeman has averaged only 4.0 yards per carry and 5.9 yards per catch in 46 games for the Broncos, failing to meet expectations after coming off the board 71st overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. If Freeman does make the team, it might just be as a third-down specialist behind Williams and Melvin Gordon.

JULY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Denver Broncos: Team should try to get what it can for Royce Freeman Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman is starting to become a fading light on the roster. Once a promising prospect after being drafted...

JUNE 9, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

New Broncos GM Paton brings RB Mike Boone over from Vikings

New Broncos general manager George Paton is bringing a familiar face with him to Denver

MARCH 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Declines in rough 2020 campaign Freeman ran for 170 yards on 35 carries and added 81 yards on 12 catches during the 2020 season.

Impact Freeman's workload took a hit following the Broncos' acquisition of Melvin Gordon. Though he averaged 4.9 yards per carry, a full yard above his career average, Freeman seldom garnered many touches with Gordon serving as the bell cow more often than not and Phillip Lindsay also a factor in the 11 games he played.  With the exception of Week 13's game against the Saints, in which Freeman took snaps at wildcat quarterback, the 2018 third-rounder never topped 35 yards and didn't log more than nine touches in any contest. Freeman may still offer value as a third-down back, but depending on what the Broncos do in the offseason, his role is far from guaranteed heading into 2021.

JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up three touches Freeman ran for 21 yards on two carries and added a one-yard catch during Sunday's 32-31 loss to Las Vegas.

Impact Freeman set up the Broncos' first touchdown late in the first quarter, rumbling for 20 yards to bring Denver into Las Vegas territory. Still, perhaps still bothered by a nagging hip, he garnered just two touches to Melvin Gordon's 30. The third-year back often was lost in the shuffle this season as Gordon took Freeman's role as the passing-game back. Absent a shake-up in the offseason, a similar role likely awaits Freeman in 2021.

JANUARY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Garners four touches in loss Freeman caught both of his targets for seven yards and had two carries for 16 yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss at the Chargers.

Impact Freeman had an opportunity to be RB2 behind Melvin Gordon on Sunday after Phillip Lindsay (hip) went on injured reserve. It didn't work out that way as Freeman still was visibly bothered by his own hip, leaving four touches for rookie LeVante Bellamy. Freeman will have another opportunity to enjoy an uptick in touches in the season finale against the Raiders on Sunday. He totaled 26 yards on four touches in Week 10's loss in Las Vegas.

DECEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to play Sunday Freeman (hip) is active for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Impact The 24-year-old was considered questionable with the hip issue but is good to go Sunday. Freeman will serve as the backup to Melvin Gordon with Phillip Lindsay (hip/knee) on injured reserve.

DECEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Freeman (hip) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Impact The 24-year-old picked up the hip injury during last week's loss to the Bills, but he'll have a chance to take the field Sunday. Freeman would be in line for an increased workload behind starter Melvin Gordon if available to play this weekend, since Phillip Lindsay (hip/knee) has already been ruled out.

DECEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Practice status improves Freeman (hip) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Impact Freeman sustained a hip injury Saturday during a blowout loss to the Bills, and he was subsequently tagged a DNP for Denver's opening practice session of the week Wednesday. If capable of overcoming the issue to make an appearance Week 16, Freeman would remain without a missed game since the start of last season. Should Freeman be activated against the Chargers and Phillip Lindsay (hip/knee) ruled out, the Oregon product would be in line for an uptick in carries behind Melvin Gordon.

DECEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Injury Report: Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman among Broncos to miss Wednesday practice Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb also did not practice.

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Misses Wednesday's practice Freeman (hip) isn't practicing Wednesday, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Impact With fellow running back Phillip Lindsay also missing practice Wednesday due to a hip injury, Melvin Gordon is the only Denver running back taking part in the session. If neither Freeman nor Lindsay gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Chargers, the team will likely opt to promote LeVante Bellamy from the practice squad to serve as Gordon's top backup.

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bills beat Broncos 48-19 for first AFC East crown since 1995

The Buffalo Bills captured their first AFC East crown since 1995 with a 48-19 rout of the undermanned Denver Broncos on Saturday

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Royce Freeman questionable, Shelby Harris probable to return in #BUFvsDEN Freeman suffered a hip injury, while Harris is battling cramps.

DECEMBER 19, 2020 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Injures hip Saturday Freeman (hip) is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Bills, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Impact Freeman was only handling a reserve role with both Melvin Gordon and Philip Lindsay active Saturday, so his absence won't have a huge impact on Denver's offense. However, the Broncos only have three running backs active Saturday, the team will be a bit short on depth if Freeman can't return.

DECEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Takes back seat against Chiefs Freeman did not register a carry or a target over four offensive snaps during Sunday's 22-16 loss to Kansas City.

Impact Phillip Lindsay suited up for Sunday Night Football after coping with a knee issue throughout the practice week, diminishing any potential offensive role for Freeman. The Oregon product is averaging a career-best 4.3 yards per carry this season, but he remains without a touchdown after producing nine combined TDs over his first two years in the league. Freeman also reached at least 130 rush attempts during both 2018 and 2019, and he's on pace to finish far below that mark with just 30 carries over 12 appearances this year.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos activate 3 QBs following COVID-19 rules violations

The Denver Broncos are getting their QBs back on Wednesday

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Drew Lock could end up paying biggest price for QB quagmire

Drew Lock might end up paying the biggest price for the quarterback quagmire he and the Broncos' other passers put the team in by violating COVID-19 safety protocols

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS