Freeman reverted back to the Rams' practice squad Monday.
Freeman was called up to the active roster ahead of Sunday's loss to the 49ers with Cam Akers and Zach Evans both being healthy scratches. The 27-year-old's only action came on special teams, as he played nine snaps while Kyren Williams handled the bulk of the rushing workload.
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Rams' Royce Freeman: Elevated to active roster
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The Rams have elevated Freeman to the active roster ahead of Sunday's matchup with the 49ers, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
Freeman landed on Los Angeles' practice squad after failing to make it through final roster cuts. The Rams are opting to load up on rushing options, as the veteran back will be the No. 5 on the depth chart. He is more likely to make an impact on special teams if he indeed sees the field.
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Royce Freeman: Joins LA's practice squad
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The Rams signed Freeman to their practice squad, Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Freeman did not make the Rams' 53-man roster, but the veteran running back will remain in Los Angeles as a member of the team's practice squad. Freeman will practice with the team and provide a depth option if the Rams need to call him up to the active roster due to injuries.
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Royce Freeman: Released by LAR
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The Rams released Freeman on Tuesday.
Freeman finished the preseason with 13 carries for 46 rushing yards, adding four receptions for 10 yards. However, the 2018 third-round pick didn't do enough to land a spot on the Rams' initial 53-man roster. Freeman could garner some attention in free agency, but he hasn't been productive since his time in Denver (2018-2020).
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Rams' Royce Freeman: Posts 36 all-purpose yards in loss
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Freeman rushed four times for 14 yards, brought in two of three targets for seven yards and returned one kickoff for 15 yards in the Rams' 41-0 preseason loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.
The veteran was the second running back to log a touch behind Ronnie Rivers and enjoyed a versatile role. Freeman wraps up the exhibition slate with a modest 46 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, adding four receptions for 10 yards. He may have arguably outperformed rookie sixth-round pick Zach Evans yet didn't do as much as Rivers, but Freeman's ability to play special teams could be his ticket to a potential No. 4 running back role.
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Rams' Royce Freeman: Four touches in defeat
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Freeman rushed twice for six yards and caught both of his targets for three yards during Saturday's 34-17 preseason loss to the Raiders.
Freeman saw the least playing time of the trio of running backs used by the Rams on Saturday and also made the least contributions. Ronnie Rivers (9-42-0) and Zach Evans (8-20-0 and a seven-yard reception) both saw ample touches during their time on the field, and Rivers looked particularly efficient for the second straight preseason game. With Cam Akers and Kyren Williams locks to make the roster and Rivers grinding his way into a spot of his own, it may come down to Freeman and the rookie Evans for a roster spot that is conditioned on the Rams choosing to keep four running backs on the team.
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Rams' Royce Freeman: Scores in Saturday's win
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Freeman rushed seven times for 26 yards and a touchdown and failed to bring in his only target during the Rams' 34-17 preseason loss to the Chargers on Friday night.
The veteran recorded a three-yard scoring rush late in the third quarter, with Freeman the third running back into the contest for the Rams after Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans. The 27-year-old Freeman may need Los Angeles to keep four running backs in order to stick on the roster, so he'll have to continue making an impact during next Saturday night's preseason home matchup versus the Raiders in order to keep his chances strong.
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Rams' Royce Freeman: Finds new home
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Freeman signed a contract with the Rams on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Freeman's addition to the Los Angeles roster comes one day after Sony Michel's retirement. The former struggled the last two seasons in Houston, playing just 11 games between 2021 and 2022 and earning 76 carries for 209 yards (2.8 YPC) and no touchdowns. He'll now work to earn a depth role in the Rams backfield.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Stymied in finale
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Freeman rushed seven times for 15 yards and brought in his only target for two yards in the Texans' 32-31 win over the Colts on Sunday.
Freeman was unable to take advantage of what had been an inconsistent Indy run defense, gaining nearly half his meager rushing yardage total on a seven-yard scamper and netting just eight yards on his other six totes. The journeyman back has appeared in 11 games with the Texans over the last two seasons and is on an expiring contract, and it remains to be seen if he'll have a chance to claim a complementary role behind the promising Dameon Pierce (IR-ankle) in training camp next summer.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Leads backs in snaps
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Freeman had seven carries for 19 yards and caught three of five targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Jaguars in Week 17.
Freeman (30 snaps) and Dare Ogunbowale (26 snaps) once again were the top backs on offense, but neither had a productive day. Freeman's 39 combined yards paced the backfield. Expect a similar backfield mix, with a bit of Rex Burkhead thrown in, for next week's season finale against the Colts.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Week 16 Waiver Priority List
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Freeman led the way for the Texans in Week 15 against Kansas City in their first game without Dameon Pierce (ankle), who was placed on injured reserve. Freeman had 11 carries for 51 yards and one catch for 5 yards on one target, and he outplayed Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale. At best, Freeman is a flex option in most leagues against the Titans in Week 16, and Tennessee is No. 3 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to running backs. But Freeman might get enough volume to help you in deeper leagues since he's now the likely No. 1 running back for Houston to close the season.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Week 16 Early Waiver Targets (Add/Drop)
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Coming into Sunday's game, we didn't quite know what to expect from the Texans backfield. Would Rex Burkhead or Dare Ogunbowale be the lead back in Dameon Pierce's absence? Turns out, it would be Freeman, newly elevated from the practice squad to lead the team in carries – Burkhead didn't get a single one, while Ogunbowale had just 14 yards on eight carries. Freeman didn't do a ton, but he's seemingly a lead back, and that makes him Fantasy relevant. Week 16 featured a tough matchup against the Titans, but if you're desperate, he'll get some opportunities.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Leads backfield in OT loss
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Freeman rushed 11 times for 51 yards and brought in his only target for five yards in the Texans' 30-24 overtime loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
Just promoted from the practice squad Saturday, Freeman ended up leading the Texans backfield across the board during Houston's first game without Dameon Pierce (IR-ankle). Dare Ogunbowale was the only other back on the team to log a carry since Rex Burkhead was limited to receiving work, giving Freeman some fantasy appeal heading into a Week 16 divisional road matchup against the Titans on Saturday afternoon.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Signed off practice squad
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Freeman was signed to the Texans' active roster Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Freeman will look to make his season debut this week against the Chiefs after spending the entirety of the season on the practice squad. The 26-year-old running back could have an ample opportunity to get some playing time now that Dameon Pierce (ankle) has been placed on injured reserve, as he figures to be the third option behind Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale.
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Royce Freeman: Signs to practice squad
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Freeman was signed to the Texans' practice squad Monday.
Freeman was let go for a second time this season by the Texans on Friday. Now the 26-year-old has been brought back again. Freeman will try and work his way up to the active roster and not get let go for the third time.
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Royce Freeman: Let go by Texans
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The Texans have released Freeman.
With Freeman no longer in the mix, heading into Sunday's season opener against the Colts, Dameon Pierce, Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale are in line to handle the Texans' backfield duties, along with fullback Troy Hairston.
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Royce Freeman: Released by Houston
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The Texans released Freeman on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Freeman initially made the 53-man roster, but he's been released just one day later. Marlon Mack was signed to Houston's practice squad after being let go ahead of Tuesday's deadline, so he'll likely operate as an emergency option behind Dameon Pierce, Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale. Freeman rushed for 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns during his first two seasons in Denver but hasn't garnered a sizable role since.
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.
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.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Stays with Houston
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Freeman is re-signing with the Texans on a one-year, $1.2 million contract, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
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.
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Texans' Royce Freeman: Quiet finale
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Freeman played one snap on offense and 15 on special teams in Week 18's 28-25 loss to the Titans.
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.
