RB Marlon Mack signed with Houston in the offseason and projects to be near the top of the running back depth chart alongside Rex Burkhead. He was brought in because of his success in five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. "Marlon has been a productive player in the league and we look at his best years he's had," Smith said after Wednesday's OTA. "Sometimes you need a change, change of scenery, a new team."

"I know he's fit in well with our group," Smith said. "We feel like we have a plan for him and we like the running back position, not just him."

Related Players: Dare Ogunbowale, Royce Freeman, Darius Anderson, Dameon Pierce

Mack has more production than any back not named Burkhead on the Texans roster and has been positively boasted by Lovie Smith. That is Smith's M.O. and is not a coach that pulls punches when lifting his players. Mack can be an interesting late-round pick with 15-carry upside on a team looking for consistency at the running back position.

With RB Rex Burkhead (hip) unable to play Week 15, Texans HC David Culley told reporters Wednesday that David Johnson and Royce Freeman will be the lead backs Week 15.

Johnson missed Week 14 because of COVID, so it is unknown how much if at all the virus changes his practice time ahead of Week 15. Johnson and Freeman are dart throw RBs this weekend.

The Carolina Panthers have claimed running back Royce Freeman, formerly of the Denver Broncos.

Royce Freeman never really panned out in Denver, first losing his presumed starting role to undrafted free agent Phillip Lindsay and then falling to third on the depth chart when the team added Melvin Gordon last season. He was slated to be third on the depth chart at best again this season as the team drafted running back Javonte Williams after losing Phillip Lindsay to free agency. Freeman gives the Panthers valuable veteran insurance behind Christian McCaffrey, as they only had rookie Chuba Hubbard on the 53-man roster following cut-down day. The addition of Freeman ends the short-lived Hubbard handcuff hype, as the rookie and the veteran will likely form a committee if CMC misses any games this season.

The Denver Broncos released RB Royce Freeman according to Troy Renck of Denver7.

Freeman was in a battle with Mike Boone for RB3 snaps behind Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. Freeman should find a home somewhere in the NFL but will remain waiver wire fodder unless injuries boost his playing time.

Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay is questionable for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers according to the Broncos Twitter post.

Related Players: Melvin Gordon, Royce Freeman

Lindsay's concussion symptoms has lessened throughout the week, making him an option for Sunday against an above average defense. Melvin Gordon would be a lock to carry majority of the backfield work if Lindsay ends up being inactive.

Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said RB Melvin Gordon is questionable for Sunday with a non-COVID-19 illness, according to Mike Giardi of the NFL Network.

Related Players: Phillip Lindsay, Royce Freeman

Gordon would be a key loss for Denver if he is not cleared of his illness. Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman would be in line for touches if Gordon is not cleared.