Scores first touchdown since 2014 season

Ridley, ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Sunday's 28-24 win over the Browns, finishes up the 2017 season with 108 yards on 26 carries and the one touchdown in two games.

Analysis: Ridley got the start in place of Le'Veon Bell (inactive, coach's decision), and looked like the stud running back that began his career in New England, where he amassed 2,817 yards and 22 touchdowns on 649 carries (4.3 average) before getting injured in his fourth season. He's played in just 11 games over the past three seasons, and is an unrestricted free agent. At 28, the Steelers will likely look to third round draft pick James Conner, who suffered his own injury that resulted in the signing…read more

Preparing for lead role Sunday

Ridley is expecting a sizable workload in Sunday's game against the Browns with the Steelers slated to hold out lead back Le'Veon Bell for rest, Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Steelers haven't offered formal word that Bell, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and other key starters will be rested or limited in Week 17, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed earlier Sunday what had been suspected for the past couple of days. Despite being signed less than two weeks ago, Ridley, who logged nine carries for 28 yards in the Week 16 win over the Texans, appears to have leapfrogged Fitzgerald Toussaint on the depth chart. Toussaint should have a pass-catching and…read more

Ridley carried nine times for 28 yards in Monday's 34-6 win at Houston.

Analysis: Signed to a contract earlier in the week, Ridley saw his first action of the season, filling the role of Le'Veon Bell's backup after James Conner (knee) was placed on injured reserve. Ridley should continue to serve in that capacity in Week 17, limiting his fantasy value.

The Steelers signed Ridley to a contract Tuesday, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Analysis: The Steelers will bring Ridley aboard to provide some depth at running back behind do-everything starter Le'Veon Bell after rookie James Conner (knee) was placed on injured reserve. Though Ridley has a 1,000-yard season on his resume, he's bounced around the league to little success since tearing his ACL during his final season with New England in 2014. The 28-year-old has appeared in just nine regular-season contests the past three years across stints with the Jets, Lions, Colts, Falcons,…read more

The Vikings released Ridley on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Vikings needed to create room for wide receiver Michael Floyd on the 53-man roster, so Ridley became the chosen casualty. Ridley was signed Thursday to provide depth in the absence of Dalvin Cook (knee), but the team is apparently comfortable entering Monday's game against the Bears with only two tailbacks on the roster.

Ridley is signing a deal with the Vikings on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Ridley hasn't had a meaningful statistical season since he tore his ACL in 2014, and the Vikings will be the fourth organization he's been associated with since leaving New England. He was released by Denver on Sept. 1, as the team instead decided to keep Jamaal Charles, Devontae Booker and De'Angelo Henderson. Ridley will help provide the team with some much-needed depth, as Dalvin Cook is out for the season with a torn ACL, and Jerick McKinnon emerged from Sunday's matchup with an ankle…read more

Ridley was waived by the Falcons on Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Analysis: A member of the Falcons for the duration of Tevin Coleman's (hamstring) recovery, Ridley will enter the free-agent market with three carries for seven yards to his name this season. Another gig may be difficult to come by, but injuries could always force an organization to tap the 27-year-old running back on the shoulder.

Ridley signed with the Falcons on Tuesday, NFL Network's James Palmer reports.

Analysis: With Tevin Coleman (hamstring) looking shaky for Sunday against Green Bay, the Falcons opted to sign a veteran free agent, in addition to promoting Terron Ward from the practice squad. While Ridley's name may be more familiar to NFL fans, Ward is probably the better bet to serve as Devonta Freeman's top backup in the event of a Coleman absence. Ward has been with the organization in some capacity for much of the past two years, while Ridley would need to learn a new playbook within the next…read more

Released by Colts

The Colts opted to release Ridley on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports.

Analysis: The Colts have struggled in their search for running back depth behind veteran Frank Gore, and signed Ridley last week as a result. The 27-year-old failed to make much of an impression however, as he rushed for just 11 yards on nine carries in Thursday's preseason finale. Robert Turbin and Josh Ferguson figure to assume backup roles in the backfield heading into Week 1.

Ridley had nine carries for just 11 yards in Thursday's preseason game.

Analysis: Ridley has been with the Colts just four days after signing with the team, but he didn't look like the answer to Indy's question about who will back up Frank Gore. It's not clear who will make the final 53-man roster among Ridley, Josh Ferguson and Jordan Todman.

Ridley signed a contract with the Colts on Sunday, Adam Caplan of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Ridley is now one of six running backs on the Colts' roster, though that number could drop after the team's roster is cut to 75 players on Tuesday. Along with Frank Gore, Ridley gives the Colts two veteran running backs that can pound the ball, though the likes of Josh Ferguson, Robert Turbin and Jordan Todman remain in the team's depth RB mix at this stage.

Ridley is visiting the Colts on Friday, NFL.com's Mike Garafolo reports.

Analysis: Ridley was released by the Lions on Thursday, but has already garnered interest elsewhere on the free-agent market. His visit with the Colts comes while a number of players are competing for pegging behind starter Frank Gore at running back. After an injury-shortened 2014 season, Ridley rushed only 36 times for 90 yards in eight games for the Jets last year.

The Lions have released Ridley, Mlive.com reports.

Analysis: The move leaves Zach Zenner, George Winn and rookie Dwayne Washington battling for slotting behind Ameer Abdullah and pass-catching back Theo Riddick. Now further removed from a major knee injury that ended his 2014 season, Ridley -- who saw limited action with the Jets in 2015 -- figures to catch on elsewhere as a depth back with a team dealing with backfield injuries. One intriguing possibility on that front could be New England, where Ridley spent the first four years of his NFL career.

Ridley didn't enter Thursday's preseason game against the Bengals until the second half, ultimately finishing with four carries for 13 yards, MLive's Kyle Meinke reports.

Analysis: Ridley is competing for Detroit's power-back role against Zach Zenner, who managed just four yards on four carries. Far more important than their respective stat lines, Zenner was the second Detroit running back to enter the game for a second straight week, while Ridley again had to wait until after halftime. With Zenner clearly holding the advantage, Ridley probably needs a huge showing in the third preseason game to have any shot of making the final roster. The Lions presumably wouldn't carry…read more

Ridley is line to compete with Zach Zenner, George Winn and Dwayne Washington for slotting behind Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick on the Lions' running back depth chart, the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The expectation remains that Abdullah, when healthy, will serve as the Lions' top back in 2016, with Riddick in line to see his share of touches as well, notably in the passing game. Per the report, Ridley "seems like the favorite" to win the No. 3 spot in the Detroit backfield and in such a scenario, the 27-year-old, who ran for 1,263 yards for the Patriots in 2012, could be a break away from resurfacing on the fantasy radar after back-to-back campaigns impacted by the right ACL/MCL injury…read more

The Lions have officially announced their signing of Ridley.

Analysis: Adding Ridley on a one-year deal gives the Lions a veteran presence in their backfield, helping fill the void created by the team's release of Joique Bell. Now further past the right ACL/MCL injury that he sustained in Week 6 of the 2014 season, Ridley provides the team with a between-the-tackles option to complement Ameer Abdullah and pass-catching back Theo Riddick. In order to secure a key role in the team's backfield in 2016, Ridley will have to hold off the likes of Zach Zenner and George…read more

Ridley announced he will be signing with the Lions on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The specifics of the deal are still unknown, but Ridley will head to Detroit where he will compete with the likes of Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick for carries. Ridley rushed for 90 yards on 36 attempts in eight games last season with the Jets after he returned from ACL and MCL injuries in early November.

Stevan Ridley: Set to visit Lions

Ridley will visit the Lions on Tuesday, the Detroit News reports.

Analysis: Coming off a torn ACL in October of 2014, Ridley gained 90 yards on just 36 carries in eight games with the Jets last season. He may be in better condition with the injury further behind him, but he'll probably have to compete for a roster spot wherever he ends up signing. Detroit would offer some potential for a significant role, as the Lions could use an early-down/short-yardage back to replace Joique Bell.

Ridley had nine rushes for 29 yards and caught both of his past targets for 0 yards Sunday against the Bills.

Analysis: Ridley spent the first half of the season on the PUP list and he struggled greatly in his first six games, indicating he wasn't likely fully recovered from his ACL injury. However, in his last two games, he averaged four yards per carry and appeared to be much closer to his pre-injury form. He'll be a free agent this off-season, and he'll hope to find a role in a RBBC. Depending on his landing spot, he has some sleeper appeal as he'll have a full off-season without having to rehab his knee.

Ridley rushed seven times for 36 yards Sunday against the Patriots.

Analysis: After rushing for 1.3 yards per attempt over his first six games, Ridley had some extra juice against his former team, running for 5.1 yards per tote. With Chris Ivory struggling lately, Ridley may be able to earn extra carries next week as a between-the-tackles thumper.

Ridley caught one of two pass targets for three yards while rushing two times for negative two yards Saturday against the Cowboys.

Analysis: Ridley saw a limited number of snaps to spell Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell. He's now posted five or fewer yards in five of the six games he's played since returning from his knee injury.

Ridley rushed 6 times for 23 yards Sunday against the Titans.

Analysis: Ridley made a couple brief appearances to spell Chris Ivory, and for the first time this season, posted more than four rushing yards in a game. On the season, he now has 18 carries for 27 yards.

Ridley had three carries for four yards Sunday against the Giants.

Analysis: Ridley was used to give Chris Ivory an opportunity to take a couple snaps off in the game. On the season, he now has 13 touches for negative one yard.

Ridley rushed two times for one yard Sunday against the Dolphins.

Analysis: Even with the Jets playing with a big lead, they chose to let Chris Ivory close out the game, keeping Ridley on the bench. He now has recorded a positive yardage total for the first time in the four games he's played. However, he's gained zero yards on the nine carries he's been given this season.

Ridley had four carries for zero yards and caught his only pass target for negative five yards Sunday against the Texans.

Analysis: Ridley has yet to gain a single yard in his two appearances this season. He now has eight touches for negative six yards. Unless he's able to do more with his chances, it's difficult to imagine him getting additional work as Chris Ivory's backup on early downs.

Ridley lost one yard on three carries in Thursday's 22-17 loss to the Bills.

Analysis: Backup running back Zac Stacy suffered a fractured ankle right before halftime, yet Ridley barely made it onto the field in the second half, as the Jets just let Chris Ivory play nearly every snap. The injury did leave Ridley as the No. 2 running back, but Stacy had primarily been playing on passing downs, which isn't exactly Ridley's strength. Stacy's absence does leave Ridley one injury closer to a regular role, but it probably won't have much impact on the former Patriot unless Ivory goes…read more

Ridley (knee) was active but recorded no stats Sunday against the Jaguars.

Analysis: Even though Chris Ivory only gained 26 yards on his 23 carries, the coaching staff apparently felt no need to get Ridley his first touch of the season. Zac Stacy was Ivory's backup in this contest, but only saw a single carry. With Bilal Powell (ankle) possibly nearing a return to action, it's difficult to tell when Ridley will see game action this year.