NFL Player News

Allen is poised to operate as the No. 2 running back behind Travis Etienne beginning Sunday at Denver, and as long as Bhayshul Tuten (finger) has to be sidelined, Paul Bretl of USA Today reports.

Allen has regularly handled the No. 3 backfield role behind Tuten this year, but across 14 regular-season appearances he's looked solid in limited opportunities. On the season, Allen has carried the ball 18 times for 81 yards and secured 10 of 11 targets for 54 yards, while also piling up 486 yards as a kick returner. Head coach Liam Coen praised Allen as a player who "runs violently and has taken care of the football," while quarterback Trevor Lawrence expressed confidence that the rookie seventh-round pick will "take this opportunity, run with it, and play well." That said, Allen's first opportunity to show what he's capable of in the No. 2 role will come versus a stingy Denver defense, so it may be prudent not to set expectations too high.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that Jacobs (knee/ankle) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jacobs will finish out Week 16 prep without having taken any on-field reps, but LaFleur isn't closing the door on the running back being available for Saturday's game against the Bears. LaFleur noted that the Packers will take a decision on Jacobs' status all the way up until the team has to release its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Saturday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, which suggests that the 27-year-old will likely be officially listed as questionable when Green Bay's final injury report of the week is posted later Thursday. Jacobs has been dealing with a recurrence of stiffness and swelling in his left knee along with an ankle injury following the team's Week 15 loss to Denver, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that Jacobs is likely to play this weekend, despite his lack of practice time leading up the contest.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) is expected to be available for Saturday's road matchup against the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jacobs has stated that he expects to play Week 16, but he sat out Wednesday's practice and Tuesday's walkthrough session. The workhorse running back may need to upgrade to at least limited practice reps Thursday in order to gain clearance, however. He logged a DNP/DNP/LP practice slate Week 15 and was initially listed as questionable for Green Bay's loss to the Broncos, in which he rushed the ball 12 times for 73 yards and a touchdown and added two receptions on three targets for 19 yards and another score.

Gordon (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Gordon sustained an ankle injury midway through the second quarter of Monday's loss to the Steelers. His full practice Wednesday indicates that the injury isn't a concern for the rookie sixth-rounder, which puts him on track to play Sunday against the Bengals. Gordon has turned 60 carries into 191 yards and three touchdowns and six catches (one eight targets) for 30 yards and one score through 14 regular-season games.

Chandler (knee) logged a full practice Wednesday.

Chandler has been practicing for most of December after he was designated to return from injured reserve. The running back is uncertain to be activated ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Giants, but if he is, he would likely see most of his playing time on special teams.

Luepke (concussion) did not practice Wednesday, Clarence Hill Jr. of AllDLLS.com reports.

Luepke entered the league's concussion protocol during the Cowboys' Week 15 loss to the Vikings. Even if he were to return to practice over the next two days, Luepke would have to be cleared from the league's protocol by an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Chargers. The Cowboys don't have another fullback on the active roster or practice squad, so they may deploy a tight end like Luke Schoonmaker or Brevyn Spann-Ford as a backfield blocker if Luepke is not cleared to play.

Vaki (thumb) was limited in Wednesday's practice,

Seemingly on the injury report weekly due to various ailments this season, Vaki has appeared in eight games, playing just one offensive snap and another 136 on special teams. He carries next to no fantasy value.

The Packers activated Lloyd (calf/hamstring) from injured reserve Wednesday, per the NFL's transaction log.

According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, this move is merely procedural so Green Bay can place him back on IR with the aim to get him back in the playoffs at some point. If said transaction occurs before Saturday's contest at Chicago, Lloyd would be eligible to return as soon as the divisional round. For the time being, though, the Packers will roll with the combination of Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks (chest) behind No. 1 RB Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle).

Bigsby (illlness) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Bigsby should be back at full strength for Saturday's game against Washington, if he isn't already. He took 17 carries for 57 yards during Sunday's 31-0 win over the Raiders, but 13 of those carries came in the fourth quarter after Saquon Barkley was done for the day. Barkley (neck) was also a full practice participant Wednesday, leaving Bigsby in his usual reserve role this week.

Barkley (neck) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Listed as a non-participant one day earlier, Barkley quickly returned to full participation and should be ready for his usual workload Saturday against Washington.