NFL Player News

Demercado (toe) was limited at Thursday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

After managing no on-field work for two weeks and missing a pair of games as a result of a toe injury, Demercado has been able to put together back-to-back capped sessions to kick off Week 11 prep. Friday's practice report could be telling for his chances to return Sunday at Houston, but even if Demercado is cleared to play in that contest, he won't be much more than a change-of-pace option with the Cardinals' lead runner James Conner back in the mix.

Mattison (concussion) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Mattison was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report due to the concussion that knocked him out of this past Sunday's win against the Saints. One day later, he displayed some progress through the protocol for head injuries with a capped session. Mattison thus has only one more chance to get back to all activity this week, and he'll have the added step of needing to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday at Denver. If Mattison is sidelined this weekend, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and potentially practice-squad member Myles Gaskin will be the beneficiaries out of the Vikings backfield.

Edwards-Helaire (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

CEH missed the Week 9 game against the Dolphins in Germany, but the bye week was enough time to get over whatever illness he was dealing with. He merely handles the backfield scraps for Kansas City behind Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon.

Mostert (ankle/knee) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Despite having the benefit of a Week 10 bye, Mostert's reps are still being managed heading into Sunday's matchup with the Raiders while he tends to a pair of injuries. Mostert has now been limited in both of the Dolphins' first two practices, but if he upgrades to full activity Friday, he should be cleared to enter the weekend without an injury designation. If available Sunday, Mostert will presumably handle his usual starting role, though he could cede more snaps and touches than he had in previous weeks with De'Von Achane (knee) seemingly tracking toward a return from injured reserve this week.

Barkley (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Barkley maintained his activity level from one day prior, which seemingly is the result of the running back tweaking his previously sprained right ankle in the late moments of this past Sunday's defeat in Dallas. He's been the sole bright spot in an offense lacking on much firepower, especially with undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito (shoulder) at quarterback. Over his last five games, Barkley has racked up 124 touches for 518 yards from scrimmage and one receiving TD. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with an injury designation for Sunday's contest at Washington.

Herbert (ankle/shin) was a full practice participant Thursday.

After missing four games while recovering from a high-ankle sprain, Herbert was designated for return from injured reserve last week. He was listed as a full participant on practice reports issued last Monday through Wednesday, but he ultimately wasn't activated ahead of this past Thursday's win over the Panthers. Though Herbert is now dealing with a shin issue in addition to the ankle sprain and was a limited participant Wednesday to kick off his second week of practice, his ability to take every rep Thursday suggests he's tracking toward a return to the lineup Sunday in Detroit. The Bears will have to activate Herbert from IR by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday in order for him to be eligible to play this weekend. Herbert opened the season as the Bears' top option on early downs, but upon his return to action, he could have to share those duties or perhaps even cede them entirely to D'Onta Foreman. Foreman has scored four touchdowns and has averaged 4.3 yards per carry as Chicago's lead back over the past five weeks, but he's currently tending to an ankle injury that resulted in his practice reps being capped Wednesday and Thursday.

Blasingame (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Blasingame was able to log his second consecutive full practice Thursday, and he's officially cleared concussion protocol, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. Chicago's fullback has appeared in nine games thus far, recording 31 yards on 10 total touches while also contributing on special teams.

Foreman (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Foreman is still looking to move past an ankle injury that he suffered at some point during the Bears' Week 10 win over the Panthers back on Nov. 9. While the ankle issue didn't appear to affect his workload during the contest, Foreman may need to upgrade to full practice participation Friday to avoid an injury designation for this Sunday's game in Detroit. In addition to the ankle injury potentially impacting his Week 11 outlook, Foreman could face a threat to his status as Chicago's lead back in the form of Khalil Herbert (ankle/shin). Herbert has missed the Bears' last five games and remains on injured reserve for the time being, but he's in the midst of his second week of practicing with the team and may be healthier than Foreman at the moment. Herbert was a full participant in Thursday's practice and looks poised to be activated ahead of Sunday's contest.

Gibson (toe) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports.

Gibson missed Wednesday's session as well, making the running back's activity during Friday's practice worth monitoring when it comes to discerning his availability for Sunday's contest against the Giants. If Gibson ends up limited or out this weekend, Chris Rodriguez would be in line to see added snaps behind lead back Brian Robinson.

Pierce (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Back-to-back absences set the stage for what (if anything) Pierce does Friday to provide key context regarding the running back's chances of returning to action Sunday against the Cardinals. If Pierce is forced to miss his third straight game this weekend, Devin Singletary would once again be in line to lead the Texans backfield Week 11.