NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan told Adam Copeland of KNBR 680 San Francisco on Thursday that he expects Mitchell (knee) to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

While Mitchell returned to practice Wednesday, the 49ers didn't officially designate him for return from IR until Thursday. The move opened up a 21-day window for the 49ers to activate Mitchell from IR, but he seemingly won't need that much time for the team to do so. As for the rest of the backfield, Christian McCaffrey (ankle/knee) hasn't practiced this week, but he revealed to David Lombardi of The Athletic on Thursday that his absences were a precaution, and he should be active this weekend. If both McCaffrey and Mitchell are able to suit up, it'll mark their fourth contest working together since the former arrived from Carolina in October. In the first three, Mitchell recorded 41 touches to McCaffrey's 47 in Weeks 10 through 12, so there may be room for both to produce.

Walker (ankle/illness) was held out of Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

It's uncertain whether a lingering ankle concern, an illness or a combination of the two are keeping Walker sidelined this week, but he has yet to log any activity after two sessions. The same can be said for fellow running backs Travis Homer (ankle) and DeeJay Dallas (ankle), so the situation in the Seahawks backfield remains in flux with just one more chance to practice during Week 18 prep. Friday's injury report will unveil if any of the trio sidestep a designation ahead of Sunday's game versus the Rams. However, if Walker is able to suit up for the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, he's the likely candidate to handle the majority of RB reps after posting back-to-back 100-yard performances on the ground.

McCaffrey (ankle/knee) didn't practice Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Per Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News, McCaffrey was seen jogging straight ahead during the part of Thursday's session open to the media before going to the locker room. While McCaffrey received a DNP on a second consecutive Week 18 injury report, he told David Lombardi of The Athletic afterward that he felt great, and that his absences this week were a precaution taken by the 49ers. Even if he sits out again Friday, McCaffrey may avoid a designation entirely for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, but the final report of the week will reveal whether or not he does so. Assuming he's able to suit up this weekend, he appears as if he'll be welcoming back fellow RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) from IR because coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that he expects the Mitchell to be available, according to Adam Copeland of KNBR.

Conner (shin/knee) didn't practice Thursday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Conner was forced from the Cardinals' Week 17 loss in Atlanta with a shin injury in the fourth quarter, and while coach Kliff Kingsbury told Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com on Monday that the running back was day-to-day, he has yet to mix into drills this week. There was a positive sign Thursday when Conner took part in the team stretch during the open portion of the session, but he proceeded to hit the sidelines for individual drills. He thus has only one more chance to practice Friday before Arizona potentially makes a ruling on his status for Sunday's season finale in San Francisco. If Conner is limited or out, Keaontay Ingram and Corey Clement are the backfield options on the team's active roster, while Ty'Son Williams resides on the practice squad.

Jacobs (hip/oblique/personal) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Chiefs after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, Rachel Gossen of the Raiders' official site reports.

The team's top running back -- who is dealing with hip and oblique issues -- is the only player the Raiders list as questionable for the contest, while linebacker Darien Butler (concussion) has been ruled out. Jacobs' status thus is worth monitoring closely as Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff approaches, but if he's out or limited this weekend, some combo of Brandon Bolden, Ameer Abdullah and Zamir White would be in line to log added Week 18 backfield snaps for Las Vegas.

Sanders (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Sanders has been working under practice restrictions for two weeks running as he deals with a knee injury, with Thursday's limited listing marking his second in a row. The issue didn't hold him back too much this past Sunday against the Saints, as he paced Eagles running backs in snaps (22 of 55) and touches (12). While Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell combined for the other 33 snaps, they also earned just four touches between them. In the end, Friday's injury will reveal whether or not Sanders heads into the weekend with an injury designation for Sunday's contest versus the Giants.

Jacobs (hip) wasn't on the field for the open portion of Thursday's practice, Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Jacobs has proven on prior occasions this season that he doesn't require much practice time, if any, to prepare for a given game, but he may still be at risk of missing his first game of the season Saturday against the Chiefs while he battles a nagging hip injury. Not only does Jacobs have the disadvantage of playing on a short week, but the 6-10 Raiders don't have anything at stake Saturday beyond perhaps denying a division rival the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs. The Raiders will wait until after Thursday's practice concludes before likely handing Jacobs a designation for the Week 18 contest, if he isn't ruled out two days in advance of the game. Even if Jacobs ends up being cleared ahead of Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, he won't necessarily be a safe bet to handle his usual high-volume role out of the Las Vegas backfield.

Jones (knee/ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones maintained his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough as he continues to deal with lingering knee and ankle issues. Since initially getting hurt during a Week 9 loss at Detroit, he's had a huge range of outcomes over the last seven games, tallying between eight and 26 touches per week. Friday's practice report ultimately will reveal whether or not Jones goes into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest against the Lions.

Conner (knee/shin) was spotted at practice Thursday, Tyler Drake of ArizonaSports.com reports.

After logging a 'DNP' on Wednesday, Conner's presence on the field Thursday suggests that he could be available Sunday against the 49ers. The Cardinals' upcoming injury report will provide clarity with regard to the running back's official participation level.

Vaughn was limited to two snaps from scrimmage during the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17.

The third-year back logged another 12 on special teams, which continue to be his primary ticket to active status. Vaughn did carry once for six yards versus the Cardinals in Week 16, but with the team's running back corps at full health, meaningful playing time is essentially an impossibility. That said, the upcoming Week 18 finale against the Falcons could very well be a rare exception, as the Buccaneers are expected to eventually give plenty of backups playing time with the team locked into its playoff positioning.