NFL Player News

Irving (shoulder/foot) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Irving has been listed as limited on five consecutive injury reports as he draws closer to his first game action since Week 4, from which he emerged with a shoulder subluxation and a sprained left foot. When asked about Irving and WR Chris Godwin (fibula) on Thursday, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard told Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site that it'll be "unfair to immediately ask them to play 50 snaps," and the team "will figure out how much they can handle as it goes." Such comments would seem to imply Irving won't handle a full workload once he's cleared to play again, and Friday's injury report will reveal if he has a chance to return Sunday at the Rams. Sean Tucker and Rachaad White remain on hand to continue handling RB reps until Irving is healthy and back to normal.

Packers running backs coach Ben Sirmans said Thursday that he believes Lloyd (hamstring) will play this season, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Since the Packers drafted him in the third round of the 2024 Draft, Lloyd has made just one appearance as a pro due to a cascade of health concerns, including a hamstring injury that so far his delayed his 2025 debut. Coach Matt LaFleur has touched on Lloyd's recovery a few times during the campaign, including noting that the second-year RB traveled to the West Coast to continue his rehab in early November. Lloyd then was spotted working on the side last Thursday, indicating that he may be closing on in being designated for return from injured reserve. Until that happens, he won't be a candidate to join Josh Jacobs (knee), Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks in Green Bay's backfield.

Nwangwu (hamstring) didn't practice Thursday.

Nwangwu wasn't on Wednesday's injury report, so it's possible he aggravated his hamstring injury during practice. The standout return man previously missed action this season due to a hamstring injury and concussion, which have combined to limit Nwangwu to five appearances. If Nwangwu sits out Sunday against the Ravens, Isaiah Williams would likely tack kickoff-return duties onto his usual role as a punt returner.

Kamara (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Kamara hasn't been a full participant in practice since Week 7 and has carried questionable tags into the past two contests, but he has yet to miss a game this season. Even if he remains limited in Friday's session and is listed as questionable heading into Sunday's game against the Falcons, Kamara should still have a strong chance at suiting up this weekend and leading the New Orleans ground attack.

Stevenson (toe) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald relays that Patriots running backs coach Tony Dews noted Thursday that Stevenson -- who also was limited Wednesday -- "was out there running around, and looked like himself running around. So, we'll see what it looks like tomorrow." In any case, Friday's final injury report is slated to reveal whether Stevenson approaches Week 12 action with an injury designation or fully cleared to play Sunday against the Bengals.

Knight (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

In the wake of Emari Demercado (ankle) being ruled out for Week 12 and the Cardinals designating Trey Benson (knee) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Knight himself is dealing with a health concern this week that's capped his practice reps. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Knight enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest versus the Jaguars, but even if he's able to suit up, his eventual workload may be contingent on the team's decision regarding Benson, who will need to be activated from IR by Saturday afternoon to have a chance to play this weekend. Aside from Knight, Michael Carter represents the other running back on Arizona's active roster.

Benson (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Since Arizona designated him for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Benson has logged back-to-back capped sessions and will have one more chance to get back to full this week before the team potentially makes a ruling on his status ahead of a Week 12 contest against the Jaguars. He's seeking his first game action since undergoing surgery on a meniscus injury following a Week 4 loss to the Seahawks, and the Cards will need to activate him from IR by Saturday afternoon for him to have a chance to play Sunday. With Emari Demercado (ankle) already ruled out and Bam Knight (ankle) also limited so far this week, Michael Carter is the only healthy RB on the active roster.

Tuten (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

The same was true of Travis Etienne (shoulder), so the pair of running backs have followed identical practice patterns after a near-even split of the backfield workload in Week 11 against the Chargers. Etienne was able to finish out that game while Tuten departed in the second half. If either running back pulls ahead in terms of Friday's participation level, that could determine who will get most of the carries Sunday against a Cardinals defense that has allowed five total touchdowns to running backs over the past two games.

Etienne (shoulder) was listed as limited at practice Thursday.

Etienne didn't take contact at Thursday's practice so a second consecutive limited designation was expected. Bhayshul Tuten (ankle) was also listed as limited both Wednesday and Thursday after splitting carries with Etienne in Jacksonville's Week 11 win over the Chargers. Whether either running back upgrades to full participation Friday could play a significant role in determining which Jaguar gets the lion's share of carries Sunday against Arizona's struggling defense.

Jacobs (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jacobs was capped to individual drills during the Packers' second Week 12 session, after which he touched on the nature of the injuries that knocked him out of this past Sunday's win at the Giants in the second quarter. He told Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site that he suffered a bone bruise in his knee and a thigh contusion, but the swelling has gone down significantly since then. Jacobs also said that he needs to regain range of motion in the leg in question, meaning Friday's practice likely will be key for his chances to suit up Sunday against the Vikings. Emanuel Wilson is poised to take on most of the backfield work if Jacobs is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, with Chris Brooks on hand for touches as well.