NFL Player News

Mixon (calf) practiced fully Friday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Mixon was limited at practice Thursday, but his return to a full session Friday puts him in line to play on the road Sunday against the Dolphins. Per the report, Mixon, who has logged 48 carries for 282 yards and a TD and caught six passes for 60 yards over his last two games, "is expected to have no issues" ahead of Sunday's contest. Barring any in-game setbacks, he figures to remain busy against 3-11 Miami.

Henry (hamstring) returned to practice Friday, Erik Bacharach of The Tennessean reports.

Henry, who was limited at practice Wednesday, sat out Thursday's session, but he's expressed no doubt that he'll be available Sunday against the Saints. We'll revisit his status once the Titans' final injury report is released to see if he's officially listed as questionable -- which seems likely -- or free of a Week 16 injury designation.

Mattison (ankle) isn't practicing Friday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The same is true of Dalvin Cook (chest), leaving Mike Boone and Ameer Abdullah as Minnesota's healthy running backs. The Vikings haven't announced any decisions, but the early signs point to Boone handling the lead role Monday night against the Packers. A return to practice Saturday would give Mattison (or Cook) a chance to play.

Cook (chest) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) both are absent from Friday's practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Most signs point to Mike Boone handling the lead role Monday against Green Bay, though the Vikings haven't ruled out the possibility of Cook and/or Mattison playing. A Thursday report from Adam Schefter of ESPN suggested the Vikings were leaning toward shutting Cook down for the next two weeks, hoping to get him healthy before the playoffs. On the other hand, Cook did say he'll go through his normal routine of team meetings and work with the training staff, preparing as if there's at least some chance for a Week 16 appearance. Back-to-back absences from practices suggest he's worse than 50/50 to play.

Mixon (calf) was spotted warming up for Friday's practice, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

It's uncertain how much Mixon was able to do after getting warm, but it's a good sign that he was on the field after landing on the injury report Thursday. The Bengals will provide an official update on Mixon's status when they release their final injury report of the week after Friday's session.

Williams (rib) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Back-to-back limited practices to start the week increase the chances that Williams could return to action Sunday night against the Bears. We'll circle back on his status Friday to see if the running back heads into the weekend listed as questionable, or minus a Week 16 injury designation.

Boone took reps with the first-team offense during Thursday's practice while fellow running backs Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) were non-participants, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Mike Zimmer was unwilling to offer much clarity on either injured back's status as Monday's game against the Packers approaches, though Adam Schefter of ESPN relayed earlier Thursday that Cook is unlikely to suit up in the divisional game and could be withheld from action in Week 17, too. Meanwhile, Cronin notes that Mattison was spotted working out on the side with a trainer but wasn't doing any running or jogging, which doesn't quell any concern about his health after he sat out the Week 15 win over the Chargers. In that game, Boone impressed while working in relief of an injured Cook, carrying 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns. For those in need of running back help in the fantasy playoffs, Boone at the very least makes for an appealing speculative pickup if he's available on the waiver wire, given the poor health of the players ahead of him on the depth chart.

Mattison (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Despite sitting out the Vikings' Week 15 win over the Chargers, Mattison still is hobbled by the ankle injury he picked up during the Dec. 8 victory over the Lions. Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com notes that Mattison was at least able to work with a trainer off to the side, though he didn't do any running or jogging. Mattison will have two more days to fit in some practice activity and improve his outlook for Monday's game against the Packers, but as things currently stand, both he and lead back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) seem to be in danger of missing the divisional showdown. Mike Boone took the reps with the first-team offense Thursday and is in line to headline the Vikings' backfield Week 16 if Cook and Mattison can't go.

Cook (chest) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The Vikings will begin Week 16 prep with both of their top two running backs going down on the injury report as non-participants, as Alexander Mattison (ankle) was only able to work out on the side with a trainer. Cook, meanwhile, was merely a spectator during the portion of the session that was open to the media, leaving Mike Boone to handle the first-team reps. Adam Schefter of ESPN relayed earlier Thursday that Cook is unlikely to suit up Monday night against Green Bay, but the 24-year-old said he still intends to go through his normal routine this week to get himself ready for the NFC North matchup, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Barner (shoulder/knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Barner is nursing two injuries, but Thursday's limited practice represents tangible progress in his recovery. He'll serve as Atlanta's top kick and punt returner if cleared to suit up Week 16 against the Jaguars.