NFL Player News

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.

Mixon was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a calf injury, Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mixon didn't appear on the Bengals' first Week 16 injury report that was issued Wednesday, so his limitations Thursday could signal that the running back picked up the calf issue midway through practice. More clarity on Mixon's situation should arrive during the Bengals' final practice of the week Friday, but Giovani Bernard is the next man up out of the backfield in the event Mixon is sidelined for Sunday's game in Miami or is limited during the contest.

Henry (hamstring) isn't present for Thursday's practice and will go down as a non-participant on the Titans' injury report, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

While Henry's downgrade from limited participation Wednesday to no activity Thursday wouldn't seem to be a positive sign on the surface, he failed to practice in any fashion last week before gaining active status for Sunday's eventual loss to the Texans, during which he carried 21 times for 86 yards. Though he wasn't on the field Thursday, Henry told the media prior to the session that he has no intention of sitting out this weekend against the Saints, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site. Whether Henry carries an injury designation into the contest won't be known until the Titans release their final Week 16 injury report Friday.

Mattison (ankle) may not practice Thursday, but coach Mike Zimmer said the running back is "doing better" and has "a good chance" to play Monday against the Packers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Mattison didn't practice last week due to an ankle injury that resulted in the Vikings ruling out the rookie RB on their final Week 15 injury report. Meanwhile, the team doesn't expect to have starter Dalvin Cook (shoulder) on the game-day roster Monday and potentially for the season finale as well, per ESPN.com. If Mattison does take the field Thursday, it'll be a "low key" session, according to Zimmer. In any case, Mattison could set himself on a path to the lead role if he participates Thursday and maintains or even increases his activity level in the coming days. Behind Cook and Mattison, the next players up in the Vikings' backfield are Mike Boone, fullback C.J. Ham and Ameer Abdullah.

Cook (shoulder) is considered unlikely to play this coming Monday against Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter suggested on ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast earlier this week that he would be surprised if Cook was available for the final two regular-season games, but Thursday's report is the first time he cited a source in reference to the running back's likely absence for Week 16. With Minnesota expected to prioritize Cook's health for the posteason, Schefter notes that the club is leaning toward shutting him down for the Week 17 matchup with the Bears as well. Coach Mike Zimmer has thus far been unwilling to offer a firm word on Cook's status for the upcoming matchup with Green Bay, though another update should arrive later Thursday following the Vikings' first practice of Week 16. With Cook exiting last Sunday's win over the Chargers early and backup Alexander Mattison (ankle) inactive for the contest, Mike Boone finished the game as the Vikings' lead back, accruing 56 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Boone could lead the ground attack again in Week 16 if both Cook and Mattison are sidelined.

Williams (rib) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Williams last saw game action Nov. 18, but the fact that he's started the current week as a practice participant -- albeit a limited one -- suggests that there's a chance he could rejoin the Chiefs' backfield Sunday against the Bears. His absence in the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Broncos was also attributed in part to an illness, but the team's official injury report only lists Williams' sore left rib as a concern heading into the matchup with Chicago.

Barner (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Barner's offensive usage is minimal behind Davonta Freeman and Brian Hill, but he's a valuable returner on kicks and punts. If Barner's injury is serious and keeps him out of Week 16's game against the Jaguars, Kendall Sheffield and Russell Gage could fill field kicks/punts in his place.

Coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday that Jacobs (shoulder) won't play Sunday against the Chargers, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the Raiders will give Jacobs a chance to rest his fractured right shoulder this week, then see if the running back can give it a go in the Dec. 29 season finale against the Broncos. With Jacobs out of the mix for the second time in three weeks, DeAndre Washington is expected to headline the Raiders' rushing attack, with Jalen Richard on hand to work in a complementary role.

Henry (hamstring) was limited at practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Henry didn't practice at all last week due to the injury before carrying 21 times for 86 yards in the Titans' Week 15 loss to the Texans. Based on the regimen he followed last week, the fact that he logged a limited session Wednesday is actually encouraging as the Titans begins their preparations for Sunday's contest against the Saints.

McNichols signed with the Jaguars' practice squad Wednesday, John Reid of The Florida Times-Union reports.

McNichols looked poised for a three-down role after getting picked in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers. However, a rough training camp left him off the final roster, and the 23-year-old running back has spent most of his time on practice squads since. The Jaguars will give him a look now, but he likely won't be activated unless Leonard Fournette or one of the reserves sustains an injury.