NFL Player News

Mattison (ankle) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Mattison said Wednesday that he'll play in Sunday's game against the Chargers, but back-to-back absences from practice cast doubt on his assertion. Should the rookie ultimately land on the Week 15 inactive list, Dalvin Cook might see even more work than usual during Sunday's game against the Chargers. Alternatively, the Vikings could give Mattison's vacated snaps to reserve running backs Ameer Abdullah and Mike Boone.

Jacobs (shoulder) took part in the team stretch during the part of Thursday's practice open to the media, Myles Simmons of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Jacobs was held out Week 14 due to a fractured plate in his right shoulder, which he initially suffered in the Raiders' Week 7 loss in Green Bay. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, a subsequent MRI revealed positive results, giving Jacobs a good shot to keep his DNP stretch to just one game. After logging a limited session Wednesday, Jacobs appears as if he'll at least match that activity level one day later. Thursday's injury report will reveal whether he was 'limited' or 'full'.

Williams (ribs) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.

Williams' ability to begin Week 15 on the practice field in some capacity bodes well for his early chances of returning to action Sunday against the Broncos. How his injured ribs respond to workouts Thursday and Friday will go a long way to determining his odds of playing this weekend, as well as how extensive his potential snap count might be while he rejoins a backfield that includes LeSean McCoy, Darwin Thompson and Spencer Ware.

Pollard (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pollard sat out the Week 14 loss to the Bears due to an ankle injury but appears to be trending in the right direction for Sunday's tilt against the Rams. The rookie fourth-round pick will have two more opportunities to increase his practice activity and avoid an injury tag entirely for Week 15. If he's indeed cleared to play this weekend, Pollard will reprise his usual backup role behind Ezekiel Elliott.

Mattison was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury.

Mattison is banged up after handling one of his larger workloads of the season in the Week 14 win over the Lions. While the Vikings eased up on Dalvin Cook's usage while he managed a chest issue, Mattison stepped up for 46 yards on 14 carries and 18 more yards on two receptions. Despite being held out of practice to begin the week, the rookie told Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Wednesday that he fully expects to suit up this weekend against the Chargers and is merely taking his recovery from the ankle injury "day by day."

Jacobs (shoulder) logged a limited practice Wednesday, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports. "[Jacobs] made some improvement, but he still has to go to there and move explosively [Thursday] and Friday and do the things a running back has to do to play in this league and protect himself in this league," coach Jon Gruden said after practice. "So, we'll see what happens in the next 48 hours."

Jacobs' participation to start Week 15 is a good sign, but coach Jon Gruden has yet to sign off on the running back returning to action Sunday against the Jaguars. If Jacobs is able to suit up this weekend, DeAndre Washington would presumably revert to a complementary role after heading the Oakland backfield in the Week 14 loss to the Titans.

Conner (shoulder) was listed as a full practice participant Wednesday.

Coach Mike Tomlin has yet to confirm Conner will put an end to a three-game absence Sunday against the Bills, but things seem to be trending in that direction based on the running back's lack of limitations for the first practice of Week 15. If Conner is indeed back in the mix this weekend, it's unclear if he would immediately step into a clear No. 1 role out of the backfield, as Benny Snell and Kerrith Whyte have both had their moments over the past three weeks. A further unknown in the backfield equation is the status of pass-catching threat Jaylen Samuels, who missed practice Wednesday with a groin injury.

Coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that Penny will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL once the swelling in his left knee subsides, Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Carroll also indicated that measures to address additional damage to Penny's knee could be taken after his ACL is repaired, according to Curtis Crabtree of Sports Radio 950 KJR Seattle. The 2018 first-round pick is expected to be sidelined until at least training camp, leaving his availability for the start of the 2020 season on shaky ground. Penny's absence for at least the final three regular-season contests of 2019 in addition to any playoff games that follow positions Chris Carson as the clear workhorse for Seattle, while C.J. Prosise and Travis Homer handle change-of-pace roles.

Henry (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Henry also sat out the Titans' first practice of Week 14 before logged a limited session Thursday, followed by a full workout Friday. There's a solid chance that he'll follow that pattern again and enter Sunday's game against the Texans minus a designation, but fantasy managers will want to track his progression in any case. According to Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site, Henry noted earlier this week that he plans to play through the hamstring injury without any limits to his workload once gameday arrives.

McNichols was released from Chicago's practice squad Wednesday.

McNichols did not appear in a game for the Bears during his tenure with the team. In a corresponding move, Chicago signed Reggie Davis (WR) to the practice squad.