NFL Player News
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Christopher Brooks RB | GB
Packers' Chris Brooks: Cleared to play Sunday
Brooks (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bears.
Brooks was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday but is good to go for the regular-season finale against Chicago. With Green Bay likely (73.9 percent, per ESPN.com) ticketed for the No. 7 seed in the NFC, there's a chance Brooks sees an uptick in playing time against the Bears, as Josh Jacobs has already stated he doesn't believe he's going to play his full workload. Green Bay could use more of Emanuel Wilson and Brooks out of the backfield, allowing Jacobs to rest a bit more ahead of next weekend's playoff opener.
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Kareem Hunt RB | KC
Chiefs' Kareem Hunt: Doubtful with KC resting starters
Hunt (coach's decision) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.
Hunt is among a multitude of key contributors expected to be rested for Sunday's regular-season finale, as the 15-1 Chiefs have already clinched the top seed in the AFC. Isiah Pacheco (rib) has been ruled out, so Samaje Perine and Carson Steele are the top candidates to flank Carson Wentz in Kansas City's backfield, while Keaontay Ingram's an option to be elevated from the practice squad.
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Josh Jacobs RB | GB
Packers' Josh Jacobs: No injury designation
Jacobs (wrist) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Jacobs never seemed in real danger of missing the game and figures to occupy his usual role as Green Bay's workhorse. There is some chance of his usage eventually being scaled back, however, as the team's chances to move up from the seventh seed to No. 6 depend on the Cowboys beating the Commanders in a game that takes place at the same time as Green Bay's. In other words, the Packers may start to pull starters if it looks like a victory won't help them avoid a first-round trip to Philadelphia.
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Austin Ekeler RB | WAS
Commanders' Austin Ekeler: Listed as questionable
Ekeler (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Dallas, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
The Commanders designated Ekeler to return from injured reserve Wednesday, at which point he logged the first of three consecutive full practices. He'll need to be activated from IR on Saturday in order to play in the regular-season finale. If that happens, it'll likely mean reduced workloads for Jeremy McNichols and/or Chris Rodriguez, and it's also possible Ekeler would cut into Brian Robinson's usage.
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Craig Reynolds RB | NE
Lions' Craig Reynolds: Questionable due to back injury
Reynolds (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network reports.
Reynolds appears to have suffered the injury at some point during the week, as he popped up on the injury report Friday as a non-participant in practice. With David Montgomery (knee) sidelined, Jermar Jefferson will likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Jahmyr Gibbs' primary backup if Reynolds is unable to suit up for the regular-season finale, while Sione Vaki's also an option for backfield snaps.
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Will Shipley RB | PHI
Eagles' Will Shipley: Questionable after full practice
Shipley (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Shipley practiced without limitations Friday, but he'll need to be cleared by an independent neurologist to exit the concussion protocol and suit up. He was concussed Week 16 against the Commanders and subsequently sat out against the Cowboys in Week 17. The rookie fourth-round draft pick has only 20 carries all season, but Shipley and Kenneth Gainwell could both be in store for significant roles in the regular-season finale, as Saquon Barkley's listed as doubtful due to rest purposes.
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Bucky Irving RB | TB
Buccaneers' Bucky Irving: Good to go for Week 18
Irving (shoulder/shin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Saints.
Irving took 24 touches for 190 yards in last week's 48-14 win over the Panthers, despite not playing at all in the fourth quarter. He should be busy again with the Bucs needing a win to reach the playoffs (unless Atlanta loses to Carolina in a game that's taking place at the same time).
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Tony Pollard RB | TEN
Titans' Tony Pollard: Game-time decision after DNP
Pollard (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans and will be a game-time decision, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.
Pollard didn't practice Friday after posting limited sessions Wednesday and Thursday as he attempts to work his way back from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury. Tyjae Spears started in Pollard's place against the Jaguars in Week 17, but Spears suffered a concussion that will keep him out of Sunday's season finale. Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley are the remaining healthy running backs on Tennessee's active roster, with Jabari Small on the team's practice squad.
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Clyde Edwards-Helaire RB | KC
Saints' Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Will be active Week 18
Interim coach Darren Rizzi said Friday that Edwards-Helaire will be active Sunday against the Buccaneers, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Edwards-Helaire will officially be elevated from the practice squad prior to Sunday's regular-season finale. He led all Saints running backs with five rushing attempts in the Week 17 loss to the Raiders, and Edwards-Helaire could work ahead of Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims in a backfield that will definitely be without Kendre Miller (concussion) and is unlikely to feature Alvin Kamara (groin), who is listed as doubtful.
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Kendre Miller RB | NO
Saints' Kendre Miller: Won't play in Week 18
Interim coach Darren Rizzi said Friday that Miller hasn't gained clearance from the concussion protocol and won't play Sunday at Tampa Bay, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Miller made an early departure this past Sunday against the Raiders due to a concussion, and with no practice reps to speak of through Thursday, he wasn't trending in the right direction ahead of Week 18 action. Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara (groin) is listed as doubtful, per Terrell, so the Saints appear as if they'll be without their top two options out of the backfield this weekend. As a result, practice-squad member Clyde Edwards-Helaire may be the best bet to benefit among an RB group that also includes Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims.