NFL Player News

Jacobs was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a wrist injury, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

His ability to participate in any capacity for the first practice of the week suggests Jacobs likely will play Sunday against the Bears. Green Bay is only playing for the difference between the Nos. 6 and 7 seeds in the NFC playoffs in Week 18, but that doesn't mean the game will be treated different from any other.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Wednesday that Chestnut could be part of a backfield committee in Sunday's game against the Texans along with Joshua Kelley and practice-squad member Jabari Small, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Tyjae Spears (concussion) appears unlikely to play in the season finale, while starter Tony Pollard (ankle) sat out the Week 17 loss to the Jaguars and remains a limited participant in practice to begin Week 18 prep. Pollard could have extra motivation to try to play Sunday, as he's within reach of a few contract performance incentives. However, if Pollard and Spears are both sidelined Sunday, Chestnut would be the next man up, though he wouldn't necessarily take on a starter's workload if he does end up taking the Titans' first snap of the day. Chestnut has seen most of his playing time on special teams this season and has carried 20 times for 91 yards (4.6 YPC) to go with two catches for 11 yards on three targets over 16 appearances.

Homer (hamstring) was a non-participant in practice Wednesday.

A hamstring injury has kept Homer sidelined for both of Chicago's past two games. The veteran running back didn't practice at all last week, and his non-participation to begin this week could be an ominous sign for his chance of returning for the Bears' season finale Sunday against Green Bay. Darrynton Evans could get a bit more work Week 18 if Homer misses another contest.

Titans head coach Brian Callahan suggested Wednesday that Spears (concussion) is unlikely to play Sunday against the Texans, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

When asked about the makeup of the Tennessee backfield for the season finale, Callahan didn't mention Spears, instead noting that Julis Chestnut, Joshua Kelley and Jabari Small likely would form a committee if Tony Pollard (ankle) was inactive. The implication is that Spears isn't expected to play, after suffering his second concussion of the season during this past Sunday's loss to the Jaguars.

Strong (concussion) did not participate at practice Wednesday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Strong suffered a concussion during Sunday's game versus the Dolphins, and now his availability for Week 18 is in jeopardy. He'll likely have to practice Thursday to be able to suit up Saturday at Baltimore.

Hill (concussion/illness) isn't practicing Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Hill hasn't practiced since suffering a concussion Week 16, but at this point, his absence may be due to an illness more so than the head injury, considering Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Monday that Hill is trending in the right direction for Saturday's game against Cleveland. The running back has three more days to recover from his illness and clear concussion protocol before Baltimore's regular-season finale.

Pacheco (ribs) isn't practicing Wednesday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco is dealing with a rib injury that he suffered in last Wednesday's win over Pittsburgh. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Pacheco is expected to be ready for the team's first playoff game in the divisional round and also indicated that the running back will be "held back" in practice this week. Kansas City is almost certain to rest many starters in Sunday's regular-season finale in Denver, and Pacheco is a near lock to be among those who won't suit up. The Chiefs have the luxury of playing their backups in Week 18 by virtue of having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Steele said Wednesday that he's been told he'll receive "extra work" Sunday against Denver, though the specifics of his role aren't yet clear, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

The Chiefs will be resting most of their starters in the regular-season finale with the team having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Isiah Pacheco almost certainly won't play since he's dealing with a rib injury, while Kareem Hunt -- who has been co-leading the backfield with Pacheco of late -- probably will see limited work, if any. The likely absences or limitations placed on Pacheco and Hunt would leave most of the snaps at running back available for Steele and Samaje Perine. Steele has suited up for all 16 of the Chiefs' games to date, carrying 48 times for 158 yards and no touchdowns while adding five catches for 24 yards on nine targets.

Brown (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Brown also missed a walk-through practice Tuesday, after injuring his right ankle late in the fourth quarter of an eventual overtime win over the Broncos this past Saturday. Khalil Herbert played every snap on offense after Brown's departure and could get a big workload in Saturday's regular-season finale against Pittsburgh if Brown doesn't play.

Sanders (ankle), who was designated for return from injured reserve, practiced fully Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

The Panthers officially designated Sanders for return from IR on Wednesday, two days after head coach Dave Canales told David Newton of ESPN.com that the running back had a chance to return to action Week 18. Sanders has been sidelined since Week 10, and he averaged just 3.7 yards per carry on his 38 totes prior to suffering a sprained ankle. However, with Chuba Hubbard (knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) on IR, Sanders would be the most accomplished back for Carolina if he's activated for Sunday's game in Atlanta. Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones are the current healthy options at the position.