NFL Player News

Irving (hip/back) officially was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.

Despite a report earlier Thursday from Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times that Irving was taking part in practice, the rookie fourth-round pick went down as a DNP for a second day in a row due to hip and back issues. Irving will have another chance Friday to mix into drills, and his listing on the Buccaneers' final Week 14 injury report may shed light into his odds to suit up Sunday versus the Raiders. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker are the healthy running backs on Tampa Bay's active roster.

Mattison (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

Mattison has now been listed as limited on five consecutive practice reports, but after missing the Raiders' last two contests, he may need to upgrade to full participation Friday in order to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Even if Mattison gets the green light to play Sunday, he may not take on as expansive of a role out of the Las Vegas backfield as he had enjoyed prior to sustaining the ankle injury. Mattison is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry on the season, and the Raiders had success on the ground in his absence with 2022 undrafted free agent Sincere McCormick, who gained 97 yards on 17 totes (5.7 YPC) over the past two weeks.

Swift (quadricep) didn't practice Thursday.

Swift and Roschon Johnson (concussion) were spectators for the second practice in a row, leaving the availability of both of Chicago's top two running backs in question as Sunday's game against the 49ers approaches. The two will both have one last chance to practice Friday before the Bears decide whether either carries a designation into the weekend. If both Swift and Johnson end up sitting out this weekend, Travis Homer and practice-squad member Darrynton Evans would serve as the Bears' primary options out of the backfield.

Johnson (concussion) didn't practice Thursday.

Both Johnson and D'Andre Swift (quadricep) were spectators for the second practice in a row, leaving the statuses of both of the team's top two running backs in question as Sunday's game at San Francisco approaches. If Johnson can't clear concussion protocol before the weekend and if Swift is forced to miss his first game of the season, the Bears would likely turn to Travis Homer and practice-squad member Darrynton Evans to take on most of the reps out of the backfield.

Hall (knee) wasn't on the field for Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Hall is thus set to be listed as a non-participant on the Jets' second straight practice report, setting up Friday's session to be an important one with regard to determining the running back's availability for Sunday's game in Miami. On Wednesday, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich was optimistic about Hall's chances of playing Sunday, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, though that tone may have changed after the 23-year-old missed his second straight practice. If Hall can't play this weekend or is subject to a limited workload, more opportunities would open up for rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis out of the backfield.

Irving (hip/back) was seen participating in the portion of Thursday's practice that was open to the media, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Irving sat out Wednesday's session due to a pair of injuries, but he looks poised to handle at least limited participation in Thursday's practice. The Buccaneers will release their second Week 14 injury report later Thursday, when the extent of Irving's activity will become known. In any case, Irving's ability to resume practicing in some fashion bodes well for his chances of being available Sunday versus the Raiders.

Walker was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to ankle and calf injuries, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Walker previous dealt with an oblique issue and an illness this season, so the health concerns that are affecting his reps to begin Week 14 prep are new ones. In the 10 games in which he's been active this season, he's earned a 60 percent snap share eight times, and he's averaged 19.3 touches for 84.4 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring six touchdowns in those contests. How Walker fares in practice Thursday and Friday likely will determine whether he'll continue to be the 1A in the Seahawks backfield over Zach Charbonnet for Sunday's game in Arizona.

Miller (hamstring) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Miller returned to practice in full Wednesday after missing the Saints' last four games due to a hamstring injury sustained in a Week 8 loss to the Chargers. The second-year running back from TCU now has 21 days to be activated to the Saints' active roster before reverting to IR. If Miller is activated in time to play in New Orleans' Week 14 matchup against the Giants on Sunday, he'll likely serve as the team's No. 3 RB, playing behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams.

White (quadricep) didn't practice Wednesday.

White -- who last played Week 11 -- didn't practice last week, so his continued absence Wednesday isn't a great sign for his chances of playing in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Meanwhile, fellow running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) -- who has also missed two straight games -- remained a limited participant in practice. If White and/or Mattison remain out this weekend, Sincere McCormick should continue to see added opportunities in a Las Vegas backfield that also includes Ameer Abdullah.

The Steelers waived Ward on Wednesday.

The Central Michigan product was signed to Pittsburgh's active roster Nov. 16, but the team has now decided to move in a different direction. Ward appeared in four games for the Steelers this season, logging five carries for 22 yards over 69 total snaps (10 offensive and 59 on special teams).