NFL Player News

Charbonnet (elbow) doesn't carry a designation and is expected to start Thursday at Chicago with Kenneth Walker (ankle) ruled out for the game, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

Walker thus will be inactive for a third time in four games, affording Charbonnet his third starting nod during that stretch. When Walker was sidelined Weeks 14 and 15 due to a calf injury, Charbonnet paced the Seahawks backfield to the tune of 38 touches for 259 yards from scrimmage and three rushing touchdowns. Reserve Kenny McIntosh also got in the act during those two games, tallying 54 total yards on 12 touches.

Hunt took nine carries for 20 yards and a touchdown with no targets as a receiver in Wednesday's 29-10 win over the Steelers.

Hunt finished as the Chiefs' leading rusher after starter Isiah Pacheco (ribs) was knocked out of the contest in the first half. The veteran backup struggled to move the ball against Pittsburgh's stout interior defense, but he rewarded fantasy managers with his second touchdown in as many games. The severity of Pacheco's injury is still unclear, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him be held out of the Chiefs' Week 18 game against the Denver after Kansas City clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs with Wednesday's win. Hunt could see a slight boost in projections if Pacheco sits out next weekend, though the Chiefs could also look to limit Hunt's usage to some degree with little at stake in the regular-season finale.

Pollard (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Pollard didn't practice at all last week due to the ankle injury before approaching this past Sunday's loss to the Colts listed as questionable. The running back was able to suit up for the contest, but he played a season-low 39 percent of the offensive snaps and carried eight times for 35 yards to go with two receptions for five yards on four targets. With no reported setbacks coming out of that contest, Pollard's lack of participation Wednesday could be maintenance-related.

Walker (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game at Chicago, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Walker returned from a two-game absence due to a calf injury this past Sunday against the Vikings, but he suffered an ankle issue in the second half and finished Week 16 with 16 touches for 59 yards from scrimmage. Now that the Seahawks have made a decision on his availability for Week 17 action, Walker again will hand off the Seahawks backfield to Zach Charbonnet, who reeled off 259 total yards and three rushing touchdowns on 38 touches when Walker was out Weeks 14 and 15.

Kamara (groin) was estimated as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice report.

Kamara hasn't practiced since suffering an adductor injury during a Week 15 loss to the Commanders. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi told Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football on Tuesday that Kamara will attempt to return this season, but it's unclear how much of a chance the running back has to play Sunday versus the Raiders. Kamara likely will need to mix into at least some drills Thursday and/or Friday to put himself on a path to do so. Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims will represent the Saints' backfield options for Week 17 if Kamara isn't able to play.

Mitchell is active for Wednesday's game against the Texans, Clifford Brown of the Ravens' official site reports.

Mitchell has been a healthy inactive for the Ravens' last three games, but he will suit up Christmas Day due to Justice Hill being ruled out with a concussion. Baltimore has opted for rookie fifth-round pick Rasheen Ali to serve as the third-string running back behind Derrick Henry and Hill over its last three games, so Ali could settle into the No. 2 role ahead of Mitchell on Wednesday. Mitchell is also likely to be involved on special teams as a kickoff returner.

Dobbins (knee) was listed as limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

After the Chargers designated him for return from injured reserve Monday following a four-game absence, Dobbins has now turned in a pair of limited practices to begin Week 17 prep. Meanwhile, fellow running back Gus Edwards (ankle) has also logged two straight limited listings, which sets the stage for Thursday's session to be an important in determining the statuses of Dobbins and Edwards heading into Saturday's game against the Patriots. The Chargers would need to activate Dobbins from injured reserve by Friday in order for him to play Saturday.

Edwards (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Edwards, who was also listed as limited Tuesday, has one more chance to practice fully this week before the Chargers decide whether he'll carry a designation into Saturday's game against the Patriots. Fellow running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) has also been listed as a limited for the first two Week 17 practices, after the Chargers opened his 21-day evaluation window Monday by designating him for return from injured reserve. More information regarding the composition of the Chargers' Week 17 backfield will arrive following Thursday's practice.

Pacheco was forced out of Wednesday's game against the Steelers due to a rib injury.

Prior to exiting the game, Pacheco carried six times for 18 yards. In Pacheco's absence, Kareem Hunt will likely operate as Kansas City's lead back, with Samaje Perine and Carson Steele on hand as depth options.

The Giants listed Tracy (ankle) as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

On Monday, coach Brian Daboll told Salomone that Tracy aggravated an ankle injury this past Sunday in Atlanta, a game in which the running back logged a typical 63 percent snap share and turned 11 touches into 69 yards from scrimmage and one receiving touchdown. In lieu of practicing on Christmas Day, the Giants opted to hold an unofficial session Tuesday in which Tracy ended up sitting out, prompting the team to list him as a non-participant when the first Week 17 injury report was published a day later. He'll have two more chances to mix into drills Thursday and Friday before the team potentially makes a ruling on his status ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts. Devin Singletary is the next man up in New York's backfield in the event Tracy is limited or inactive this weekend.