NFL Player News

Walker (illness) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Walker gutted through an illness this past Sunday in Atlanta, but he still was able to handle a 47 percent snap share and turn 16 touches into 93 yards from scrimmage and two total TDs. Fellow RB Zach Charbonnet actually saw the field more than Walker, earning 55 percent of snaps, but his eight touches went for a measly nine total yards. Walker has followed up Wednesday's absence with some activity one day later, indicating he's trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Bills.

Gaskin (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Rams.

Gaskin will be a healthy scratch for a second straight game as the Vikings roll with Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler and Cam Akers as the three backfield options for Thursday's game. Gaskin's next chance at suiting up will be Week 9 against the Colts on Nov. 3.

Mason (shoulder) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

For a second session in a row to begin Week 8 prep, Mason is handling a reduced workload due to a lingering shoulder issue, giving him just one more opportunity to get back to full participation Friday ahead of Sunday's contest against the Cowboys. Assuming he's cleared to play this weekend -- either on Friday's injury report or 90 minutes before an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff -- he'll serve as the 49ers' lead runner for an eighth consecutive game in place of Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), who may return following the team's Week 9 bye.

Homer (finger) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Homer's 21-day practice window opened Wednesday, and his ability to practice without restrictions Thursday indicates that the 2019 sixth-round pick could be activated off injured reserve ahead of Sunday's game against the Commanders. Homer logged three carries for 16 yards across the first two games of the regular season before undergoing surgery on his finger.

Kamara (hand/rib) was limited at Thursday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Kamara continues to be plagued by a broken hand and rib fractures, which has resulted in back-to-back capped sessions to begin Week 8 prep. He'll thus have Friday's practice to get back to full participation or otherwise risk heading into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest at the Chargers. Assuming he's able to suit up, per usual, Kamara should be good for his usual 20.7 touches per game on the season.

Patterson (ankle) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Patterson has been unable to play or practice since suffering an ankle injury during the Steelers' Week 4 contest against the Colts. His return to practice is a sign that the 2013 first-round pick is progressing through the injury, and his practice participation over the next two days will determine whether he'll be able to suit up for Monday night's game against the Giants. Through the first four games of the regular season, Patterson logged 16 carries for 92 yards and five catches (on seven targets) for 34 yards while operating as the No. 3 running back behind Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

Hunt (hip) practiced fully Thursday.

Hunt was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but his return to a full session one day later paves the way for him to continue to lead the Chiefs backfield Sunday against the Raiders. In this past weekend's 28-18 win over the 49ers, Hunt carried 22 times for 78 yards and two touchdowns while hauling in both of his targets for five yards. With 49 carries over his last two contests, Hunt once again looks like a fantasy-friendly option Week 8 considering the volume he's seeing in Kansas City's offense.

Spears (hamstring) was a limited participant during Thursday's practice session, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Spears injured his hamstring during the Titans' Week 6 loss to the Colts. He was unable to practice all of last week which led to him being sidelined for Week 7 against the Bills, but the 2023 third-round pick managed to return to practice Wednesday. The fact that Spears has been able to participate in back-to-back practices to open the week is a positive trend, and Friday's injury report should provide a better idea of whether he'll be able to play Sunday against the Lions. If Spears cannot play, Julius Chestnut would serve as the Titans' backup running back Sunday while Tony Pollard serves in a lead role.

Blackshear (shoulder) was a full participant during Thursday's practice session.

Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder during the Panthers' Week 7 loss to the Commanders, Blackshear has been able to log consecutive full practices to start the week. He's listed as day-to-day with the injury, but it appears that he should be good to go for Sunday's game against the Broncos. Through the first seven games of the regular season, Blackshear has logged 589 kick-return yards and 94 punt-return yards.

Stevenson (foot/personal) practiced fully Thursday.

Stevenson didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to a full session Thursday paves the way for him to continue to lead New England's backfield Sunday against the Jets. In his return from a one-game absence in last weekend's 32-16 loss to the Jaguars, Stevenson carried seven times for 18 yards and added two catches on three targets for seven yards. Now that he's further removed from the foot issue that sidelined him, Stevenson could see his touches increase this weekend, with the Patriots likely to run more than they did Week 7 (15 times).