The Saints placed Neal (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday.

Neal's rookie season thus is over with the Saints not eligible for a postseason berth after he sustained a hamstring injury this past Sunday against the Panthers. In 10 appearances (three starts) on the campaign, he totaled 57 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns, hauled in 17 of 19 passes for 104 yards and didn't fumble. With Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) currently unable to practice and in danger of missing more time, New Orleans appears poised to roll with Audric Estime and Evan Hull at running back for the time being.

Kamara (knee/ankle) didn't take part in Thursday's practice.

Kamara still hasn't resumed practicing since he sprained his MCL in Week 12, and while coach Kellen Moore hasn't ruled him out like he did fellow RB Devin Neal (hamstring) on Wednesday, the veteran back seems to be in danger of missing a fourth game in a row Sunday against the Jets. At the moment, Audric Estime and Evan Hull are the only healthy options at the position on the Saints' active roster.

Brooks (chest) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Brooks isn't the only banged-up Packers running back, as Josh Jacobs (knee) is listed as questionable and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) has been ruled out. Jacobs expects to play Saturday, so Brooks will likely be left to split backup duties with Emanuel Wilson at best, if he plays at all following three limited practices.

Lloyd (hamstring) is officially ruled out for Saturday's road game against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Lloyd came off IR temporarily on Wednesday, as part of Green Bay's reported plan to place him back on IR, to make it possible for the 2024 third-round pick to get healthy in time for a return during the playoffs. With Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) and No. 3 back Chris Brooks (chest) both officially questionable to face Chicago, Emanuel Wilson is the only fully healthy member of the Packers' backfield.

Williams (neck) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Williams is operating with practice restrictions this week due to the neck injury that forced him to miss a portion of the first half of this past Sunday's loss to the Vikings and also cede backfield reps to backup Malik Davis. Overall, Williams logged a 28 percent snap share and 15 carries, while Davis took on 52 percent and 10 touches himself. In the end, Friday's practice report will reveal if Williams is tagged with a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game in Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Jacobs didn't practice this week after aggravating the knee issue this past Sunday at Denver that's been bothering him since he suffered the initial injury in Week 11 at the Giants. He sat out Week 12 against the Vikings, but he's been able to log at least a 50 percent snap share the last three games en route to 54 touches for 275 yards from scrimmage and three total TDs during that span. Coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Thursday that the Packers will take the decision on Jacobs' status for Saturday up until game time, meaning his status will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks (chest, questionable) are the RBs on hand in the event Jacobs is inhibited or sidelined this weekend.

Swift (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Packers.

Swift showed up on the Bears' Week 16 practice report Wednesday as limited due to a groin injury and maintained that activity level one day later. His status now won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Swift is inhibited or even sidelined, Kyle Monangai would be poised for a larger workload out of Chicago's backfield.

Marks (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Marks hasn't practiced in any fashion since exiting this past Sunday's 40-20 win over the Cardinals due to an ankle injury, so at least for the time being, his availability for this weekend's game against the Raiders is in question. If Marks ends up sitting out the Week 16 game or is available only for limited snaps, Nick Chubb (ribs)-- if available -- and Jawhar Jordan would be in line to see added snaps and touches out of the backfield.

Sampson (hand/calf) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Sampson appears to be trending toward a second consecutive absence, which would position Trayveon Williams to again handle the No. 2 RB role behind Quinshon Judkins, while Raheim Sanders is on hand for reserve duties. Sampson will have one final chance to get back on the practice field Friday, at which point the Browns will decide his initial injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Allen is poised to operate as the No. 2 running back behind Travis Etienne beginning Sunday at Denver, and as long as Bhayshul Tuten (finger) has to be sidelined, Paul Bretl of USA Today reports.

Allen has regularly handled the No. 3 backfield role behind Tuten this year, but across 14 regular-season appearances he's looked solid in limited opportunities. On the season, Allen has carried the ball 18 times for 81 yards and secured 10 of 11 targets for 54 yards, while also piling up 486 yards as a kick returner. Head coach Liam Coen praised Allen as a player who "runs violently and has taken care of the football," while quarterback Trevor Lawrence expressed confidence that the rookie seventh-round pick will "take this opportunity, run with it, and play well." That said, Allen's first opportunity to show what he's capable of in the No. 2 role will come versus a stingy Denver defense, so it may be prudent not to set expectations too high.