NFL Player News

Pacheco (shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday.

As promised by head coach Andy Reid earlier this week, Pacheco is back at full strength after missing the past two games and having a minor procedure on his shoulder. He should return to his usual role as the lead back Monday against the Raiders, which presumably means less work for Jerick McKinnon (groin) and a much smaller role for Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Ford (wrist) was a full practice participant Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ford returned to a Week 14 contest after suffering the wrist injury and then played through it last week in a 20-17 win over the Bears. The bigger problems for his fantasy value are Cleveland's terrible injury luck on the offensive line and the reality that Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong are combining for 35-to-50 percent of the backfield work most weeks. It'll likely be the same story this Sunday at Houston.

Breida (hamstring) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Breida saw an increase in snaps compared to his usual workload in a Week 15 loss to the Saints, but it appears the 28-year-old picked up an injury along the way. With the Giants not playing until Monday against the Eagles, the Georgia Southern product will have the benefit of an extra day to recover, which should enhance his chances of suiting up. However, if he were to miss, Eric Gray would likely slide into the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Saquon Barkley.

Hunt (groin) remained limited at practice Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Jerome Ford (wrist) practiced fully Thursday after being limited along with Hunt on Wednesday. The Browns will post their final Week 16 injury report Friday, when it will be known whether Hunt approaches Sunday's game against the Texans with an injury designation or is fully cleared to work in tandem with Ford.

Brightwell (hamstring) practiced in full Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Brightwell was designated to return from IR on Wednesday, and Thursday marked his first full practice with the team since suffering a hamstring injury Week 7 against the Commanders. The 24-year-old could return Monday against the Eagles, but considering the amount of time the Arizona product has missed, the Giants may wait until Week 17 against the Rams to bring Brightwell back into the fold.

Dowdle (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

For a sixth week in a row, Dowdle is operating with practice restrictions due to a lingering ankle issue. He's still been able to suit up for the past five game days, turning 38 touches into 132 yards from scrimmage and two TDs while working as Tony Pollard's primary backup. Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not Dowdle enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's visit to Miami.

Mostert (knee/ankle/rest) didn't practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Miami's inclusion of the term 'veteran rest' on the injury report suggests Mostert is in no actual danger of missing Sunday's game against the Cowboys. His practice workloads have been carefully managed all year -- as have his in-game workloads when the Dolphins build a significant lead -- but Mostert has been the unquestioned lead runner ahead of De'Von Achane in recent weeks apart from blowout scenarios. A matchup with the playoff-bound Cowboys theoretically could shift the carry distribution more toward Mostert, though it might instead work in Achane's favor if the Dolphins fall behind, as the rookie has been getting most of the snaps in obvious passing situations recently (e.g. nine targets in a loss to the Titans in Week 14).

Achane (toe) was a limited participant Thursday in his return to practice, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Achane played through the same injury last week, taking 12 touches for 62 yards in a 30-0 win over the Jets. He's on the right track to play again this Sunday against the Cowboys, having returned to practice Thursday after what was seemingly a precautionary absence Wednesday. The rookie figures to continue mixing in behind Raheem Mostert, whose absences from practice Wednesday and Thursday don't seem especially concerning given that the Dolphins have often held him out this season and are listing 'rest' as one of the reasons for the veteran back missing practice this week.

Moss (forearm) didn't practice Thursday.

Given that Moss was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate, what the running back is able to do Friday -- if anything -- will be pivotal with regard to his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Falcons. While Moss looks iffy for Week 16 at this stage, fellow back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) logged a full practice Thursday and appears poised to return from a three-game absence this weekend.

Taylor (thumb) was a full practice participant Thursday.

The Colts listed Taylor as a full participant on their second straight practice report, though Wednesday's was merely an estimate after the team held a walk-through session to kick off Week 16 prep. Taylor had missed each of Indianapolis' last three games while recovering from Nov. 29 surgery to repair a ligament tear in his right thumb, and while the running back wouldn't formally confirm Thursday that he'll return to action Sunday in Atlanta, all signs point to him playing following the full practice. Assuming Taylor does play Sunday, he'll be doing so with some sort of protective brace or wrap on his injured thumb, per James Boyd of The Athletic. Taylor's potential return comes at an opportune time for the Colts, who could be without the services of Zack Moss (forearm) on Sunday. Moss had served as the Colts' lead back in Taylor's absence for each of the last three games before exiting this past Saturday's 30-13 win over Pittsburgh with a right forearm injury that continued to keep him off the field for Thursday's practice.