NFL Player News

Pacheco (concussion/shoulder) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco also missed Wednesday's session, so the running back may be facing an uphill battle to gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Bengals unless he's able to practice Friday in some capacity. In addition to Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is missing from Thursday's practice, while Jerick McKinnon (groin) was placed on injured reserve over the weekend. For the moment, La'Mical Perine is the lone healthy back on the 53-man roster, though the Chiefs still have Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram on the practice squad.

Edwards-Helaire won't practice Thursday due to an illness, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Isiah Pacheco (concussion) will join Edwards-Helaire as a spectator for Thursday's practice, leaving La'Mical Perine as the lone healthy back on the active roster at the moment. Given that Pacheco still has multiple phases of the five-step concussion protocol to clear prior to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Edwards-Helaire looks like the better bet of the two to overcome his health concern. If Edwards-Helaire is active this weekend and Pacheco isn't, the former could be in store for a three-down role out of the Kansas City backfield.

Mostert (ankle/knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Heraldreports.

Mostert, who also didn't participate in Wednesday's session, now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens. Per Oyefusi, the running back is expected to be available this weekend, but unless Mostert practices fully Friday, there's a decent chance he ends up with a Week 17 injury designation.

Achane (toe) is participating in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Achane missed practice Wednesday due to a toe injury that's lingered in recent weeks, but which didn't keep him out of last Sunday's win over the Cowboys. Still, it's worth noting that Achane wasn't spotted working with his position group Thursday, per David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, meaning he likely won't take a full slate of reps. Raheem Mostert (ankle) scored versus Dallas but handled only 19 offensive snaps versus Achane's 35, so the health of Miami's backfield will be key to monitor heading into Sunday's road matchup against the Ravens.

Running backs coach Eric Studesville said Thursday he expects Mostert (ankle/knee) to suit up for Sunday's road matchup against the Ravens, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Mostert was sidelined at practice Wednesday due to ankle and knee issues, but as Jackson notes, the veteran back has played through lingering injuries all season and still appeared in all 15 games for Miami. It's worth noting, however, that Mostert played a season-low 19 offensive snaps during last week's win over the Cowboys, with coach Mike McDaniel noting that a decision to sit him after two third-quarter snaps was made due to pain management. It wouldn't be surprising to see Mostert continue to get rest at practice with a key matchup against Baltimore on deck Sunday. De'Von Achane (toe) and Jeff Wilson would be in line for larger workloads if Mostert's reps have to be capped in Week 17.

The Commanders placed Rodriguez (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday.

Washington hasn't revealed the findings from the MRI that Rodriguez underwent Tuesday, but scans on the rookie running back's right ankle evidently revealed an injury significant enough to keep him out of the final two weeks of the season. The Kentucky product logged just 14 carries through Washington's first 10 games, but he saw his role expand in the back half of the campaign and carried 10 times in both of the past two contests while lead back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined. Rodriguez delivered his best outing to date in the Commanders' 30-28 loss to the Jets this past Sunday, accruing 58 yards and two touchdowns on his 10 rushing attempts while hauling in his lone target for a seven-yard gain. Robinson returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion and could be back in action for this Sunday's game against the 49ers, leaving pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore as his top backup options sans Rodriguez. With Gibson set to become a free agent this offseason and uncertain to be retained, Rodriguez could open the 2024 season as the clear No. 2 option behind Robinson after averaging a robust 4.8 yards per carry over 13 appearances as a rookie.

Mitchell (knee) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

The full listing backs up what head coach Kyle Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic on Tuesday, when he said Mitchell will be "full go" for Week 17. With an uncapped practice under this belt, Mitchell is poised to put an end to a three-game absence Sunday at Washington. In his nine appearances this season, he's averaged 3.4 yards on 44 carries and also gathered in four of six targets for minus-1 yard while working behind workhorse back Christian McCaffrey.

Luepke (thigh) practiced in full Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Luepke was estimated as a limited participant during Tuesday's walk-through due to a thigh injury, but his full participation Wednesday suggests that the issue is minor. The fullback logged a season-high three touches in last Sunday's loss to Miami, though he's primarily deployed as a blocker. Luepke should be fine to play Saturday versus Detroit as long as he doesn't suffer a setback during the remainder of the practice week.

Walker (shoulder/illness) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Last week, the Seahawks delayed any on-field work for Walker until Friday, so his lack of activity to begin Week 17 prep isn't a surprise. He was listed with the shoulder issue last week, but he's also tending to an illness in Week 17, which could throw a wrench into his status this time around. In any case, Walker has two more chances this week to put himself on a path to suit up Sunday against the Steelers. While playing through the shoulder issue this past Sunday at Tennessee, he easily paced Seattle's backfield with 17 touches for 56 yards from scrimmage on a 58 percent snap share, with No. 2 back Zach Charbonnet picking up the other 42 percent of plays en route to three touches for minus-4 yards.

Achane (toe) didn't practice Wednesday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The rookie running back has been dealing with the toe issue over the last few weeks but has played through it. Achane paced the Miami backfield in playing time in the team's 22-20 win over Dallas on Sunday, seeing action on 55 percent of the snaps while Raheem Mostert's role was reduced as he managed an ankle injury. Achane has handled single-digit carries in each of the last three contests, but he hasn't found the end zone while averaging 4.5 yards over his 23 totes during that stretch.