NFL Player News

Jones (knee) participated in Thursday's practice, Kassidy Hill of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

As of Wednesday's estimated injury report, Jones had strung together four straight limited listings as he draws closer to recovering from the sprained MCL that he suffered Week 11 against the Chargers. So far, he's missed three games in a row as a result of the issue, which allowed AJ Dillon to lead the Packers backfield during that stretch. Having said that, Dillon has yet to practice this week due to a thumb concern, so Jones could have RB reps to himself Sunday versus the Buccaneers if he's able to return and the former is limited or sidelined.

With Jonathan Taylor (thumb) ruled out by coach Shane Steichen, per JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site, Moss once again is slated to lead the team's backfield Saturday against the Steelers.

Moss thus is in line to start at running back for the third consecutive week in place of Taylor, a context that gives the 2020 third-rounder continued fantasy utility Week 15. In the Colts' 34-14 loss to the Bengals this past Sunday, Moss carried 13 times for 28 yards and caught four of his eight targets for 28 yards, but a bounce-back effort could be in store against the 7-6 Steelers, who have lost back-to-back contests.

Dillon (thumb) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Dillon also was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's estimated practice report due to a thumb issue after previously dealing with a groin injury the previous three weeks, when he filled in for Aaron Jones (knee) out of the Packers backfield. This time around, Dillon seems to be in more danger of sitting out Sunday versus the Buccaneers than Jones does after the latter was at least limited Thursday. Friday's injury report may reveal who among the duo enters the weekend with an injury designation.

Coach Shane Steichen relayed Thursday that Taylor (thumb) won't play Saturday against the Steelers, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Taylor thus is slated to miss his third straight game, which sets the stage for Zack Moss to continue to lead the Colts' rushing attack Week 15. Taylor will now target a potential return to action Sunday, Dec. 24 against the Falcons.

Strong isn't practicing Thursday due to an undisclosed reason, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Strong didn't appear Wednesday on the Browns' initial Week 15 injury report, so it's unclear why he's not on the field a day later. Elsewhere in the Cleveland backfield, Kareem Hunt (groin) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday, while Jerome Ford (wrist) opened Week 15 prep as a limited participant.

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

Pacheco, who didn't practice last week, also missed Wednesday's session, so unless the running back gets some work in Friday, he could be trending toward another absence Sunday against the Patriots. If Pacheco remains sidelined this weekend, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon would be in line to lead Kansas City's Week 15 backfield.

Hunt (groin) returned to practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Hunt didn't practice Wednesday, but his return to the field a day later has him trending toward being available Sunday against the Bears. Over the last two weeks, Hunt followed absences from practice Wednesday with limited sessions Thursday and full practices Friday. There's a decent chance chance that pattern is repeated this week.

Taylor (thumb) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

With Taylor having taken part in none of the Colts' three practice sessions this week, the running back is trending toward being ruled out for Saturday's game against the Steelers when Indianapolis releases its final Week 15 injury report later Thursday. If that's the case, Zack Moss would be in line to lead the Indianapolis backfield this weekend, likely in a three-down role.

Jacobs (quadricep) remains listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Chargers, but his status for the contest is considered "very much in doubt," Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jacobs is taking a designation into the contest after he was listed as a non-participant on all three of the Raiders' Week 15 practice reports, though the team merely held a walk-through sessions due to the quick turnaround from Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Vikings. Late in that game, Jacobs appeared to sustain the quad injury, and he ultimately didn't check back into the contest after the Raiders initially deemed him questionable to return. Rapoport suggests that Jacobs won't be cleared to suit up Thursday if the Raiders believe he's at risk of making his injury worse by playing, so a decision on his status may hinge on how he looks during a pregame warmup. Official word on Jacobs' availability (or lack thereof) should arrive when the Raiders release their inactive list approximately 90 minutes prior to the 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Jacobs is forced to miss his first game of the season, the Raiders would likely lean heavily on a combination of Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah out of the backfield.

The Saints signed Robinson to their practice squad Wednesday.

Prior to the Packers cutting him from their practice squad last Tuesday, Robinson made one appearance for the team, handling one carry for two yards and hauling in his only target for minus-2 yards during a Week 13 win against the Chiefs. Upon joining a new squad, he'll be a part of a Saints backfield that's banged-up behind Alvin Kamara, with Jamaal Williams (groin) limited at Wednesday's practice and Kendre Miller (ankle) again sitting out. Robinson likely doesn't have enough time to acclimate himself to New Orleans' offense ahead of Sunday's game against the Giants, but he could factor into the backfield situation if he remains with the the Saints beyond that point.