NFL Player News

Jones (knee) returned to practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones has missed back-to-back games since spraining his MCL on Sunday, Nov. 19 against the Chargers, and the Packers also listed him as a DNP on every Week 12 and 13 injury report. Considering he took part in individual drills Thursday, he figures to be at least a limited participant, but the team's initial Week 14 practice report will reveal his activity level in the first set of on-field work ahead of Monday's road matchup with the Giants.

Hall (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Per Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Hall -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- was spotted on a side field Thursday, so what the running back is able to do during Friday's session could be telling with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Texans. If Hall is limited or out this weekend, Dalvin Cook would be on track to headline the Jets backfield.

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

Pacheco didn't practice Wednesday, either, so what the running back is able to do during Friday's practice -- if anything -- will loom large with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Bills. If Pacheco is sidelined this weekend, Jerick McKinnon (groin) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire would likely split work out of the backfield.

Harris (knee) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play Thursday against the Patriots, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Harris was listed as a non-participant on practice reports issued Tuesday and Wednesday, but Pelissero relays that the running back is in line to face New England, barring any pregame setbacks with his knee. Either way, official confirmation of Harris' Week 14 status will arrive once the Steelers' inactive list is released approximately 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Head coach Brandon Staley suggested Wednesday that Kelley could see increased opportunities out of the Chargers backfield in the weeks to come, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. "Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments so that we can find that rhythm I've been talking about. That's certainly one way to do it."

Austin Ekeler has struggled badly since his Week 6 return from a high-ankle sprain, and he's averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry on the season, a full yard below his 2022 average. Kelley has seen just 5.1 carries per game since Ekeler returned to the lineup, but the Chargers badly need an offensive spark, and upping Kelley's usage could be a way to improve the overall efficiency in the run game.

Nwangwu (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Nwangwu played eight snaps on special teams and returned a kickoff for 38 yards in the Vikings' Week 12 loss to the Bears, but he may have sustained a concussion at some point along the way. With the benefit of a Week 13 bye, Nwangwu was able to return to the field for the Vikings' first Week 14 practice, but he'll still need to upgrade to full participation by Friday and gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Raiders. If available this weekend, Nwangwu would likely handle kick-return duties while serving as the No. 3 back behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler.

Hasty may be asked to appear in Thursday's matchup with the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official website reports.

Hasty was a healthy scratch in Week 13 against the Chargers after he signed with the team earlier in the week, but he could be asked to play versus Pittsburgh after Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) was officially ruled out for the contest Wednesday. Hasty appeared in three games with Jacksonville before the team let him go Nov. 11 and he failed to garner a carry while playing six offensive snaps.

Charbonnet (knee) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Both Charbonnet and fellow running back Kenneth Walker (oblique) were non-participants to begin Week 14 prep, but head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that they took part in an earlier walk-through session, per Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. Charbonnet filled in for Walker as the Seahawks' lead back in the team's previous two games, combining for 157 yards from scrimmage and the first touchdown of his career on 38 touches. However, the rookie second-round pick made a late exit from last Thursday's loss in Dallas due to a bruised knee. With the state of the team's backfield up in the air, the current healthy backs on the active roster are DeeJay Dallas and Kenny McIntosh, while Bryant Koback and SoRodorick Thompson are on the practice squad.

Harris is a candidate for an elevation ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Steelers, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official website reports.

Harris has yet to be elevated to the active roster this season, but with Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) unavailable for Week 14, it's possible that Harris operates as a backup option behind Ezekiel Elliott in New England's backfield. The running back appeared in five games with the Patriots last year, producing 52 yards and a score on 18 carries.

Walker (oblique) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Neither Walker nor Zach Charbonnet (knee) took part in drills to begin Week 14 prep, but head coach Pete Carroll told Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times on Wednesday that both running backs logged some reps during an earlier walk-through workout. Walker thus far has missed the Seahawks' last two games due to a strained oblique, and Charbonnet joined him on the injury report this week after sustaining a bruised knee last Thursday in Dallas. As such, the state of Seattle's backfield is in flux ahead of Sunday's contest at San Francisco. Beyond that duo, DeeJay Dallas and Kenny McIntosh are the healthy options at the position on the active roster, while Bryant Koback and SaRodorick Thompson are candidates to be elevated from the practice squad.