NFL Player News

Demercado (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Demercado has yet to mix into any drills since he sustained a high-ankle sprain Week 11 against the 49ers. Meanwhile, both Trey Benson (knee) and Bam Knight (knee) were limited participants to begin Week 13 prep. Arizona will need to activate Benson from injured reserve in order for him to have a chance to play Sunday in Tampa Bay, but at this stage he appears to have better odds than Demercado to suit up this weekend.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that Dobbins (foot) may have a chance to return toward the end of the season, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.

Payton was talking about LB Drew Sanders (foot) potentially returning toward the end of the season and then mentioned that "the same could maybe be said" about Dobbins. This sounds like something to keep in mind for the real-life playoffs rather than the fantasy playoffs, as Payton made it clear that both Dobbins and Sanders are still a ways out.

Knight was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Knight dealt with an ankle issue in advance of the previous two games, but he was active for both and combined for 23 touches for 77 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs. With a new health concern in tow, his activity level in practice remained the same Wednesday, while backfield mate Trey Benson (knee) also was limited, and Emari Demercado stayed sidelined due to a high-ankle sprain. The status of the trio will continue to be monitored, especially Benson, who will need to be activated from injured reserve in order to have a chance to play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Hobbs (knee) is questionable for Green Bay's matchup versus the Lions on Thursday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.

Hobbs has been sidelined for the past three games but could have a chance to return Thursday. However, if the 2021 fifth-round pick ends up not playing, the Packers could be shorthanded at cornerback as Keisean Nixon (neck) is also questionable.

Neal was a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a knee injury, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Neal played 86 percent of snaps over the final three quarters of Sunday's 24-10 loss to the Falcons, filling in for Alvin Kamara (knee) on a day when the Saints had just two RBs active. Neal's ability to practice Wednesday, even in a limited capacity, suggests he's on track to play this Sunday against the Dolphins, likely filling in for Kamara as the starter. Audric Estime and Evan Hull are the other running backs on the 53-man roster, and Taysom Hill provides another form of competition for carries.

Stroud (concussion) practiced fully Wednesday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, at this stage of the week Stroud remains in the NFL's concussion protocol, but the QB is expected to be cleared ahead of Sunday's game against the Colts. Friday's final Week 13 injury report is slated to reveal whether Stroud heads into the weekend with a designation, but barring a setback it looks like he's poised to see his first game action since Week 9.

Benson (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Benson now has been listed as limited on four consecutive injury reports dating back to last Wednesday, when Arizona designated him to return from injured reserve. He was ruled out for Week 12 last Friday, and this Friday's report will reveal if he has a chance to return for Sunday's contest in Tampa Bay. As for the rest of the backfield, Bam Knight (knee) also was limited Wednesday, while Emari Demercado continued to sit out due to a high-ankle sprain, leaving Michael Carter and Jermar Jefferson as the only healthy RBs on the active roster.

Nixon (neck) is questionable for Green Bay's matchup versus the Lions on Thursday, Wes Hodkiewicz of the team's official site reports.

Nixon suffered a neck injury in the Week 12 win over the Vikings but managed to return in a limited capacity for Tuesday's walkthrough. If the 28-year-old is unable to suit up Thursday, Kamal Hadden and Nate Hobbs (knee) could see increased playing time.

Lane (hip) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Lane made an early exit from the Week 11 loss to Miami in Madrid. He's on the injury report after a Week 12 bye, albeit with some level of practice participation. Either way, Lane is unlikely to see many targets over the next few weeks, as fellow wideouts Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (groin/knee) should be back in action fairly soon.

Burks (finger) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Burks briefly became Washington's No. 3 receiver, but he missed Week 11 with a finger injury and now comes out of a Week 12 bye with more competition for playing time. Terry McLaurin (quad) and Noah Brown (knee) both returned to practice this week.