NFL Player News

Sweat (ankle/knee) did not practice Wednesday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Sweat did not practice during Week 17 prep due to ankle and knee injuries but was still cleared to play against the Bengals, when he logged one tackle while playing 24 defensive snaps. He's opened Week 18 prep with a DNP but may need to practice in order to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams. If Sweat ends up sitting out, Dante Stills and Jordan Burch would be poised to see more snaps at defensive end.

Davis (ankle) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Eric Smith of the Chargers' official site reports.

Davis has missed Los Angeles' past three games due to an ankle injury. It's a step in the right direction that he was able to log a limited practice Wednesday after not practicing at all last week. Davis thus seems to have a chance to return to action Sunday versus Denver for a game that head coach Jim Harbaugh has said he'll rest at least some of his starters. If Davis can play, he could see a slightly elevated role on offense and would also probably reclaim his role as the Chargers' top return man.

Bech (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, Paul Gutierrez of the Raiders' official site reports.

Bech was a late addition to the Raiders' injury report during Week 17 prep, which resulted in him being sidelined for this past Sunday's loss against the Giants. He was able to practice without restriction Wednesday, which puts the rookie second-rounder on track to play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chiefs. Bech has accumulated 20 catches (on 27 targets) for 224 yards through the first 15 regular-season games of his NFL career.

McNeill (abdomen) was unable to practice Wednesday.

McNeill suffered an injury to his abdomen on Christmas Day against Minnesota. A DNP to begin Week 18 prep puts his status for Sunday's matchup against Chicago in question. If McNeill can't play Week 18, Tyleik Williams and/or Roy Lopez would figure to be in line for more defensive snaps.

Baker (concussion/thumb) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Baker was unable to play against the Bengals in Week 17 while in the league's concussion protocol. He's also working through a thumb injury, and his ability to return to practice in a limited capacity indicates that he is progressing in his recovery. Baker would need an independent neurologist to clear him from concussion protocol in order for him to be available for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams.

Maddox (back/illness) participated in practice in a limited capacity Wednesday.

Maddox wasn't able to play last Thursday against Minnesota due to a back injury and an illness. He's still on the practice report with both issues, but a limited session Wednesday gives him a chance to return to action for Detroit's season finale against the Bears on Sunday. Fellow safety Thomas Harper (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday, so the state of Detroit's secondary is in flux heading into Week 18.

Bryant (concussion) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Bryant didn't practice ahead of the Broncos' Dec. 25 win over the Chiefs, so the wideout's limited participation Wednesday is a step in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers. Bryant now has two more chances to upgrade to full participation before Denver's Week 18 injury designations are posted Friday. In his absence versus Kansas City, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey worked behind top WR Courtland Sutton, who led the team with 10 targets in Week 17.

Morrison (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Morrison was held out of Tuesday's walkthrough due to a hamstring issue that he likely picked up against the Dolphins in Week 17. He was able to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, and he would likely avoid an injury designation for Saturday's NFC South tilt against the Panthers if he were to log a full session Thursday. It's unclear whether Morrison's current hamstring injury is to the same leg that caused him to miss three games from Weeks 12 to 14.

Harper (concussion) didn't participate in practice Wednesday.

Harper was diagnosed with a concussion during last Thursday's Christmas Day game against the Vikings. He'll need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol to have a chance of suiting up Sunday versus Chicago. If Harper can't play, Jalen Mills could absorb most of his defensive snaps.

Nelson (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Nelson suffered a sprained knee during the Buccaneers' Week 16 loss to the Panthers. The injury prevented him from playing against the Dolphins in Week 17, and the 2019 fourth-rounder has been held out of each of the first two practices of Week 18 prep. He would need to practice in at least a limited capacity Thursday to have a realistic chance of playing in Saturday's regular-season finale against the Panthers.