NFL Player News

Jackson (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

The Ravens held Jackson out of their first practice of the week Wednesday while he contended with a flu-like illness, but the quarterback took every rep a day later to clear up any concern about his health heading into Sunday's game against the Patriots. Though Jackson has now gone six consecutive weeks without a full slate of practices, he said Thursday that he feels that he's bounced back well from the illness and characterized his absence Wednesday as being "just another rest day," per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

Sample (neck) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Sample upgraded to full participation after being limited in Wednesday's session, and the tight end is free of injury designation for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. The No. 3 tight end has been occasionally productive relative to his depth position in the Bengals' offense this season, logging nine receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets. Sample's health stabilizes a tight-end room that might be without Noah Fant (ankle) for Sunday's contest.

Fields (knee) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Fields and Tyrod Taylor (groin/knee) retained limited status Thursday as the Jets resumed practicing after holding a walkthrough Wednesday, for which both quarterbacks were also listed as limited. Brady Cook will start Sunday at New Orleans, which whichever one of Fields or Taylor is deemed healthier after Friday's practice set to work as the backup.

Bernard (elbow) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Bernard was limited in practice Wednesday, and he now seems back to full health and ready to return from his three-game absence. Barring any setbacks, expect Bernard to return to his usual starting role at cornerback versus the Browns on Sunday.

The Saints placed Neal (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday.

Neal's rookie season thus is over with the Saints not eligible for a postseason berth after he sustained a hamstring injury this past Sunday against the Panthers. In 10 appearances (three starts) on the campaign, he totaled 57 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns, hauled in 17 of 19 passes for 104 yards and didn't fumble. With Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) currently unable to practice and in danger of missing more time, New Orleans appears poised to roll with Audric Estime and Evan Hull at running back for the time being.

McDuffie (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Despite reports that McDuffie would be unable to practice Thursday, the cornerback mounted an unexpected effort that earned him a limited grade in the day's session. The upgrade in participation means the outlook for Sunday's game against the Titans is a little brighter. However, if McDuffie is ultimately sidelined for a second straight game, Nohl Williams will likely log another start at outside cornerback.

Nnadi (illness) did not participate in Thursday's practice, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Nnadi appears to have been struck by a sudden illness, causing the defensive tackle to miss Thursday's session. If the 29-year-old can practice Friday, he should have a good chance of suiting up for Sunday's game against the Titans.

Wicks (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest at Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Wicks was held out of Tuesday's walkthrough due to a lingering ankle injury, but his ability to put together back-to-back limited practices to end Week 16 prep gives him a chance to suit up this weekend. Fellow WR Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) followed a similar practice regimen this week after he made an early exit from this past Sunday's loss at Denver, so the Packers again have some question marks at the position heading into a game.

Waller (knee/rest) was a limited participation in Thursday's practice, Jay Morrison of SI.com reports.

Waller continues to have his practice reps managed, as has been standard for the veteran tight end all season. Barring any setbacks, there's not yet any reason to believe Waller's status is in much genuine doubt for Sunday's matchup against the Bengals. Waller is fresh off a two-TD performance on Monday Night Football against the Steelers and now faces an exceptional matchup against the league's worst-rank defense against opposing TEs, but Miami's overall passing game carries an air of uncertainty heading into what will be the first regular-season start of rookie Quinn Ewers' career.

Taylor (groin/knee) was listed as limited at Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Taylor is now listed with a knee injury in addition to the groin injury that kept him out of this past Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. Brady Cook made his first NFL start against the Jaguars and has already been named the starter for Sunday's game against the Saints. The healthier of Taylor or Justin Fields (knee) will work as the backup, with that race being too close to call after a pair of limited listings from both veteran quarterbacks Wednesday and Thursday.