NFL Player News
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Carlton Davis CB | NE
Patriots' Carlton Davis: Cleared for contact Friday
Davis (head) is practicing in a regular jersey Friday, which indicates he has been cleared for contact, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Davis being cleared for contact would indicate that he has made progress toward clearing the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, though he will still need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist to suit up for Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Broncos. He had previously practiced in limited fashion while wearing a non-contact jersey after exiting in the second half New England's win over the Texans in the AFC divisional round.
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Charles Cross OT | SEA
Seahawks' Charles Cross: Optimism to play Sunday
Cross (foot) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
The fourth-year pro has missed the first two practices of the week due to a foot injury, but head coach Mike Macdonald expressed optimism Thursday that Cross would play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Rams, per John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site. Backup tackles Josh Jones (knee/ankle) and Amari Kight (knee) also missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, so Friday's practice report and injury designations should provide some clarity on the Seahawks' health on the offensive line heading into Sunday's contest.
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Rob Havenstein OT | LAR
Rams' Rob Havenstein: Designated to return from IR
The Rams designated Havenstein (ankle) to return from injured reserve Thursday.
Havenstein landed on injured reserve in mid-November due to an ankle injury. He was limited in his return to practice Thursday, and he would need to be activated from IR in order to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against Seattle.
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Quentin Lake SAF | LAR
Rams' Quentin Lake: Returns to practice Thursday
Lake (illness) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.
Lake was held out of Wednesday's practice due to an illness. He recovered enough to log a full session Thursday and will be available to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks. Lake posted seven tackles (two solo) during the Rams' overtime win over the Bears in the NFC divisional round.
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Byron Young LB | LAR
Rams' Byron Young: Expected to play Sunday
Young (knee) did not participate in Thursday's practice.
The third-year linebacker has missed back-to-back practices while recovering from a knee injury, but head coach Sean McVay told reporters Thursday that he expects Young to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Seahawks, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press. Young's participation in Friday's practice will play a factor in whether he is tagged with an injury designation heading into Sunday's contest.
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Uchenna Nwosu LB | SEA
Seahawks' Uchenna Nwosu: Logs full practice Thursday
Nwosu (hamstring) was a full participant during Thursday's practice.
Nwosu popped up on Wednesday's injury report as a limited participant due to a hamstring injury. He was cleared to practice in full Thursday, which puts the veteran linebacker on track to play in Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Rams. Nwosu logged one tackle during the Seahawks' NFC divisional-round win over the 49ers this past Saturday.
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Hayden Rucci TE | MIA
49ers' Hayden Rucci: Inks future deal with Niners
The 49ers signed Rucci to a reserve/future contract Thursday.
Rucci joined the 49ers' practice squad Jan. 14 but wasn't elevated to the active roster for the NFC divisional-round game against the Seahawks despite the absence of George Kittle (Achilles). Rucci will be on the 49ers' 90-man roster when the offseason officially begins Feb. 9, giving him the opportunity to participate in OTAs and minicamp.
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Sam Darnold QB | SEA
Seahawks' Sam Darnold: Remains limited Thursday
Darnold (oblique) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Darnold played through an oblique injury during this past Saturday's divisional-round win against the 49ers, completing 12 of 17 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while taking two sacks. He's so far logged back-to-back capped sessions this week, but it's unclear if he's thrown any passes, as coach Mike Macdonald told Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune prior to Thursday's practice that he'd like Darnold to do so before Sunday's NFC Championship Game versus the Rams. Darnold will have one more chance to prove his health Friday before the Seahawks potentially give him a designation ahead of the weekend.
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Mack Hollins WR | NE
Patriots' Mack Hollins: Limited in return to practice
Hollins (abdomen) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.
The Patriots designated Hollins for return from injured reserve Thursday, after which he logged his first on-field work since Week 16 prep. He's missed the requisite four contests while on IR due to an abdominal injury, but it remains unclear if he has a chance to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game in Denver. How Hollins is listed on Friday's practice report will reveal as much.
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J.K. Dobbins RB | DEN
Broncos' J.K. Dobbins: Another limited session
Dobbins (foot) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Since Denver designated Dobbins to return from injured reserve Monday, he's put together back-to-back capped sessions as he seeks his first game action since Week 10, when he sustained a foot injury that required surgery. Friday's practice report will be telling for his odds to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the Patriots, especially if he's listed as questionable. If that occurs, the Broncos would need to activate him from IR by Saturday afternoon in order for him to have a chance to rejoin RJ Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie in the backfield this weekend.