NFL Player News
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Robert Hainsey C | JAC
Jaguars' Robert Hainsey: Limited to open Week 18 prep
Hainsey (groin) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Hainsey is recovering from a groin injury that he played through against the Broncos in Week 16 but not in Week 17 against the Colts. The fifth-year pro has two more chances to log a full practice heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against the Titans. If Hainsey is unable to play, then Jonah Monheim would be in line to start at center for a second consecutive game.
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Patrick Mekari OT | JAC
Jaguars' Patrick Mekari: Doesn't practice Wednesday
Mekari (back) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Mekari sustained a back injury during the Jaguars' Week 16 win over the Broncos, which prevented him from playing against the Colts in Week 17. He'll have two more opportunities to return to practice ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Titans, but if Mekari is unable to play, Walker Little likely will start at right guard for a second straight game.
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Jared Wilson OG | NE
Patriots' Jared Wilson: Unable to practice Wednesday
Wilson (concussion) did not practice Wednesday.
Wilson has not yet progressed enough through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol to resume practicing in even a limited fashion. The rookie third-round pick entered the concussion protocol due to a hit suffered Week 16, and he subsequently sat out New England's blowout win over the Jets in Week 17. He'll need to fully clear the concussion protocol in order to be eligible for Sunday's regular-season finale against Miami.
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Jordan Mason RB | MIN
Vikings' Jordan Mason: Limited in return to practice
Mason (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday.
This marks Mason's first notable on-field work since he suffered an ankle injury early Week 16 at the Giants. Aaron Jones has paced the Vikings backfield for most of the last two contests, but he wasn't able to practice Wednesday due to a new hip issue. The activity levels of both players bears watching as the week goes on to see who among them may be available Sunday against the Packers.
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Drake London WR | ATL
Falcons' Drake London: Listed as LP
London (knee) is listed as limited on Wednesday's practice report.
London has just four catches for 31 yards since returning from a four-game absence due to a PCL sprain. He'll likely play again Week 18 against the Saints, but he may not be at this best until next season.
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Aaron Jones RB | MIN
Vikings' Aaron Jones: DNP due to hip injury
Jones was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury.
Jones suffered an ankle injury early Week 16 at the Giants but gutted it out with Jordan Mason unable to return due to an ankle issue of his own. Mason was inactive last Thursday against the Lions, allowing Jones to take on most of the RB reps for the majority of the Vikings' last two contests en route to 44 touches for 156 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD during that span. Jones is dealing with a new health concern this week that kept him out of drills Wednesday, while Mason practiced in a limited capacity. Minnesota's backfield thus is in some flux ahead of Sunday's game versus the Packers.
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T.J. Hockenson TE | MIN
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Not practicing Wednesday
Hockenson (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday.
Hockenson didn't practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out for Minnesota's win over the Lions on Christmas Day in Week 17, and he now has just two remaining chances to retake the practice field ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Green Bay will be sitting multiple starters in Week 18, providing a nice opportunity for Hockenson to improve his production totals if he's able to take the field. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand) was limited in practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.
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Kyle Pitts TE | ATL
Falcons' Kyle Pitts: Estimated as limited
Pitts (knee) is listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Pitts has had his practice reps capped leading up to each of Atlanta's last three games due to a lingering knee injury, but he's managed to gain clearance for each of those contests without being assigned an official injury designation. The starting tight end fell back down to earth with just two catches for 16 yards (on three targets) during Monday's win over the Rams, in which Kirk Cousins completed just 13 passes for 126 yards. Pitts will work to gain clearance and bounce back during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints.
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Malik Willis QB | GB
Packers' Malik Willis: Limited practice Wednesday
Willis (right shoulder/hamstring) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.
During the open portion of Wednesday's session, Willis didn't throw, unlike No. 1 QB Jordan Love (left shoulder/concussion) and practice-squad members Clayton Tune and Desmond Ridder, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Love ended up logging his first full practice since he suffered a head injury Week 16 in Chicago, and while he remains in the concussion protocol, per coach Matt LaFleur, he told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic at the same time that some starters won't play Sunday at Minnesota. Who will be under center for the Packers this weekend remains to be seen, but with the team locked into the No. 7 seed on the NFC side of the postseason, LaFleur may err on the side of caution with Love and even Willis to prioritize health for the wild-card round.
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Isaac Seumalo OG | PIT
Steelers' Isaac Seumalo: Logs limited practice Wednesday
Seumalo (triceps) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.
Seumalo has missed the Steelers' last two games due to a triceps injury he sustained against the Dolphins in Week 15. His return to practice Wednesday indicates that the veteran offensive lineman is progressing in his recovery, and he'll have two more opportunities to practice in full ahead of Sunday's AFC North tilt against the Ravens. If Seumalo is unable to play, Spencer Anderson would likely remain as the Steelers' starter at left guard.