NFL Player News

Jacobs (knee/ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game in Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Jacobs didn't practice this week after aggravating the knee issue this past Sunday at Denver that's been bothering him since he suffered the initial injury in Week 11 at the Giants. He sat out Week 12 against the Vikings, but he's been able to log at least a 50 percent snap share the last three games en route to 54 touches for 275 yards from scrimmage and three total TDs during that span. Coach Matt LaFleur told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic on Thursday that the Packers will take the decision on Jacobs' status for Saturday up until game time, meaning his status will be confirmed, one way or another, about 90 minutes before an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks (chest, questionable) are the RBs on hand in the event Jacobs is inhibited or sidelined this weekend.

Otton (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Otton missed his first game of the season in last week's loss to the Falcons while he battled the knee injury, but after following up a limited practice Wednesday with a full session Thursday, the fourth-year tight end should be in the clear to play Sunday at Carolina. With the Buccaneers recently getting receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back from long-term absences due to injury, Otton will likely find himself further down in the passing-game hierarchy now that he's healthy again.

David (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Scott Smith of the team's official site reports.

David couldn't practice Wednesday, but he appears to be trending further in the right direction for Sunday's game against the Panthers. The veteran linebacker has played 100 percent of defensive snaps in three consecutive contests. He'll have one more chance to upgrade to full practice reps Friday.

Evans (collarbone/rest) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Evans had previously been listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice while he continued to get extra maintenance for his fractured collarbone, which kept him out for six games before he returned to action in last Thursday's 29-28 loss to the Falcons. Though a mid-week downgrade in practice activity is normally worrisome, the fact that the Buccaneers are also attributing Evans' absence to rest suggests that Thursday may have been a pre-planned off day for the veteran wideout. Assuming Evans is able to practice Friday in some fashion, he should be ready to play a full complement of snaps in Sunday's game at Carolina.

Watson (chest/shoulder) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game at Chicago, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Watson thus appears to have a chance to miss no time as a result of the chest-related injury that he sustained while laying out for a deep ball from QB Jordan Love this past Sunday against the Broncos that resulted in a trip to a Denver-area hospital. After he logged a limited practice Wednesday, Watson told Matt Schneidman of The Athletic that he was "feeling pretty good" and expects to be "alright" for Week 16 action. On Thursday, coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday's session was "encouraging" for Watson, but "it's going to come down to a medical decision and where he's at on Saturday," per Zach Kruse of USA Today. Watson's status will be confirmed about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

Ravens defensive coordinator said Wednesday that Simpson will replace Teddye Buchanan (ACL) as the starting inside linebacker alongside Roquan Smith (knee) beginning Sunday versus the Patriots.

Orr said he has "the utmost confidence" in Simpson, who racked up nine tackles (four solo) while playing 46 percent of defensive snaps during Baltimore's win over Cincinnati in Week 15, a contest that saw Buchanan depart early due to his season-ending injury. Previously, when Smith missed time early in the year, Simpson was thrust into a starting role Weeks 5 and 6. In that span, he racked up 19 total tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 sacks.

Watt (chest) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Watt remains sidelined at practice as he continues his recovery from surgery to address a collapsed lung. He missed Monday's win over the Dolphins and appears unlikely to retake the field in time for Sunday's road matchup against the Lions.

Wallace (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Wallace practiced in full Wednesday and played 100 percent of defensive snaps during Carolina's loss to the Saints in Week 15, recording three assisted tackles. If the starting inside linebacker is unable to resume handling full practice reps Friday, he'll be at risk of being assigned an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

McMillan (foot/ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

McMillan sat out Carolina's first Week 16 practice, but he was able to take every rep Thursday to clear up any lingering doubt about his availability for a critical matchup Sunday versus the 7-7 Buccaneers, who currently hold the tiebreaker over the 7-7 Panthers for the division lead. The rookie first-round pick has yet to miss a game this season and has produced a 59-851-6 receiving line on 102 targets through Carolina's first 14 contests.

Ogbongbemiga (hamstring) is ruled out for Saturday's game against the Packers.

Ogbongbemiga upgraded to a limited practice session Thursday after having been listed as a non-participant Tuesday and Wednesday, but he nonetheless won't suit up Week 16. With Ogbongbemiga unavailable, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Noah Sewell will be candidates to handle expanded depth roles on defense.