NFL Player News

Thornton (concussion) will not practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Thornton and top wideout Rashee Rice (concussion) have both kicked off Week 16 with back-to-back absences from practice, a scenario that could leave Gardner Minshew shorthanded for Sunday's game against the Titans. Prior to entering the concussion protocol during Kansas City's loss to the Chargers in Week 15, Thornton secured two of three targets for 47 yards.

Jackson (illness) was on the field for practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Jackson didn't practice Wednesday, but the star quarterback's return to the field Thursday puts him on track to be available Sunday against the Patriots. The Ravens' second practice report of the week will be released later Thursday and will reveal the extent of his participation in the session.

New York signed Hooker to the practice squad Thursday.

Hooker previously spent time on Carolina's practice squad from late August to early November. He was elevated for one game with the Panthers, a Week 8 tilt against the Bills, but he didn't record any offensive snaps. Now, Hooker will provide the Jets with emergency depth behind Brady Cook, Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee).

McMillan (foot/ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

McMillan sat out Wednesday's walkthrough due to foot and ankle injuries, after which coach Dave Canales called the rookie wide receiver "day-to-day," per David Newton of ESPN.com. McMillan's ability to mix into drills a day later is a step in the right direction as the Panthers continue preparation for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Thursday's practice report will reveal if he was a limited or full participant.

The Jets placed Adams (groin) on injured reserve Thursday.

Adams will miss the remainder of the regular season due to a groin injury sustained during New York's loss to the Jaguars in Week 15. The team also placed safety Isaiah Oliver (knee) on injured reserve Monday. As such, Keidron Smith, Dean Clark and Jarius Monroe will all be candidates to step into expanded roles on defense at safety alongside Malachi Moore.

Marks (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Marks hasn't practiced in any fashion since exiting this past Sunday's 40-20 win over the Cardinals due to an ankle injury, so at least for the time being, his availability for this weekend's game against the Raiders is in question. If Marks ends up sitting out the Week 16 game or is available only for limited snaps, Nick Chubb (ribs)-- if available -- and Jawhar Jordan would be in line to see added snaps and touches out of the backfield.

Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, and the Chiefs are optimistic that the star quarterback could be back as soon as Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, ESPN.com reports.

Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters Wednesday that Mahomes' operation with Dr. Dan Cooper was successful, per Jesse Newell of The Athletic. The recovery process for injuries similar to Mahomes' typically takes around nine months. The 2026 regular season is expected to kick off Sept. 10, so Mahomes has a realistic chance of being back early in the season, and possibly as soon as Week 1, if all goes to plan with his recovery. Gardner Minshew is Kansas City's starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 season following Mahomes' injury in Week 15.

Collins (neck/concussion) will not practice Thursday, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Collins initially participated in practice upon being designated for return from injured reserve Dec. 10, but he suffered a setback Friday and has trended in the wrong direction since. At this stage, it appears unlikely that Collins will gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Vikings, and his overall odds of retaking the field this season are uncertain.

Kincaid (knee) isn't practicing Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Kincaid was also deemed a non-participant for Wednesday's walk-through practice, so what he's able to do Friday will loom large in determining his status for Sunday's game against the Browns. If Kincaid isn't available this weekend, Dawson Knox would likely be in line for elevated snaps as the Bills' clear top tight end.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku, who was also a spectator for Wednesday's practice, will have one more chance to get in some on-field work before the Browns post their Week 16 injury designations Friday. If Njoku ends up missing his second straight game Sunday versus the Bills, rookie tight end Harold Fannin would once again be locked in for a sizable role after playing 90-plus percent of the offensive snaps in each of the previous four games.