NFL Player News

Croskey-Merritt carried the ball 11 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the Commanders' 30-23 loss to the Cowboys on Christmas Day.

The rookie running back kept Washington in the game, scoring from 10 yards out in the second quarter before breaking free for a 72-yard TD in the third. It was the second time this season Croskey-Merritt topped 100 rushing yards with multiple touchdowns in a game, and over the last three contests he's churned out 226 yards and four TDs. Chris Rodriguez (illness) will likely be back in action in Week 18 against the Eagles, but Croskey-Merritt has done more than enough of late to retain a significant role in the offense for the Commanders' season finale.

Love (left shoulder/concussion) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Ravens, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Both Love and backup QB Malik Willis (right shoulder/illness) received the same listing for Week 17 action, leaving the question of who will start under center for Green Bay in flux. Love must make his way through the protocol for head injuries after he made an early exit this past Saturday at Chicago due to a concussion, and he was listed as limited on all three practice reports this week, which indicates he has a few steps, including gaining clearance from an independent neurologist, to get through to be able to suit up this weekend. If Love isn't cleared ahead of Saturday's 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff, Willis seemingly would attempt to play through his own shoulder injury, plus the illness the kept him out of practice Wednesday.

Tart (groin) is officially listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Texans.

Tart missed practice Tuesday before upgrading to limited reps Wednesday, and he was also listed as a limited participant on Thursday's estimated report. Official word on Tart's status will arrive no later than 90 minutes prior to Saturday's 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

Denver waived Schrader on Thursday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Schrader was claimed off waivers by the Broncos on Dec. 15, but he didn't ultimately get a chance to suit up for a game with the team. He'll be a candidate to resurface on Denver's practice squad.

Stingley (oblique) was a full participant in Thursday's practice and does not carry an injury designation for Saturday's game against the Chargers.

Stingley has gained clearance to play Week 17 after logging a DNP/LP/FP practice slate. The standout cornerback played through his oblique injury Week 16 versus the Raiders, but the issue didn't prevent him from handling 100 percent of defensive snaps or recording the first pick-six of his NFL career. He's set to handle his usual every-down role on the road against Los Angeles.

Warren (hip) practiced fully Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Warren was limited at practice Wednesday, but the running back's return to a full listing a day later paves the way for him to maintain his key role in Pittsburgh's backfield Sunday against the Browns. In the Steelers' win over the Lions in Week 16, Warren was on the field for 49 percent of his team's offensive snaps, while working alongside fellow RB Kenneth Gainwell, a game in which Warren carried 14 times for 143 yards and two TDs to go along with two catches (on two targets) for eight yards. Look for Warren to continue to be a focal point in Pittsburgh's offense this weekend, when the team will be missing top WR DK Metcalf, who was suspended for the Steelers' final two regular-season contests.

Njoku (knee) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's estimated practice report.

Njoku did not practice Wednesday and hasn't suited up for either of Cleveland's last two contests, and he appears to be trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers as well. The veteran tight end's last chance to take the practice field in some capacity Week 17 will arrive Friday.

Sampson (hand) is listed as limited on Thursday's estimated practice report, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

The Browns didn't officially hold an on-field practice Thursday, but had the team done so, it's estimated that Sampson would've reprised the limited activity level he logged Wednesday. The rookie running back hasn't played since Week 14, and he'll have one more chance to prove he can handle full practice reps Friday. With Quinshon Judkins (ankle/fibula) out for the year, Sampson will have a chance to lead a backfield that also houses Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders if he can gain clearance to play Sunday versus Pittsburgh.

Austin (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Austin has now missed back-to-back practices to begin Week 17 prep, making it safe to say that he's trending in the wrong direction for Sunday's road matchup against the Browns. The starting wideout is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained Week 16 against the Lions. With DK Metcalf (suspension) already out for Pittsburgh's final two games of the regular season, it's possible that Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Scotty Miller, Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson will have to serve as the Steelers' top wideouts versus Cleveland in Week 17.

Taylor (neck) is listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice estimate, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

The Jets did not hold an official practice session Thursday, but Taylor is nonetheless certainly trending in the wrong direction for Week 17. He's already missed two straight games and was similarly unable to practice Wednesday. Taylor will have one more opportunity to retake the practice field ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.