NFL Player News

Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The 49ers already have ruled out top running back Christian McCaffrey for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams due to a strained right calf, which would give Mitchell an opportunity to be the team's No. 1 back under normal circumstances Week 18. But with an illness in tow, it can't be counted on. Mitchell has two more chances this week to log on-field work, but in the meantime Jordan Mason and practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price represent the healthy options at the position on San Francisco's roster.

Dowdle (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Dowdle has been dealing with the ankle issue for weeks and was ultimately deemed inactive ahead of last Saturday's win over the Lions. In his place, Deuce Vaughn served as the top backup to Tony Pollard and played eight snaps on offense, but Vaughn has since been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. If Dowdle isn't ready to play in the Cowboys' regular-season finale this Sunday in Washington, Malik Davis would likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Dallas' No. 2 back behind Pollard.

Jacobs (quadricep) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce told Vic Tafur of The Athletic earlier Wednesday that he views Jacobs as a game-time decision for Sunday's season finale against the Broncos. If the running back ends up missing his fourth straight contest this weekend, Zamir White would once again headline the Las Vegas backfield.

Dillon (thumb/neck) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.

Dillon continues to be listed with the broken right thumb that sidelined him Week 15 against the Buccaneers, but he's now tending to a neck stinger that knocked him out of this past Sunday's game in Minnesota. There's been no indication that his chances to suit up for Sunday's season finale versus the Bears are in peril, but his absence Wednesday was forecast by the fact that he stayed indoors after taking part in the team stretch prior to practice, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Dillon's activity level, or lack thereof, the next two days may be telling for his upcoming availability.

Jones (knee/finger) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough.

For the fourth week in a row, Jones was listed as limited on the Packers' initial injury report. As for fellow running back AJ Dillon, he was held out entirely due to a lingering thumb injury and a new neck stinger. It's unclear if Dillon is in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Bears, but Jones could be in line for a true workhorse role in that contest if the former is inactive. In any case, Jones is running on all cylinders at the moment, having compiled 41 carries for 247 yards and two catches (on four targets) for 18 yards over the last two games.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Williams won't play Sunday in San Francisco, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

Along with Williams, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp are among the healthy skill-position players for the Rams that won't see action in the regular-season finale while Los Angeles has already secured a wild-card spot. Williams thus will end his second season as a pro with 228 carries for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns and 32 catches (on 48 targets) for 206 yards and three more scores in 12 contests.

Kamara (ankle) was listed as a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Kamara didn't play after halftime of this past Sunday's win in Tampa Bay due to an ankle injury, which head coach Dennis Allen called a sprain of unknown severity Monday. With no on-field work to begin Week 18 prep, Kamara will now have two more sessions this week to put himself on a path to suiting up for Sunday's must-win game against the Falcons. If Kamara is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, he'll yield most of the backfield reps to Jamaal Williams.

Moss (forearm) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Moss was estimated as a limited participant on Tuesday's report, but his upgrade to full activity clears the way for him to play in Saturday's all-important game against the Texans, with the winner of the contest claiming a wild-card berth. Jonathan Taylor should serve as the Colts' workhorse back in Week 18, but Moss will likely step back in as his top backup after missing both of the past two contests.

Achane was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to toe and rib injuries, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

The rib issue is new for Achane, but he's been dealing with the toe injury for weeks. With Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) sidelined for last week's 56-19 loss to the Ravens, Achane played 48 percent of the offensive snaps and carried 14 times for 107 yards while adding four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Achane will have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, but the early expectation is that the rookie running back will head into the weekend without any restrictions.

Mostert (knee/ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.

Mostert played through knee and ankle injuries Weeks 11 though 16, but he was inactive for this past Sunday's 56-19 loss to the Ravens. After sitting out to begin Week 18 prep, he'll now have two more chances to mix into drills before the team potentially makes a ruling on his status for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bills with the AFC East title on the line. Rookie De'Von Achane (toe/ribs) was a limited participant Wednesday, so Miami's top two options out of the backfield continue to be banged up.