NFL Player News

Chubb (ribs) was a full practice participant in Thursday's practice.

Barring any setbacks coming out of Friday's practice, Chubb looks like he'll be ready to return from a one-game absence and approach this Sunday's game against the Raiders without an injury designation. Before injuring his ribs early in a Week 14 win over the Chiefs, Chubb had been playing second fiddle to Woody Marks in the backfield during the second half of the season, but Chubb could have a chance to take on greater volume in Week 16. Marks emerged from this past Sunday's win over the Cardinals with an ankle injury and has sat out both of the Texans' first two practices this week. As a result, Marks' availability for the matchup with Las Vegas would appear to be murky at the moment.

The Saints signed Hines to the practice squad Thursday, John Sigler of SaintsWire reports.

Hines has appeared in three games this season for the Chargers, where he totaled two rushing attempts for minus-2 yards. The veteran's biggest contributions came on special teams, as he racked up 195 return yards through his three appearances. Hines will likely be elevated for Sunday's game against the Jets and serve as the No. 3 running back behind Evan Hull and Audric Estime.

The Seahawks have elevated Akers for Thursday's game against the Rams, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Akers, who is on his second stint with Seattle's practice squad this season, will be elevated for his first contest with the team. The veteran running back will handle the No. 3 running back role behind Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, and he could continue to do so until such time as George Holani (hamstring) is ready to come off IR.

The Saints placed Neal (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday.

Neal's rookie season thus is over with the Saints not eligible for a postseason berth after he sustained a hamstring injury this past Sunday against the Panthers. In 10 appearances (three starts) on the campaign, he totaled 57 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns, hauled in 17 of 19 passes for 104 yards and didn't fumble. With Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) currently unable to practice and in danger of missing more time, New Orleans appears poised to roll with Audric Estime and Evan Hull at running back for the time being.

Kamara (knee/ankle) didn't take part in Thursday's practice.

Kamara still hasn't resumed practicing since he sprained his MCL in Week 12, and while coach Kellen Moore hasn't ruled him out like he did fellow RB Devin Neal (hamstring) on Wednesday, the veteran back seems to be in danger of missing a fourth game in a row Sunday against the Jets. At the moment, Audric Estime and Evan Hull are the only healthy options at the position on the Saints' active roster.

Brooks (chest) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Brooks isn't the only banged-up Packers running back, as Josh Jacobs (knee) is listed as questionable and MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) has been ruled out. Jacobs expects to play Saturday, so Brooks will likely be left to split backup duties with Emanuel Wilson at best, if he plays at all following three limited practices.

Lloyd (hamstring) is officially ruled out for Saturday's road game against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Lloyd came off IR temporarily on Wednesday, as part of Green Bay's reported plan to place him back on IR, to make it possible for the 2024 third-round pick to get healthy in time for a return during the playoffs. With Josh Jacobs (knee/ankle) and No. 3 back Chris Brooks (chest) both officially questionable to face Chicago, Emanuel Wilson is the only fully healthy member of the Packers' backfield.

Williams (neck) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Williams is operating with practice restrictions this week due to the neck injury that forced him to miss a portion of the first half of this past Sunday's loss to the Vikings and also cede backfield reps to backup Malik Davis. Overall, Williams logged a 28 percent snap share and 15 carries, while Davis took on 52 percent and 10 touches himself. In the end, Friday's practice report will reveal if Williams is tagged with a designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Chargers.

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.

Swift (groin) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Packers.

Swift showed up on the Bears' Week 16 practice report Wednesday as limited due to a groin injury and maintained that activity level one day later. His status now won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Saturday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, but if Swift is inhibited or even sidelined, Kyle Monangai would be poised for a larger workload out of Chicago's backfield.