NFL Player News

McCaffrey (knee) was limited at Thursday's practice, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 49ers continue to place practice restrictions on McCaffrey, who has been listed on the team's injury report with a knee issue for five weeks in a row. Friday's report will clarify whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation ahead of Sunday's game at Las Vegas, but the aforementioned health concern hasn't stopped him from producing each of the last four contests, a span in which he's averaged 22.5 touches for 123.8 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring five touchdowns.

Henry (hip) is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Cowboys.

Henry, who the Titans listed as a limited practice participant Tuesday and Wednesday, approached the contest listed as doubtful, so it's not a surprise that he'll sit this one out and focus on being ready for the team's AFC South title showdown against the Jaguars in Week 18. In his absence versus Dallas, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site relays that Hassan Haskins figures to get the bulk of Tennessee's backfield work Thursday, with Julius Chestnut mixing in. Additionally, Jonathan Ward is up from the practice squad to provide further RB depth.

Pollard (thigh) is listed as inactive Thursday at Tennessee, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

With a short week to prepare between last Saturday's win against the Eagles and Thursday's game, Pollard's inability to practice Monday through Wednesday put him behind the eight ball to be available for Week 17. He began trending toward his first absence of the season after Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported earlier Thursday that the Cowboys were likely to hold out the fourth-year pro, and indeed that has come to pass. As a result, Ezekiel Elliott is in line to handle a healthy share of Dallas' backfield reps, while Malik Davis and potentially practice-squad call-up Qadree Ollison will spell Elliott, especially if the game gets out of hand against a reeling and short-handed Titans squad. Pollard will turn his focus to getting healthier for a Week 18 road matchup with the Commanders.

Jones (knee/ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones has been dealing with lower-body injuries since Week 9, with the most recent issue stemming from him getting his ankle rolled up on this past Sunday at Miami. He actually logged his lowest snap share (38 percent) of the season in that contest and matched his campaign low with eight touches for just 34 yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, fellow Packers back AJ Dillon went for 48 total yards and a rushing TD on 13 touches and a 58 percent share of plays. Assuming Jones is active Sunday against the Vikings as he's been all year long, the breakdown of reps between him and Dillon may be contingent on Jones' health.

Ekeler (knee) was limited at practice Thursday.

Given that Ekeler was also listed as limited on Wednesday's practice estimate, the Chargers' top running back will presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Rams. So far there's been nothing to suggest that Ekeler's Week 17 status is in danger, but if he's limited at all this weekend, Joshua Kelley would be next up for added backfield touches.

Stevenson (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Meanwhile, fellow running back Damien Harris, who has been limited at practice of late due to a thigh issue, missed Thursday's session due to a personal matter. Friday's injury report will reveal added context with regard to the duo's status for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, but chances are that both Stevenson and Harris end up officially listed as 'questionable' for Week 17 action.

The Titans elevated Ward from their practice squad to the active roster Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

With Derrick Henry (hip) not expected to suit up Thursday night versus Dallas, Ward is now in line to serve as Tennessee's No. 3 backfield option in Week 17 behind Hassan Haskins and Julius Chestnut. Since joining the Titans on Dec. 13, the 25-year-old has yet to log an offensive snap.

Ogunbowale was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice with a knee injury.

While Dameon Pierce (ankle) has been sidelined for the past two games with a season-ending injury, Ogunbowale has worked ahead of Rex Burkhead as the No. 2 option in the backfield behind Royce Freeman. Ogunbowale has logged eight carries and no targets in both of those contests, totaling a meager 42 yards on his 16 totes. The knee injury now threatens his ability to maintain the modest role he's held the past two weeks in Sunday's game against Jacksonville, though Ogunbowale can put to rest any concerns about his health by practicing in some capacity Friday.

Harris (thigh) was absent from Thursday's practice due to a personal matter, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

A thigh injury has prevented Harris from playing in the Patriots' last four games and rendered him a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but New England is attributing his absence Thursday solely to the personal matter. If Harris returns to practice Friday, there's a good chance he'll be re-listed with the thigh issue, so he's not necessarily in the clear on the health front. Regardless, the Patriots will wait until the conclusion of Friday's practice before deciding whether Harris carries a designation into Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Sanders (knee) was limited in practice Thursday.

After sitting out Wednesday due to a knee issue, Sanders was seen working as the top running back in drills one day later, with Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon next in line for reps, according to Josh Tolentino of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Sanders also appeared to be running fine, per Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia, but he seemingly still has some work to do to get back to all activity. Ultimately, Friday's injury report will unveil if Sanders has a designation ahead of Sunday's contest against the Saints.