NFL Player News

Ekeler (abdomen) was limited at practice Thursday, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Ekeler practiced fully Wednesday, so his addition to the Chargers' Week 9 injury report Thursday is notable. Friday's final report will clarify whether the team's top running back approaches Sunday's game against the Falcons with an injury designation or fully cleared to play.

The Broncos re-signed Ozigbo to their practice squad Thursday, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Ozigbo was just let go by Denver on Tuesday following the team's recent acquisition of Chase Edmonds via trade from the Dolphins. However, the 225-pounder was brought back to the Broncos' practice squad Thursday, where he'll serve as an emergency depth option should any of the team's running backs miss time. Ozigbo has already been elevated to Denver's active roster twice so far in 2022, so he'll have one more chance for a promotion this season until the team will be forced to sign him to the active roster.

Taylor signed with the Packers' practice squad Thursday.

Taylor was waived by the Packers from their 53-man roster on Tuesday, but he's now back with the franchise as a member of their practice squad. The 24-year-old has played in seven games for the team this season, making his contributions on special teams. He'll now work to find his way back to the active roster.

Henry's absence from practice Thursday was rest-related, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

Henry was listed as a limited participant Wednesday due to a foot issue, but Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site previously relayed that the running back indicated Thursday that his "foot is fine" and that he'd "be out there on Sunday playing" against Kansas City. Assuming no setbacks, look for Henry to head into the weekend minus a Week 9 injury designation.

Swift (ankle/shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

After making his first appearance since Week 3 this past Sunday against the Dolphins, Swift unsurprisingly has had practice limitations this week as he continues to tend to ankle and shoulder issues. On Monday, he relayed that he still wasn't 100 percent, per Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com, but Swift was able to follow up Wednesday's DNP with some activity one day later. While he's trending in the right direction, Swift's status will continue to be watched to get a sense of his availability Sunday versus the Packers.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Thursday that Dobbins' recent left knee scope was a "smashing success," but the running back is still about 3-to-4 weeks away from a return from injured reserve, Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Harbaugh acknowledged that there was more scar tissue in Dobbins' knee than expected, so even with the benefit of a bye Week 10, the 23-year-old may need to spend more than the requisite four games on IR. Dobbins is first eligible to return to action Week 13 against the Jaguars, though his availability for that contest will be contingent on his knee responding well to practice, whenever he's deemed ready to resume on-field work. For the time being, Gus Edwards (hamstring) -- who won't practice Thursday -- will continue to headline the Baltimore backfield, with Kenyan Drake and Justice Hill serving as Edwards' top complements.

Akers (personal) participated in Thursday's team walk-through session, Steve Wyche of NFL Network reports.

The Rams will release their second Week 9 practice report later Thursday, and if Akers is listed as full participant or removed from the report entirely, it would be an indication that he's on track to play Sunday in Tampa Bay after a two-game, three-week hiatus from the team. Though the Rams weren't able to find a trade partner for Akers ahead of Tuesday's deadline, both player and team seem to have at least temporarily mended their relationship. Prior to leaving the team, Akers had seen his role reduced in favor of Darrell Henderson, as he played fewer than 40 percent of the Rams' snaps on offense in Weeks 4 and 5. Given that he's averaging just 3.0 yards per carry this season and isn't much of an asset as a pass catcher, Akers may occupy a small role in the Rams' running-back rotation if he's active this Sunday.

Henry (foot) was among the players not spotted during the open portion of Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

We'll circle back to relay the running back's official participation level Thursday, but it's worth noting that after being limited Wednesday, Henry downplayed his current listed injury issue, indicating that his foot is "fine" as Sunday's game against the Chiefs approaches.

Hubbard (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Hubbard emerged from Week 7 with a sprained ankle that kept him off the practice field last week and sidelined him this past Sunday in Atlanta. After two capped sessions to kick off Week 9 prep, he appears to be closing in on a return to action. Ultimately, his listing on Friday's injury report will give a sense of his potential to play Sunday at Cincinnati. If he's able to suit up this weekend, Hubbard may play second fiddle to D'Onta Foreman, who has gone for exactly 118 rushing yards in back-to-back games.

Edwards (hamstring) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards will sit out the Ravens' first Week 9 session exactly one week after he suffered a mild right hamstring injury in the team's 27-22 win over the Buccaneers. Though head coach John Harbaugh suggested that Edwards is day-to-day and has avoided a major injury, the running back will likely need to get back on the field as at least a limited practice participant Friday and/or Saturday if he hopes to put himself in position to play Monday against the Saints. If available for that contest, Edwards should have a path to double-digit carries for the third week in a row while J.K. Dobbins (knee) is stuck on injured reserve.