NFL Player News

Swift (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

The limited activity marks Swift's first on-field work since suffering an AC joint sprain in his shoulder during a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bears. He'll have two more sessions this week to prove his health before the Lions potentially make a determination on his availability for Sunday's game in Atlanta. If Swift does enough to receive clearance to play, Detroit could suddenly have a logjam in the backfield, as Jamaal Williams returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Monday and Craig Reynolds has fared well as the lead running back the past two contests.

Mitchell (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Titans, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Jeff Wilson figures to start and handle the lead role for a third straight week, while Trey Sermon (knee) could soon be available after the Niners designated him to return from IR on Wednesday. It remains to be seen if the rookie can play Thursday night, though he'll likely have a small role even if he does. Mitchell, meanwhile, will hope to make it back to practice next week ahead of a Week 17 matchup with the Texans (on Sun., Jan. 2)

Gordon (thumb/hip) won't practice Wednesday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.

Gordon was limited at practice last week before suiting up for Sunday's loss to the Bengals. He logged 31 snaps and 15 carries while Javonte Williams also recorded 15 carries and saw action on 44 snaps. With no reported setbacks coming out of that contest, Gordon's absence from practice Wednesday is more than likely maintenance-related.

Swift (shoulder) returned to practice Wednesday, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Swift was knocked out the Lions' Thanksgiving Day matchup with he Bears with what eventually was deemed to be an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. He missed the past three games as a result of the injury, and Wednesday's development marked his first notable on-field work since then. It's unclear if Swift will do enough this week to put himself in a position to play Sunday in Atlanta, but he looks like he'll at least will be listed as a limited participant on Detroit's first Week 16 practice report.

The Vikings activated Mattison (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday.

Mattison has completed his mandatory 10-day quarantine for unvaccinated players after testing positive for the virus Dec. 13. He's thus poised to serve as Minnesota's No. 2 running back to Dalvin Cook moving forward, a role that has amounted to 5.1 touches per game in his 10 non-spot starts this season.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said Mixon (ankle) will practice Wednesday, Marisa Contipelli of the Bengals' official site reports.

Mixon may be listed as a limited participant, but Taylor noted that the running back is "feeling pretty good" at this stage of the week. With that in mind, Mixon's status should still be monitored closely, but he's trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Ravens approaches.

Stevenson wasn't spotted at practice Wednesday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Later Wednesday, the Patriots will release their first Week 16 injury report, which should provide an explanation for Stevenson's absence. On the plus side for the New England backfield, Damien Harris (hamstring) and J.J. Taylor -- who had been on the reserve/COVID-19 list -- were on the field during the session, per Evan Lazar of the CLNS Media Network.

Sermon (ankle) has been designated to return from injured reserve, with the Niners opening his practice window Wednesday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's unclear if this means Sermon has a shot to play in Thursday's game at Tennessee. With Elijah Mitchell (knee) in danger of a third straight absence, Jeff Wilson is lined up for another start.

Harris (hamstring) was present for Wednesday's practice, Evan Lazar of the CLNS Media Network reports.

Meanwhile, Rhamondre Stevenson wasn't spotted, which sets the stage for Wednesday's upcoming injury report to not only classify Harris' official participation level, but to also provide an explanation for Stevenson's absence.

Taylor (illness) is practicing Wednesday and has been formally activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Taylor had a lengthy stay on the list, having been deactivated Nov. 29 after testing positive for the virus. Prior to testing positive, Taylor had been a healthy scratch in four of the Patriots' last five games, so he may not have had a role in New England's game plans even if he had been available over the past few weeks. Unless at least one of Damien Harris (hamstring), Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) or Brandon Bolden (knee) isn't cleared for Sunday's game against the Bills, Taylor may find himself a healthy inactive once again.