NFL Player News

Mitchell (concussion/knee) was held out of practice Thursday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After taking an elbow to the helmet this past Sunday in Seattle, Mitchell was checked for a head injury but cleared to return, finishing the game with 25 touches on an 86 percent share of offensive snaps. But he reported concussion symptoms Monday, and his absence from Wednesday's session was attributed to that and "knee irritation." The pair of health concerns may combine to contribute to Mitchell's fourth missed game of the season Sunday in Cincinnati, but fortunately for the running back he has one more chance to get on the practice field this week. If he's unable to go this weekend, Mitchell likely will yield the backfield to some combination of Jeff Wilson (knee) and JaMycal Hasty.

Mattison will welcome back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) to the Vikings backfield for Thursday's game against the Steelers.

Mattison is coming off his third spot start of the season for Cook in which he took 25 touches for 124 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD during this past Sunday's loss at Detroit. With Cook back in the lineup and wearing a harness on his previously dislocated left shoulder, there's a chance Mattison spells Cook at times to ease the pressure on Minnesota's top running back. Still, when Cook has been available this season, Mattison has averaged just five touches per game.

Cook (shoulder) is listed as active Thursday against the Steelers.

Cook thus will miss just one game as a result of the dislocated left shoulder that he sustained during a Week 12 loss at San Francisco. He'll operate with a shoulder harness, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Cook wore such a device in the Vikings' wild-card win against the Saints in January 2020, when he went off for 130 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs on 31 touches. In any case, he'll push Alexander Mattison down the pecking order in the Vikings backfield, but the latter still may have a role in the offense.

McFarland is inactive for Thursday night's game against the Vikings.

McFarland remains the odd man out of the Steelers backfield Week 14, with Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage in line to continue to serve as the team's backup options behind top back Najee Harris.

Ekeler (ankle) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Though Ekeler has logged back-to-back limited practice sessions, so far there's been nothing to suggest that he's in much danger of missing Sunday's game against the Giants. Friday's final injury report will reveal whether the Chargers' lead back heads into the weekend with an injury designation or fully cleared for Week 14 action.

Williams (calf) was able to log another limited practice Thursday.

The 29-year-old practiced for the second day in a row, raising his chances to play in Week 14 against the Packers. Williams has been inactive since Week 8; if he's able to go Sunday, he will likely operate as the team's third option at running back behind David Montgomery (shoulder) and Khalil Herbert.

Montgomery (shoulder/groin/glute) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Montgomery's absence Wednesday may have been maintenance-related due to the array of health concerns he's dealing with at the moment. On a positive note, he got back on the practice field Thursday and now has one more chance to prove his health ahead of Sunday's game at Green Bay. Whether or not Montgomery enters the weekend with a designation will be revealed on Friday's injury report.

Jefferson didn't practice Thursday due to an illness.

Jefferson wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, so the ailment is a new development. The 21-year-old may need to return to practice in some capacity Friday to have a chance of suiting up this weekend at Denver.

Barkley (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com, Barkley was spotted with a heavy tape job on his left ankle during the team stretch, but he proceeded to look OK during drills. The result was a second session in a row with a cap on his reps as the Giants manage his health, and it remains to be seen if he'll avoid a designation entirely upon the release of Friday's injury report.

Swift (shoulder) didn't practice Thursday.

With no practice reps to speak of so far this week due to an AC joint sprain, Swift seems destined for a second consecutive absence as the Lions prepare for Sunday's contest at Denver. Jermar Jefferson (illness) joined Swift on the sideline Thursday, leaving Jamaal Williams and Godwin Igwebuike as Detroit's healthy running backs on the active roster. Friday's injury report may clear up the state of his backfield heading into the weekend.