NFL Player News

Ekeler (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Per Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Ekeler emerged from the Chargers' Week 13 win over the Bengals dealing with "bumps and bruises," according to head coach Brandon Staley. Wednesday's injury report indicates that the running back's ankle is the specific concern in play, but the fact that he practiced in some capacity suggests that he has a chance to remain in the lineup this weekend against the Giants, a notion that would be solidified by Ekeler participating in Thursday's session as well.

Williams (calf) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

The limited showing amounts to progress for Williams, who hasn't played since Week 8 while dealing with different lower leg issues. If available for this Sunday's matchup against the Packers, Williams should likely operate as the team's third option at running back behind David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert.

McNichols (concussion) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

After missing the Titans' last two games prior to the team's Week 13 bye, McNichols looks poised to play Sunday against the Jaguars. That said, McNichols' role upon his return to the lineup is somewhat unclear, with D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard both having performed capably in Tennessee's last outing, a 36-13 loss to the Patriots in Week 12.

Montgomery didn't practice Wednesday due to shoulder, groin and glute injuries.

Since missing four games earlier this season due to a knee sprain, Montgomery has been injury-free for exactly one month but now is dealing with a trio of health concerns. As a result, his listing bears watching on the Bears' final two practice reports of Week 14 prep to see if he may be trending toward another absence Sunday in Green Bay. While suiting up in each of the past four contests, he's averaged 19.8 touches for 90.5 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring one rushing touchdown.

Drake (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

Drake's move to IR was fully expected after Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia said Monday that the running back will undergo season-ending surgery on his right ankle later this week. He'll likely have a chance to return in time for OTAs next spring, but the Raiders aren't expected to establish a return timetable for Drake until after his procedure. Jalen Richard (reserve/COVID-19 list) and Peyton Barber are in line to serve as the primary backups to Josh Jacobs for the remainder of the season.

Jones (illness) wasn't listed on the Buccaneers' injury report Wednesday.

Jones departed this past Sunday's win in Atlanta due to an illness, but it hasn't followed him into Week 14 prep. When this weekend's matchup with the Bills rolls around, he'll be poised for his usual secondary role behind starter Leonard Fournette, which has amounted to 5.4 touches for 25.4 yards from scrimmage per game and three rushing scores through 12 contests.

Wilkins signed with the Titans' practice squad Wednesday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Wilkins needed about 24 hours to find a new job after he was cut from the Jaguars practice squad Tuesday. The four-year veteran was let go by the Colts on Oct. 30 after his role had turned nonexistent behind Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines and undrafted rookie Deon Jackson. Not to mention the veteran Marlon Mack, who is still on the roster. Wilkins will work to make an impact in Tennessee and find his way to the active roster.

Robinson (heel/knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Robinson has logged full practices here and there and also missed some sessions entirely over the past month, but he's mostly been a limited participant while dealing primarily with the heel injury. He was limited in all three of Jacksonville's practices last week, resulting in him being listed as questionable before he was ultimately active for Sunday's 37-7 loss to the Rams. Robinson was benched for most of the first half after an early fumble, but he received more playing time after the break, while Carlos Hyde coughed up a fumble of his own. Assuming no setbacks with his nagging injuries, Robinson should handle a larger workload this weekend at Tennessee.

The Dolphins placed Laird (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Laird sustained an MCL sprain in the first quarter of Sunday's win over the Giants and will be forced to miss at least three games by virtue of his placement on IR. Since the Dolphins have a Week 14 bye, the 26-year-old won't be eligible to return until the regular-season finale Jan. 9 against the Patriots.

Kamara (knee) was a full practice participant Wednesday.

Since he first appeared on injury reports back in early November due to what was eventually termed as an MCL sprain, Kamara has missed four consecutive contests. Kamara's long-awaited return to full activity coincides with Mark Ingram's placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday due to a positive test for the virus. There's a small chance Ingram gets through the necessary protocols and is cleared to play Sunday at the Jets, but Kamara may have reached full health at a perfect time to take on close to his usual workhorse role. In eight contests prior to the knee injury, Kamara averaged 22.3 touches for 105 yards from scrimmage per game while scoring seven total touchdowns. It's worth noting, however, that his production in those contests came while either Jameis Winston (knee) or Trevor Siemian was starting at quarterback, but Taysom Hill has since ascended to the top of the depth chart. During the four games Hill started in 2020, Kamara averaged only 72 yards from scrimmage and four targets per game while scoring three times.