NFL Player News

Kamara (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

The Saints held Kamara out of Week 10 prep and game action due to a sprained MCL, but he seemed to make some progress through the issue by practicing in a limited capacity Wednesday. His downgrade to no activity one day later may be the result of the team managing his reps, but it also could indicate a setback with his health. Without confirmation one way or another, Kamara's situation bears watching as the week goes on, with either Friday's injury report or coach Sean Payton himself touching on his top running back. Mark Ingram is set to lead New Orleans' backfield if Kamara is unable to suit up Sunday at Philadelphia.

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

Barkley took part in team workouts during the Giants' Week 10 bye and was also on the field for positional and individuals drills Monday, but Thursday marked the first time the team had to reveal the extent of his activity on a practice report. While the running back wasn't able to be cleared for full work, his limited participation marked his first recorded practice activity since he sprained his left ankle Oct. 10 against Dallas. The Giants will wait until later in the week before ruling on Barkley's status for a Monday night game against the Buccaneers, but the 24-year-old looks to be on course to put an end to a four-game absence. Devontae Booker (hip), who was also limited Thursday, has been serving as New York's lead back the past four games, but he'll likely move into a smaller role in Week 11 if Barkley is declared ready to go.

Robinson (heel/knee) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Robinson sat out Wednesday's practice, but his return to a limited session Thursday has the Jaguars' starting running back trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the 49ers approaches. Also limited Thursday was Carlos Hyde (shoulder), which sets the stage for Friday's practice/injury report to reveal whether one or both of the team's top two rushing options head into the weekend with a Week 11 injury designation.

McNichols (concussion) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

McNichols has now missed consecutive practices, putting his status for Sunday's game against the Texans in doubt. D'Onta Foreman and Adrian Peterson are in line to split early-down snaps in Tennessee's backfield against Houston, though it's not clear which running back would absorb the passing-down duties normally occupied by McNichols should he sit Sunday.

Kamara (knee) isn't present for the open portion of Thursday's practice and will be listed as a non-participant on the Saints' official report, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

After he returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Kamara's absence from the Saints' team workout a day later hints at a possible setback in his recovery from an MCL sprain, which kept him from playing in last week's loss to the Titans. Head coach Sean Payton will likely address Kamara's situation later Thursday or Friday, but at this stage, the star running back looks to be far from a lock to make it back in the lineup for Sunday's game in Philadelphia. Mark Ingram would likely be in store for a three-down role and a good deal of touches as New Orleans' lead back if Kamara is ultimately sidelined for a second straight contest.

Gibson (shin) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Matthew Paras of The Washington Times reports.

Such is Gibson's situation in his second NFL season as he plays through a stress fracture in his shin. He's continued to serve as Washington's No. 1 running back, which has amounted to 17.1 touches for 73.8 yards from scrimmage per game and six TDs in nine contests. Meanwhile, No. 2 RB J.D. McKissic has managed 7.9 touches per game despite being healthier than Gibson on a weekly basis. As such, Gibson is the top option out of this backfield as long as he's able to suit up on game days.

Jefferson (ankle) didn't take part in Thursday's practice, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Jefferson remains bothered by the ankle injury he suffered while scoring his bittersweet first NFL touchdown last week against the Steelers. At this point, it would be surprising if Jefferson's able to heal up in time to dress against the Browns on Sunday, though his designation on Friday's injury report will provide a clearer picture of his health.

The Titans have optimism that Henry could return from injured reserve in early January if all goes well in his recovery from right foot surgery, Dianna Russini of ESPN reports.

The Titans play Jan. 2 in Week 17 and close out their regular-season schedule a week later, so counting on the star running back to make a splash during the fantasy playoffs remains a speculative proposition. However, with Tennessee heading into Week 11 with an 8-2 record, this news is relevant to the team's postseason prospects. For now, Henry remains on IR, with D'Onta Foreman, Adrian Peterson and Jeremy McNichols (concussion) headlining the backfield in the meantime.

Patterson (ankle) remains questionable for Thursday's game against the Patriots and is being viewed as a game-time decision, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network relays that Atlanta's top running back appears unlikely to play. "It sounds like he was very, very limited in practice [this week]. ... It seems like an uphill battle [to play]," Rapoport said during a radio appearance on Sportsradio 93.7 WEEI-FM's Gresh & Keefe program.

Though Patterson was listed as a limited participant on each of Atlanta's three injury reports this week, he only got on the field Tuesday and Wednesday, as Monday's practice report was an estimate. According to Rapoport, the activity Patterson was able to do the past two days wasn't extensive, so the Falcons could be inclined to err on the side of caution and hold the 30-year-old out on a short week. A final word on Patterson's status should arrive when Atlanta releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. If Patterson ultimately is sidelined, the Falcons likely would turn to Mike Davis and Wayne Gallman to share reps out of the backfield.

Robinson (heel/knee) was spotted at practice Thursday, Mark Long of the Associated Press reports.

Long adds that Robinson is expected to be limited, but the running back's return to the field Thursday, in any capacity, has him trending in the right direction after being held out of Wednesday's practice.