NFL Player News

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.

Ward (concussion) was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.

Ward landed on the COVID list in late November but has now cleared the health and safety protocols. He hasn't seen the field since Week 8 after suffering a concussion but should be available for Arizona this weekend.

Pollard believes he'll be a game-time decision for Sunday's contest in Washington after tearing the plantar fascia of his left foot in the Cowboys' Week 13 win over the Saints, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Pollard wasn't known to be dealing with an injury until he was listed on a non-participant Wednesday on the Cowboys' initial Week 14 practice report. More information about his injury was provided Thursday, with head coach Mike McCarthy telling Gehlken that Pollard sprained his foot on a 58-yard touchdown run against New Orleans. Pollard confirmed he was hurt on the same play, though he classified the foot injury differently than McCarthy and was non-committal about suiting up Sunday. Gehlken notes that despite the injury, Pollard was spotted rehabbing on a side field Thursday while donning full pads, but it's unclear if he was able to upgrade to limited participation in the closed portion of the practice. Later Thursday, the Cowboys will release their second report of the week, which will clarify whether Pollard took a step forward in activity from Wednesday.

Head coach Vic Fangio said Gordon (hip/shoulder) will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

That level of practice activity represents no change from what Gordon was able to do Wednesday, but the fact that he's on the field for consecutive days to begin Week 14 prep bodes well for his chances of returning from a one-game absence and playing Sunday against the Lions. Even if Gordon enters the weekend without a designation, he won't necessarily be a lock to step back in as Option 1A in what has been a relatively even timeshare out of the backfield with Javonte Williams this season. While Gordon was out of the lineup for last week's loss to the Chiefs, the rookie delivered a head-turning performance in his first look as Denver's lead back, carrying 23 times for 102 yards while adding six receptions for 76 yards and a score on nine targets.

Mixon (illness) wasn't seen warming up Thursday and will go down as a non-participant on the Bengals' official practice report, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Mixon wasn't in attendance for Wednesday's session either due to a non-COVID-19-related illness, so he'll likely need to get back on the field in some capacity Friday to avoid taking a designation into Sunday's game against the 49ers. Since the Bengals' Week 10 bye, Mixon has handled heavy workloads in each of the subsequent three contests, averaging 27 touches per game during that stretch. Samaje Perine is the next man up out of the backfield if Mixon ends up sitting out or is limited in any capacity Sunday.