NFL Player News

Homer (knee) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Homer is almost exactly one month removed from his last appearance at practice (Nov. 18) as he's tended to wrist, thumb and knee injuries. Only the third issue continues to plague him, but there remains no end in sight to his recovery. If he takes a seat again Sunday at Washington, it'll mark his fifth consecutive absence.

Taylor (foot) returned to practice Thursday, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Thursday's session marks Taylor's first practice activity since joining the Packers. He spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list due to a foot injury sustained back at Memphis. Green Bay will now have a 21-day window to monitor Taylor at practice without him counting against the active roster.

The 49ers placed Walter on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Walter was placed on the list due to either testing positive for the virus, or coming into close contact with someone who did. Walter could still have a chance to play in Sunday's game against the Cowboys, but he'll need to produce two negative tests 24 hours apart to gain clearance.

Kelley is active for Thursday's game against the Raiders, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Kelley was a healthy scratch for last week's win over the Falcons, but he'll return to the lineup for Week 15, taking the place of Justin Jackson. When Jackson suited up last week, he saw just two carries for eight yards, so it's unclear what sort of role Kelley will have in the offense. He'll join Austin Ekeler and Kalen Ballage as healthy running backs for the divisional clash.

Ekeler (quad) is listed as active for Thursday night's game against the Raiders.

Assuming no in-game setbacks, Ekeler is in line to continue to head the Los Angeles backfield Thursday, with Kalen Ballage and Joshua Kelley in reserve. In the team's 20-17 win over the Falcons this past Sunday, Ekeler logged 15 carries for 79 yards and caught all nine of his targets for 67 yards. With the Chargers' wideout corps banged up Thursday, look for Ekeler to continue to provide fantasy value in Week 15, thanks to his utility as a pass-catcher.

Thompson (illness) was unable to participate during Thursday's practice session, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Le'Veon Bell's mid-October arrival has zapped Thompson's offensive usage over the past two months. The Utah State standout posted three different outings with multiple rush attempts between Weeks 1 and 6, but since that point, he has been handed a carry in just one of the past six games. An absence from Thompson during a Week 15 matchup against the Saints would likely only impact Kansas City in the special-teams realm.

Robinson (knee) remained limited in Thursday's practice.

Though Robinson was limited at practice last week, he approached Week 14 action minus an injury designation. Such a pattern could well be repeated this time around, a notion that will be confirmed either way upon the release of Friday's final injury report in advance of Sunday's game against the Ravens. Last weekend, Robinson ended up being the only Jacksonville back with a carry in the team's 31-10 loss to the Titans.

Mostert (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Mostert emerged from the 49ers' Week 14 loss to Washington with an ankle issue, marking his second such injury of the campaign. Clearly, the current one is far less severe, as he followed up Wednesday's absence with some activity one day later. He has one more opportunity to bump up to full Friday, but even if he doesn't he seems poised to be no less than 'questionable' for Sunday's game in Dallas. Behind Mostert, Jeff Wilson is next in the pecking order at running back, with Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon also on hand.

Mattison (illness) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

During the portion of the session open to the media, Mattison took part in stretching and individual drills, which was enough for him to get the limited tag on Thursday's injury report. He's missed the last two games after getting an appendectomy Dec. 5, but his presence at practice may indicate he won't make it three.

Ahmed (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's walk-through practice.

Ahmed has missed three consecutive games with a shoulder injury, but he's demonstrated some good progress this week by practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday. He'll likely need to upgrade to full activity Friday to avoid carrying a designation into Sunday's game against the Patriots, but even another limited showing wouldn't close the door on him suiting up this weekend. If cleared to play, Ahmed would likely be contending with DeAndre Washington, Matt Breida and Patrick Laird for backfield reps, as Myles Gaskin (illness) isn't expected to be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's contest.