NFL Player News

Williams (rib) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Back-to-back limited practices to start the week increase the chances that Williams could return to action Sunday night against the Bears. We'll circle back on his status Friday to see if the running back heads into the weekend listed as questionable, or minus a Week 16 injury designation.

Boone took reps with the first-team offense during Thursday's practice while fellow running backs Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and Alexander Mattison (ankle) were non-participants, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Mike Zimmer was unwilling to offer much clarity on either injured back's status as Monday's game against the Packers approaches, though Adam Schefter of ESPN relayed earlier Thursday that Cook is unlikely to suit up in the divisional game and could be withheld from action in Week 17, too. Meanwhile, Cronin notes that Mattison was spotted working out on the side with a trainer but wasn't doing any running or jogging, which doesn't quell any concern about his health after he sat out the Week 15 win over the Chargers. In that game, Boone impressed while working in relief of an injured Cook, carrying 13 times for 56 yards and two touchdowns. For those in need of running back help in the fantasy playoffs, Boone at the very least makes for an appealing speculative pickup if he's available on the waiver wire, given the poor health of the players ahead of him on the depth chart.

Mattison (ankle) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Despite sitting out the Vikings' Week 15 win over the Chargers, Mattison still is hobbled by the ankle injury he picked up during the Dec. 8 victory over the Lions. Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com notes that Mattison was at least able to work with a trainer off to the side, though he didn't do any running or jogging. Mattison will have two more days to fit in some practice activity and improve his outlook for Monday's game against the Packers, but as things currently stand, both he and lead back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) seem to be in danger of missing the divisional showdown. Mike Boone took the reps with the first-team offense Thursday and is in line to headline the Vikings' backfield Week 16 if Cook and Mattison can't go.

Cook (chest) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

The Vikings will begin Week 16 prep with both of their top two running backs going down on the injury report as non-participants, as Alexander Mattison (ankle) was only able to work out on the side with a trainer. Cook, meanwhile, was merely a spectator during the portion of the session that was open to the media, leaving Mike Boone to handle the first-team reps. Adam Schefter of ESPN relayed earlier Thursday that Cook is unlikely to suit up Monday night against Green Bay, but the 24-year-old said he still intends to go through his normal routine this week to get himself ready for the NFC North matchup, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Barner (shoulder/knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Barner is nursing two injuries, but Thursday's limited practice represents tangible progress in his recovery. He'll serve as Atlanta's top kick and punt returner if cleared to suit up Week 16 against the Jaguars.

Mixon was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a calf injury, Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Mixon didn't appear on the Bengals' first Week 16 injury report that was issued Wednesday, so his limitations Thursday could signal that the running back picked up the calf issue midway through practice. More clarity on Mixon's situation should arrive during the Bengals' final practice of the week Friday, but Giovani Bernard is the next man up out of the backfield in the event Mixon is sidelined for Sunday's game in Miami or is limited during the contest.

Henry (hamstring) isn't present for Thursday's practice and will go down as a non-participant on the Titans' injury report, Turron Davenport of ESPN.com reports.

While Henry's downgrade from limited participation Wednesday to no activity Thursday wouldn't seem to be a positive sign on the surface, he failed to practice in any fashion last week before gaining active status for Sunday's eventual loss to the Texans, during which he carried 21 times for 86 yards. Though he wasn't on the field Thursday, Henry told the media prior to the session that he has no intention of sitting out this weekend against the Saints, per Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site. Whether Henry carries an injury designation into the contest won't be known until the Titans release their final Week 16 injury report Friday.

Mattison (ankle) may not practice Thursday, but coach Mike Zimmer said the running back is "doing better" and has "a good chance" to play Monday against the Packers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Mattison didn't practice last week due to an ankle injury that resulted in the Vikings ruling out the rookie RB on their final Week 15 injury report. Meanwhile, the team doesn't expect to have starter Dalvin Cook (shoulder) on the game-day roster Monday and potentially for the season finale as well, per ESPN.com. If Mattison does take the field Thursday, it'll be a "low key" session, according to Zimmer. In any case, Mattison could set himself on a path to the lead role if he participates Thursday and maintains or even increases his activity level in the coming days. Behind Cook and Mattison, the next players up in the Vikings' backfield are Mike Boone, fullback C.J. Ham and Ameer Abdullah.

Cook (shoulder) is considered unlikely to play this coming Monday against Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Schefter suggested on ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast earlier this week that he would be surprised if Cook was available for the final two regular-season games, but Thursday's report is the first time he cited a source in reference to the running back's likely absence for Week 16. With Minnesota expected to prioritize Cook's health for the posteason, Schefter notes that the club is leaning toward shutting him down for the Week 17 matchup with the Bears as well. Coach Mike Zimmer has thus far been unwilling to offer a firm word on Cook's status for the upcoming matchup with Green Bay, though another update should arrive later Thursday following the Vikings' first practice of Week 16. With Cook exiting last Sunday's win over the Chargers early and backup Alexander Mattison (ankle) inactive for the contest, Mike Boone finished the game as the Vikings' lead back, accruing 56 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Boone could lead the ground attack again in Week 16 if both Cook and Mattison are sidelined.

Williams (rib) was limited at Wednesday's practice.

Williams last saw game action Nov. 18, but the fact that he's started the current week as a practice participant -- albeit a limited one -- suggests that there's a chance he could rejoin the Chiefs' backfield Sunday against the Bears. His absence in the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Broncos was also attributed in part to an illness, but the team's official injury report only lists Williams' sore left rib as a concern heading into the matchup with Chicago.