NFL Player News

Patterson was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Thursday's game against the Vikings.

Patterson and Nyheim Hines have both been elevated, giving the Chargers a pair of healthy alternatives to Kimani Vidal, who is the only available option currently on the 53-man roster. Patterson has rushed 85 times for 344 yards and two touchdowns in 21 regular-season NFL games. He played for Washington in 2021 and 2022 before appearing in one game with the Chargers in 2024.

Johnson (back) did not practice Thursday.

Johnson has now missed back-to-back practices, making his status uncertain for Sunday's road game against the Ravens. He suited up for Chicago's last five regular-season games but only handled two carries (for 17 yards) across that span, so if Johnson misses time it shouldn't have a notable impact on the workloads of D'Andre Swift (groin) and Kyle Monangai. If Johnson can't go, Travis Homer figures to slot in as the Bears' third-string running back.

Swift (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

A spectator for the Bears' first Week 8 practice session Wednesday, Swift was able to return to the field Thursday, albeit with a cap on his reps. Swift is coming off his two best performances of the season; he amassed 175 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown in a Week 6 win over the Commanders and 138 yards and another score in a Week 7 win over the Saints. Assuming he's able to make enough progress in his recovery from the groin issue to play this Sunday, Swift will be in line for a favorable matchup against a beat-up Baltimore defense that has given up 109.7 rushing yards per game versus running backs through six contests.

Jones (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Thursday's game at the Chargers but remains on injured reserve, is expected to play, Kirk Herbstreit of Prime Video reports.

The Vikings will need to activate Jones from IR by 4:00 p.m. ET for the running back to have a chance to log his first game action since Week 2, when he initially injured his hamstring. Jones managed two limited walkthroughs this week, so if he's indeed active Thursday he seemingly would be operating with a cap on his snaps and touches. In any case, Jones' availability for Week 8 will be known roughly 90 minutes before an 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Neal will likely take on a larger role following Kendre Miller's season-ending knee injury, Matthew Paras of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Miller tore his ACL in this past Sunday's loss to the Bears, opening the door for Neal to take over as the primary backup to Alvin Kamara (ankle). Neal was a sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. He has three carries for 10 yards in three NFL appearances. Velus Jones rounds out the running back depth chart.

Hunt (knee) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Per McMullen, Hunt is dealing with a bone bruise to his knee. The running back now has two more chances to practice in advance of Monday's game against the Commanders. If Hunt is limited or sidelined in Week 8, added snaps would be available for Isiah Pacheco and Brashard Smith, while Elijah Mitchell -- a healthy inactive in recent weeks -- could also rejoin the Chiefs' backfield mix.

Tucker rushed once for four yards and secured his only target for two yards in the Buccaneers' 24-9 loss to the Lions on Monday night.

Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot) sat out a third consecutive game, but Tucker logged only seven snaps on offense, his lowest tally in the last three games. Tucker had posted a season-best 6-25-1 rushing line in Week 6, and game script could have certainly played a part in his downturn versus Detroit. Irving is already ruled out for the Week 8 road matchup against the Saints, so Tucker will have another chance to make his presence known as a complementary option behind Rachaad White.

Williams (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's walkthrough practice, Brianna Dix of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

Williams was unable to play against the Lions on Monday while in the league's concussion protocol. His full participation in Wednesday's walkthrough is a step in the right direction for the 24-year-old running back, but he'll have to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to be available for Sunday's road game against the Saints.

Nwangwu (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

Nwangwu was diagnosed with a concussion during the Jets' 13-6 loss to the Panthers in Week 7. He's opened the week with a DNP, and even if he were to practice, he would have to progress through the league's five-step concussion protocol in order to play against the Bengals on Sunday. Isaiah Williams would likely serve as the Jets' primary returner on kickoffs if Nwangwu were to miss time.

Johnson was a non-participant in practice Wednesday due to a back injury.

This is the first word of Johnson dealing with an injury, though he may have picked it up in Sunday's win over New Orleans. The veteran running back has had minimal usage on offense with just four snaps so far this season, though he's a regular contributor on special teams. Should Johnson be sidelined for Week 8 against Baltimore on Sunday, Travis Homer would likely work as Chicago's No. 3 RB behind D'Andre Swift (groin) and Kyle Monangai.