NFL Player News

Mixon (ankle) returned to a limited practice Thursday.

Fellow running back Giovani Bernard (ankle) -- who ran for 116 yards and a TD and caught seven passes for 52 yards in Week 16 -- was also limited Thursday, in his case for the second day in a row. Both players appear on track to play Sunday against the Ravens, barring any setbacks, though Mixon could well end up listed as questionable for the contest.

Gordon (ankle) won't practice Thursday, but Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn is optimistic the running back will turn in a limited session Friday.

Gordon isn't abandoning hope of playing in the season finale against the Raiders, but he'll almost certainly carry an injury designation heading into the weekend after Lynn more or less confirmed the 24-year-old won't practice fully at any point this week. Though the swelling around the sprained left ankle Gordon sustained in the Week 16 win over the Jets is said to be minimal, it appears he'll have to play through pain if he ultimately suits up Sunday. In the event Gordon isn't able to demonstrate enough progress in his recovery and is ruled out for Week 17, backup Branden Oliver would assume lead-back duties for the first time this season.

The Chargers signed Simmons to their practice squad Wednesday, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The addition of Simmons bolsters the Chargers' backfield depth heading into the team's Week 17 matchup against Oakland. In the event Melvin Gordon (ankle) is ruled out Sunday and Austin Ekeler (finger) remains limited to special-teams work, Simmons or fellow practice squad running back Russell Hansbrough could be promoted to the 53-man roster to serve as the top backup to Branden Oliver.

Oliver could act as the Chargers' lead back Sunday against the Raiders if Melvin Gordon (ankle) is sidelined for the contest, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Oliver hasn't been pressed into a full-time role since 2014 and has languished in seven games in 2017, averaging just 2.5 yards per carry on 28 totes. However, with Gordon failing to practice Wednesday and uncertain to suit up in the regular-season finale while he nurses a sprained ankle and Austin Ekeler's broken ring finger likely to prevent him from contributing on offense, opportunity knocks for Oliver in a game that will determine the Chargers' playoff fate. Oliver's poor efficiency this season creates some justified skepticism about his fantasy prospects in Week 17, but the potential absences of Gordon and Ekeler from the game plan would likely leave Oliver in line to handle the overwhelming share of the touches out of the backfield.

Gillislee (knee) remained sidelined at Thursday's practice, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports.

The same applies to fellow running back Rex Burkhead (knee), and with James White (ankle) -- who was inactive in Week 16 -- still working in a limited fashion, Friday's final injury report will provide intrigue with regard to the composition of the Patriots' Week 17 backfield. The one thing that appears clear on that front is that Dion Lewis is on track to head the team's ground game Sunday against the Jets, though who will be around to back him up/work in complementary roles this weekend has yet to be solidified.

Williams (quad/ribs) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.

Williams seems to be healthier than last week, which he kicked off with back-to-back DNPs before practicing in a limited capacity Friday. After getting the all-clear to play Sunday against the Giants, he earned 16 carries and three targets on his 33 offensive snaps, racking up 65 yards from scrimmage in the process. Williams still hasn't reached the end zone since Week 1, but an upcoming matchup with the Seahawks, who have allowed the eighth-most TDs (14) to running backs this season, could be just what the doctor ordered.

Patterson (hip) was a limited practice participant Wednesday, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Patterson landed on last week's injury report with the same hip injury and ended up catching one of two targets for seven yards in Monday's 19-10 loss to the Eagles. His decreased role seemingly was a result of Amari Cooper's (ankle) return to the lineup, rather than as a byproduct of the hip injury.

Williams (shoulder) was limited at practice Wednesday.

If Williams is able to return for Sunday's season finale against the Dolphins -- which is not a lock -- he would presumably work in a complementary role behind Kenyan Drake. He's been inactive for each of the Dolphins' last four games with the dislocated shoulder.

Gillislee missed practice Wednesday with a knee issue, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

It remains to be seen if Gillislee's absence from practice Wednesday was maintenance-related or if the knee injury is legitimately something that could impact his status for the Week 17 game against the Jets. If Gillislee is available Sunday, it's not hard to imagine him remaining involved in the Patriots' ground game behind Dion Lewis, given that Rex Burkhead (knee) looks questionable at best for the contest and James White (ankle) is also banged up.

Hunt (shoulder) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Hunt sprained his shoulder during last week's victory over the Dolphins. However, his full availability for Wednesday's practice suggests the injury was relatively minor and puts him firmly on track to play in the regular-season finale Sunday against the Broncos. It's possible he could see some carries on offense if the postseason-bound Chiefs rest their starters, since they having nothing to gain by winning.