NFL Player News

The Chiefs should have all their studs Week 9 against the Jets.

Offensive starters Jamaal Charles, Alex Smith and Travis Kelce headline the long list of probable players for the contest. All three should play.

The team also listed Eric Berry, Anthony Fasano, Phillip Gaines, Cyrus Gray, Junior Hemingway, Mike McGlynn and Sean Smith as probable for the contest. Berry is listed with an ankle injury. 

The Chargers listed 11 players on their final injury report for Week 9 against Miami. Ryan Mathews (knee), Manti Te'o (foot) and Jason Verrett (shoulder) were the only players on the list ruled out for Sunday. Jahleel Addae could be out as well because of a concussion. He has not received medical clearance and was officially labeled doubtful.

Jeremiah Attaochu (hamstring) was ruled questionable. Meanwhile, the following players were deemed probable: Donald Brown (concussion), Brandon Flowers (concussion), Dwight Freeney (knee), Rich Ohrnberger (back), Reggie Walker (ankle) and Steve Williams (groin).

The Jets enter Week 9 against the Chiefs relatively healthy. Out of 15 players listed on the injury report, Darrin Walls (calf, knee) was ruled doubtful for Sunday.Geno Smith (shoulder) was labeled questionable.

The other 13 players were deemed probable: Oday Aboushi (shoulder), Phillip Adams (groin), Antwan Barnes (knee), Willie Colon (knee), Jeff Cumberland (shoulder, finger), Demario Davis (finger), Eric Decker (hamstring), David Harris (shoulder), Chris Johnson (ankle), Jeremy Kerley (illness), Nick Mangold (shoulder), Trevor Reilly (knee) and Greg Salas (wrist, ankle).

Chargers running back Ryan Mathews was a limited participant in Friday's practice. It was his first practice since suffering an MCL sprain on Sept. 14.

Although the team has already ruled him out for Week 9 against the Dolphins, coach Mike McCoy told reporters "he's getting close" to returning, according to U-T San Diego. Mathews will miss his seventh consecutive game on Sunday.

The Chargers have a Week 10 bye and Mathews could be back as early as Week 11 against Oakland.

The Buccaneers list featured back Doug Martin as doubtful for the Week 9 game against the host Browns with an ankle injury. He has yet to participate in any practice this week.

Martin did not practice this week.

Broncos coach John Fox told reporters that running back Ronnie Hillman was a full participant in practice Friday and is expected to play Week 9 against the Patriots, according to the Denver Post.

Hillman is expected to take his usual workload and will be seeking his third straight 100-yard game at Foxboro. He has 283 yards on the ground over his first three games since taking over for an injured Montee Ball.

A sprained left ankle that again prevented Buccaneers featured back Doug Martin from practicing Friday will probably keep him sidelined Sunday in Cleveland, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Martin shed the walking boot Thursday but has yet to practice this week. He has also yet to break out this season, rushing for just 166 yards on 58 carries for a 3.1 average.

Chargers running back Donald Brown took another positive step Thursday toward returning to game action for the first time since Week 5 by participating fully in practice.

Brown, who struggled when healthy this season at 2.1 YPC, could play Sunday at Miami. He had been dealing with a concussion.

Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith acknowledged Thursday rookie running back Charles Sims is "making progress" in his return from an ankle injury that has had him sidelined all season. However, Smith added he doesn't know if Sims will be active Week 9 against the Browns. Smith said a decision will be made later in the week.

A shoulder issue that limited the work of Broncos featured back Ronnie Hillman in practice Thursday should not prevent him from playing Sunday against host New England, the Boston Globe has reported.

Hillman is coming off a season-best 109-yard performance in Week 8 and has 345 yards on the ground in the last four games combined.