NFL Player News

Homer (hamstring) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

Homer has missed the Bears' last two games due to a hamstring injury, and the fact he logged consecutive DNPs to open the week doesn't bode well for his chances of playing in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Darrynton Evans would continue to serve as Chicago's No. 3 running back behind D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson if Homer isn't cleared to play in Week 18.

Abdullah (foot) remained sidelined at practice Thursday.

Abdullah is coming off a career-high 115-yard rushing effort in Week 17, but back-to-back missed practices cloud his status for Sunday's season finale against the Chargers. If Abdullah is limited or out this weekend, Alexander Mattison and Chris Collier likely would be next up for the Raiders' Week 18 carries, with Dylan Laube a candidate to mix in.

Ekeler (concussion) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Ekeler remains on injured reserve due to the concussion he suffered late in a Week 12 matchup with the Cowboys, but his ability to log back-to-back uncapped sessions to begin Week 18 prep implies he's closing in on gaining clearance from an independent neurologist. He'll have to do just that, and then the Commanders will need to activate him from IR by Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, in order for him to have a chance to play Sunday at Dallas.

Hill (illness/concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's regular-season finale against the Browns.

Though head coach John Harbaugh expressed optimism earlier in the week that Hill would be available Saturday, the running back wasn't able to practice Tuesday through Thursday after falling ill. He had missed the Ravens' Week 17 win over Houston after entering the NFL's concussion protocol, but Harbaugh said Thursday that Hill has recovered from the head injury, and the illness is what will cause the running back to sit out a second straight game. With Hill sidelined once again, Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali are available to handle the backfield reps that don't go to starter Derrick Henry.

Jones (quadriceps) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Jones was held out of the later stages of this past Sunday's win against the Packers due to a quad injury, but his ability to follow up Wednesday's capped walkthrough with a similar amount of activity a day later bodes well for his chances to be available for Sunday night's showdown at Detroit. Considering the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the conference are on the line, he likely will do everything in his power to be active for that contest, though Jones may cede some RB reps to backups Cam Akers and Ty Chandler if he's at less than 100 percent, assuming he suits up.

Pollard (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Pollard hasn't turned in a full practice since Week 14, but that hadn't stopped him from playing until Week 17, when he missed his first game of the season in the Titans' 20-13 loss to the Jaguars after logging no on-field work from Wednesday through Friday. He looks to be in a better spot on the health front than he was a week ago, as he's kicked off Week 18 prep with a pair of limited sessions. While Pollard could still take a designation into Sunday's season finale versus the Texans if he's a limited or non-participant in Friday's session, he'll have some motivation to play through the ankle issue. With 1,017 rushing yards through 15 games, Pollard sits 83 yards away from reaching 1,100 on the season and earning a $250,000 bonus.

Irving (shoulder/shin) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Irving followed up a capped walkthrough Wednesday with a similar amount of on-field work one day later. He hasn't been a stranger to injury reports in his rookie season due to a variety of health concerns, but Irving also hasn't missed a game for any reason. Friday's report will reveal whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game versus the Saints.

Spears (concussion) didn't practice Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Spears has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's season finale against the Texans, but at this stage, he doesn't appear to be trending toward playing this weekend after sustaining his second concussion of the campaign in the Week 17 loss to the Jaguars. Fellow running back Tony Pollard (ankle) -- who was inactive last week -- remained a limited participant in practice Thursday, but he could reclaim his usual duties as Tennessee's lead back if he's cleared to play Sunday. However, if Spears and Pollard are both sidelined versus Houston, Julius Chestnut would be in line to see an expanded role, with Joshua Kelley and potentially Jabari Small mixing in.

Miller (concussion) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Miller hasn't practiced since sustaining a concussion this past Sunday against the Raiders, indicating he's made little to no progress through the protocol for head injuries. Alvin Kamara also hasn't taken part in drills this week due to a lingering adductor injury. If both players ultimately are unable to play Sunday at Tampa Bay, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims and Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the candidates to handle backfield reps for the Saints in Week 18.

Kamara (groin) was held out of Thursday's practice, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

The same can be said for reserve RB Kendre Miller (concussion), giving the pair just one more opportunity to mix into drills before the Saints potentially make a ruling on their statuses ahead of Sunday's season finale at Tampa Bay. Kamara hasn't taken part in any drills since suffering an adductor injury Week 15 against the Commanders, thereby threatening a third consecutive absence to end the campaign. Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims and practice-squad member Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be the candidates to man New Orleans' backfield Week 18 if that comes to pass.