NFL Player News

Williams will be held out of Sunday's game against the Seahawks, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Coach Sean McVay confirmed Friday that Williams and WRs Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp will be among the players rested Week 18, as will QB Matthew Stafford and multiple starting linemen. QB Jimmy Garoppolo, RB Blake Corum and WRs Tutu Atwell and Jordan Whittington may be the focal points of the offense this Sunday.

Coach Antonio Pierce said Friday that Abdullah (foot) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

In the wake of a standout 20-carry, 115-yard effort this past Sunday at New Orleans that also included three catches (on four targets) for 32 yards, Abdullah has been tending to a foot injury that didn't allow him to practice this week. He thus appears in line to miss his first game of the campaign, which would allow the combination of Alexander Mattison, Chris Collier and perhaps even Dylan Laube to man the Raiders backfield Sunday.

Spears (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the Texans, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

While Spears has been ruled out, fellow running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is viewed as a game-time decision for Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET contest, per Turron Davenport of ESPN.com. In the event that Pollard ends up sidelined as well, however, Julius Chestnut would be in line to see an expanded role Week 18, with Joshua Kelley and possibly practice-squad member Jabari Small mixing in.

The Browns elevated Kibodi from the practice squad for Saturday's game against the Ravens.

With Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong (concussion) sent to injured reserve Friday, Kibodi will slot in as the Browns' RB3 behind D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly versus Baltimore. The 26-year-old has yet to appear in a regular-season NFL game.

The Browns placed Strong (concussion) on injured reserve Friday.

D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly will handle backfield duties for Cleveland's Week 18 finale. Strong's 2024 season ends with 26 carries for 108 scoreless yards and a 14-104-0 receiving line on 22 targets as the Browns' third running back for much of the year. The 2022 fourth-round pick is currently under contract for a non-guaranteed salary of $1.1 million next season, the final year of his rookie deal.

Ford (ankle) has been placed on IR by the Browns.

Ford already was ruled out for the 3-13 Browns' season finale, so his placement on IR creates a roster spot for the team heading into Week 18. In 14 contests this season, he carried 104 times for 565 yards and three TDs and caught 37 of his 43 targets for 225 yards. Ford remains under contract with Cleveland in 2025, though the running back's role next season is to be determined and hinges on the moves the team makes this offseason to bolster its backfield.

Sanders (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week, Sanders was a full practice participant Wednesday and Friday, sandwiched around a limited session Thursday. He's the favorite to operate as Carolina's lead back this Sunday in what might end up being his final game for the team. If they don't end up activating Sanders, the Panthers likely will start Raheem Blackshear while bringing Mike Boone and Velus Jones off the bench.

Brooks (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Brooks has opened the week with consecutive limited practices due to an ankle injury he likely picked up during the Packers' Week 17 loss against the Vikings. He didn't register a carry across seven offensive snaps in that game, but in the five games prior he turned 15 carries into 71 yards and a touchdown while adding five catches on as many targets for 27 yards. Brooks could have a larger role on offense in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Bears if Josh Jacobs (wrist) is limited or unable to play.

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.