NFL Player News

Abanikanda (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game against the Lions, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.

Abanikanda will observe Monday night's game in street clothes due to the return of rookie Isaac Guerendo, who will presumably lead the 49ers' backfield while Patrick Taylor serves as the backup. Abanikanda's next and last chance to play this season will be against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Hill, who sat out Wednesday's 31-2 win over the Texans with a concussion, missed Monday's practice due to an illness, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

While Hill was sidelined Monday, Hensley relayed that the running back is expected to play Saturday against the Browns, per head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh's comments imply that Hill has either cleared the NFL's concussion protocol or is on track to do so later in the week.

Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said Monday that he's "hopeful' that the Brown (ankle) will be available for Saturday's game against the Steelers, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Pitcher added that he believes that Brown -- who suffered a right high-ankle sprain in this past Saturday's 30-24 overtime win over the Broncos -- is "going to work really hard to be out there for us." The 8-8 Bengals head into Week 18 still in contention for a playoff spot, so having Brown available would be a major boost to the team's offense in a must-win scenario. If, however, Brown is limited or out this weekend, Khalil Herbert would be in line for added opportunities out of the backfield.

Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan hasn't expressed optimism about Spears' (concussion) likelihood of suiting up Sunday versus Houston, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Spears worked as the Titans' lead back this past Sunday versus Jacksonville but was forced to exit the game late in the third quarter. He'd need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to suit up Week 18, and that may be unlikely to happen at this point. Tony Pollard (ankle/illness) could return for the season finale, but if both Spears and Pollard are out, Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley likely will be tasked with leading the Titans backfield.

The Lions elevated Jefferson from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Monday night's game against the 49ers.

Jefferson will be elevated for a second straight week and serve as the Lions' fourth-string running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki. Jefferson played 12 snaps (five on offense, seven on special teams) during the Lions' Week 16 win over the Bears and logged three carries for 13 yards while hauling in his lone target for 10 yards.

Sanders (ankle), who remains on IR, will practice this week and could play in Sunday's Week 18 season finale against Atlanta, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales indicated Monday that Sanders was cleared to return to the field last week and said the veteran running back will practice this week. While Canales didn't state that Sanders will play Sunday against the Falcons, the head coach also didn't rule hm out. Sanders hasn't logged game action since hurting his ankle Week 10 against the Giants and landing on IR a few weeks later. If Sanders does suit up Sunday, he'd be added to a Carolina running-back room that recently lost Chuba Hubbard (calf/knee) and currently consists of Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones.

Hubbard (calf/knee), who is on IR, won't need any surgery in the offseason, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Hubbard put together a career-best season for the Panthers, rushing for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on 250 carries while adding 171 yards and one touchdown on 43 receptions. However, the 25-year-old will finish the campaign on IR after suffering a Grade 2 calf strain late in the season. Since Hubbard won't need surgery on either the calf or the knee, he's likely to be ready to play by the start of the 2025 campaign. He's expected to be Carolina's top running back next season after signing a four-year contract extension this November.

Kamara (groin) wants to play Sunday versus Tampa Bay, but that decision will be left up to the Saints' medical staff, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Kamara has sat out each of New Orleans' past two games due to an adductor injury. The star running back didn't practice at all last week, and he'd almost certainly have to return in at least a limited capacity this week in order to have any chance of suiting up Sunday. Kendre Miller currently is in the concussion protocol, so Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims could form the Saints backfield Week 18 if neither Kamara nor Miller is able to play.

Pollard (ankle/illness) might play Sunday against Houston, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Pollard missed Sunday's loss to Jacksonville due to both an ankle injury and the flu. Tyjae Spears took over as the Titans' starting RB for the contest, but he suffered a concussion in the third quarter and is uncertain to be able to suit up Week 18. Though Tennessee has long been eliminated from playoff contention, Pollard could return to action for the season finale. However, if both Pollard and Spears don't suit up, the Titans backfield could be led by Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Monday that Pacheco (ribs) will "be available playoff-wise" but will be held back in practice this week, Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com reports.

Pacheco hurt his ribs in Wednesday's Christmas Day win over Pittsburgh, and it would be a major surprise if he suits up Week 18 versus Denver with Kansas City already having locked up the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC. The positive news on Pacheco is that he appears to be in no danger of missing any time in the postseason, and he'll have an extra week to recover from what Reid described as "tender" ribs with the Chiefs penciled in for a first-round bye. Kansas City may opt to rest starters beyond Pacheco on Sunday against the Broncos, and it wouldn't be surprising if the team gives Kareem Hunt the day off as well, which would put Samaje Perine and Carson Steele in positions to lead the backfield in the regular-season finale.