NFL Player News

Edwards-Helaire (illness) doesn't appear Wednesday on the Chiefs' initial Week 18 injury report.

Edwards-Helaire missed the team's Week 17 win over the Bengals due to an illness, but he was apparently back to full health as the Chiefs began Week 18 prep. With Kansas City locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs regardless of how Week 18 games play out, a healthy Edwards-Helaire could be in store for an expanded role Sunday against the Chargers, along with several of the team's other reserves. Top running back Isiah Pacheco (quadriceps/shoulder) sat out Wednesday's practice and may be headed for a limited workload regardless of whether he's active for Sunday's contest.

Wilson (shoulder) was estimated as a full participant in Wednesday's practice walk-through.

Wilson was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 20 but hasn't yet been activated. He logged a trio of full practices last week and began Week 18 prep with an estimated FP, so he at least seems to be mostly healthy. Even if Wilson is activated ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against Chicago, he isn't likely to play more than a minimal role in a game the Packers need to win in order to guarantee a spot in the postseason.

Walker (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice, John Boyle of the Seahawks' official site reports.

Earlier Wednesday, head coach Pete Carroll told Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic that Walker took part in the team's walkthrough, but the running back ultimately went down as having logged no activity on the Seahawks' first injury report of Week 18 prep. A shoulder issue has been to blame for Walker's practice restrictions for three weeks in a row, and despite leaving this past Sunday's loss to the Steelers in the third quarter, he racked up 30 touches for 131 yards from scrimmage and one rushing touchdown over the last two games. Meanwhile, No. 2 back Zach Charbonnet has seen his touch count fall off a cliff of late, as he's turned just 10 into 37 total yards during that same span. As long as Walker is able to emerge from this week and suit up Sunday at Arizona, he likely will get the bulk of the work between him and Charbonnet.

Mitchell didn't practice Wednesday due to an illness, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

The 49ers already have ruled out top running back Christian McCaffrey for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rams due to a strained right calf, which would give Mitchell an opportunity to be the team's No. 1 back under normal circumstances Week 18. But with an illness in tow, it can't be counted on. Mitchell has two more chances this week to log on-field work, but in the meantime Jordan Mason and practice-squad member Tyrion Davis-Price represent the healthy options at the position on San Francisco's roster.

Dowdle (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Dowdle has been dealing with the ankle issue for weeks and was ultimately deemed inactive ahead of last Saturday's win over the Lions. In his place, Deuce Vaughn served as the top backup to Tony Pollard and played eight snaps on offense, but Vaughn has since been placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. If Dowdle isn't ready to play in the Cowboys' regular-season finale this Sunday in Washington, Malik Davis would likely be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Dallas' No. 2 back behind Pollard.

Jacobs (quadricep) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce told Vic Tafur of The Athletic earlier Wednesday that he views Jacobs as a game-time decision for Sunday's season finale against the Broncos. If the running back ends up missing his fourth straight contest this weekend, Zamir White would once again headline the Las Vegas backfield.

Dillon (thumb/neck) didn't participate in Wednesday's walkthrough.

Dillon continues to be listed with the broken right thumb that sidelined him Week 15 against the Buccaneers, but he's now tending to a neck stinger that knocked him out of this past Sunday's game in Minnesota. There's been no indication that his chances to suit up for Sunday's season finale versus the Bears are in peril, but his absence Wednesday was forecast by the fact that he stayed indoors after taking part in the team stretch prior to practice, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Dillon's activity level, or lack thereof, the next two days may be telling for his upcoming availability.

Jones (knee/finger) was a limited participant at Wednesday's walkthrough.

For the fourth week in a row, Jones was listed as limited on the Packers' initial injury report. As for fellow running back AJ Dillon, he was held out entirely due to a lingering thumb injury and a new neck stinger. It's unclear if Dillon is in danger of sitting out Sunday against the Bears, but Jones could be in line for a true workhorse role in that contest if the former is inactive. In any case, Jones is running on all cylinders at the moment, having compiled 41 carries for 247 yards and two catches (on four targets) for 18 yards over the last two games.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said Williams won't play Sunday in San Francisco, Greg Beacham of the Associated Press reports.

Along with Williams, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp are among the healthy skill-position players for the Rams that won't see action in the regular-season finale while Los Angeles has already secured a wild-card spot. Williams thus will end his second season as a pro with 228 carries for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns and 32 catches (on 48 targets) for 206 yards and three more scores in 12 contests.

Kamara (ankle) was listed as a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Kamara didn't play after halftime of this past Sunday's win in Tampa Bay due to an ankle injury, which head coach Dennis Allen called a sprain of unknown severity Monday. With no on-field work to begin Week 18 prep, Kamara will now have two more sessions this week to put himself on a path to suiting up for Sunday's must-win game against the Falcons. If Kamara is inhibited or sidelined this weekend, he'll yield most of the backfield reps to Jamaal Williams.