NFL Player News

Mattison (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

Since sitting out Week 15 due to a sprained right ankle, Mattison handled a bit role in the offense (two carries on five offensive snaps) this past Sunday versus the Lions and now has been listed as limited on back-to-back injury reports during Week 17 prep. He likely will need to return to all activity Friday in order to avoid an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers. Even if he's able to suit up again this weekend, though, Mattison may play second fiddle to RB Ty Chandler, who logged 65 percent of snaps and had eight rushes for 17 yards and a touchdown against Detroit.

Dillon (thumb) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday.

Dillon remains impacted by the broken right thumb that kept him sidelined for a Week 15 loss to the Buccaneers. He was able to play through it this past Sunday in Carolina, but he earned a season-low snap share (18 percent) on his way to seven carries for 12 yards and one touchdown. Fellow running back Aaron Jones (knee/finger) also has had a cap on his reps this week, so Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not the pair enter the weekend with injury designations ahead of Sunday's road game against the Vikings.

Achane (toe) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

After sitting out the Dolphins' first Week 17 practice session Wednesday, Achane took a step forward in terms of activity a day later. The Dolphins haven't suggested that Achane's lingering toe injury is anything that will seriously threaten his availability for Sunday's game against the Ravens, but fellow running back Raheem Mostert's (knee/ankle) status may be a little more uncertain. Mostert is still expected to play this weekend, but he was a non-participant in practices Wednesday and Thursday and could take a designation into Sunday if he doesn't return to the field Friday as a full participant.

Miller (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Thursday, Brooke Kirchhofer of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Miller has missed the Saints' last six games due to an ankle sprain he sustained in Week 9 versus the Bears, and now his availability for Week 17 is also in doubt. If he can't manage to practice in full Friday, he'll probably carry an injury designation into the weekend.

Jones (knee/finger) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.

After the Packers estimated him as limited at Wednesday's walkthrough, Jones maintained that activity level one day later. He followed a similar practice routine last week before avoiding an injury designation entirely for this past Sunday's game at Carolina, when he churned out 135 yards from scrimmage on 22 touches. Friday's injury report will reveal whether or not Jones enters this weekend with a designation ahead of Sunday's NFC North showdown at Minnesota.

Elliott didn't practice Thursday due to an illness.

Elliott practiced fully Wednesday, but his absence from Thursday's session makes his status worth tracking as Sunday's game against the Bills approaches. If Elliott is able to suit up this weekend, he'll continue to lead the New England backfield after the Patriots placed Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on injured reserve Wednesday.

Dowdle (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lions, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.

Dowdle has been playing through an ankle injury in the Cowboys' previous six games, but he apparently reached a breaking point this week after missing back-to-back practices Wednesday and Thursday. His absence could mean Deuce Vaughn is active for the first time since Week 10, but the team may lean on fullback Hunter Luepke instead or otherwise sign Malik Davis off the practice squad to serve as a reserve option behind top RB Tony Pollard.

Jacobs (quadricep) was listed as a non-participant in Thursday's practice.

Though Tashan Reed of The Athletic relays that there's sentiment within the organization that Jacobs will be able to put an end to his two-game absence this weekend in Indianapolis, the running back hasn't taken any notable steps toward making that a reality. After managing one limited practice session in Week 16, he's now been listed as a non-participant for consecutive sessions to begin Week 17 prep. Jacobs will still have another chance Friday to log some on-field work prior to Sunday's game against the Colts, but if he's unable to make enough progress in his recovery and misses a third straight game this weekend, Zamir White would once again have a clear path to a lead role out of the Raiders' backfield.

Moss (forearm) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Moss didn't practice at all last week before being ruled out ahead of the Colts' 29-10 loss to the Falcons, but he's now been listed as limited on both of the team's first two Week 17 injury report. Though the running back appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders, Moss will presumably need to practice fully Friday in order to avoid taking a designation into the weekend.

Barkley (elbow) was a full practice participant Thursday, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.

Barkley was estimated as a limited participant Wednesday while the Giants opened Week 17 prep with a walkthrough, but he took every rep in a more traditional practice a day later to clear up any concern about his availability for Sunday's game against the Rams. The star running back has been held under four yards per carry in three of his past four outings, but the quarterback change from Tommy DeVito to Tyrod Taylor in Week 17 could help Barkley from an efficiency standpoint.