NFL Player News

Johnson (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The 26-year-old running back missed Buffalo's Week 16 win over the Chargers with this shoulder issue, and he's now opened the team's week of practice with consecutive limited sessions. Unless Johnson is able to practice in full Friday, he'll likely carry an injury designation into the weekend.

Hubbard (hamstring) was a limited practice participant Thursday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

As was the case Wednesday, Hubbard is operating with a cap on his reps due to a hamstring issue one day later, while fellow running back Miles Sanders practiced without limitations due to a toe concern. Hubbard thus has one more chance to get back to all activity this week before the Panthers potentially give him an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game in Jacksonville.

Pacheco (concussion/shoulder) won't practice Thursday, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Pacheco also missed Wednesday's session, so the running back may be facing an uphill battle to gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Bengals unless he's able to practice Friday in some capacity. In addition to Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) is missing from Thursday's practice, while Jerick McKinnon (groin) was placed on injured reserve over the weekend. For the moment, La'Mical Perine is the lone healthy back on the 53-man roster, though the Chiefs still have Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram on the practice squad.

Edwards-Helaire won't practice Thursday due to an illness, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Isiah Pacheco (concussion) will join Edwards-Helaire as a spectator for Thursday's practice, leaving La'Mical Perine as the lone healthy back on the active roster at the moment. Given that Pacheco still has multiple phases of the five-step concussion protocol to clear prior to Sunday's game against the Bengals, Edwards-Helaire looks like the better bet of the two to overcome his health concern. If Edwards-Helaire is active this weekend and Pacheco isn't, the former could be in store for a three-down role out of the Kansas City backfield.

Mostert (ankle/knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Heraldreports.

Mostert, who also didn't participate in Wednesday's session, now has one more chance to practice ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens. Per Oyefusi, the running back is expected to be available this weekend, but unless Mostert practices fully Friday, there's a decent chance he ends up with a Week 17 injury designation.

Achane (toe) is participating in Thursday's practice, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Achane missed practice Wednesday due to a toe injury that's lingered in recent weeks, but which didn't keep him out of last Sunday's win over the Cowboys. Still, it's worth noting that Achane wasn't spotted working with his position group Thursday, per David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, meaning he likely won't take a full slate of reps. Raheem Mostert (ankle) scored versus Dallas but handled only 19 offensive snaps versus Achane's 35, so the health of Miami's backfield will be key to monitor heading into Sunday's road matchup against the Ravens.

Running backs coach Eric Studesville said Thursday he expects Mostert (ankle/knee) to suit up for Sunday's road matchup against the Ravens, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Mostert was sidelined at practice Wednesday due to ankle and knee issues, but as Jackson notes, the veteran back has played through lingering injuries all season and still appeared in all 15 games for Miami. It's worth noting, however, that Mostert played a season-low 19 offensive snaps during last week's win over the Cowboys, with coach Mike McDaniel noting that a decision to sit him after two third-quarter snaps was made due to pain management. It wouldn't be surprising to see Mostert continue to get rest at practice with a key matchup against Baltimore on deck Sunday. De'Von Achane (toe) and Jeff Wilson would be in line for larger workloads if Mostert's reps have to be capped in Week 17.

The Commanders placed Rodriguez (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday.

Washington hasn't revealed the findings from the MRI that Rodriguez underwent Tuesday, but scans on the rookie running back's right ankle evidently revealed an injury significant enough to keep him out of the final two weeks of the season. The Kentucky product logged just 14 carries through Washington's first 10 games, but he saw his role expand in the back half of the campaign and carried 10 times in both of the past two contests while lead back Brian Robinson (hamstring) was sidelined. Rodriguez delivered his best outing to date in the Commanders' 30-28 loss to the Jets this past Sunday, accruing 58 yards and two touchdowns on his 10 rushing attempts while hauling in his lone target for a seven-yard gain. Robinson returned to practice Wednesday in a limited fashion and could be back in action for this Sunday's game against the 49ers, leaving pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson and Derrick Gore as his top backup options sans Rodriguez. With Gibson set to become a free agent this offseason and uncertain to be retained, Rodriguez could open the 2024 season as the clear No. 2 option behind Robinson after averaging a robust 4.8 yards per carry over 13 appearances as a rookie.

Mitchell (knee) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

The full listing backs up what head coach Kyle Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic on Tuesday, when he said Mitchell will be "full go" for Week 17. With an uncapped practice under this belt, Mitchell is poised to put an end to a three-game absence Sunday at Washington. In his nine appearances this season, he's averaged 3.4 yards on 44 carries and also gathered in four of six targets for minus-1 yard while working behind workhorse back Christian McCaffrey.

Luepke (thigh) practiced in full Wednesday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reports.

Luepke was estimated as a limited participant during Tuesday's walk-through due to a thigh injury, but his full participation Wednesday suggests that the issue is minor. The fullback logged a season-high three touches in last Sunday's loss to Miami, though he's primarily deployed as a blocker. Luepke should be fine to play Saturday versus Detroit as long as he doesn't suffer a setback during the remainder of the practice week.