NFL Player News

Ekeler may be at risk of losing out on some snaps and touches out of the backfield after Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said Wednesday that "competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Kris Rhim of ESPN.com reports. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments, so that we can find that rhythm that I've been talking about," Staley said. "We know that Austin is a good running back. We just haven't found any rhythm in the last couple of weeks in the run game. Just need to keep after it and keep working hard in practice."

Staley's comments come while Ekeler has mustered just 3.0 yards per carry on 110 total rushing attempts since the running back returned from a three-game absence due to a high-ankle sprain following the Chargers' Week 5 bye. Ekeler hasn't seemed to show any notable improvement as he's become further removed from the injury; as Sunday's game against the Broncos approaches, the 28-year-old is in the midst of a streak of 28 carries that have gained six yards or fewer. Joshua Kelley would be next in line to poach touches out of the backfield if the Chargers elect to scale back Ekeler's workload on the ground, though Kelley hasn't made much of a case to deserve more snaps in his own right. Over his last four appearances, Kelley has averaged just 2.6 yards on 53 totes. The Chargers' wholesale struggles in run blocking -- the team's 26 percent run-block win rate is the seventh-lowest in the league this season -- seem to have played at least some part in Ekeler's poor efficiency, and his downturn in productivity comes at a particular poor time given that he's scheduled for free agency this spring.

Miller (ankle) did not participate in Thursday's practice.

The rookie running back out of TCU has been held out since Week 10, and it seems as if he's still recovering from his ankle issue. Miller has appeared in seven games for the Saints thus far, recording 83 rushing yards on 28 attempts. He'll almost certainly carry an injury designation into the weekend unless he's able to record a full practice session Friday.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Jones (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Jones was back on the practice field for the first time since suffering an MCL sprain in a Nov. 19 win over the Chargers and missing the Packers' subsequent two games. The running back looks like he could have a chance to return to the lineup Monday against the Giants, though he may need to upgrade to full participation in practice by Saturday or at least maintain limited activity for three straight days. Whenever Jones is deemed ready to go, he should move back into a lead role out of the backfield while AJ Dillon drops back to second on the depth chart. Dillon has carried 32 times for 116 yards (3.6 average) and no touchdowns while adding four receptions for 52 yards on four targets while Jones has been sidelined for the past two games.

Hall (ankle) said Thursday that he expects to play Sunday against the Texans, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Hall didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but the running back's comments suggest that he could practice in some capacity Friday to put to rest some of the concern about his status heading into the weekend. However, unless Hall practices in a full capacity Friday, he may still carry a questionable designation into the weekend for the Jets' second straight game.

Jones (knee) returned to practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jones has missed back-to-back games since spraining his MCL on Sunday, Nov. 19 against the Chargers, and the Packers also listed him as a DNP on every Week 12 and 13 injury report. Considering he took part in individual drills Thursday, he figures to be at least a limited participant, but the team's initial Week 14 practice report will reveal his activity level in the first set of on-field work ahead of Monday's road matchup with the Giants.

Hall (ankle) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Per Al Iannazzone of Newsday, Hall -- who didn't practice Wednesday -- was spotted on a side field Thursday, so what the running back is able to do during Friday's session could be telling with regard to his status for Sunday's game against the Texans. If Hall is limited or out this weekend, Dalvin Cook would be on track to headline the Jets backfield.

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

Pacheco didn't practice Wednesday, either, so what the running back is able to do during Friday's practice -- if anything -- will loom large with regard to his chances of playing Sunday against the Bills. If Pacheco is sidelined this weekend, Jerick McKinnon (groin) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire would likely split work out of the backfield.

Harris (knee) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play Thursday against the Patriots, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Harris was listed as a non-participant on practice reports issued Tuesday and Wednesday, but Pelissero relays that the running back is in line to face New England, barring any pregame setbacks with his knee. Either way, official confirmation of Harris' Week 14 status will arrive once the Steelers' inactive list is released approximately 90 minutes prior to Thursday's 8:15 p.m. ET kickoff.

Head coach Brandon Staley suggested Wednesday that Kelley could see increased opportunities out of the Chargers backfield in the weeks to come, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. "Competition for carries is going to be something that you can see happening," Staley said. "We're going to keep exploring, making adjustments so that we can find that rhythm I've been talking about. That's certainly one way to do it."

Austin Ekeler has struggled badly since his Week 6 return from a high-ankle sprain, and he's averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry on the season, a full yard below his 2022 average. Kelley has seen just 5.1 carries per game since Ekeler returned to the lineup, but the Chargers badly need an offensive spark, and upping Kelley's usage could be a way to improve the overall efficiency in the run game.

Nwangwu (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Nwangwu played eight snaps on special teams and returned a kickoff for 38 yards in the Vikings' Week 12 loss to the Bears, but he may have sustained a concussion at some point along the way. With the benefit of a Week 13 bye, Nwangwu was able to return to the field for the Vikings' first Week 14 practice, but he'll still need to upgrade to full participation by Friday and gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday against the Raiders. If available this weekend, Nwangwu would likely handle kick-return duties while serving as the No. 3 back behind Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler.