NFL Player News
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Zach Tom OG | GB
Packers' Zach Tom: Questionable for Week 16
Tom (back/knee) is questionable to play in Saturday's contest against the Bears, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official website reports.
Tom was unable to practice at all during the week, placing some significant doubt on his ability to play in Week 16. The offensive lineman is dealing with back and knee injuries, and if he can't go versus Chicago, Darian Kinnard (neck) would be a top candidate to draw the start at right tackle.
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Brian O'Neill OT | MIN
Vikings' Brian O'Neill: Returns to practice
O'Neill (heel) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
O'Neill was unable to practice Wednesday as he was nursing a heel injury, but he was able to return to the field Thursday, albeit in limited fashion. The offensive lineman will have one more shot to log a full practice prior to Sunday's contest against the Giants.
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Ryan Kelly C | MIN
Vikings' Ryan Kelly: Back at practice
Kelly (knee) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
Kelly was unavailable for Wednesday's first session of the week, but he was able to make his return to practice Thursday. The offensive lineman is dealing with an apparent knee injury, and he'll have one more chance to log a full practice before Sunday's contest against the Giants.
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Zach Frazier C | PIT
Steelers' Zach Frazier: Added to injury report
Frazier (triceps) did not practice Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.
Frazier wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, so his triceps issue appears to have occurred during practice. The starting center's presence will now need to be monitored ahead of Sunday's contest against Detroit. Frazier will have one more chance to get back on the practice field for Week 16 on Friday.
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Charlie Smyth K | NO
Saints' Charlie Smyth: Will join 53-man roster and start
Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Thursday that Smyth will be signed from the practice squad to the active roster in advance of Sunday's game against the Jets, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Smyth has exhausted his practice-squad elevations after appearing in each of New Orleans' last three games, in which span he converted four of five field-goal attempts and all five of his extra-point tries. He'll remain the Saints' starting kicker for the remainder of the regular season and work to continue displaying consistency.
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Damien Lewis G | CAR
Panthers' Damien Lewis: Returns to practice
Lewis (illness) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
Lewis was able to return to practice after missing Wednesday's session due to an illness. The offensive lineman will have one more chance to log a full practice prior to Sunday's matchup with the Buccaneers.
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DaRon Bland CB | DAL
Cowboys' DaRon Bland: Facing surgery
Bland is expected to require surgery on his left foot, but he's seeking a second opinion, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Bland sustained a foot injury in the team's Week 15 loss to the Vikings, and he's now facing the prospect of undergoing surgery on his left foot for the second straight year. No surgery has been scheduled yet, but the cornerback will likely be placed on injured reserve in the near future, bringing his season to an end anyway. In his absence, Trikweze Bridges, Caelen Carson (shoulder) and Shavon Revel (knee) will all have chances to step into more prominent roles in the secondary.
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E.J. Speed LB | HOU
Texans' E.J. Speed: Upgrades to limited practice
Speed (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Speed sat out Wednesday's practice entirely after having missed Week 15 versus Arizona. His return to practice Thursday, even as a limited participant, bodes well for his odds of gaining clearance for Sunday's game against the Raiders. To return Week 16, however, Speed may have to prove he can handle full practice reps Friday.
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Sheldon Rankins DT | HOU
Texans' Sheldon Rankins: Logs limited practice Thursday
Rankins (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Rankin sat out practice Wednesday, but he's making progress with his knee issue. If the veteran defensive lineman can upgrade to full practice reps Friday, he'll have a solid chance to avoid an injury designation entirely for Sunday's game against the Raiders.
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Sam Okuayinonu DT | SF
49ers' Sam Okuayinonu: Logs limited practice
Okuayinonu (ankle) logged a limited practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
This marked Okuayinonu's first practice since suffering an ankle injury in San Francisco's Week 12 matchup. Though it's a positive sign, his status for Monday's game against the Colts remains unclear.