NFL Player News

Chestnut played all 20 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Saints.

Chestnut has been active for all 16 of the Titans' games to date but has remained an afterthought on offense when Tennessee has had both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears available out of the backfield. For the season, Chestnut has logged just 11 carries (for 40 yards) and has drawn just two catchless targets.

Mullings gained four yards on his lone carry in Sunday's 34-26 loss to the Saints.

Mullings took the field for the just one of the Titans' 74 snaps on offense in the loss, carrying the ball on the final play of the game as Tennessee wound out the clock. Since being activated from injured reserve in late November, the rookie sixth-round pick out of Michigan has suited up in six straight games but has logged just three carries for seven yards. He's seen most of his playing time on special teams while Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears have worked ahead of him at running back.

Coach Shane Steichen confirmed Wednesday that Leonard will start Sunday's season finale against the Texans, JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site reports.

Additionally, Steichen noted that the Colts won't activate Anthony Richardson (orbital) from injured reserve this week. Veteran signal-caller Philip Rivers' three-week stint as the team's starter thus concludes, with practice squad member Seth Henigan a candidate to be elevated ahead of Week 18 action in order to back Leonard up. Leonard represents a fantasy lineup option for those scrambling for QB help this weekend, given that teams such as the Chargers (who plan to rest Justin Herbert) may elect to keep a number of starters out of harm's way.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday that Kittle (ankle) is trending in the right direction to suit up Saturday night versus the Seahawks, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle wasn't able to practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out to face the Bears in Week 17, but he managed to get in limited on-field reps during Tuesday's session. Barring any setbacks, the standout tight end looks on track to return to action versus Seattle on Saturday, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be officially assigned an injury designation on Thursday's practice report. Kittle's status will be crucial for Brock Purdy and the 49ers' offense, as the victor of Saturday's showdown will not only win the NFC West but also the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Wednesday that McCaffrey (back) is trending in the right direction to play Saturday against the Seahawks, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

McCaffrey could not practice Tuesday due to back stiffness, leaving him two more opportunities to retake the practice field in advance of Saturday night's showdown against Seattle, the winner of which will clinch the NFC West title and the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC. The 49ers may in part simply be taking a cautious approach to McCaffrey's health due to both his importance as the focal engine of the team's offense and the fact that he's handled 20-plus touches in five consecutive games. McCaffrey previously played through this back injury early December, but he hadn't been listed on San Francisco's injury reports in Week 16 and Week 17.

Ouzts went without a target or carry while playing 14 of the Seahawks' 66 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.

Ouzts was a healthy inactive for the Seahawks' Week 15 win over the Colts, but he's otherwise suited up for every contest since Seattle's Week 8 bye. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Alabama continues to work ahead of Brady Russell on offense as Seattle's top fullback, but he's been deployed almost exclusively as a blocker when he's on the field. Ouzts has yet to carry the ball and hasn't been targeted on any of the 29 routes he's ran across 182 total snaps on offense this season.

Russell played all 19 of his snaps on special teams in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.

For the second week in a row, the Seahawks kept two fullbacks active in Russell and Robbie Ouzts, but only the latter player saw action on offense (14 snaps). Russell has suited up for all 16 of the Seahawks' games to date but hasn't logged a carry or target while playing 54 total snaps on offense. He's been a core member of Seattle's special-teams units, where he's tallied 14 tackles (10 solo).

Kallerup went without a target while playing seven of the Seahawks' 66 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.

The undrafted rookie tight end out of Minnesota has now suited up in nine consecutive games for the Seahawks, but he's been targeted just once during that stretch and has yet to notch his first NFL reception.

Kupp recorded a six-yard reception on three targets in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers.

Kupp continued to start for Seattle and played 58 of the team's 66 snaps on offense (88 percent), but he was once again an afterthought in a low-volume Seahawks passing offense. Top wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba remained the focal point of the offensive attack, commanding targets on 12 of quarterback Sam Darnold's 27 throws. Meanwhile, no other pass catcher drew more than three targets. The 32-year-old has generally enjoyed a healthy first season in Seattle while suiting up in 15 of the Seahawks' first 16 games, but he's scored just two touchdowns and has topped 50 receiving yards on just three occasions.

James played just two snaps -- both on special teams -- in Sunday's 42-38 win over the Bears.

After he was inactive for each of the 49ers' first 14 games, James suited up in Week 16 as the 49ers' No. 3 running back over Isaac Guerendo. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Oregon played just three snaps on offense in the 21-point win over the Colts, and with Sunday's contest proving to be more competitive, James disappeared from the game plan entirely. James could once again get the nod over Guerendo in Saturday's regular-season finale versus the Seahawks, but with the NFC West title on the line, expect Christian McCaffrey (back) and Brian Robinson to handle all of the available snaps at running back.