NFL Player News

Mooney (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The knee injury appears to be a new issue for Mooney, given that he was not listed on Wednesday's practice report. His participation in Friday's practice will determine whether he enters Sunday's regular-season finale against the Saints with an injury designation. If Mooney is unable to play, then David Sills, Dylan Drummond and Deven Thompkins would be in line for more offensive snaps in Week 18.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.

Jacobs has been battling lower-body injuries since he sustained a knee injury Week 11 at the Giants. He sat out Week 12 against the Vikings as a result, but he's suited up for each of the last five contests, totaling 73 touches during that span. Jacobs actually ranked third among Packers RBs in offensive snaps (13) behind Chris Brooks (21) and Emanuel Wilson (17) in Week 17, and with the team locked in to the No. 7 seed in the NFC side of the playoffs, Jacobs could find himself inactive Sunday at Minnesota to get him as healthy as possible for the postseason.

Rankins (elbow) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Rankins was held out of Wednesday's practice due to an elbow issue, but he was able to return Thursday in a limited capacity. He would likely avoid an injury designation for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Colts if he were to practice in full Friday. Rankins has accumulated 25 tackles (10 solo), including 2.0 sacks, and one fumble recovery in the 11 games since the Texans' Week 6 bye.

Waddle (ribs) returned to a limited practice Thursday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

After missing practice Wednesday, Waddle's return to a capped session a day later bodes well for his chances of being available for Sunday's season finale against the Patriots. Friday's final injury report is set to determine whether the Dolphins' top wideout heads into the weekend with an injury designation or cleared to face New England in Week 18.

Stingley (oblique) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Stingley was held out of Wednesday's practice while managing an oblique issue, but the fourth-year corner was able to log a limited session Thursday. Given that the Texans could still win the AFC South division title, Stingley would likely be available for Sunday's game against the Colts unless he were to suffer a setback. Friday's practice report will determine whether he enters Week 18 with an injury designation.

Jackson (back) practiced fully Thursday.

Jackson, who was inactive Week 17 due to a back contusion, now has logged consecutive full practices, and when asked whether he'd be available to start in Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Steelers, the QB left little doubt that he plans to play, noting that he will "100 percent" be out there Week 18. Meanwhile, Jackson, who indicated Thursday that he feels "great" at this stage, plans to use extra padding to protect his back this weekend in a game in which the AFC North title is on the line, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Hockenson (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.

Hockenson has now been listed as a non-participant on five consecutive practice reports due to a shoulder issue, and he wasn't able to suit up Week 17. Barring a surprising return to the practice field Friday, it appears as though Hockenson is trending in the wrong direction to suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Josh Oliver will operate as Minnesota's starting tight end if Hockenson is unable to play in Week 18.

Al-Shaair (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

The veteran linebacker was held out of Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury but was able to return in a limited capacity Thursday. Al-Shaair would likely avoid an injury designation for Sudnay's regular-season finale against the Colts if he were to log a full practice Friday.

St. Brown (knee/ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice.

St. Brown sat out Wednesday's practice due to knee and ankle injuries, the former of which has been described by coach Dan Campbell as "irritation." In the Lions' Week 17 loss at Minnesota, St. Brown handled his typical 83 percent snap share en route to eight catches (on 13 targets) for 68 yards. Friday's injury report will unveil whether or not he enters the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game in Chicago.

Burks (illness) did not practice Thursday.

Burks wasn't listed on Wednesday's injury report, an indication that his illness is a new development. Unless he's able to resume practicing in full Friday, it appears that Burks will be assigned an injury designation for Washington's season finale against the Eagles on Sunday, for which third-string quarterback Josh Johnson is trending toward another start.