NFL Player News

Sampson (hand/calf) is not participating in Thursday's practice, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Sampson appears to be trending toward a second consecutive absence, which would position Trayveon Williams to again handle the No. 2 RB role behind Quinshon Judkins, while Raheim Sanders is on hand for reserve duties. Sampson will have one final chance to get back on the practice field Friday, at which point the Browns will decide his initial injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bills.

Tunsil (oblique) is ruled out for Saturday's game against the Eagles, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site reports.

Tunsil is nursing an oblique strain and will be forced to miss at least one game, leaving Brandon Coleman in position to start at left tackle and protect quarterback Marcus Mariota. After Saturday's matchup, Tunsil will have two more opportunities to retake the field before the end of the 2025 regular season.

Allen is poised to operate as the No. 2 running back behind Travis Etienne beginning Sunday at Denver, and as long as Bhayshul Tuten (finger) has to be sidelined, Paul Bretl of USA Today reports.

Allen has regularly handled the No. 3 backfield role behind Tuten this year, but across 14 regular-season appearances he's looked solid in limited opportunities. On the season, Allen has carried the ball 18 times for 81 yards and secured 10 of 11 targets for 54 yards, while also piling up 486 yards as a kick returner. Head coach Liam Coen praised Allen as a player who "runs violently and has taken care of the football," while quarterback Trevor Lawrence expressed confidence that the rookie seventh-round pick will "take this opportunity, run with it, and play well." That said, Allen's first opportunity to show what he's capable of in the No. 2 role will come versus a stingy Denver defense, so it may be prudent not to set expectations too high.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that Jacobs (knee/ankle) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jacobs will finish out Week 16 prep without having taken any on-field reps, but LaFleur isn't closing the door on the running back being available for Saturday's game against the Bears. LaFleur noted that the Packers will take a decision on Jacobs' status all the way up until the team has to release its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Saturday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff, which suggests that the 27-year-old will likely be officially listed as questionable when Green Bay's final injury report of the week is posted later Thursday. Jacobs has been dealing with a recurrence of stiffness and swelling in his left knee along with an ankle injury following the team's Week 15 loss to Denver, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that Jacobs is likely to play this weekend, despite his lack of practice time leading up the contest.

The Colts announced Thursday that Scott (knee) has been designated to return from IR, Amanda Foster of the team's official site reports.

Scott will have a 21-day window wherein he can practice without counting against the 53-man roster. He can be activated from IR at any point in that span, making Monday's game against the 49ers his earliest possible return date. Once back to full health, Scott will stand to operate as one of Indianapolis' top reserve safeties.

The Colts opened Richardson's (orbital) 21-day practice window Thursday, Amanda Foster of the team's official site reports.

Per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis, Richardson, who last practiced Oct. 10, is likely to be eased back into drills, with some scout-team reps possibly on tap during Thursday's session. While Richardson's return to practice is a step in the right direction, head coach Shane Steichen noted that the signal-caller "still has some vision limitations" as a result of fracturing the orbital bone in his right eye and won't be available for Monday's game against the 49ers. With Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season, Philip Rivers is currently the top quarterback on the Colts' roster, while Riley Leonard is next up on the depth chart.

Smith (ankle) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.

Smith missed Kansas City's last three games due to an ankle sprain, but it appears he's back to full health and ready for Sunday's road matchup against the Titans. With Patrick Mahomes (knee) done for the year, Smith will work to keep Gardner Minshew upright as he returns to his usual starting role at right guard.

Cooks (undisclosed) was not listed on Wednesday's injury report.

Cooks was spotted entering the X-ray room with trainers after Buffalo's win over the Patriots in Week 15, but he appears to have only been receiving a precautionary examination. The veteran wideout didn't record a catch versus New England, but his three targets were the second most on the team. He'll continue operating as a depth wideout for Buffalo in Sunday's road matchup against the Browns.

Odunze (foot) is not expected to suit up for Saturday's game against the Packers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Odunze was initially listed as active for Chicago's win over the Browns, but he aggravated the stress fracture in his foot during pregame warmups and was made a late scratch. The 2024 first-round pick has not practiced since, and head coach Ben Johnson said Monday that "all options are on the table" for Odunze's recovery, including resting him ahead of the playoffs. With Luther Burden (ankle) also looking uncertain for Saturday's divisional matchup, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay could be tasked with handling starting roles in three-wide sets behind DJ Moore.

Jacobs (knee/ankle) is expected to be available for Saturday's road matchup against the Bears, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Jacobs has stated that he expects to play Week 16, but he sat out Wednesday's practice and Tuesday's walkthrough session. The workhorse running back may need to upgrade to at least limited practice reps Thursday in order to gain clearance, however. He logged a DNP/DNP/LP practice slate Week 15 and was initially listed as questionable for Green Bay's loss to the Broncos, in which he rushed the ball 12 times for 73 yards and a touchdown and added two receptions on three targets for 19 yards and another score.