NFL Player News

Marks (ankle) wasn't spotted at practice Thursday, Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Marks hasn't practiced in any fashion since exiting this past Sunday's 40-20 win over the Cardinals due to an ankle injury, so at least for the time being, his availability for this weekend's game against the Raiders is in question. If Marks ends up sitting out the Week 16 game or is available only for limited snaps, Nick Chubb (ribs)-- if available -- and Jawhar Jordan would be in line to see added snaps and touches out of the backfield.

Mahomes has begun rehab following surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, and the Chiefs are optimistic that the star quarterback could be back as soon as Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, ESPN.com reports.

Head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder told reporters Wednesday that Mahomes' operation with Dr. Dan Cooper was successful, per Jesse Newell of The Athletic. The recovery process for injuries similar to Mahomes' typically takes around nine months. The 2026 regular season is expected to kick off Sept. 10, so Mahomes has a realistic chance of being back early in the season, and possibly as soon as Week 1, if all goes to plan with his recovery. Gardner Minshew is Kansas City's starting quarterback for the remainder of the 2025 season following Mahomes' injury in Week 15.

Collins (neck/concussion) will not practice Thursday, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Collins initially participated in practice upon being designated for return from injured reserve Dec. 10, but he suffered a setback Friday and has trended in the wrong direction since. At this stage, it appears unlikely that Collins will gain clearance for Sunday's game against the Vikings, and his overall odds of retaking the field this season are uncertain.

Kincaid (knee) isn't practicing Thursday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Kincaid was also deemed a non-participant for Wednesday's walk-through practice, so what he's able to do Friday will loom large in determining his status for Sunday's game against the Browns. If Kincaid isn't available this weekend, Dawson Knox would likely be in line for elevated snaps as the Bills' clear top tight end.

Njoku (knee) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.

Njoku, who was also a spectator for Wednesday's practice, will have one more chance to get in some on-field work before the Browns post their Week 16 injury designations Friday. If Njoku ends up missing his second straight game Sunday versus the Bills, rookie tight end Harold Fannin would once again be locked in for a sizable role after playing 90-plus percent of the offensive snaps in each of the previous four games.

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.