NFL Player News

Skowronek (hand) was a limited participant in Friday's practice, Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site reports.

Skowronek was unable to practice Wednesday, so an upgrade in participation level is a good sign for the wide receiver's chances of playing in Monday night's game against the Dolphins. The 28-year-old will have one more opportunity to upgrade to a full participant and avoid an injury designation for Monday's game.

Van Ness (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Van Ness has missed seven of the Packers' last eight games due to a foot injury, but he has a chance to return Sunday after logging a full week of limited practices. If he's given the green light to return, he would operate in a rotational role at defensive end behind starters Rashan Gary and Micah Parsons.

Lloyd (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Lloyd continues to progress in his recovery from a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve to open the season. He has been limited in practice since being designated to return from IR on Dec. 1 and is not quite ready to make his 2025 regular-season debut, which leaves Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks as the top backfield depth options behind Josh Jacobs (knee). Lloyd's next opportunity to suit up is Week 16 against the Bears on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Adkins (knee) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Adkins' availability for Week 15 was initially suspected when the Broncos waived fellow tight end Marcedes Lewis on Thursday. Adkins has been absent since Week 9 with a persistent knee injury, and his return to the lineup is a valuable addition to a Broncos team that is attempting to secure the AFC's top seed. Adkins has six receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets through six games this season. The 26-year-old's ability to block for the run and pass game is arguably more valuable to the team, but he also has solid receiving upside.

Thornton (concussion) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Eagles.

After being limited Wednesday, Thornton worked fully Thursday and Friday, and in the process he progressed through the NFL's concussion protocol. However, with an 8-123-0 line on 25 targets through 11 games, Thornton is off the fantasy radar while working in a Las Vegas WR corps that also includes Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Tyler Lockett.

Bullard (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Broncos, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Bullard has been working through a lingering ankle injury since mid-November but has not missed a game. That trend will continue after the second-year pro was a full participant in Friday's practice, which was good enough to fade an injury tag for Sunday's road tilt. In the nine games since the Packers' Week 5 bye, Bullard has accumulated 42 tackles (24 solo), two pass defenses and one fumble recovery.

Vaki (thumb) is questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Rams, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com reports.

Vaki was limited in practice throughout the week with a thumb injury he suffered in Week 13 against the Packers. Given that he played through the injury in Week 14, the 24-year-old should have a good chance to play Sunday against the Rams, barring a setback. Should he sit out, Jacob Saylors will serve as the No. 3 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Smartt (concussion) practiced fully Friday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Smartt advanced from a non-participant Wednesday to a full participant in Friday's session, but evidently he's yet to clear the NFL's concussion protocol, given that he carries a 'questionable' designation for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.

Williams (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site reports.

Williams was limited all week in practice and has a chance to return Sunday from a two-game absence due to a foot injury. The rookie third-rounder hasn't seen much work on offense, but his return would give the Packers another return weapon on kickoffs. If Williams is not cleared to play, then Bo Melton and Emanuel Wilson would continue to handle the return duties on kickoffs.

Williams (hand) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

Williams managed to upgrade to full practice participation Friday, just in time to avoid an injury designation for Sunday's contest. The linebacker played 100 percent of defensive snaps in last Sunday's loss to the Dolphins and has not dropped below a 71 percent snap share since returning from a shoulder injury in Week 8.