NFL Player News

“Jermar had the ankle and everything. He started the week. He was another kid that had flu. So he wasn’t even around and so we just trusted Craig [Reynolds].” Campbell made it sound like Detroit’s backfield plan was a seat-of-pants decision. The Lions’ coach put part of the Week 14 loss on Godwin Igwebuike’s drive killing fumble in the third quarter. Jefferson was active but played three snaps, while Reynolds, on the practice squad until this week, led the team with 13 touches. With D’Andre Swift a candidate for IR and Jamaal Williams (COVID) potentially shut down, the Lions look intent to mothball Jefferson, who they traded up to draft and has two touchdowns on 10 carries this season.

With offseason wrist surgery likely looming and the season already a lost cause at 4-12, the Panthers would be wise to shut Legette down. It remains to be seen whether they will do that though and the rookie receiver will undoubtedly push to play through the two issues.

Valdes-Scantling got a limited session in Wednesday before being listed as a full-go for the Thursday practice. Assuming no setbacks, the 30-year-old should be able to play against the Buccaneers in Week 18, and should be on fantasy benches either way.

This is a new injury for Mooney so Friday’s injury report should be closely followed. The Falcons notably downgraded six players to limited on Thursday so it is possible this is a precautionary load-maintenance move. The Falcons are on the playoff bubble so expect Mooney to play through the injury, if at all possible.

It doesn’t appear that Miller has made it through the concussion protocol, and it’s getting late for him to get enough work in to be able to play what is ultimately a meaningless game against the Bucs. Alvin Kamara (groin) also appears to be on the wrong side of being able to play in the finale.

That makes back-to-back practices that Kamara has missed with his groin injury ahead of the finale against the Buccaneers. Kendre Miller (concussion) also was unable to practice thus far, so it sounds like it’ll be Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jamaal Williams who get the bulk of the carries against Tampa Bay in Week 18.

It’s looking plausible — maybe even likely — that Carr is going to miss another game to end a disastrous season for the Saints. If the 33-year-old veteran does miss that Week 18 game against the Buccaneers it’ll be Spencer Rattler getting another start.

This is likely a non-issue. London initially popped up on the Week 16 injury report with a knee injury but has not missed any time, most recently catching 7-of-13 targets for 106 yards in Week 17. The Falcons have six players who were full participants on Wednesday and were downgraded to limited on Thursday, including London, which suggests this is just part of a pre-planned maintenance program.

Nabers dealt with a toe injury heading into Week 17 against the Colts, only to go nuclear on Sunday with a line of 7-171-1 on eight targets. This is an injury he’s already played through, meaning we’d expect him to suit up for the season-finale, barring any kind a setback. Nabers has caught 104 passes for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns this season and is in a race with Raiders tight end Brock Bowers to set the rookie receptions record. Bowers currently holds the record with 108 receptions on the year and will also look to add to his total in Week 18 against the Chargers.

Brooks has proven himself as a capable backfield contributor this season so his continued limited participation could simply reflect a conservative approach with the Packers’ Super Bowl aspirations in mind. Still, Emanuel Wilson should factor in this week with Josh Jacobs also limited by a wrist injury.

During Jacobs’ Thursday media session in the Packers’ locked room, Jacobs told reporters, “I don’t see me taking that many carries in this game... I’m playing. But I don’t see myself taking 30 carries.” The Packers have already clinched a playoff spot though seeding is still subject to change. Jacobs can be expected to play efficient, per usual, but Emanuel Wilson looks like a potential dark horse to lead the Packers’ backfield in carries this week. Chris Brooks (ankle) likewise remains limited through two practices this week.