NFL news, injury updates: Raiders reportedly placing TE Brock Bowers on IR, Lamar Jackson sits out practice again ahead of Week 17

Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was a last-minute addition to the Washington Commanders’ injury report. Rodriguez is questionable with an illness in Thursday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

In last week’s 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Rodriguez rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown.

If Rodriguez can not give it a go, expect rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols to receive the bulk of the carries. Croskey-Merritt had 25 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Eagles.

The Carolina Panthers had three players sit out Wednesday’s practice. Wideout Tetairoa McMillan took a rest day, while linebacker Trevin Wallace was out with a shoulder injury. Guard Rob Hunt was limited with a biceps injury.

Seattle Seahawks tackle Charles Cross did not practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. Safety Coby Bryant also missed practice with a knee injury. Cross has started 14 games this season, and Bryant 15.

The Minnesota Vikings placed center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve after the four-time Pro Bowler suffered his third concussion of the season during a 16-13 win over the New York Giants last week.

Kelly has had six documented concussions since he began his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, according to ESPN.

The Los Angeles Rams are considering shutting down wide receiver Davante Adams as he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury since Week 15, according to ESPN. He missed the team’s Week 16 loss to Seattle and could sit out Week 17 as well. Despite Adams making good progress with the injury, the Rams could opt to sit him out for the remainder of the season since they’ve already clinched a playoff spot. LA ends the season with games against Atlanta and Arizona.

In his first year with the Rams, Adams has appeared in 14 games, grabbing 60 receptions for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Houston Texans Pro Bowl cornerback Dereck Stingley Jr. was limited in practice on Wednesday due to an oblique injury. Tackles Trent Brown (ankle/knee) and Aireontae Ersery (thumb) did not practice, along with defensive end Denico Autry (knee). Cornerback Kamari Lassiter (foot/knee) was also limited.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown missed Wednesday’s practice after having his wisdom teeth removed, as reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

But Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was out there as a full participant. He has missed the past three games after undergoing a procedure on both of his shoulders.

That said, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson is still sidelined with a foot injury.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough practiced fully on Wednesday despite dealing with a hip injury. Shough has been dealing with the hip issue, but has remained a full participant in practice and even played 76 of 78 snaps in Sunday’s win over the Jets.

The LA Rams designated cornerback Roger McCreary to return to practice on Wednesday from injured reserve. McCreary has been on IR since injuring his hip in Week 12.

The Packers’ QB situation remainsn murky as Love is limited in practice and Willis did not practice on Wednesday.

Kittle reportedly avoided a high ankle sprain in Monday night’s win over the Colts.

Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton remain in concussion protocol and have been placed on injured reserve, ending their seasons. Joining the on IR will be cornerbcks Trent McDuffie (knee) and Jaylen Watson (groin).

Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt returned to practice Wednesday, as reported by ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Watt missed the past two games while recovering from surgery that stabilized and repaired a partially collapsed lung that he suffered after a dry needling treatment session at the Steelers’ facility earlier this month, according to his brother and former NFL star J.J. Watt.

Jackson is dealing with a back contusion and sat out practice for a second straight day.

On Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called Jackson “day-to-day” after the quarterback took a knee to the back in Week 16 and left the game against New England early.

Harbaugh said Wednesday it’s “undetermined” whether Jackson will play.

Tyler Huntley will be QB1 for Saturday’s game against the Green Bay Packers should Jackson be unable to go.

Marcus Mariota, starting in place of Jayden Daniels, who is done for the season, injured his hand and quad on the same play during Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. On Wednesday, Commanders head coach ruled him out for Christmas Day and said veteran quarterback Josh Johnson will get the start.

Johnson went 5-for-9 for 43 yards and an interception filling in for Mariota on Sunday.

The 39-year-old has played for 14 different NFL teams and is in his second stint with Washington.

Quinn said that the team is hopeful that Mariota will be healthy enough to start Week 18 against the Eagles.

The Las Vegas Raiders are shutting down TE Brock Bowers for the remainder of the 2025 season, reportedly to place him on injured reserve today, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday.

Bowers has dealt with a knee injury that’s limited him to just 12 games played this season.

The news comes at a bad time for fantasy football managers hoping to have the star tight end available for Week 17 (championship week for most leagues). Bowers has scored four touchdowns over the last four games, ranked as the overall TE4 in fantasy over that span despite a relatively slow start to the season.

Jordan Love remains in concussion protocol after getting injured Sunday against the Bears. Willis was limited in Tuesday’s practice with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 16.

Gardner has missed three straight games for the Colts with a calf issue.

Despite an injury scare last week, Josh Allen is good to go.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback said on Tuesday that he “will be playing, planning on playing” against the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend. That came after he went down with a foot injury in last week’s game that also kept him out of Tuesday’s walkthrough.

“I mean, [it’s] still sore,” Allen said. “Walk-through today, so really not practice in general. So yeah, … feeling good.”

For more on Josh Allen’s injury, click here.

DK Metcalf will miss the rest of the regular season after all. The NFL upheld Metcalf’s two-game suspension on Tuesday, which will now officially keep him out of the Steelers’ Week 17 and Week 18 matchups.

Metcalf got into it with a Lions fan on Sunday and swung at him on the sidelines at Ford Field. The suspension will cost Metcalf more than $555,000 over the next two weeks and more than $45 million in guaranteed money over the next two years.

For more on Metcalf’s suspension, click here.