NFL news, injury updates: Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons both reportedly suffer torn ACL in Week 15, while playoff picture begins to take shape

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice after returning from a concussion. Running back Javonte Williams was limited with a neck injury. Wideout CeeDee Lamb did not practice due to an illness.

Tackle Tyler Guyton did not participate in practice on Thursday due to an ankle injury. DaRon Bland did not participate in practice with a foot injury. Cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel Jr. were limited on Thursday as they’ve been dealing with knee injuries, as well as a hip issue for Diggs. Safety Donovan Wilson was also limited on Thursday due to knee and hip injuries.

The Seattle Seahawks have activated wide receiver Dareke Young from injured reserve and elevated running back Cam Akers, as well as tackle Amari Kight, from the practice squad to the active roster.

Young has been out since October, dealing with a quad injury. If Akers plays on Thursday night, he’d make his Seahawks debut against the team that selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The New Orleans Saints have placed rookie sixth-round running back Devin Neal on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, effectively ending his season. Neal appeared in 10 games during his rookie campaign, rushing for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns along with 17 receptions for 104 receiving yards.

Lamar Jackson was back at practice on Thursday for the Ravens and officially a full participant after sitting out Wednesday with an illness. Jackson missed three games earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury. The former two-time league MVP has passed for 2,210 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, while completing 63.5% of his passes in 11 games this year.

Linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle C.J. Okoye, wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman were all full participants in Thursday’s practice as well.

Tackle Ronnie Stanley, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and center Tyler Linderbaum were limited on Thursday. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, linebacker Teddye Buchanan, and defensive tackle John Jenkins did not participate in practice on Thursday.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London were both limited participants in practice on Thursday. Both players are dealing with knee injuries. Pitts has not missed any game time with his injury, while London has been out for over a month.

The Philadelphia Eagles still won’t have two of their most important trench players this weekend. They ruled out right tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter for Saturday’s game against the Washington Commanders.

Carter underwent a procedure on both of his shoulders earlier this month. Johnson is dealing with a foot issue and hoped to return to practice this week, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, but the six-time Pro Bowler’s recovery continues.

Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt missed practice again on Thursday due to the lung issue he’s been dealing with. Watt suffered the injury during a dry needling treatment at the team facility last week. With Watt missing another practice, it does not seem like he’ll play against the Detroit Lions in Week 16.

In 13 games this season, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year has recorded 53 total tackles, 18 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 7 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.

The Chicago Bears have ruled out wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III for Saturday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, according to the team’s injury report. With the Bears at 104 and the Packers at 9-4-1, this matchup could decide the winner of the NFC North division.

Odunze did not practice this week after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. He has missed the last two games and has dealt with various foot injuries throughout the season. Odunze has recorded 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns this year.

Burden suffered an ankle injury and did not return in Week 15’s 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. He had been heating up late in his rookie season, recording six or more catches and at least 60 yards in each of the last two games. Burden has totaled 36 catches for 479 yards and one touchdown this season.

Running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Cole Kmet are also listed as questionable against the Packers. Coming off a two-touchdown performance, DJ Moore is expected to see the bulk of the targets.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) was in practice on Thursday but showed up toward the end of the open portion. Higgins has been in the league’s concussion protocol.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was on the field for practice on Thursday. Harrison has not played since Nov. 30 in the Cardinals’ loss to the Bucs. He’s been dealing with a heel injury.

Left tackle Paris Johnson, right tackle Kelvin Beachum, left guard Evan Brown, cornerback Max Melton, safety Jalen Thompson, and defensive back Darren Hall were absent from the open portion of practice on Thursday. However, Thompson did work on the side of the field with trainers, according to Cardinals beat reporter Theo Mackie.

The New York Jets have signed quarterback Hendon Hooker to the practice squad. Hoker was a third-round pick for the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s session with an illness.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed is back after missing Wednesday’s practice due to a personal matter. Wideout Christian Watson (chest/shoulder) is practicing for the second consecutive day.

Running back Josh Jacobs, safety Evan Williams, offensive lineman Zach Tom, and tight end Josh Whyle did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed linebacker Jeremiah Moon and waived defensive tackle Brodric Maring. Moon appeared in 13 games with the Steelers in 2024. He’d spent a portion of this season with the Carolina Panthers and played in one game.

Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams told reporters he suffered an MCL sprain against Denver last week, and it just so happened to take place on the same play where Micah Parsons tore his ACL.

“I look up thinking there’s going to be a couple trainers, there’s one holding a water bottle.”

According to Williams, his status is day-to-day.

Evans, who will be 32 in August, is in his 12th NFL season, all with the Buccaneers.

He’s surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in 11 of those 12 seasons and reached double digits in touchdowns six times. The 2025 season is the only one where he will not have 1,000 receiving yards after missing six weeks due to a broken collarbone.

The Seahawks could clinch a playoff spot on Thursday night when they take on the Rams.

Seattle needs a win or a tie against LA or see the Lions lose to tie against the Steelers on Sunday.

More NFL playoff scenarios for the AFC and NFC can be found here.

The Los Angeles Rams are supposed to be leaving for Seattle this afternoon, but are now apparently facing an equipment issue with their plane.

The Los Angeles Rams will likely be without Davante Adams on Thursday night in Seattle. The team has listed Adams as doubtful for their contest with the Seahawks due to a hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday.

Rams coach Sean McVay said on Tuesday that they were going to give Adams “every chance” to play on the short week, and that they would take it “all the way up to game time” before making a decision. Now, though, it seems unlikely that he’ll play on a short week.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald announced that Josh Jones will start at left tackle on Thursday night against the Rams. Left tackle Charles Cross is dealing with a hamstring injury. Jones was a third-round pick for Arizona in 2020.