NFL injury updates, latest league news from Tuesday, Dec. 21

After missing the last two games due to multiple injuries, Elijah Mitchell could re-join the San Francisco 49ers for Thursday Night Football.

General manager John Lynch revealed during a Tuesday appearance on KNBR 680 that the rookie running back's lingering knee injury has "taken a positive turn," per San Jose Mercury News.

Mitchell is being considered a game-time decision for the Niners' TNF matchup against the Titans, according to Lynch.

The dynamic first-year player injured his knee and suffered a concussion in a Week 13 loss to Seattle. The injuries sidelined Mitchell for Weeks 14 and 15, leaving Jeff Wilson to take up RB1 duties. Wilson compiled a combined 34 carries for 166 yards, to go with a pair of TDs scored this past Sunday in a win over Atlanta.

Lynch's update, along with the news of Mitchell clearing concussion protocol on Monday, suggests a return is near. If the standout is indeed activated, it would provide a big boost for San Francisco as it looks to continue earn its sixth win in seven games.

Injuries/COVID-19

• Arizona Cardinals receiver Rondale Moore (ankle) and defensive lineman Jordan Phillips (knee) aren't expected to practice much to begin the week but the team hopes they'll ramp up their activity as the week progresses, per head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Moore, Phillips, running back James Conner (heel) and linebacker Isaiah Simmons (shoulder) were listed as DNP on the estimated injury report. Tight end Zach Ertz (hamstring) and WR Antoine Wesley (ankle) were limited.
• The Baltimore Ravens placed linebacker Pernell McPhee on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Buffalo Bills placed receiver Cole Beasley on the reserve/COVID-19 list, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Beasley, who is unvaccinated, will miss 10 days, meaning he will not play against the Patriots on Sunday.
• The Carolina Panthers placed cornerback A.J. Bouye (foot) on injured reserve. He joins CBs Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson.
• The Chicago Bears removed cornerbacks Duke Shelley and Artie Burns from the reserve/COVID-19 list, and placed defensive lineman Bilal Nichols on the list.
• The Cincinnati Bengals placed linebacker Joe Bachie (knee) on injured reserve. Cincy activated LB Clay Johnston from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• An MRI confirmed Cleveland Browns defensive end Takkarist McKinley suffered a torn Achilles against the Raiders, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. McKinley was later placed on injured reserve. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters DE Myles Garrett, who injured his groin on Monday night, is still awaiting the results of a pending MRI; he was listed as a DNP along with safety John Johnson (hamstring) and cornerback Greg Newsome II (concussion). Johnson is day-to-day. Center JC Tretter (knee) was limited. Also, Stefanski and quarterback Baker Mayfield (COVID) are expected to re-join the team for Week 16.
• The Denver Broncos activated running back Mike Boone from the COVID list, and placed fullback Andrew Beck on injured reserve.
• Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur said he doesn't anticipate left tackle David Bakhtiari or cornerback Jaire Alexander playing in Week 16 versus the Browns. Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Running back Aaron Jones (knee) was listed as limited on the estimated injury report; quarterback Aaron Rodgers (toe) was a DNP.
• Indianapolis Colts safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (illness) did not practice.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars placed running back Carlos Hyde and defensive back Rayshawn Jenkinson injured reserve.
• The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to place receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Blake Bell and cornerback Rashad Fenton on the reserve/COVID-19 list, per Pelissero. All three were later placed on the list, along with linebacker Nick Bolton, safety Armani Watts, and offensive linemen Kyle Long and Lucas Niang. Practice squad receiver Daurice Fountain and linebacker Darius Harris were also added to the list.
• Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram suffered a dislocated shoulder versus Cleveland, Pelissero reported. Abram is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity.
• The Los Angeles Chargers placed quarterback Chase Daniel and defensive end Joe Gaziano on the COVID list.
• The Los Angeles Rams activated linebackers Von Miller and Christian Rozeboom from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Running back Jake Funk and LB Travin Howardwere activated from IR.
• The Minnesota Vikings activated receiver Dede Westbrook and defensive end Danielle Hunter from the COVID list. Hunter (torn pec) remains on season-ending IR.
• The New England Patriots activated tight end Dalton Keene from the COVID list. Keene (knee) has not played this season.
• The New Orleans Saints placed tight end Juwan Johnson on the COVID list.
• The New York Jets placed tight end Ryan Griffin (knee) on injured reserve, and activated quarterback Mike White from the reserve/COVID list. Defensive back Michael Carter and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker were placed on the COVID list.
• Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters tight end Pat Freiermuth is still in concussion protocol.
• The San Francisco 49ers designated running back Trey Sermon to return from injured reserve.
• Seattle Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan is doubtful to return versus the Rams with a knee injury. Receiver Tyler Lockett, and running backs Alex Collins and Travis Homer, were among the seven players unable to clear COVID protocols prior to Tuesday's game. Practice squad tight end Ryan Izzo was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed receiver Chris Godwin (torn ACL) and defensive lineman Pat O'Connor on IR.
• Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said wideout A.J. Brown (chest) will participate in Tuesday's walkthrough. His game status for Thursday against the 49ers will be determined later in the week. Wideout Julio Jones' (hamstring) status is also up in the air. "We'll see how he does in practice and what he's able to do," Vrabel said. "Then we'll take it down to game time."
• Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson (ankle) was ruled out in the second half of Tuesday's game against the Eagles, as was defense end Daniel Wise (knee). Safety Landon Collins was deemed questionable with a foot injury and never returned against the Eagles. Collins had a highlight-reel interception earlier in the first half. Defensive end Daniel Wise (knee) is also questionable to return. Washington started quarterback Garrett Gilbert against the Eagles after Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen were unable to clear COVID protocols, Pelissero and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Running back J.D. McKissic (neck) was placed on injured reserve. Defensive tackle Tim Settle is set to play after clearing COVID protocols, per Garafolo. The team later announced the activation of Settle, cornerback Troy Apke and tight end Sammis Reyes from the COVID list. Reyes will not play due to a concussion.

Roster moves

• The Baltimore Ravens signed defensive back Daryl Worley to the practice squad.
• The Carolina Panthers are signing kicker Lirim Hajrullahu off Washington's practice squad, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported, per a familiar source. Hajrullahu will replace Zane Gonzalez, who was injured in warmups Sunday. The team also claimed defensive end Azur Kamara from Dallas' practice squad.
• The Chicago Bears signed cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. to the active roster.
• The Cincinnati Bengals signed linebacker Keandre Jones from the practice squad, and signed LB Tegray Scales to the practice squad.
• The Cleveland Browns signed defensive end Porter Gustin from the practice squad. Receiver Alexander Hollins and tight end Nick Guggemos were released in a corresponding move.
• The Denver Broncos waived running back Damarea Crockett. Denver signed quarterback Anthony Gordon and tight end Caleb Wilson to the practice squad. Receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El, linebacker Pita Taumoepenu, offfensive tackle Casey Tucker and RB Kerrith Whyte were released.
• The Indianapolis Colts signed defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand to the practice squad and released cornerback Darqueze Dennard in a corresponding move.
• The Los Angeles Rams terminated the contracts of practice squad defensive back Delrick Abrams, offensive tackle Adrian Ealy, center Drake Jackson and Austin Reiter, and tight end Kyle Markway. The team also elevated defensive backs Grant Haley and Damarious Randall as COVID replacements.
• The Minnesota Vikings signed practice squad guard Dakota Dozier.
• The New Orleans Saints signed defensive back Dylan Mabin to the practice squad.
• The New York Giants released tight end Jake Hausmann.
• The New York Jets claimed safety Will Parks from Miami's practice squad, and signed defensive lineman Freedom Akinmoladun to the practice squad.
• The Seattle Seahawks elevated four practice squad players as COVID-19 replacements: defensive tackle Myles Adams, running back Josh Johnson, safety Josh Jones and receiver Cody Thompson.
• The Washington Football Team elevated fullback Alex Armah, linebacker De'Jon Harris, quarterback Kyle Shurmur and offensive tackle David Steinmetz as COVID replacements.