NFL Player News

Jones rushed 11 times for 40 yards and a touchdown and brought in five of six targets for 63 yards and another score in the Packers' 27-24 loss to the Seahawks on Thursday.

Jones logged all but one of the running back rushing touches, and he complemented his fourth score on the ground over the last three contests with his first receiving touchdown of the campaign. The second-year back did see a drop in carries compared to Week 10, but he's clearly taken the reins of the lead-back role. Moreover, his slight reduction in rushing work was supplemented by season highs in receptions, targets and receiving yards. Jones' fantasy prospects are as bright as they've been all season heading into a Week 12 divisional showdown against the Vikings.

Freeman (ankle) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Freeman missed the Broncos' final two games before their Week 10 bye, but his health looks to be in a better place coming out of the idle period. After Freeman logged a limited practice Wednesday to open the week, coach Vance Joseph predicted that the rookie would be able to suit up Sunday against the Chargers. That optimism was seemingly supported by Freeman's full session Thursday, which puts him on track to rejoin the Denver backfield in Week 11. Phillip Lindsay has headed the backfield committee for most of the season and is expected to continue to maintain the lead role, but Freeman could immediately step in ahead of Devontae Booker as the No. 2 option now that the ankle issue seems to be behind him.

Though Foreman (Achilles) was cleared to practice Wednesday, it's not expected that he'll be available to play Sunday against the Redskins, Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com reports. "What type of shape is he in? Can he carry the ball more than two times in a row without having to go get a drink of water?" coach Bill O'Brien said, when asked about what factors the team would consider before activating Foreman from the PUP list. "He had a good year last year. That was a long time ago, so let's just...see where he's at."

Foreman is just under a year removed from undergoing surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon, one of the most serious injuries a speed-dependent athlete can suffer. As a result, Foreman's conditioning remains a justified concern, as O'Brien's comments illustrate. While Foreman said he's "confident" he'll be added to the active roster this season, the Texans may use the full three-week window to assess his health and evaluate him for a return. If Foreman isn't activated before the team's Week 14 matchup with the Colts, he'll shift to injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Jones (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The fact that Jones has been on the field -- albeit in a limited fashion -- for the Buccaneers' first two sessions of the week offers some encouragement that he might be able to give it a go Sunday against the Giants. Unless the rookie fits in a full practice Friday, however, he'll likely carry a questionable designation into the weekend. If Jones is ultimately cleared to play in Week 11, there's a decent chance the Buccaneers restrict his workload, given that he had missed the team's prior two contests with the strained hamstring.

Perine (knee/calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Perine is a surprise addition to Thursday's injury report, after the second-year running back was able to practice without issue to begin the week. The details of Perine's knee and calf injuries remain undisclosed, and his Week 11 availability appears uncertain. Perine has yet to see more than two carries in a single game this season, so his presence one way or another is unlikely to affect Washington's offense during Sunday's contest against the Texans.

Conner (concussion) logged another full practice Thursday.

Back-to-back full practices set the stage for Conner to be a go Sunday against the Jaguars, though we'll continue to assign him an injury designation until it's confirmed that he has totally cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. Official word on that front could arrive Friday, upon the release of the Steelers' final Week 11 injury report.

Mixon (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Per the report, Mixon wasn't participating at the beginning of the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, though he was in the locker room afterward. It remains to be seen if Thursday's limitations were maintenance-related, or perhaps indicative of a setback related to the meniscus injury Mixon dealt with earlier this season. If he's limited at all (or out) Sunday against the Ravens, added backfield opportunities would be available for Giovani Bernard, as well as Mark Walton to a lesser degree.

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said Thursday that Cook will be a "full go" in practices moving forward, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

While Cook could occasionally receive an occasional maintenance day for select practices during the second half of the season, DeFilippo's comments suggest the Vikings no longer have any concerns about the hamstring issues that sidelined the second-year running back for five of the team's first nine games. Cook was impressive in his return to action in the Week 9 win over the Lions, accruing 109 yards from scrimmage -- 70 of which came on a second-quarter scamper -- on 14 touches while logging 28 offensive snaps. With the benefit of a Week 10 bye, Cook should gain an even larger snap share in Sunday's divisional showdown with the Bears, resulting in less work for Latavius Murray.

The Panthers claimed Barner off waivers Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

After being cut loose by the Patriots earlier this week, Barner will return to the team that drafted him in the sixth round back in 2013. Carolina recently waived C.J. Anderson, so Barner will provide the team with added backfield depth behind workhorse Christian McCaffrey. Barner's impact on offense will likely be limited, but he could be a candidate for return duties.

Freeman (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Following practice, coach Vance Joseph provided an update on Freeman, who has missed Denver's last two games. "[Freeman] looked OK; it wasn't perfect, but he wants to be out there," Joseph said. "If I'm a betting man, I'm betting on Royce that he plays [Sunday against the Chargers].'' While Joseph's comments offer optimism regarding Freeman's Week 11 prospects, it's possible that the rookie ends up officially being listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. EST kickoff. If he does return to action as hoped, Freeman -- who has logged four rushing touchdowns in seven games to date -- would rejoin a backfield committee that tilted in Phillip Lindsay's favor prior to Freeman's ankle injury.