NFL Player News

Jacobs (quadriceps) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Jacobs now has put together back-to-back capped sessions to begin Week 11 prep. The same can be said for rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd, who remains on injured reserve, due to ankle and hamstring issues. Friday's practice report may provide some clarity on the status of both players ahead of Sunday's game at Chicago.

Bigsby (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

After having missed consecutive practices to begin Week 11 prep, Bigsby's status for Sunday's game against the Lions is cloudy. His outlook could change if he's able to practice in any capacity Friday, but if Bigsby is held out this weekend with an eye toward giving him added healing time during the Jaguars' upcoming Week 12 bye, Travis Etienne would be in line to see added backfield snaps and touches versus Detroit.

Warren didn't practice Thursday due to a back issue, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Warren wasn't listed Wednesday, so his addition to the Steelers' Week 11 injury report a day later is something to monitor ahead of Sunday's game against the Ravens. Meanwhile, fellow running back Najee Harris, who missed Wednesday's practice with an ankle concern, returned to full participation Thursday.

Harris (ankle) was a full practice participant Thursday, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Harris was held out of Wednesday's practice due to the ankle issue, but his return to the field a day later as a full participant suggests his absence was likely just maintenance-related. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren (back) sat out Thursday's session, making his health the bigger question mark of Pittsburgh's top two running backs heading into Sunday's game against the Ravens. Warren has pushed for a bigger role behind Harris in recent weeks with double-digit touches in each of the last three games, but if Warren were to miss Sunday's contest, Harris could be in prime position to handle one of his largest workloads of the season in terms of both snaps and touches.

Williams (groin) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Williams has sat out the Saints' last two games and has yet to take any practice reps this week, so he may be facing an uphill battle to gain clearance for Sunday's contest against the Browns. If Williams remains out for another game, the Saints could continue to lean on Taysom Hill and Jordan Mims to spell lead back Alvin Kamara.

Harris (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Harris didn't practice Wednesday, but head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the running back's absence, a notion supported by Harris' presence at Thursday's session. Per Saunders, Harris looked "just fine running the ball" during practice, though it won't be known if he was a full or limited practice participant until after the session concludes.

Lloyd (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.

After being designated for return from injured reserve earlier this week, Lloyd has gone down as a limited participant in both of the Packers' first two official practices coming out of a Week 10 bye. The rookie was previously placed on IR on Sept. 17 due to a high-ankle sprain, and though Lloyd is also being listed with a hamstring issue on Green Bay's injury report, head coach Matt LaFleur said Thursday that a scan on Lloyd's hamstring came back clean, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers' official site. At this stage, a decision on whether Lloyd is activated from IR ahead of Sunday's game against the Bears may hinge on how he looks from a conditioning standpoint in practice after having not played since Week 2. The Packers have Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks on hand as capable depth options behind lead back Josh Jacobs (quadricep), so the team may not have a pressing need to bring back Lloyd this week.

Jacobs (quadricep) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Bill Huber of SI.com reports.

Coming out of a bye, Jacobs is tending to a quad injury that has resulted in his reps being capped in the Packers' first two Week 11 practices. Head coach Matt LaFleur hasn't yet indicated that the quad issue is anything that will threaten Jacobs' availability for Sunday's game against the Bears, but the running back may need to put in a full practice Friday to avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.

Coach Mike McCarthy called Dowdle the Cowboys' "lead back" Thursday, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Dallas has operated with a committee approach to its backfield so far this season but ranks 31st in rushing yards per game (83.7). Dowdle has been by far the most productive option, recording 4.5 YPC versus Ezekiel Elliott's 3.7, Dalvin Cook's 2.5, Deuce Vaughn's 2.9 and Hunter Luepke's 3.2. In eight appearances, Dowdle has averaged 13.4 touches per game, a number that should increase following McCarthy's comments.

Pierce (groin) returned to practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce, who has missed two straight games, didn't practice ahead of Week 10 action, so the running back's participation in Thursday's session -- albeit in a limited fashion -- bodes well for his chances of being available Monday night against the Cowboys. If Pierce does suit up for the contest, he'd step back into a complementary role behind top back Joe Mixon.