NFL Player News

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.

The Broncos signed Burton off their practice squad Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Burton has appeared in all 10 of the Broncos games this season, recording two carries for minus-one yards and five receptions for 40 yards across 275 total snaps (177 on offense and 98 on special teams). Expect the Rutgers product to serve as Denver's top fullback again in Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Edwards (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

In his return from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury in Sunday's 27-17 win over the Titans, Edwards logged 15 snaps and carried the ball 10 times for 55 yards. With no reported setbacks coming out of the contest, Edwards' limitations Wednesday may have just been a case of workload management. The running back now has two more chances to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Jones (ribs) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

As expected, Jones is opening Week 11 prep with a capped session due to the rib issue that forced him to miss about a quarter of action this past Sunday at Jacksonville. Head coach Kevin O'Connell told Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Wednesday that Jones "will progress" as the week continues, so a full practice seems likely for the running back Thursday and/or Friday.

Ali (ankle) was absent from the Ravens' injury report Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Ali was sidelined for Baltimore's past four games due to an ankle injury; however, his omission from Wednesday's injury report suggests he's moved past the issue. The rookie from Marshall has appeared in just one game this season, failing to record a stat across nine special-teams snaps. He's expected to serve as the Ravens' No. 4 running back as the season progresses, playing behind Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell.

Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Johnson played through his hamstring issue in the Jaguars' Week 10 loss to the Vikings, failing to record a stat across just four offensive snaps. The 28-year-old running back will likely continue playing through the issue in Jacksonville's Week 11 matchup against the Lions unless it worsens over the course of the week.