Burrow’s Status, Jackson’s Return, and Sanders’ Debut: NFL Updates

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was absent from Wednesday’s practice for the second consecutive week, this time due to an ankle injury.

However, he returned for Thursday’s practice and was listed as a full participant by the Ravens leading up to the Week 12 game against the New York Jets.

Earlier in the season, Jackson was sidelined for three games due to a hamstring injury. Last week, he experienced knee soreness.

The NFL has announced adjustments to its scheduling for the latter part of the season.

The Week 14 game between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers has been rescheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 7, and will be broadcast on FOX. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bengals versus Buffalo Bills game will be held at 1 p.m. ET.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow participated fully in Thursday’s practice for the second straight day. Burrow has been inactive since Week 2 due to a toe injury. The Bengals started the season with two wins but have only secured one victory since Burrow’s absence.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Houston Texans have released running back Dameon Pierce on Thursday.

This decision makes room for CB Ajani Carter on the 53-man roster. Pierce participated in four games with the Texans this season, accumulating 10 carries for 26 yards. He struggled to match the performance of his rookie season, during which he recorded 220 carries for 939 yards and five touchdowns from scrimmage.

Pierce’s departure leaves the Texans with limited options at the running back position. It was also revealed on Thursday that running back Joe Mixon is unlikely to play this season. The Texans are expected to rely on rookie Woody Marks and veteran Nick Chubb at running back going forward.

The Texans, with a 5-5 record, will face the 7-3 Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones was limited in Thursday’s practice due to a calf injury.

This marks his first appearance on the injury report this season, according to The Athletic’s James Boyd. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport commented on X, stating, “It appears the Colts are exercising caution. It’s worth monitoring…”

The Colts are scheduled to play the Kansas City Chiefs on the road this Sunday.

According to ESPN’s Cleveland Browns reporter Daniel Oyefusi, Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel, tight end David Njoku, and defensive end Alex Wright did not participate in Thursday’s practice.

The Browns have already announced Shedeur Sanders as the starting quarterback for the upcoming week, as Gabriel remains in concussion protocol. Gabriel was injured in last week’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Sanders struggled in his previous appearance, completing 4 of 16 passes for 47 yards and an interception. Gabriel has thrown for 937 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions since replacing Joe Flacco in Week 5.

Njoku is currently dealing with a knee injury, which previously caused him to miss Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He has recorded 30 catches for 288 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Wright continues to be sidelined with a quad injury that kept him out of last week’s game against the Ravens. Wright has tallied 16 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble this season. The Browns recently extended his contract with a three-year, $33 million deal.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson was upgraded to full participation in Thursday’s practice, ahead of the Week 12 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been sidelined since Week 2. After sitting out training camp and preseason due to a groin issue, he sustained a new injury against the Detroit Lions while attempting to break up a pass.

The core muscle injury necessitated surgery. Johnson’s 21-day practice window commenced last week, during which he participated in a limited capacity during practice.

According to Brooke Pryor, ESPN’s Pittsburgh Steelers reporter, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers participated in individual reps from the gun. Rodgers is currently managing a left wrist fracture that he sustained during Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Although surgery wasn’t required, Rodgers was held out of Wednesday’s practice but returned today. Pryor reported that he practiced while wearing a stabilizer on his left wrist.

Rodgers has accumulated 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard serve as his backups. The Steelers hold a 6-4 record this season and will face the 7-3 Bears this week, who are currently on a four-game winning streak.

Sean Tucker isn’t the only one happy with his performance this season. According to Bucs Gameday writer River Wells, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard intends to expand Tucker’s role within the offense.

With Bucky Irving sidelined since Week 4 due to a foot and shoulder injury, Tucker’s carries have increased in the last three games. Last week, he gained 140 yards from scrimmage and achieved a new NFL career high of three total touchdowns.

Tucker’s enhanced usage could indicate fewer carries for Rashard White. Last week, White had 12 touches for 62 scrimmage yards. This Sunday, the Bucs are set to face off against the 8-2 Los Angeles Rams.

The Green Bay Packers’ head coach has essentially confirmed that wide receiver Jayden Reed and running back MarShawn Lloyd will not be returning from injured reserve this week.

Reed has been out of play since sustaining a broken collarbone during the Packers’ Week 2 victory over the Commanders. Lloyd hasn’t participated since Week 2 of his rookie season last year, when he sustained an ankle injury against the Colts. He played in Green Bay’s second preseason game this year, ultimately exiting due to a hamstring injury. That game was also against the Colts. Lloyd is yet to make an appearance on the field this season.

According to Pete Sweeney, the Kansas City Star’s Chiefs beat reporter, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy, Isiah Pacheco, and left guard Kingsley Suamataia practiced to some degree on Thursday.

Worthy is grappling with a recurring ankle injury. He was absent from practice last week before participating against the Broncos. His ankle issue was also noted on the Chiefs’ injury report during Weeks 5 and 6.

The swift receiver has been struggling to achieve a breakthrough in his second season. He has had multiple games with under 40 yards, including last week’s three catches for 25 yards. Worthy has recorded 27 catches for 281 yards and one touchdown in eight games this season.

Pacheco returned to practice on Wednesday after missing the last two games due to a PCL sprain. Pacheco has accumulated 78 carries for 329 yards and one touchdown this season.

Suamataia suffered a concussion in last week’s 22-19 defeat against the Denver Broncos. This week, the Chiefs are set to face the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs currently hold a 5-5 record.

Lamar Jackson surfaced on the Ravens’ injury report on Wednesday, cited with an ankle injury. It marks a new concern in a season where he has already coped with knee and hamstring injuries.

Jackson is back at practice on Thursday, and remains on track to start against the New York Jets this Sunday. He also missed Wednesday’s practice last week, prior to playing in a victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur stated that running back Josh Jacobs will participate in individual drills at practice on Thursday to evaluate his condition with the left knee injury, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Jacobs did not practice on Wednesday.

The San Francisco 49ers are set to sign kicker Matt Gay, according to his agents, as reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Eddy Piñeiro, San Francisco’s current kicker, is managing a hamstring injury. Gay is a seasoned and former Pro Bowl kicker who was a fifth-round draft pick in 2019 by Tampa Bay.