NFL Player News

Mixon (chest) returned to a full practice Thursday.

Mixon was limited at Wednesday's session, but the running back logging a full practice one day later sets the stage for him to continue to lead the Bengals' rushing attack Sunday night against the Bills. Through seven games to date, Mixon has dominated the team's backfield touches, having carried 112 times for 453 yards and two TDs while adding 19 catches (on 24 targets) for 127 yards. For some perspective, Trayveon Williams is ranked second among the team's RBs with just seven rushes.

The Titans elevated Ward from the practice squad Thursday, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

This is the second time Ward has been promoted from the practice squad since signing with the Titans on Oct. 24. He played 24 snaps on special teams and three on offense in Week 8 against the Falcons without recording a stat. Ward will likely retain that role Thursday night against the Steelers while providing backfield depth behind Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears if he's activated for the game.

Barkley (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.

Barkley maintained his activity level from Wednesday, giving him just one more chance this week to prove the health of his ankle. Assuming he's able to suit up Sunday at Las Vegas, he'll remain the engine of the Giants, regardless of quarterback Daniel Jones' (neck) likely return, as the running back has racked up a whopping 91 touches for 344 yards from scrimmage and one receiving TD over the last three games.

Blackshear (groin) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

The 25-year-old running back out of Virginia Tech was limited in Wednesday's practice with a groin injury, but it now seems as if he's moved past the issue. Blackshear has been more involved in Carolina's offense over the last two games, recording 53 yards on 11 total touches.

Mostert (ankle) was limited in his return to practice Thursday, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Mostert, who missed practice Wednesday, told Oyefusi ealrier Thursday that there had been a "hiccup" with his ankle, but the running back added that he received treatment for the issue and is feeling better at this stage. Mostert's return to the field, albeit in a limited capacity, has him trending in the right direction as Sunday's game against the Chiefs approaches, but he'll likely need to log a full practice Friday in order to avoid a Week 9 injury designation.

Demercado (toe) isn't taking part in Thursday's practice, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.

Demercado has now missed both of the Cardinals' first two Week 9 practices while managing the toe injury, putting his status firmly in question for Sunday's game against the Browns. Head coach Jonathan Gannon hasn't commented about Demercado's potential availability for Sunday, but the fact that the Cardinals signed fellow running back Tony Jones off the practice squad Thursday only further fuels speculation that the undrafted rookie out of TCU is at risk of sitting out in Cleveland. If Demercado is sidelined this weekend, the Cardinals would be left with Keaontay Ingram and Tony Jones as their healthy options out of the backfield, though Corey Clement and Hassan Hall remain on the practice squad and would be candidates to be elevated ahead of Sunday's game.

Edwards (toe) returned to practice Thursday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Edwards missed Wednesday's session, but his return to the field a day later bodes well for his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Seahawks. The Ravens' second injury report will be released later Thursday and will reveal whether Edwards was a full or limited participant.

The Cardinals signed Jones off their practice squad Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Jones initially joined Arizona in early October, when multiple injuries struck the backfield. As of Thursday, James Conner (knee) still must miss at least one more game while injured reserve, Emari Demercado sat out Wednesday's practice due to a toe injury, and Damien Williams (foot) was placed on the practice squad injured list earlier this week. With this transaction, Jones and Keaontay Ingram now are the only healthy running backs on the Cardinals' active roster.

Pierce (ankle) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN.com reports.

Two straight absences from practice to begin Week 9 prep have left Pierce's status uncertain for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. He'll likely need to practice in some fashion Friday to have a shot at playing this weekend, but if Pierce is sidelined Sunday, Devin Singletary would likely step in as the team's lead back. No. 3 back Mike Boone would also have an expanded role behind Singletary.

McKinnon (groin) is slated to return to practice Thursday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.

McKinnon was absent Wednesday, but his return to the field in some capacity Thursday puts him on the right track to potentially suit up Sunday against the Dolphins in Germany. On the season, McKinnon has rushed just 11 times for 21 scoreless yards (1.9 YPC) and caught 15 passes for 125 yards and two scores on 21 targets.