NFL Player News

Dillon will be joined by Aaron Jones (hamstring) in the Packers backfield Thursday versus the Lions.

Dillon has operated as Green Bay's No. 1 running back the last two games, but he hasn't been very productive, compiling 26 carries for 88 yards (3.4 YPC) and an eight-yard catch. Even if Jones can't handle his typical workload, his mere presence may hinder Dillon's potential to produce. In the one contest that Jones was available this season, though, Dillon earned two rushes inside the five-yard line Week 1 in Chicago, so any short-yardage reps could yield fantasy utlity Thursday.

Gibbs is welcoming back David Montgomery (thigh) to the Lions backfield for Thursday's game at Green Bay.

With Montgomery sidelined this past Sunday versus the Falcons, Gibbs handled 17 carries and caught one of two passes en route to 82 yards from scrimmage. Montgomery himself racked up 37 carries through a little more than six quarters prior to injuring his thigh Week 2. The breakdown of RB reps for Detroit on Thursday remains to be seen, but Gibbs could be the team's leader in rushes for a second consecutive contest if Montgomery has a cap on his reps.

Montgomery (thigh) is listed as active Thursday at Green Bay.

Despite conflicting reports about his availability for Week 4 earlier Thursday, Montgomery will miss just one game as a result of the bruised left thigh that he suffered Week 2 against the Seahawks. Considering he was listed as limited on Lions practice reports Monday through Wednesday, though, there's a chance he'll be operating on a snap count Thursday. Prior to the aforementioned injury, Montgomery racked up 37 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in his only target for seven yards in a little more than six quarters of action. If Montgomery is unable to handle such a workload, rookie first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs will be the primary beneficiary in the Lions backfield.

Jones (hamstring) is listed as active Thursday against the Lions.

After being listed as limited on five straight Packers injury reports, Jones has been cleared to make his first appearance since his 35-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown Week 1 at Chicago. There's a chance Green Bay eases Jones into action considering he has yet to log a full practice since pulling his left hamstring on the aforementioned play. Still, Jones will join AJ Dillon as the team's top backfield options Thursday. On the campaign, Jones has 11 touches for 127 yards from scrimmage and two TDs in about two and a half quarters of work.

Hill (foot) returned to practice Thursday as a limited participant, Ryan Mink of the Ravens' official site reports.

After splitting carries with Gus Edwards in the Ravens' Week 2 win over Cincinnati, Hill sat out this past Sunday's loss to the Colts, then missed practice Wednesday. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Hill approaches this Sunday's game against the Browns with an injury designation, but if available, he'll presumably continue to work in a timeshare with Edwards.

Ekeler (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday.

Ekeler, who has missed two straight games, was also limited Wednesday in his return to practice, with his status for Sunday's game against the Raiders to be determined. Per Kris Rhim of ESPN.com Ekeler noted after Wednesday's session that a return to action this weekend is a "possibility." Friday's final injury report will reveal Ekeler's Week 4 injury designation, but if there's any doubt about the soundness of his ankle heading into Sunday, the Chargers could opt to err on the side of caution and hold him out for another contest with a Week 5 bye on tap.

Hall (knee) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

After tearing his ACL in addition to suffering a meniscus injury last October, Hall has made a clean recovery and has gained clearance ahead of each of the Jets' first three games by turning in at least one full practice every week. He appears to be getting healthier as the weeks roll along, as Thursday marks the first time that he's put in a full practice before the Jets' third session of a given week. Whether that translates to an increased workload Sunday against the Chiefs is uncertain, but Hall's playing time seems to be on an upward trajectory. After logging 32 percent of the offensive snaps in both of the Jets' first two games, Hall took on a 48 percent share in this past Sunday's loss to the Patriots.

Rodriguez (illness) did not practice Thursday.

Rodriguez logged a limited practice Wednesday while dealing with an illness but suffered a downturn Thursday. This seems to be a move in the wrong direction for the Kentucky product ahead of the team's Week 4 game against the Eagles. However, the 23-year-old still has a couple more days to recover and is still considered questionable for the divisional matchup.

Scott (concussion) was again a full participant in Thursday's practice.

It remains unclear if Scott has formally cleared the concussion protocol, but it sounds like he's extremely close to a return after missing Week 3's contest against the Bucs. Scott's return would likely send Rashaad Penny back to the inactive list.

Ford (shoulder) was a full practice participant Thursday, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Ford was limited in the Browns' first Week 4 practice session Wednesday, but the running back's return to a full activity Thursday paves the way for him to lead the backfield Sunday against the Ravens. Even with the Browns re-signing Kareem Hunt (ribs/groin) and making him active for this past Sunday's win over the Titans, Ford still handled a majority of the snaps (55 percent) on offense and accounted for two total touchdowns and 51 yards on 12 touches.