NFL Player News

Jones (hamstring) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice, Carmen Vitali of the Buccaneers' official site reports.

The fact that Jones has been on the field -- albeit in a limited fashion -- for the Buccaneers' first two sessions of the week offers some encouragement that he might be able to give it a go Sunday against the Giants. Unless the rookie fits in a full practice Friday, however, he'll likely carry a questionable designation into the weekend. If Jones is ultimately cleared to play in Week 11, there's a decent chance the Buccaneers restrict his workload, given that he had missed the team's prior two contests with the strained hamstring.

Perine (knee/calf) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Perine is a surprise addition to Thursday's injury report, after the second-year running back was able to practice without issue to begin the week. The details of Perine's knee and calf injuries remain undisclosed, and his Week 11 availability appears uncertain. Perine has yet to see more than two carries in a single game this season, so his presence one way or another is unlikely to affect Washington's offense during Sunday's contest against the Texans.

Conner (concussion) logged another full practice Thursday.

Back-to-back full practices set the stage for Conner to be a go Sunday against the Jaguars, though we'll continue to assign him an injury designation until it's confirmed that he has totally cleared the NFL's concussion protocol. Official word on that front could arrive Friday, upon the release of the Steelers' final Week 11 injury report.

Mixon (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Per the report, Mixon wasn't participating at the beginning of the media-access portion of Thursday's practice, though he was in the locker room afterward. It remains to be seen if Thursday's limitations were maintenance-related, or perhaps indicative of a setback related to the meniscus injury Mixon dealt with earlier this season. If he's limited at all (or out) Sunday against the Ravens, added backfield opportunities would be available for Giovani Bernard, as well as Mark Walton to a lesser degree.

Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said Thursday that Cook will be a "full go" in practices moving forward, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

While Cook could occasionally receive an occasional maintenance day for select practices during the second half of the season, DeFilippo's comments suggest the Vikings no longer have any concerns about the hamstring issues that sidelined the second-year running back for five of the team's first nine games. Cook was impressive in his return to action in the Week 9 win over the Lions, accruing 109 yards from scrimmage -- 70 of which came on a second-quarter scamper -- on 14 touches while logging 28 offensive snaps. With the benefit of a Week 10 bye, Cook should gain an even larger snap share in Sunday's divisional showdown with the Bears, resulting in less work for Latavius Murray.

The Panthers claimed Barner off waivers Wednesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

After being cut loose by the Patriots earlier this week, Barner will return to the team that drafted him in the sixth round back in 2013. Carolina recently waived C.J. Anderson, so Barner will provide the team with added backfield depth behind workhorse Christian McCaffrey. Barner's impact on offense will likely be limited, but he could be a candidate for return duties.

Freeman (ankle) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Following practice, coach Vance Joseph provided an update on Freeman, who has missed Denver's last two games. "[Freeman] looked OK; it wasn't perfect, but he wants to be out there," Joseph said. "If I'm a betting man, I'm betting on Royce that he plays [Sunday against the Chargers].'' While Joseph's comments offer optimism regarding Freeman's Week 11 prospects, it's possible that the rookie ends up officially being listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's 4:05 p.m. EST kickoff. If he does return to action as hoped, Freeman -- who has logged four rushing touchdowns in seven games to date -- would rejoin a backfield committee that tilted in Phillip Lindsay's favor prior to Freeman's ankle injury.

The Colts listed Mack's absence from Wednesday's practice as not injury-related.

Fortunately, Mack was apparently just receiving some rest for the Colts' first practice of the week rather than tending to a setback with the foot issue that limited him in Week 10. Prior to his 12-carry, 29-yard effort against the Jaguars in the Colts' 29-26 victory, Mack's fantasy stock had been on the rise. Mack will now turn his attention to a Titans defense that thwarted the Patriots' run game last weekend, leaving some doubt about his prospects of bouncing back Sunday. In spite of the tough Week 11 matchup, Mack still looks to have a safe floor in light of his undisputed perch atop his Colts' depth chart at running back.

Jones (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

For the first time since Oct. 28, Jones handled some practice reps as he works his way back from a hamstring injury that forced absences Weeks 9 and 10. Prior to returning to practice, the rookie told Jenna Laine of ESPN.com that his hamstring is "feeling really good." While he's taken a step in the right direction, Jones likely has to emerge from the week setback-free before gaining clearance to play Sunday versus the Giants.

Conner (concussion) practiced fully Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Per Dale Lolley of DKPittsburghSports.com, Conner felt good after Wednesday's practice, but until it's confirmed that the running back has passed through all the stages of the NFL's concussion protocol, he'll continue to carry an injury designation in Week 11. Once officially cleared -- which seems likely barring any unexpected setbacks -- Conner will head the Pittsburgh backfield Sunday against the Jaguars and for the games to follow now that Le'Veon Bell (contract dispute) is no longer eligible to play this season.