NFL Player News

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday, the Cardinals' official site reports.

After Ellington put in a similar showing Wednesday, coach Bruce Arians relayed the running back's current limitations, stating, "He can go straight ahead real fast as always. It's just the turning and stopping a little bit."

Arians added that Ellington is "50-50" to play Sunday against the Rams, according to Mike Jurecki of FOX Sports 910 Phoenix, but his availability may be contingent upon an ability to handle cutting.

If Ellington is sidelined for a third consecutive contest, Chris Johnson and David Johnson would fill their respective roles out of the backfield yet again.

Lions running back Joique Bell (ankle) didn't practice Thursday.

Neither the nature nor the extent of the ankle injury are known, placing a cloud over Bell's Week 4 viability.

Consequently, owners should keep a watchful eye on his activity level as the weekend approaches to get a better picture of the breakdown of snaps within the Lions' backfield.

Through three games, Bell has handled 31 percent of the offensive snaps versus 43 percent for rookie Ameer Abdullah.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin missed Thursday's practice due to a knee injury, but coach Lovie Smith expects the running back to "be OK," the Tampa Bay Times reports.

After sustaining the injury Wednesday, his lack of participation Thursday appears to be a precaution, as Smith expects Martin to return in some capacity Friday, according to the Buccaneers' official site.

Expect Martin's status to be clarified as the week draws to a close, but Charles Sims could be in line for additional work, if Martin is at all hampered Sunday against the Panthers.

Eagles running back DeMarco Murray (hamstring) practiced in full Thursday.

In line to play in Week 3, Murray was eventually ruled out, so owners shouldn't stop monitoring his status in advance of Sunday's game at Washington. On the other side of the coin, a full practice is encouraging for his prospects and could indicate a return to the top of the RB pecking order.

However, the performances of Ryan Mathews (24 carries for 108 yards, two catches for 20 yards and a receiving touchdown) and Darren Sproles (11 rushes for 17 yards, four receptions for 19 yards and two total touchdowns) with Murray out of the picture speak for themselves.

The Colts have announced that they have promoted running back Zurlon Tipton from their practice squad.

He'll bolster the backfield depth in advance of Week 4 with Tyler Varga having missed the last two practices with a concussion.

Dolphins running back Jonas Gray (calf) missed practice Thursday.

Gray, who recorded 49 rushing yards on nine carries Sunday against Buffalo, was limited in practice Wednesday. But his downgraded participation Thursday is hinting that Gray's for Sunday's game against the Jets could be in peril.

Buccaneers featured back Doug Martin didn't practice Thursday, reports Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.

The reason for his absence wasn't immediately known, but the Buccaneers should reveal the culprit in short order. Through three games, Martin has only picked up 49 percent of the offensive snaps, versus 45 percent for Charles Sims.

Buccaneers running back Charles Sims was on the field for 30 snaps in Week 3 against the Texans, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Sims' and Doug Martin's snaps were virtually identical, with the former's playing time likely receiving a boost by virtue of the Bucs having to play from behind in the fourth quarter. Sims still carried the ball only six times, with his pass-catching prowess clearly the biggest asset he brings to the field at this early stage of his career.

As it did in Week 3, game flow will likely be one of the strongest factors in the amount of Sims' snaps on most Sundays.

Buccaneers running back Doug Martin's 31 snaps against the Texans was only one more than backfield mate Charles Sims, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

While it may sound somewhat alarming to Martin's fantasy owners on the surface, the division of snaps appeared to be more of a function of game flow and the desire to use Sims as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield in certain formations.

Martin still was the workhorse back on the ground, carrying the ball on 14 of the Bucs' 20 rushing plays against Houston. Martin appears to be firmly entrenched in the starting tailback role at this time, and will likely have a more abundant snap count in the majority of games.

Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

As expected, Ellington is kicking off preparation for Sunday's game against the Rams with a limited practice, which may forecast his activity level throughout the week. As his recovery from a sprained PCL continues, his practice reps may not give a good indication of his potential to play in Week 4.

If he remains sidelined, Chris Johnson will head the backfield yet again, with David Johnson filling a change-of-pace role.