NFL Player News

Coach Mike McCarthy called Dowdle the Cowboys' "lead back" Thursday, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

Dallas has operated with a committee approach to its backfield so far this season but ranks 31st in rushing yards per game (83.7). Dowdle has been by far the most productive option, recording 4.5 YPC versus Ezekiel Elliott's 3.7, Dalvin Cook's 2.5, Deuce Vaughn's 2.9 and Hunter Luepke's 3.2. In eight appearances, Dowdle has averaged 13.4 touches per game, a number that should increase following McCarthy's comments.

Pierce (groin) returned to practice Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Pierce, who has missed two straight games, didn't practice ahead of Week 10 action, so the running back's participation in Thursday's session -- albeit in a limited fashion -- bodes well for his chances of being available Monday night against the Cowboys. If Pierce does suit up for the contest, he'd step back into a complementary role behind top back Joe Mixon.

The Broncos signed Burton off their practice squad Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.

Burton has appeared in all 10 of the Broncos games this season, recording two carries for minus-one yards and five receptions for 40 yards across 275 total snaps (177 on offense and 98 on special teams). Expect the Rutgers product to serve as Denver's top fullback again in Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Edwards (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

In his return from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury in Sunday's 27-17 win over the Titans, Edwards logged 15 snaps and carried the ball 10 times for 55 yards. With no reported setbacks coming out of the contest, Edwards' limitations Wednesday may have just been a case of workload management. The running back now has two more chances to upgrade to full practice participation ahead of Sunday's game against the Bengals.

Jones (ribs) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

As expected, Jones is opening Week 11 prep with a capped session due to the rib issue that forced him to miss about a quarter of action this past Sunday at Jacksonville. Head coach Kevin O'Connell told Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Wednesday that Jones "will progress" as the week continues, so a full practice seems likely for the running back Thursday and/or Friday.

Ali (ankle) was absent from the Ravens' injury report Wednesday, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com reports.

Ali was sidelined for Baltimore's past four games due to an ankle injury; however, his omission from Wednesday's injury report suggests he's moved past the issue. The rookie from Marshall has appeared in just one game this season, failing to record a stat across nine special-teams snaps. He's expected to serve as the Ravens' No. 4 running back as the season progresses, playing behind Derrick Henry, Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell.

Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Johnson played through his hamstring issue in the Jaguars' Week 10 loss to the Vikings, failing to record a stat across just four offensive snaps. The 28-year-old running back will likely continue playing through the issue in Jacksonville's Week 11 matchup against the Lions unless it worsens over the course of the week.

Williams (groin) didn't take part in practice Wednesday.

Dating back to last week, Williams has been listed as a non-participant in two straight practices due to a groin issue, missing the last two games a result. He was seen on an exercise bike in the open portion of Wednesday's practice, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football, so it's unclear where Williams stands in his recovery effort as Sunday's game against the Browns approaches.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said McCaffrey (Achilles) will be a limited practice participant Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

In his season debut this past Sunday at Tampa Bay, McCaffrey couldn't get much going on the ground (13 carries for 39 yards) but made up for it in the passing game, hauling in six of seven targets for 68 yards. The snap share he took on in Week 10 (88 percent) indicates he's able to handle a full workload, as he ceded just two carries (for five yards) to reserve backs Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo. McCaffrey's capped session Wednesday may be his reality for the foreseeable future, but he doesn't appear to be in any danger of missing Sunday's contest against the Seahawks.

Bigsby (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Listed with an ankle injury on the Jaguars' official reports for much of the season, Bigsby limped off the field during the first quarter of Sunday's 12-7 loss to the Vikings. He re-entered the contest but then played just two snaps in the second half, leaving Travis Etienne as the clear leader of Jacksonville's backfield. Etienne and D'Ernest Johnson will handle the snaps out of the backfield in Week 11 if Bigsby isn't ready for the matchup with the Detroit on Sunday.