It's business as usual for quarterback Andrew Luck.
As expected, the Colts quarterback returned to practice Thursday while nursing shoulder and elbow injuries. He was officially limited.
Luck has been hampered by injuries all season long but has missed just one game, a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Steelers. The Colts are behind the eight-ball after losing to the Texans on Sunday and need their best player in the lineup if there's any chance of them overtaking Houston for the AFC South division lead with three games left.
Tight end Dwayne Allen was also seen at the portion of practice open to the media. Allen has been dealing with a hip injury. He was held without a catch Sunday and was only targeted twice in the passing game.
Here are some other notable injuries we're tracking Thursday:
- Packers running back James Starks was placed into the concussion protocol after he was involved in a car accident Monday, coach Mike McCarthy said, also noting that Starks was otherwise OK. If Starks can't play Sunday, Ty Montgomery and Christine Michael would pick up the slack in the running game.
- Bills receiver Sammy Watkins is returning to practice. Watkins previously stated this week he wants to play out the rest of the season despite lingering foot issues, even if the Bills are mathematically eliminated from making the playoffs before the season is over. Tight end Charles Clay (knee) is also practicing.
- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) didn't throw in the open portion of practice for the second straight day and was limited. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (back) also was limited and linebacker Luke Kuechly (concussion) was a full participant.
- Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant was limited at practice with a back injury.
Wideout Brandon Marshall told reporters he will be on a pitch count for the game while dealing with back, foot and knee injuries. Defensive lineman Steve McLendon will miss the game with a hamstring injury.
- Buccaneers wide receiver Adam Humphries has been cleared from the concussion protocol and should play Sunday night against the Cowboys. Tampa Bay's receiver depth has been thin with the losses of Vincent Jackson and Cecil Shorts to injured reserve earlier in the year.
- Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz is still not practicing and remains in the concussion protocol. He has become one of Brock Osweiler's favorite weapons.
- Lions running back Theo Riddick is still not practicing with a wrist injury. Riddick was a surprise scratch before Sunday's win over the Bears and the backfield duties fell to Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner. Zenner himself suffered a concussion.
- Bears receivers Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (groin) didn't practice.
- Bengals wideout A.J. Green (hamstring) was limited in practice again.
- The Rams placed defensive end Robert Quinn (concussion) and running back Benny Cunningham (neck) on injured reserve. Defensive backs Marqui Christian suffered a leg injury in the Rams' 24-3 loss Thursday to the Seahawks and Mike Jordan left early to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Quarterback Jared Goff left in the fourth quarter after suffering a concussion, and he remains in the concussion protocol, interim coach John Fassel said.
- Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was limited with a shoulder injury.
- Packers defensive tackle Mike Daniels was added to the injury report with a shoulder injury after not previously being listed. Wideout Randall Cobb (ankle) and running back Ty Montgomery (shoulder) were limited also.
- Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder) was limited.
- Saints running back Mark Ingram was limited with toe and knee injuries. Fellow running back Daniel Lasco (hamstring, knee) was also limited, as well as wideout Michael Thomas (foot).
- Chargers guard Orlando Franklin (rib) was limited at practice.
- Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (shoulder) was limited at practice.
