Things are turning up for the winless Jaguars.
Running back Chris Ivory returned to practice on Wednesday, albeit on a limited basis, after sitting out the past two weeks.
Ivory was admitted to a local hospital with an undisclosed illness ahead of Jacksonville's Week 1 matchup with the Packers. The tailback stayed for two days before being released on Tuesday. The team said at the time that his stay was not due to his lingering calf injury. Ivory was subseqeuently ruled out of the Jags' Week 2 game.
Through two games, the Jaguars' run game sans Ivory ranks 30th in the league with 117 yards and is tied for 28th in the league with only 37 rushing attempts.
The Jaguars don't have faith in T.J. Yeldon being an every-down back, as he was only forced into that role due to Ivory's absence. A return to practice for Ivory is encouraging for Blake Bortles and the Jags' offense, who have come off as one-dimensional in their two losses without him and need to develop an offensive identity before the season gets away from them.
Here are the other injuries we're monitoring Wednesday:
- Despite not injuring any ligaments Sunday night, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is still expected to miss several months after surgery to repair his meniscus Thursday.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer also announced offensive lineman Matt Kalil was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury.
Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee) did not participate in practice. Defensive end Danielle Hunter (knee), linebacker Eric Kendricks (ankle), tight end MyCole Pruitt (knee), cornerback Xavier Rhodes (knee) and tight end Kyle Rudolph (groin) were limited in pratice.
- The Cleveland Browns took another hit. First-round pick Corey Coleman suffered a broken hand during practice, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
- The Eagles are missing a few bodies at practice Wednesday. Coach Doug Pederson told reporters that Leodis McKelvin (hamstring), Zach Ertz (ribs), Mychal Kendricks (broken nose) and Isaac Seumalo (pec) will be held out due to their individual injuries.
- Buccaneers running back Doug Martin is expected to miss about three weeks with a hamstring injury, Rapoport reported following the results of his MRI. The pinball runner exited Sunday's blowout loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the first half after suffering the injury. Tampa has a bye in Week 6, meaning Martin would get extra rest for his hamstring before visiting San Francisco.
Defensive end Robert Ayers (ankle), wideout Cecil Shorts (hamstring), tackle Donovan Smith (hip) and tight end Luke Stocker (ankle) did not participate in practice.
- The Lions placed running back Ameer Abdullah (foot) on injured reserve Wednesday. Coach Jim Caldwell said "we'll see" if he can return this year.
Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), tight end Eric Ebron (back), defensive end Wallace Gilberry (abdomen), linebacker DeAndre Levy (quadricep), tackle Riley Reiff (ankle), linebacker Kyle Van Noy (calf), defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker (calf), linebacker Antwione Williams (hamstring) did not participate in practice.
- The Bears might have to prepare for life without quarterback Jay Cutler. Rapoport reported Wednesday morning that Cutler is expected to miss two to three weeks and that the timeline depends on how he heals over the next three days. Cutler did not practice on Wednesday.
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was limited with a knee injury.
- Jamaal Charles is "improving by the day and is chomping at the bit to play," according to Chiefs coach Andy Reid. The running back has missed the first two weeks, still recovering from last season's torn ACL. Charles is expected to work a little bit with the starters Wednesday while spending most of the workout with the scout team, Reid said.
- Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert (ankle) was limited in his first team practice Wednesday.
- Colts coach Chuck Pagano told reporters Wednesday that receiver Donte Moncrief has a fractured shoulder blade and is out 4-6 weeks. Surgery will not be necessary, the team said.
- Panthers coach Ron Rivera told reporters that Jonathan Stewart's hamstring could keep him out "two weeks, three weeks... I just don't know." The running back, who didn't practice Wednesday, will not go on short-term injured reserve.
Linebacker Jeremy Cash (hamstring), defensive tackle Kawann Short (shoulder) and guard Trai Turner (ankle) also did not practice.
- Bills coach Rex Ryan said tight end Charles Clay (knee), offensive lineman Cordy Glenn (ankle) and receiver Sammy Watkins (foot) will not practice Wednesday. Cornerback Ronald Darby (hamstring) will be limited.
- Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said both hamstrings are now bothering cornerback Orlando Scandrick.He did not participate in* *practice Wednesday.
- Dolphins running back Arian Foster (groin) is viewed as a long shot to play Sunday, Rapoport reported.
- Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanleytold reporters he expects to play Sunday despite missing practice Wednesday.
- Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (ankle), cornerback Patrick Robinson (concussion in a non-contact jersey) and safety T.J. Green (knee) practiced Wednesday, ESPN's Mike Wells reported.
- Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson (illness), tackle Kelvin Beachum (concussion), cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring), safety Johnathan Cyprien (knee, triceps) and defensive end Jared Odrick (elbow) did not practice Wednesday, the team announced. Tackle Jermey Parnell (groin) was limited.
- Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (knee/ankle) and defensive tackleKendall Reyes (groin) sat out of practice Wednesday.
- Chargers rookie defensive end Joey Bosa suited up for practice for the first time since Aug. 30, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
- The Seahawks announced running back Thomas Rawls (leg) will be limited in practice Wednesday, but has a good chance to play Sunday.
- The New York Jets receiver Brandon Marshall (knee), receiver Eric Decker (shoulder), offensive lineman James Carpenter (calf), linebacker Erin Henderson (foot) and quarterback Bryce Petty (shoulder) all did not practice Wednesday. Running back Matt Forte (knee) and linebacker David Harris were limited, the team announced.
- Titans guard Chance Warmack will have surgery on his hand and is headed to injured reserve, coach Mike Mularkey said. It's a contract year for the former first rounder.
- Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Texans. Tight end Rob Gronkowski (hamstring), linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee), guard Jonathan Cooper (foot) and linebacker Jonathan Freeney (shoulder) are each listed as questionable.
