Thursday brought the best sign yet that Lamar Jackson could be back for the Baltimore Ravens this weekend. The two-time MVP was on the field from the start of practice and took part in every drill during the portion open to reporters, a day after he was limited in his first work since spraining his left ankle. The Philadelphia Eagles expected Saquon Barkley back at practice, Breece Hall returned for the New York Jets, and the Kansas City Chiefs decided to put left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve.
- Ravens: QB Lamar Jackson (ankle) jogged out in uniform and took part in every drill during the open portion of practice
- Eagles: RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring) expected to practice for the first time since Week 4 and in line to play Monday against Dallas
- Jets: RB Breece Hall (quadriceps) back on the field after a Wednesday DNP
- Chiefs: LT Josh Simmons (bulging disc) going on injured reserve; the earliest he can return is Week 11
- Steelers: DE Sebastian Joseph-Day (triceps) placed on injured reserve before the Paris game
- Buccaneers: QB Baker Mayfield (right thumb) practiced in a glove for a second day; WR Emeka Egbuka (concussion/foot) worked on the side
- Cardinals: RB Jeremiyah Love (ankle) expected to miss a second straight game
- 49ers: WR Mike Evans (Achilles tendinitis) still undecided for Sunday at Atlanta
Lamar Jackson takes another step
Jackson jogged onto the practice field in uniform, Jeff Zrebiec noted, and Jamison Hensley reported that he took part in every drill while reporters were watching. On Wednesday he was not seen during the open period and only joined in later, and the Ravens listed him as limited. Jackson has missed the last two games since he hurt the ankle on October 4.
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was careful not to commit to Jackson for Sunday’s AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals. “We’re certainly excited about the direction he’s heading,” Doyle said, though he added that Jackson still has a lot of work to do. Asked when he needs to know who his quarterback is, Doyle answered: “Game time.” Tyler Huntley has started the last two games.
The only Ravens Zrebiec did not see practicing during the open portion were safety Jaylinn Hawkins (ankle) and outside linebacker Tavius Robinson (pectoral).
Saquon Barkley is set to return for the Eagles
Barkley has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 4. Mike Garafolo reported on Thursday morning that Barkley was expected to return to practice and is in line to play when the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night. Nick Sirianni would only say “we’ll see” about Monday, but he made it clear he expected Barkley on the field. “Look forward to seeing him out there today,” Sirianni said.
Barkley’s return would be a lift for a 2-4 team that has lost Jalen Hurts for the season to blood clots and has been thin at running back. Sirianni again declined to discuss the players’ union’s call for an investigation into how Hurts’ condition was handled.
Breece Hall returns to Jets practice
Hall did not practice on Wednesday because of his quadriceps injury, but he was in stretch lines at the start of Thursday’s session and then moved into position drills. Aaron Glenn had already refused to rule him out for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins. Brian Costello said Hall was moving well and that he would be optimistic about him playing, with Friday’s report set to give a clearer answer.
Josh Simmons goes on injured reserve
Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said the team will place Simmons on injured reserve because his recovery from a bulging disc in his lower back has stalled. “Josh worked his tail off and was diligent every day. However, we feel he’s plateaued in the rehab process. He’s just not there yet,” Burkholder said. Simmons returned to limited practice last week but sat out on Wednesday, when he was listed for personal reasons. Burkholder said Simmons took that day off after everyone agreed he needed more time.
A spine specialist recommended rehab rather than surgery, and Burkholder said surgery is still not planned. He added that the disc problem sits higher up in the back than is typical for offensive linemen. Nate Taylor noted that the earliest Simmons can come back is Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals on November 22. Rookie Kahlil Benson will keep starting at left tackle when Kansas City visits the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.
Steelers lose Sebastian Joseph-Day before Paris
Pittsburgh placed defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day on injured reserve with a triceps injury. He did not practice on Wednesday and will miss at least the next four games. Joseph-Day had played in all six games, with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery, and he is the second Steelers defensive lineman on the list after rookie Derrick Harmon. The Steelers face the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France on Sunday.
Baker Mayfield practices again, Egbuka works on the side
Mayfield practiced for a second straight day with a glove on his right throwing hand, and Rick Stroud said he appeared fine. He was a full participant on Wednesday in his first practice since he dislocated the thumb on September 27, and the Buccaneers play at the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Receiver Emeka Egbuka, who is in the concussion protocol and also has a foot injury, worked on the side with a trainer, Greg Auman reported. Tackle Luke Goedeke (calf) and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (finger) were not at practice. Running back Bucky Irving, cornerback Zyon McCollum and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey were back after illnesses, and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. wore a non-contact jersey.
Around the league
Arizona rookie running back Jeremiyah Love is not expected to play on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, Matt Zenitz reported. Love has not practiced since October 9 because of an ankle injury and also missed last week’s win over the Los Angeles Rams. Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight are expected to handle the backfield again.
In San Francisco, John Lynch said Mike Evans’ status for Sunday at Atlanta is still to be decided as he treats the Achilles tendinitis that forced him out on Monday night. “I wouldn’t say not likely, I think it’s still TBD. We’ve got a couple more days, we’re going to take every bit of those,” Lynch said. He added that the 49ers are trying to win every game, bye week or not, and that Evans will play if he is healthy.
What comes next
The official Thursday reports, which come out later in the day, will show how much Jackson actually did and whether Barkley and Hall were limited or full. The 49ers practice later on Thursday with Nick Bosa, Evans and Deebo Samuel to watch, and the Packers will show whether Jordan Love’s back allows a full session. Most teams give their game designations on Friday.
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