Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leads his team onto the field before a regular season NFL football matchup Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (ankle) returns to practice

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned to practice Thursday in a limited capacity, less than 72 hours after suffering an ankle injury on “Monday Night Football.”

Lawrence, 24, sustained a high ankle sprain during the team’s 34-31 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. He sat out Wednesday’s practice before his return Thursday, increasing the chances that he will be able to play against the host Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Lawrence didn’t partake in every drill but did some throwing on Thursday, according to reporters on the scene in Jacksonville.

“I’ll never put myself or the team at higher risk that we aren’t going to do our best because I can’t do my job,” Lawrence told reporters Wednesday, adding, “We have an amazing medical staff.”

Lawrence also said the Jaguars had a cart available to take him off the field Monday night, but he refused it.

C.J. Beathard, who replaced Lawrence on Monday night, was a limited participant at practice for the second straight day with a non-throwing shoulder injury, but he said Wednesday there would be no doubt about his availability.

Lawrence has 3,004 yards passing, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 94.4 passer rating on the season. He also has 248 yards rushing with four scores on the ground.

–Field Level Media

Oct 1, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) runs with the ball during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns LT Jedrick Wills Jr., RB Jerome Ford back at practice

Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., running back Jerome Ford and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin returned to practice Friday.

Wills (foot), Ford (ankle) and Goodwin (back) all missed practices Wednesday and Thursday as the Browns (4-2) prepare to visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-2) on Sunday.

Wills, 24, has started all six games this season. He has made 51 starts since the Browns drafted him 10th overall in 2020.

Ford, 23, has started three of his six games in 2023, rushing for 344 yards and two TDs and catching 14 passes for 104 yards and two scores. He was Cleveland’s fifth-round pick in 2022.

Goodwin, 32, has three catches on nine targets for 10 yards and has rushed three times for 38 yards in six games. He has 190 receptions for 3,033 yards and 18 touchdowns in 108 games (44 starts) with five teams since 2013.

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) reacts to a first down as Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) looks on during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Kelce a DNP on Chiefs’ estimated injury report

The Kansas City Chiefs did not practice Monday ahead of a short week, but their league-mandated estimated injury report listed tight end Travis Kelce as “did not participate” with an ankle injury.

Kelce hurt the ankle Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings before returning to the game and making a touchdown grab in Kansas City’s 27-20 win. NFL Network reported after the game that he was diagnosed with a low ankle sprain.

The Chiefs (4-1) play Thursday against the visiting Denver Broncos (1-4), giving Kelce less time than usual to heal up. The Chiefs’ first true injury report will be out Tuesday.

After making a catch late in the second quarter, Kelce planted his right foot and slipped awkwardly on the turf and went down untouched. He jogged off the field under his own power and spoke with trainers on the sideline before walking to the locker room.

He missed an 11-play touchdown drive to open the third quarter, but returned for the next drive and caught five passes, including a 4-yard touchdown reception with 2:45 left in the quarter. He finished with 10 receptions for 67 yards.

Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (ankle), defensive end George Karlaftis (hamstring) and defensive tackle Matt Dickerson (knee) were listed as limited participants on the estimated injury report.

–Field Level Media

NFL Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor

RB Jonathan Taylor committed to Colts for now, at least

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor told reporters Thursday that he is committed to the team, at least in the moment.

“I’m here right now,” he said.

He had not practiced with the team since December after suffering a season-ending right ankle injury. Back this week, it isn’t clear whether he sees a future with the Colts after asking for a trade this summer amid a contract dispute.

“I don’t think it matters if I’m saying I’m committed or not, because I’m here,” said Taylor, who wasn’t present for most of training camp. “If somebody wasn’t committed, they wouldn’t be here. And right now, I’m here and my No. 1 goal is to attack this first practice. It’s been over 290 days, I believe.”

Taylor, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is in the final year of his four-year, $7.8 million rookie contract and was due to receive a $4.3 million base salary this season.

He declined Thursday to talk about the potential for a contract extension.

“I’m not here to get into any contract things,” he said. “Those were over the course of the offseason, but the season is here. We’ve got the Tennessee Titans on the clock. Division matchup. What are you going to do?”

The Colts designated Taylor to return from the physically unable to perform list, giving them 21 days to place him on the active roster. Coach Shane Steichen said it is possible Taylor will play Sunday against the Titans.

Reports from Indianapolis indicated there has been a reduction in the tension between Taylor and the front office, but Taylor said his health is the biggest factor in being back with the team.

“The No. 1 thing that changed is that I’m finally able to step on the field,” he said. “Like I said, it’s a big day. It’s a huge day.”

Taylor, 24, rushed for 861 yards and four touchdowns in 11 starts last season. The 2021 All-Pro selection has gained 4,643 yards from scrimmage and scored 36 TDs in 43 career games (41 starts).

The Colts’ leading rusher through four games this year is Zack Moss with 280 yards and one touchdown on 66 carries. Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has rushed for 131 yards and four scores.

The Colts are tied for first place in the AFC South — along with every other team in the division. Every team is 2-2.

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

RB Dalvin Cook participates in first practice with Jets

New York Jets running back Dalvin Cook practiced for the first time this summer on Tuesday.

The four-time Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal with the Jets on Aug. 14 that is worth up to $8.6 million.

Cook, 28, was released by the Minnesota Vikings on June 9 after his fourth straight 1,000-yard season.

He recently became a first-time father and has been spending time with his son, Dalvin Jr., per ESPN.

Coach Robert Saleh confirmed Cook’s participation in Tuesday’s practice as the Jets prepare for their Sept. 11 opener against the Buffalo Bills. Cook’s younger brother, James, is a running back for the Bills.

Dalvin Cook is returning from shoulder surgery in February.

He posted 5,993 rushing yards, 47 rushing touchdowns, 221 receptions, 1,794 receiving yards and five TD catches in 73 games (72 starts) with the Vikings, who drafted him in the second round in 2017.

Cook joins a Jets backfield that features Breece Hall, who averaged 5.8 yards per attempt across seven games as a rookie in 2022 before tearing his ACL. Saleh also announced that Hall, 22, would practice on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; A fan sits in the snow covered stands prior to the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Bills cancel practice, to meet virtually during blizzard

The Buffalo Bills canceled Friday’s practice and the team will meet virtually due to blizzard conditions.

Sunday’s home game between the Bills (6-3) and the Cleveland Browns (3-6) has been moved to Detroit’s Ford Field.

The team’s travel plans to Detroit are still being determined, according to Buffalo coach Sean McDermott.

Heavy snowfall in western New York is expected to continue through Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Deshaun Watson is on track to return from his 11-game suspension on Dec. 4 when the Cleveland Browns play the Houston Texans.

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Browns QB Deshaun Watson eligible to rejoin teammates at practice

Quarterback Deshaun Watson is back with the Cleveland Browns, participating in practice and meetings at the team facility for the first time since the start of the regular season.

The next full-squad session is Wednesday in Berea, Ohio, but Watson is expected to be working overtime to get ready for the Dec. 4 game at Houston.

Watson’s 11-game suspension runs through Week 12 — including the bye week — before the ban is lifted just in time for his debut with the Browns against the Texans.

Watson was acquired from the Texans in March and signed to a $250 million contract. But he was banned for 11 games in August for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, when the NFL ruled his behavior with massage therapists was “egregious” and “predatory.”

Watson agreed to a $5 million fine and the 11-game suspension and vowed to undergo counseling and treatment.

Since the ruling, Watson was mostly away from the team. He was cleared to attend meetings and use the weight room facilities last month.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson would primarily be working in individual drills but would take some reps with the offense as his return nears.

Cleveland lost to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and is 3-6, well out of the current AFC playoff picture with eight regular-season games to go.

Jacoby Brissett has been the starting quarterback in Watson’s place, but Stefanski said Watson is the starter Dec. 4 at Houston barring an injury.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs off the field after the Indianapolis Colts are defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s missed practice ends streak

When Jonathan Taylor missed practice Wednesday with a toe injury, it ended an incredible “iron man” streak for the Indianapolis Colts running back.

Taylor had never missed a practice in his football career — not at New Jersey’s Salem High School, not in three seasons at Wisconsin and not since joining the NFL in 2020, according to ESPN.

He was held out of Wednesday for precautionary reasons but is expected to be ready for the Colts’ Week 4 game on Sunday against the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Taylor, 23, experienced some soreness after rushing for 71 yards on 21 carries in last week’s win over Kansas City. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 286 yards through three weeks. He also has eight catches for 43 yards.

Taylor led the NFL in rushing last season with a franchise-record 1,811 yards.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA;  New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) stares at Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and reacts to a play during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady skips planned day off, practices with Bucs

Tom Brady apparently doesn’t need a day off.

NFL Network reported Wednesday that Brady joined his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates at practice, saying he felt well and wanted to practice. It was NFL Network that said Sunday that the 45-year-old quarterback would take Wednesdays off throughout the season.

Still, the network stood by its report, saying coach Todd Bowles had confirmed the day off plan and that Brady was expected to sit out upcoming Wednesdays. Part of the reason why Brady practiced this week could have been that he wanted time to work with wide receiver Cole Beasley, the veteran signed to the practice squad earlier this week.

Receiver Mike Evans, suspended one game for actions in last Sunday’s clash with the New Orleans Saints, won’t play this weekend against the Green Bay Packers.

Brady, in his 23rd season, did not practice last Wednesday.

Brady and the Bucs beat the Saints 20-10 last Sunday. He completed 18 of 34 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown.

He needs 78 yards to become the first NFL player to reach 85,000 career passing yards.

–Field Level Media

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) is knocked to the ground as a third scuffle escalates into a brawl during a joint preseason camp practice between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. Practice was ended early after a third scuffle turned into a broader fight between players on both teams.

Cincinnati Bengals Los Angeles Rams Training Camp

Helmets, fists fly as Rams and Bengals brawl in practice

Fists — and helmets — were flying Thursday at a fight-filled practice session between the Los Angeles Rams and host Cincinnati Bengals.

The explosive reunion of last season’s Super Bowl participants ended early after the third scuffle of their second day of joint practices.

Video and photos of the incidents showed Rams star Aaron Donald holding Bengals helmets in both hands and repeatedly swinging one of them during a scrum before getting knocked to the ground.

“It got a little scuffly, and so we just called it,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “We were in the last period. We got two really good days of work in. Was it worth getting the extra couple of plays? No. So we called it off. We got two good days of work in and we’ll go play on Saturday.”

Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, declined to comment through a team spokesman.

Bengals offensive tackle La’el Collins also appeared to remove and throw the helmet of Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Rams coach Sean McVay said he didn’t know what started the fights.

“I think in some instances teams defending each other,” McVay said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Fortunately, my understanding is nobody got hurt and we’ll move on from it. Not going to make a bigger deal than what it is. Not going to look at pointing fingers.”

Teams, and not the NFL, are responsible for any disciplinary actions resulting from practices or joint practices.

The Bengals host the Rams in Saturday’s preseason finale.

–Field Level Media