Ravens running back Ray Rice is poised for a return to the lineup on Sunday against the Bills. The former second-round pick has been a participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer. Rice missed Week 3 against the Texans due to a hip injury. Second-year running back Bernard Pierce shouldered the load against Houston in Rice's absence.
NFL injuries: Ray Rice and Christian Ponder practice on Thursday
The injuries are piling up around the NFL and some teams are handling the injury bug better than others.
Rob Carr
Jason Butt of Baltimore Beat Down believes having a two-back tandem makes it tough on opposing defenses:
Rice and Pierce figure to go back to being a tandem as both were receiving their fair share of carries. Rice, though, adds another dimension in the receiving game, which will be needed moving forward considering Joe Flacco’s options have been limited early on this season.
Here are some more injury updates from the around the NFL that you may have missed on Thursday:
Christian Ponder takes the majority of snaps at practice on Thursday
The Vikings may have their starting quarterback on the field at Wembley Stadium, despite his bruised ribs. Christian Ponder took the majority of the quarterback reps on Thursday despite being limited in practice on Wednesday due to his rib injury, according to ESPN's Ben Goessling. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier told the media that he would prefer Ponder to start over backup Matt Cassel and his participation in practice is a step in the right direction for the former first-round pick.
Buccaneers' starting wide receivers both miss practice on Thursday
Both of the Buccaneers' starting wide receivers, Mike Williams and Vincent Jackson, missed practice on Thursday and may miss Sunday's game against the Arizona, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. Williams (hamstring) and Jackson (ribs) both were injured in the Buccaneers' loss to the Patriots in Week 3. Rookie quarterback Mike Glennon has been named the starter against the Cardinals and could surely use help from his best wide receivers in Week 4.
Terrelle Pryor cleared to practice on Thursday following concussion
Oakland quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be a limited participant in practice on Thursday after being cleared from a concussion that he suffered on Monday, according to Levi Damien of Silver and Black Pride. Pryor was injured after receiving a blow to the head from Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard during Denver's 37-21 win on Monday Night Football. If Pryor is unable to compete on Sunday, backup Matt Flynn will start in his place against the Redskins.
Andre Johnson is still considered a game-time decision for Week 4
Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson will only participate in individual drills in practice leading up to Sunday's game against the Seahawks, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. Johnson suffered a shin injury in the Texans' loss to the Ravens in Week 3. While he is able to practice, his limited participation still could mean that he skips the game on Sunday. Per McClain, head coach Gary Kubiak still views Johnson as a game-time decision.
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