NFL news roundup: Eddie Lacy will play vs. Jets, Bears WRs miss practice
Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are two of several key players fighting to be on the field this weekend.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
UPDATE: Eddie Lacy has been cleared and will play against the Jets, according to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
The Green Bay Packers' ground compliment to Aaron Rodgers not only returned to practice, but was decked out in full pads, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. That means that Lacy, who missed practice Wednesday, has passed another round of concussion tests required by the league's protocol. It's also a positive indication that he could make his way onto the field against the Jets on Sunday afternoon, though he's not been cleared to do so yet. Lacy said earlier this week that he plans to switch back to his old helmet after a specialized concussion helmet failed him in the season opener.
Marshall, Jeffery sidelined for Bears practice
The Chicago Bears were down both of their top receivers in practice on Thursday as Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) both sat out. Marshall seems to be the best bet of the two to suit up against the 49ers on Sunday, but he told the Chicago Sun-Times he'll find out Friday.
“I’ll get out there [Friday] hopefully and test it out,” Marshall said. “I’m sure it’s going to be ugly and it’s going to be sore and it’s going to hurt, but you got to be able to show the team and the coaches that I can at least be in position.”
With No. 3 wideout Marquess Wilson still recovering from a broken collarbone, the Bears are down to just two healthy wideouts on the 53-man roster.
Green, Burfict sit out Bengals practice
The Cincinnati Bengals were without key contributors on both sides of the ball during Thursday practice: wide receiver A.J. Green and linebacker Vontaze Burfict sat out, according to the team's official injury report. Green, who is nursing a foot injury, was a partial participant on Wednesday, but Burfict, who suffered a concussion against the Ravens last week, hasn't seen the practice field at all this week.
Gerhart expected to play Sunday
Toby Gerhart said Thursday that his sprained ankle is "progressing a lot faster" than anticipated, and Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are counting on having their running back available this weekend against Washington. Gerhart admitted he initially thought he had broken his leg after a hard tackle against the Eagles, but eventually returned to that game and carried the ball 18 times for 42 yards. The news isn't as good for wideout Cecil Shorts III, who missed practice Thursday and is in danger of sitting out another game.
Greer retires
Longtime New Orleans Saints cornerback and current free agent Jabari Greer announced Thursday on ESPN's "First Take" that he's hanging up the cleats after a 10-year career. The 32-year-old was cut by the Saints in February after tearing his ACL late in 2013. He tallied 12 interceptions during five years as a starter in New Orleans.
Don’t worry, he appears to be taking his departure from the sport well.
Cornerback @Jabari_Greer announced his retirement on today's show after a 10-year run. pic.twitter.com/7wr8ugOFVs
— ESPN First Take (@ESPN_FirstTake) September 11, 2014 See More:
