When the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns opted to hold out Julio Jones and Trent Richardson from their respective preseason openers, the implication was that both players were healthy enough to play had it been a regular-season game.
Saturday brought confirmation that both teams were simply playing it cautiously with their offensive stars. Jones returned from his hamstring injury to practice with the Falcons after missing less than a week. Jones had been tearing up training camp prior to the injury.
"Julio was out running some routes," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He did some work. He didn't take a full load. I would imagine in the next day or two he'll probably be back to full participation," Smith said.
Browns coach Rob Chudzinskihopes Richardson's injured shin is healthy enough for the running back to play in Thursday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions. Richardson rejoined Browns teammates in Saturday's practice after sitting out for just over a week.
The rest of Saturday's updates from the trainer's room:
» Denver Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returned to practice in full pads after missing 10 days with an ankle sprain. "I'm just easing my way back in," Rodgers-Cromartie said, via ESPN.com. "I'm just trying to get a feel for it, some days you feel good, some days you don't."
» Coach Gary Kubiak said Saturday that Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is close to returning from his strained calf. Kubiak has been singing that same song for a week now.
» San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colt McCoy went down with a shoulder injury during Thursday's 10-6 loss to the Denver Broncos. But McCoy was back in pads for Saturday's practice, wearing a no-contact jersey.
»Green Bay Packers first-round draft pick Datone Jones will be sent for further testing after injuring his ankle in Friday's 17-0 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
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