Any sentence that includes "Miles Austin" and "hamstring" should be met with apprehension.
Hamstring pulls have robbed Austin of both games and explosiveness dating back to 2011. The Dallas Cowboys say the latest one isn't serious. Excuse us for our suspicions.
Thursday marked the second consecutive day the wide receiver was held out of practice after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's blowout win over the St. Louis Rams.
Will Austin play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers? Will he be at risk to aggravate the injury if he does? It's a script that's become too familiar in recent years.
Here are other injuries of note Thursday:
- Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (knee) went through a full practice for the second consecutive day. Consider him a safe bet to start against the Chicago Bears after sitting out Week 3.
- Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday with a shin injury. His status is in question Week 4 versus the Seattle Seahawks.
"I've been feeling better," Johnson said, via the Houston Chronicle. "I'm doing everything I can to make sure I'm on the field. I look forward to playing."
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Vincent Jackson (ribs) and Mike Williams (groin) both sat out their second straight day of practice. Mike Glennon's NFL debut is not going to be pretty if he has nobody to throw to.
- Oakland Raiders quarterback Terrelle Pryor returned to practice Thursday, his first since suffering a concussion Monday night. The next step in the league's concussion protocol is practicing in full pads. Matt Flynn has been taking first-team reps.
- Dallas Cowboys defensive end Anthony Spencer might not be headed for the operating table after all. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Spencer wants to consider all of his options before settling on surgery. This is not the message agent Jordan Woy sent a day earlier.
- Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice practiced for the second straight day. NFL Media's Albert Breer reported that internally, the team doesn't view Rice's hip injury is serious. It's more about pain management for the All-Pro.
- Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (knee) has not been ruled out for Sunday night's tilt with the New Orleans Saints. Coach Joe Philbin told reporters that Wake's status will be determined late in the week.
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