Steven Jackson might not be locked in for a Week 8 return, after all.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday that Jackson planned to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. On Thursday, the veteran running back clarified that when he said he was ready to "give it a go," he was referring to practice, not a game.
Jackson has been out since Week 2 with a strained hamstring. He did make his practice debut Wednesday, a positive sign he could be close to a return to game action.
But don't count on it just yet.
Here are the rest of the injury updates from around the NFL:
- Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was on the field Thursday, one day after sitting out practice with an ankle injury. His availability for Week 8 has never been in doubt, but any injury involving Manning is going to be noteworthy. A reporter for The Denver Post thought Manning looked fine Thursday.
- The New England Patriots announced that Tom Brady (shoulder), Julian Edelman (thigh) and Aqib Talib (hip) were limited at practice Thursday.
- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson revealed Thursday that a bruised hamstring has made him "hesitant" in recent weeks. The reigning MVP said he's been dealing with the issue for "four to five weeks," but he believes he's now cleared the mental hurdle that's come with the injury. Fun fact: Peterson must average 149 rushing yards per game for the rest of the season to hit the 2,000-yard milestone again.
- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vickreportedly is starting on Sunday, but Vick said Thursday he "can't guarantee" he'll be 100 percent by Sunday. Of course, Vick's hamstring doesn't have to be at full health for him to play against the New York Giants.
- Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Ware missed another practice Thursday, but he increased his work in individual drills. It's a positive sign for Ware, who missed the first game of his career this past Sunday. He'll likely be a game-time decision against the Detroit Lions.
- Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray practiced for the second consecutive day. He's on track to play Sunday after missing last week with a sprained knee.
- Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin continues to be held hostage by his balky hamstrings. Austin was held out of practice Thursday, a day after working with teammates on a limited basis. With Terrance Williams playing well in the No. 2 receiver role, don't be surprised if Austin sits until he gets closer to 100 percent.
- Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley was released from the hospital Thursday, four days after suffering a bruised spinal cord during Sunday's 31-13 win over the Cleveland Browns. It remains unclear when -- or if -- Finley will return to the field.
- Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller was held out of practice for a second day in a row. Spiller said Wednesday the ankle is feeling much better, though Bills coach Doug Marrone sounds less enthusiastic.
- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White missed practice for the second consecutive day on Thursday due to ankle and hamstring injuries, according to the team's official website. White's prospects for Sunday's tilt against the Arizona Cardinals do not look good at this juncture.
- Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) said he's "good enough to go" against the Falcons on Sunday.
- New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes told reporters Thursday that his ailing hamstring "feels good." Jets coach Rex Ryan, however, was "not optimistic" about Holmes' availability Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
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