The Jacksonville Jaguars have been waiting for their Week 2 showdown with the New England Patriots for more than seven months. They'll begin preparing for a repeat of the AFC Championship Game without one of their top offensive weapons.
Running back Leonard Fournette did not practice Wednesday because of a minor hamstring strain.
"We're just going to give it some time and see where we are and when it's time we'll start testing it," Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said.
He was primarily relieved by T.J. Yeldon, who finished with 51 yards. The Jaguars' offense scored on three of their first four possessions with Fournette but was shut out in the second half. Yeldon and Fournette are built similarly but Jacksonville has set its hopes on the latter blossoming into one of the league's premier backs after selecting him No. 4 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Patriots slowed Fournette last January to the tune of 3.2 yards per carry over the course of 24 handoffs.
Here are other situations we're tracking Wednesday.
- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) returned to the practice field Wednesday in a limited capacity. Jeffery took part in individual drills but abstained from team periods. Jeffery missed the Eagles' season-opener as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Quarterback Carson Wentz (knee), wide receiver Shelton Gibson (knee) and running back Darren Sproles (hamstring) were also limited.
- Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) did not practice. He told reporters his elbow was merely bruised coming out of a season-opening tie against the Cleveland Browns. "It will be fine," he said. Big Ben would neither confirm nor deny whether he had an MRI but said he planned on playing in the Steelers' home opener Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he suffered a knee sprain in Sunday night's opener against the Bears. Rodgers worked on the side during Wednesday's practice. Packers coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers is day to day.
Wide receiver Davante Adams (shoulder) and safety Josh Jones (ankle) did not practice. Linebacker Oren Burks (shoulder) was limited.
- Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel said quarterback Marcus Mariotamade it through practice and, barring any setbacks, will play Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (concussion), linebacker Harold Landry (ankle) and safety Kendrick Lewis (foot) all didn't practice. Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (knee) and wide receiver Corey Davis hamstring were among the Titans who were limited in practice.
- The already banged up Falcons continued to get bad news on the injury front. Running back Devonta Freeman sat out practice as he deals with a sore knee.
- New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (back) and running back Wayne Gallman (knee) were limited. Linebacker Olivier Vernon (ankle) did not practice. Coach Pat Shurmur said Vernon will practice later this week and there is hope he'll return soon. Vernon has been battling a high ankle sprain.
- Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out several weeks, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source. The Ravens later announced that Dixon has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he'll miss at least eight weeks.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are placing cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (shoulder) on injured reserve, Rapoport reported.
- Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory remains in concussion protocol and will not practice Wednesday, coach Jason Garrett told reporters. In addition, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrencedidn't practice because of a groin injury.
Garrett confirmed that suspended defensive lineman David Irving is with the team and working with the strength staff. Irving was suspended four games before the season for violating the NFL's policy on substances of abuse and is eligible to return in October.
- The Carolina Panthers placed right tackle Daryl Williams (knee) on injured reserve. He is expected to undergo surgery after injurying his right knee Week 1. Williams also suffered an injury to the same knee in training camp when he tore his MCL and dislocated his patella. Guard Trai Turner is in the concussion protocol and did not participate in practice. Wideout Curtis Samuel remains sidelined with a medical illness.
- Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry continued to sit out practice as he battles a heel injury. Berry has not practiced since early August.
- Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (hamstring) and running back Marlon Mack (hamstring), both of whom were held out of the season opener, were present for the beginning of Wednesday's practice. Castonzo said previously he expects to play Sunday versus the Washington Redskins.
- The Bengals terminated quarterback Matt Barkley from the reserve/injured list with an injury settlement.
- Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Joe Barksdale (knee) is week to week and will not practice today. Barksdale had to exit in the first quarter of the Chargers' loss to the Chiefs.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosais still considered week to week after visiting with specialist Robert Anderson in Green Bay to get a second opinion on his foot injury, Rapoport reported. At this point, he is not a candidate to be placed on injured reserve, Rapoport added.
- New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (illness) did not practice.
- Cleveland Browns cornerback E.J. Gaines (knee) and Christian Kirksey (ankle/shoulder) were limited in practice.
- New England Patriots running back Rex Burkhead (concussion) sat out practice and rookie running back Sony Michel (knee) was limited. Offensive tackle Marcus Cannon (calf) and defensive back Nate Ebner (knee) were limited.
- The Cincinnati Bengals released Matt Barkley after reaching an injury settlement with the quarterback.
- Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (back/elbow) and wide receivers Will Fuller (hamstring), Sammie Coates (hamstring) and Keke Coutee (hamstring) were all limited in practice.
- The Los Angeles Rams placed Pro Bowl kick returner Pharaoh Cooper (ankle) on injured reserve. Cooper exited early in Monday night's opener against the Oakland Raiders. Cooper will undergo surgery, coach San McVay said.
- Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson was limited in practice with a back injury.
