Le'Veon Bell was held out of the Steelers' preseason opener Saturday due to soreness in his left knee. The injury is not considered serious, however, so Bell remains the favorite to handle lead-back duties in Pittsburgh. He was originally slated to start Saturday's game over both Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman.
Geno Smith returned to practice Sunday, after leaving Friday's preseason game with an ankle injury. The ailment turned out to be minor, which means that Smith will still have every chance to beat out Mark Sanchez for the starting job.
The Ravens signed a pair of experienced pass-catchers in Dallas Clark and Brandon Stokley. The duo won't be able to recreate the glory days of the Peyton Manning-led Colts, but both veterans will have a chance to compete for playing time on a team that is desperate for proven receiving options. Stokley should immediately enter the competition for snaps at wide receiver alongside the likes of Tandon Doss, Deonte Thompson (ankle), and David Reed (groin). Clark, meanwhile, will likely be expected to put pressure on Visanthe Shiancoe while Ed Dickson remains out with a hamstring injury. Though neither player projects to have a central role in the Baltimore offense, both Clark and Stokley should have a chance to emerge as peripheral receiving options under the familiar guiding influence of current Ravens offensive coordinator and former Colts head coach Jim Caldwell.
Terrance Williams (concussion) returned to practice for the Cowboys on Tuesday, after sitting out for more than a week. The rookie wide receiver is competing with Dwayne Harris and Anthony Armstrong for playing time behind the starting duo of Dez Bryant and Miles Austin. Many of you will remember that Kevin Ogletree got off to a strong start while working as the Cowboys' No. 3 wide receiver last season.
Chris Ivory (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis Sunday for the first time since July 31. He's still in line to start at running back for the Jets, and should be fully recovered by Week 1. With Mike Goodson (personal) still away from the team, Bilal Powell was getting the bulk of the first-team work in Ivory's absence. Joe McKnight (head) also returned to practice on a limited basis Sunday, and the USC product could see some playing time in obvious passing situations.
Dwayne Allen is expected to miss a few weeks with an undisclosed foot injury, according to Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. Allen supposedly has a good chance to be ready for Week 1, but if the injury ends up lingering into the regular season it could lead to an uptick in targets for fellow second-year TE Coby Fleener. Both Allen and Fleener are expected to have significant roles in the Indianapolis offense this season.
Christine Michael missed Sunday's practice due to back spasms, and it is unclear when he is expected to return. The rookie second-round draft pick is hoping to push Robert Turbin (foot) for playing time behind Marshawn Lynch in what should be one of the better running attacks in the league. Michael is a powerful but injury-prone runner who recently opened the preseason with a 16-carry, 89-yard effort against the Chargers. Fellow rookie Michael Ford figures to step into the No. 3 running back spot while Michael is sidelined.
Ryan Williams (knee) previously said that he would suit up for next Saturday's preseason game against the Cowboys, but now it sounds like he probably won't be able to. The oft-injured third-year pro is running out of time to prove that he's worthy of a role in the Cardinals' new offense, and he may even be on the roster bubble. Rashard Mendenhall still looks like a strong bet to open 2013 as the starting running back in Arizona.