IRVING, Texas -- Dez Bryant returned to practice for the first time in almost seven weeks, boosting the prospects of Dallas' All-Pro receiver returning from a broken right foot against Seattle this weekend.
Coach Jason Garrett said Bryant would be limited Wednesday in his first practice since Sept. 11, two days before he was injured in the opener against the New York Giants. He's missed five straight games, the longest absence of his career.
The Cowboys (2-4) have lost four straight games without Bryant and quarterback Tony Romo, who broke his left collarbone a week after Bryant's injury. Romo will miss at least three more games.
The Seahawks (3-4) visit Dallas on Sunday.
Titans: Mariota returns to practice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota returned to practice Wednesday, and the rookie said his left knee is feeling better.
Whether he plays Sunday when the Titans visit Houston remains to be seen.
The Titans officially listed Mariota as limited and want to be sure the No. 2 pick overall is recovered from the sprained MCL in his left knee when he plays again.
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Coach Ken Whisenhunt says Mariota took part in all of the individual drills and got better as practice progressed. But Whisenhunt sees this as a day-to-day process with everyone evaluating how Mariota feels Thursday (see full story).
Steelers: Roethlisberger expected to start Sunday
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expects Ben Roethlisberger back under center Sunday against Cincinnati.
Roethlisberger isn't so sure just yet.
The two-time Super Bowl winner is playing it safe in his return after missing four games with a sprained knee and a bruised leg, saying Wednesday he's `'not going to get his hopes up" about playing Sunday.
Roethlisberger plans to be in the lineup against the undefeated Bengals in a key AFC North showdown, and he practiced in full Wednesday. But he's also exercising caution after experiencing some discomfort in his knee following a practice late last week (see full story).
Browns: Manziel to meet with NFL investigators
BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel's playing status for Sunday hinges on Josh McCown's sore right shoulder and an interview.
Browns coach Mike Pettine said Wednesday that Manziel has an "imminent" meeting scheduled with NFL investigators, who are looking into whether he violated the league's personal conduct policy.
Manziel was recently questioned by Avon, Ohio, police after he and his girlfriend were involved in a heated argument. Colleen Crowley told police that Manziel hit her and pushed her head into a car window when they quarreled. Manziel was not arrested (see full story).