Miami Dolphins activate Knowshon Moreno

Knowshon Moreno was activated Wednesday. But active? Not so much.

The Miami Dolphins running back came off the physically unable to perform list and joined practice, a big step in his recovery from a knee injury that forced him to miss the first 12 days of training camp.

But he spent most of the workout watching, sat out 11-on-11 drills and is certain to miss the first exhibition game Friday at Atlanta.

“Today was testing the knee out and seeing how it feels,” Moreno said. “I feel good. What I did today I felt pretty good doing. Now the next couple of days I’ll just progress and do more and more each day. The main thing is to be ready for the season.”

Moreno signed a $3.275-million, one-year contract in March after five seasons with the Denver Broncos. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in June and said his rehabilitation went as expected.

Packers’ lineman tears ACL

Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Don Barclay suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be lost for the season, according to a source with knowledge of the injury.

The only good news for the Packers and Barclay is that there was no other damage in the knee that would complicate recovery. In some cases, the medial collateral ligament is torn or there is cartilage damage as well.

Barclay’s loss is significant given he was capable of backing up at right tackle and both guard spots. With Barclay gone, it now means the Packers will be counting on former first-round pick Derek Sherrod to fill both the left and right tackle backup positions.

Etc.

St. Louis Rams left tackle Jake Long has sat around longer than he’s wanted. He’s going to have to wait a little more before he gets to play in a football game. Long had surgery in January to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered against Tampa Bay on Dec. 22. Though he’s been participating in all preseason practices, he won’t see any playing time Friday when the Rams host the New Orleans Saints in the teams’ preseason opener. Long isn’t certain if he’ll play before St. Louis begins its regular season Sept. 7 against Minnesota. ... Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones says he isn’t sure he’ll play in Friday night’s preseason opener against the Dolphins even though he feels good about his recovery from a broken foot. Jones participated in Wednesday’s practice in full pads. The Falcons have limited Jones’ work during training camp, holding him out every other day. ... The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed receivers Ramses Barden and Chad Hall following injuries to Mike Brown and Nathan Slaughter. Brown left training camp Wednesday with tightness in his right hamstring. Slaughter was waived/injured Wednesday after spraining his left foot Tuesday. ... Arizona Cardinals tight end Jake Ballard announced his retirement. Ballard traced his decision to the severe knee injury he sustained playing for the New York Giants in the 2012 Super Bowl. “My body never felt the same,” he said in a statement. “Having a quality of life after football is very important to me and I have witnessed it taken away from others. I will miss the game tremendously, but I am ready for this next chapter in my life.”