NFL report: Dez Bryant back at practice for Cowboys

Dez Bryant could be back in the lineup against Seattle after missing five games with a broken right foot.

If Dallas’ All-Pro receiver does return, it will be alongside a new starting running back in Darren McFadden as the Cowboys try to figure out a way to win without quarterback Tony Romo.

Bryant practiced for the first time in almost seven weeks Wednesday, although he was limited. He was injured in the opener against the Giants, and Romo went down a week later with a broken left collarbone.

The Cowboys (2-4) haven’t won in the four games since, and now get the defending NFC champion Seahawks (3-4) on Sunday before a visit from NFC East rival Philadelphia in consecutive home games.

Matt Cassel will make his second start in place of Romo after Brandon Weeden went 0-3 filling in for the franchise leader in yards passing and touchdown passes. Cassel had more success throwing downfield to wide receivers than Weeden, although he had three interceptions in a 27-20 loss to the Giants.

“He’s getting to know me and I’m getting to know him, just like all these guys,” said Cassel, who came in a trade with Buffalo after Romo’s injury. “Every little bit helps because we get into my second week really running the offense.”

McFadden had 29 carries for 152 yards after Joseph Randle left with a back injury following his second carry against New York. It was the most yards for McFadden since he had 171 in 2011 with Oakland, which drafted him fourth overall in 2008. The carries were his most since 2012.

Texans deny confrontation

Houston Texans Coach Bill O’Brien denied Wednesday that he and General Manager Rick Smith had a confrontation Saturday about whether to cut quarterback Ryan Mallett.

His comments come after a report said Smith overruled O’Brien, who wanted to cut Mallett on Saturday after the quarterback missed the team’s charter flight to Miami. That move would have left the Texans without a backup quarterback for Sunday’s game. The Texans released Mallett on Tuesday.

O’Brien opened his news conference Wednesday by saying: “Rick Smith and I both have respect for each other. We work together every day. We communicate every day. It’s a partnership. Decisions are made by two of us.”

Asked if there was a confrontation Saturday, O’Brien said no.

The missed flight comes after Mallett, who started four games this season, also missed a practice in training camp because he overslept. He blamed the latest gaffe on traffic and took a commercial flight to meet to team.

Roethlisberger not sure

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.

“I think it was more just a pain and inflammation setback,” Roethlisberger said. “I don’t think it was an injury-type of a setback. I just put an extra, heavy load on it and paid for it that night with achiness and inflammation.”

Roethlisberger reported no pain Wednesday morning, but still wants to see how his knee feels after a couple days of practice prior to Sunday’s game.

Etc.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota returned to practice Wednesday, and the rookie says 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. Mariota missed his first game last week in a 10-7 loss to Atlanta after the No. 2 pick overall started the first five games for Tennessee (1-5). ... The New York Jets released punter Steve Weatherford, four days after signing him in a pinch while he was in the middle of co-hosting a radio show. Weatherford punted in the Jets’ 30-23 loss at New England on Sunday as an emergency replacement for Ryan Quigley, who was unavailable with an infection in his right shin. ... The Jacksonville Jaguars signed rookie linebacker Hayes Pullard off Cleveland’s practice squad and waived linebacker James-Michael Johnson. Pullard was a seventh-round pick by the Browns from USC.