Ezekiel Elliott has knee sprain, reportedly will miss game vs. Bears

The Bears look increasingly likely to miss out on having to face one of the Cowboys’ franchise players Sunday. Running back Ezekiel Elliott didn’t practice Wednesday because of a sprained right knee and, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is unlikely to play.

Elliott told Cowboys reporters that missing Sunday’s game was a “consideration” and will be based on how he feels at the end of the week. The Cowboys have a bye scheduled after the Bears’ game, though, and could get him two weeks of rest by sitting him. The team doesn’t have to make a game designation until Friday.

Elliott has run 109 times for 443 yards and four touchdowns, including a 15-carry, 57-yard performance that yielded two touchdowns in Sunday’s 24-6 win against the Lions. He was hit on his right knee against the Lions, but returned to the field.

Tony Pollard, who shares carries in the Cowboys’ backfield, would see an increased workload with Elliott out. He has been far more efficient than his more famous teammate this season, averaging 5.6 yards per carry to Elliott’s 4.1.

O-line injuries

The Bears will put center Lucas Patrick on injured reserve after he left Monday’s game in the first quarter because of a toe injury, coach Matt Eberflus said. Sam Mustipher, who was benched after six starts, will start against the Cowboys. Center Dieter Eiselen will be promoted from the practice squad as insurance.

Eberflus said the Bears were “still determining the extent” of Patrick’s injury; he’ll miss at least four games.

The Bears could face the Cowboys without starting right tackle Larry Borom, who did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through because of a concussion. Veteran Riley Reiff, who has started 139 career games but has played only one offensive snap for the Bears, would likely take his place.

The Bears signed Patrick to a two-year, $8 million deal in March. Because he broke his thumb early in training camp, he was unable to snap early in the season.

He played both left and right guard until Monday, when he made his first Bears start at center.

This and that

Receiver Byron Pringle returned to practice for the first time since going on IR Sept. 27 with a calf injury. That opens up a three-week window for him to return to game action.

Eberflus wouldn’t close the door on a return Sunday.

“We’re gonna see where he goes, in terms of his conditioning level. . . .” Eberflus said. “If he does really well, we’ll see what happens later in the week.”

Pringle, the team’s highest-paid free-agent receiver addition, had two catches for 33 yards on three targets through the first three games.

• Receiver Daurice Fountain, who played under Eberflus in Indianapolis and general manager Ryan Poles in Kansas City, will join the practice squad after the Chiefs released him Monday.

• Cowboys receiver Noah Brown (foot) and safety Malik Hooker (hamstring) didn’t practice, while tight end Dalton Schultz (knee) and tackle Terence Steele (neck) were limited.