Buccaneers' Ronald Jones: Another absence at practice

Jones (ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

There were positive signs from Jones earlier Thursday, when he was seen running at the back of the practice field, per Laine. However, Jones hasn't been able to cut on his ankle sprain since injuring himself Week 17 at the Jets. With just one more session to mix into drills this week, he may be trending toward a third absence in a row Sunday against the Rams. If the preceding comes to pass, the Bucs again may have to lean on Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) at running back because Leonard Fournette (hamstring) remains on injured reserve.