Brian Leonard (foot) practiced for the first time in a month Thursday.

Though he's still unlikely to play in the season opener, Leonard is progressing better than expected from a mid-foot sprain. Cedric Peerman is expected to suit up this week as the No. 3 back behind Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott.

Brian Leonard (foot) could miss the first couple weeks of the regular season.

Leonard has a mid-foot sprain, which has the potential to turn into a Lisfranc injury. The Bengals will not rush their multi-dimensional runner back too quickly. Beat writer Joe Reedy expects Cedric Peerman to plug the gap as the No. 3 RB while Leonard is out.

Bengals third-down back Brian Leonard's foot injury involved no fractures or torn ligaments.

The term "Lisfranc" was previously used to describe the injury, but it's now being called a (relatively) routine mid-foot sprain. Leonard expects to be back "early in the regular season," but will be in a race to play on Opening Day.

Coach Marvin Lewis is optimistic that RB Brian Leonard won't have to be placed on injured reserve with his mid-foot injury.

Lewis indicated that it will be "a couple of weeks" before Leonard is back to full health, though it seems that he's using the word "couple" quite liberally in this instance. Leonard may not be out until mid-season, as originally feared, but he's also unlikely to return before Week 1.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer confirms that Bengals RB Brian Leonard's foot injury is of the Lisfranc variety.

Lisfranc foot injuries can be fractures or sprains, but no definitive word is expected about the extent for a few weeks, Bengals.com reported on Tuesday. In any event, Leonard isn't expected back until midseason at the soonest.

Bengals RB Brian Leonard's mid-foot injury is being called "significant," and could threaten his season.

He's definitely out for the rest of the preseason, and it wouldn't be a surprise if further tests reveal some sort of fracture. Leonard is the Bengals' best pass-blocking running back, so his loss would hurt on passing downs.

The initial diagnosis for Bengals RB Brian Leonard is that he suffered a mid-foot sprain in Sunday's preseason opener.

It's better than a fracture, but can still be a tricky injury to recover from. Leonard will return to Cincinnati tonight and undergo further tests. He's got plenty of time before Week 1, but Leonard's absence -- even if it's only for a week or two -- could give Bernard Scott even more of a chance to shine.

Bengals third-down back Brian Leonard left Sunday's exhibition opener in the second quarter with a left foot injury.

Leonard was carried off, and couldn't put any weight on his left foot before undergoing X-rays in the locker room. Injury prone since entering the league, Leonard's loss would likely result in more playing time for Bernard Scott.

The Bengals have not approached contract-year RB Brian Leonard about an extension this offseason.

The Bengals' third-down back, Leonard may cede the job to the more explosive Bernard Scott next season, if not this year. Though Leonard can pick up the blitz, the Bengals aren't in any rush to increase his ball-carrying duties.