Bengals injury report: BenJarvus Green-Ellis limited in practice

Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis returned to practice but was limited in his participation on Wednesday, according to the team's practice report. Green-Ellis missed the regular-season finale and Tuesday's workout because of a hamstring injury.

Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said he was optimistic that Green-Ellis would be ready for Saturday's AFC wild-card game against the Houston Texans, according to ESPN.

The running back in his first season with Cincinnati injured the hamstring during warmups as the Bengals prepared to play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. In a 23-17 victory, the Bengals put up 47 total rushing yards and had just a 2.2 yards per carry average without their starting running back.

Green-Ellis had 1,094 yards and six touchdowns this season while posting a rush average of 3.9 yards per carry, and he had been rushing well before the hamstring injury. After failing the reach the 100-yard mark in the first nine games of the season, he eclipsed the triple-digit mark in four of the last six games in which he played. The Bengals went 5-1 in that span.

Also limited for Cincinnati on Wednesday were cornerback Jason Allen (hamstring), safety Chris Crocker (thigh), safety Taylor Mays (hamstring) and cornerback Terence Newman (groin). Defensive end Wallace Gilberry missed Wednesday's practice because of an illness.