Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon, who injured his knee on the first day of training camp and took part in light individual drills Friday, took part in the entire practice Saturday.
A fourth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech, where he briefly held the NCAA's career record for rushing touchdowns before being overtaken by Reynolds, had a couple of impressive runs in practice, including a long gain on a third-down play when he burst through a couple of tackles.
"It felt great getting back out there, competing again," Dixon said, "just getting back out there with guys, just trying to work hard and trying to do the things I need to get on the field."
Dixon said that he tried "to take as many mental reps as I can" and credited the rest of the running backs for helping him. He also knew that he needed to show the coaches that he could be part of the rotation.
"We've got a real close group with Justin [Forsett], Buck [Allen] and [Terrance] West up there helping me," Dixon said. "There's definitely a lot of competition in the room. There's not any animosity between guys.
"Everybody is going to compete as hard as they can and put their best foot forward. It's the nature of the game that the best guy gets the starting job. Coach [Thomas] Hammock does a great job of rotating us and give us an opportunity. That's basically all we really need is a chance."
Dixon said that his knee felt a lot better.
"I just wanted to get out there and try it out a little bit and push it to its limit and see what I could do," he said.
Coach John Harbaugh was happy to see Dixon back on the practice field.
"He did look good, he looked quick and sharp and he made good cuts," Harbaugh said. "I thought he did a pretty good job at pass protection, we'll have to see. On that last third-down run, that was a really special run. It was good to see him out there. He has been champing at the bit. The trainers were holding him back maybe a little more than he wanted them to. It's good to see him back."