FRISCO -- Cowboys tight end Rico Gathers is still recovering from a concussion he suffered Aug. 15 during a training camp practice because of a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Kavon Frazier.

Gathers was placed on injured reserve to start the season and can't play in a game until after the first eight weeks.

Gathers has been away from team headquarters while recovering and not taking part in team meetings. However, Gathers was at The Star on Thursday to weigh in, which the Cowboys viewed as a positive sign.

One Cowboys source said he's recently received positive news on Gathers and that he's progressing. However, the serious nature of his concussion could keep him out longer if all symptoms don't go away.

The former Baylor basketball player spent all of his rookie season on the Cowboys' practice squad, learning the NFL after not having played football since the eighth grade. Gathers impressed during the preseason, catching seven passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Briefly

-- DT Stephen Paea didn't practice Thursday for the second consecutive day as the Cowboys continue to manage his knee injury. Paea didn't practice all last week but still managed to play against the Rams.

-- CBs Nolan Carroll (concussion) and rookie Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) fully participated in practice Thursday for a second consecutive day. However, CB Anthony Brown was limited in practice Thursday because of an ankle injury.

-- RB Ezekiel Elliott has fully participated in practice this week despite bruised ribs he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Rams.

-- Starting RT La'el Collins has fully participated in practice this week despite an ankle injury.

-- Second-year DE Charles Tapper was placed on the injured reserve list Thursday because of his fractured right foot he suffered near the end of Wednesday's practice. That clears a roster spot for the addition of DL David Irving, who is returning from a four-game suspension. Tapper was injured in practice during a pass-rushing drill when he stepped on a teammate's foot, coach Jason Garrett said. Tapper will have surgery Friday and will miss the next eight to 10 weeks, Garrett said.