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Last week, the majority of players who weren't practicing on Wednesday (or were limited) were clear cases of veteran rest and expected to play. That's not the case this week. Many of these players are aggressively rehabbing injuries in the hopes that they can get back to practice on Friday and convince their coaches that they can be a part of this week's game plan. Add that to the serious injuries sustained by Adrian Peterson and Rob Gronkowski and nearly every team still competing in the playoffs likely has an unexpected and serious lineup concern facing them in a critical Week 15 matchup.
adrian peterson | foot | DNP
toby gerhart | hamstring | dnp
I don't believe Peterson has a legitimate chance to play this week. The only reason I'm not 100% confident he'll be ruled out is his history of playing through serious injuries in the past. But a midfoot sprain is likely too much to overcome. I'm also not yet certain I buy that Peterson's injury isn't a Lisfranc sprain or similar. The mechanism was right, he's reportedly going to be in a walking boot this week and the team was concerned enough to send his MRI to a foot specialist. It wouldn't be the first time a running back has denied a more serious foot sprain while trying to rehab (see Maurice Jones-Drew last year and Darren McFadden two years ago).
The Vikings seem only slightly more optimistic on Gerhart. Reading between the lines, it would appear that Gerhart's injury was worse than they'd hoped when he came in for treatment Monday morning. Minnesota does not plan on allowing Gerhart to run until Friday. Call him a game-time decision at best.
reggie bush | calf | dnp
Bush aggravated his calf strain Sunday morning but the Lions have been unusually optimistic about his prospective Monday availability thus far this week. I'm not buying it yet. If Bush is able to practice at all Thursday or Friday and/or gets in a full Saturday practice, it's easier to trust him -- with a hedge -- in your lineup and hope he'll make it through warmups on Monday night. If his practice participation is less reassuring, he'll be an extremely high risk fantasy play with Joique Bell available to take a heavy workload.
AARON RODGERS | CLAVICLE | LIMITED
Rodgers took a handful of snaps with the first team today but hasn't been cleared for contact. He'll have another set of imaging studies and be re-evaluated by the Green Bay medical staff before practice on Thursday. But recent reports that he wasn't comfortable throwing last week, had still been experiencing discomfort with activity and had scans that had yet to show enough healing make it unlikely that he'll be cleared for this week. We'll know more on Thursday.
wes welker | concussion | dnp / out
There was never any chance that Welker would be cleared to play in time for a Thursday night game this week after suffering his second concussion in three weeks on Sunday. The Week 16 watch is now on, however, as Welker's history of concussions could put him on a much slower progression through the return to play protocol. Denver's playoff status could also play into a decision on how quickly to bring him back.
eddie lacy | ankle | dnp
Lacy will be aggressively treated and rehabbed through Friday morning. His ankle sprain didn't look like a high ankle injury on replay, but it wasn't a simple rolled ankle either. Depending on the amount of swelling he experienced through Tuesday, there's no guarantee that Lacy will be able to get enough range of motion and strength in the joint by Friday to run effectively. That would put his Week 15 availability in jeopardy. Check the injury report and post-practice comments for more information on Friday.
maurice jones-drew | hamstring | DNP
Jones-Drew also won't be tested until Friday. That's a very pessimistic sign for a player who has already had a full week to rest and rehab a muscle strain. Barring an unexpected improvement in his condition, I don't think we'll see Jones-Drew practice on Friday. Expect him to sit this week.
jay cutler | ankle / groin | limited
The Bears are going to make a decision on Cutler's Week 15 prospects on Thursday. Though able to work at full speed in practice on Wednesday, Cutler will have to show good strength and little soreness after today's workout to be cleared to play. The solid play of Josh McCown continues to give the Bears some leeway on Cutler. I think he's 70-30 to play this week, but it's not a foregone conclusion yet.
roddy white | knee | limited
The Falcons didn't report an injury for White after last week's game and didn't comment on his knee condition after practice. Whether it's wear and tear and something that's been nagging him for some time or a new issue that occurred during last week's game or in practice today isn't yet known. Keep a close eye on White's practice participation tomorrow and Friday and I'll do my best to read between the lines of any post-practice comments on Friday.
jordan reed | concussion | dnp
Reed was cleared for limited individual drills last week on both Thursday and Friday, so today's missed practice may be a sign that Washington is still being cautious with his progression through the protocol. If Reed isn't practicing at all tomorrow and/or isn't able to fully practice on Friday, it's very unlikely he'll play this weekend.
Follow on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news, updates and analysis. Check back Sunday morning for my expectations on Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Eddie Lacy, Jay Cutler, Jordan Reed and this week's other game-time injury decisions.