Photo: Troy Taormina, USA Today Sports

THURSDAY NIGHT EXPECTATIONS

There are no major skill position injuries for this week's Thursday night's game. Anthony Fasano is listed questionable, but has had three consecutive limited practices and is tentatively expected to play. If he's active, he's likely to see limited duty. Fasano's absence last week increased Travis Kelce's snap count but not Kelce's all-important number of routes run.

There are a number of players who did not practice on Wednesday or were limited that are tentatively expected to play. Julian Edelman (thigh), Mike Wallace (calf), and Justin Hunter (knee) are the primary concerns. I'll have more on these players if their practice participation doesn't increase by the end of the week.

ARIAN FOSTER | GROIN | limited

A limited mid-week practice is likely a good sign for Foster, but it's far from certain he'll play this week. Today was about the Texans' medical staff and Foster learning how his strained groin will respond to football related activity. If Foster practices in any fashion on Thursday, he'll be on an optimistic track for Week 12. If he's a DNP on Thursday (or Friday), he's unlikely to play this week.

gio bernard | hip | limited

Last week's strenuous conditioning on the side practice fields looked optimistic for Bernard. Wednesday's limited practice builds on the optimism. It's now possible we'll see Bernard practice fully at some point this week. Jeremy Hill's strong play will make it easy for the Bengals to stay cautious with Bernard's recovery, however, and it's unlikely we'll see Bernard get his pre-injury workload whether he's fully practicing by the end of the week or not.

calvin johnson | ankle | dnp

marshawn lynch | back | dnp

The DNP for these two may raise eyebrows, since Johnson's ankle and Lynch's back have kept them out of games in the past. But this is just a maintenance day for Johnson and it's too early to fuss over Lynch's back. If either player isn't back to at least a limited practice by Friday, then it's time to be concerned. For now, note the DNP without too much worry.

julius thomas | ankle | dnp

Every early week report had Thomas' injury as a low grade low ankle sprain. There's no guarantee Thomas returns to play this week, but there hasn't been a change in the optimistic tone so far. On Wednesday, Thomas was stretching with the team with his ankle wrapped. That's what you'd expect of a player who's continuing to get treatment and not yet ruled out. It's still early in the week, however, and Thursday and Friday are the key days here.

emmanuel sanders | concussion | dnp

Sanders was seen with Thomas during stretches with the rest of the team. That's a good sign. If he was having any post-concussion symptoms, he'd not be allowed anywhere near the practice field and it's not yet early enough in the protocol for him to be cleared for any football-related activity. He's on track to return, but will have to progress through the final stages of the protocol without a setback. Don't expect to know much more on him until Friday.

larry fitzgerald | knee | dnp

After hearing about the Grade 2 MCL sprain diagnosis on Monday afternoon, I updated the Injury Rounds feature with my surprise that Fitzgerald returned to play and my skepticism on the early report that Fitzgerald would play this week. There's a lot of room for interpretation in the Grade 2 diagnosis, however. Fitzgerald may have as little as 25% of the ligament torn or more than half torn. Either way, there will be some looseness in the joint. It's something that can be braced, but a brace isn't a guarantee against further injury and bracing will limit Fitzgerald's mobility. There aren't many players who could play through this injury effectively, but Fitzgerald may be one of them. For now, consider Fitzgerald very questionable for this week.

brandon marshall | ankle | dnp

alshon jeffery | hamstring | dnp

It's likely both players were rested on Wednesday rather than having suffered an aggravation serious enough to limit them this week. But, while both players have effectively played through similar injuries before, it's still smart to follow the news on both closely through the end of the week.

fred jackson | groin | limited

Jackson returned from his mid-grade groin strain too early. He will have had two weeks to recondition and recover from his last live game action, but he's still unlikely to be at full strength this week.

jordan reed | hamstring | dnp

Reed's latest hamstring strain is not on the same side as the strain that cost him multiple games earlier this year. There has been no update on the severity of this strain, but the early week DNP isn't a promising sign. We'll know more on Thursday.

reggie bush | ankle | limited

joique bell | ankle | dnp

Bell was a surprise add to the injury report today after a strong game in Arizona. There were no updates from the team on his condition. It may be just a minor injury, but we're in a holding pattern until the team or the practice participation reports define the injury better. Bush returned to a limited practice on Wednesday. As long as his ankle doesn't swell significantly overnight, he'll likely return this week.

dwayne allen | ankle | dnp

There were conflicting early reports on Allen's injury, but I'll err on the side of those who reported a high ankle sprain. The Colts' decision to add a tight end to the active roster earlier this week also suggests a more pessimistic outlook. Consider Allen doubtful this week and it's still possible we'll see a multi-week absence.

jordan cameron | concussion | dnp

Despite last weekend's optimistic reports that Cameron may be cleared for a return to football-related activity this week, he's still a DNP on Wednesday. Again, you should not be optimistic about a return until you see the reports of a return to practice prove accurate.

Matt Asiata (concussion - DNP), Jerick McKinnon (back - DNP), and Jared Cook (back - DNP) are also on my watch list for late week updates.

Follow on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news, updates and analysis. Check back Sunday morning for my expectations on all of this week's game-time injury decisions.