Injury Expectations | Wednesday Update | Week 8

Photo: USA Today Sports

KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***C.J. Anderson reportedly has a bone bruise (and possibly more) somewhere around his right knee joint. After jamming his knee and briefly leaving the Broncos' game on Monday night, Anderson returned and ripped off multiple long runs at speed. He showed only a mild limp before reporting to the training room with soreness. Imaging studies are concerning enough for Anderson to need an additional specialist opinion on Thursday. For now, the expectation is for Anderson to miss multiple weeks, possibly through Denver's Week 11 bye.

Details remain scarce but this situation sounds very similar to Dez Bryant's knee injury earlier this season. The mechanism is consistent with a tibial contusion, which could mean a non-weight bearing tibial plateau fracture or a less worrisome bone bruise. With multiple writers leaving the possibility of a season-ending injury, it's fair to wonder if the specialist visit is to discuss the length of rest and rehab or whether surgery may be a possibility. I'll update with more in tomorrow's practice participation update.

***Early Wednesday morning, multiple reports had Dion Lewis returning to practice with the hope he would be able to return to the active roster quickly. Not surprisingly, we finally learned what was ailing Lewis later in the day. Tom Curran reported that Lewis was found to have a patellar stress fracture and had the injury fixated with screws in August. Though unusual, this is a known complication during ACL recovery, as part of the kneecap removed as part of the tendon graft used to reconstruct the ACL is stressed during rehab. 

What's unusual here is the speed of Lewis' recovery. I could not find a rehab protocol that progressed quickly enough to allow an athlete to return as quickly as Lewis has. Those protocols show the final phase starting in the 10-12 week range. Lewis is now around eight weeks removed from surgery. Acknowledging that NFL players rehab full time and are usually in peak physical condition prior to surgery, I'm wondering how far ahead of schedule Lewis may be already. The Patriots had until Week 12 to start practicing Lewis or move him to injured reserve. They've accelerated the timetable by multiple weeks now. While that has to be seen as a good thing, my spidey senses have me wondering whether Lewis is set up for a setback here.

***There seemed to be optimism that LeSean McCoy didn't suffer a significant setback by playing through his hamstring strain last week. I remain very skeptical we'll see him this week. But I was skeptical last week, too, and McCoy didn't even draw the attention of the medical staff as he warmed up last Sunday. Today's DNP isn't necessarily telling. The Bills are either managing McCoy's reps or they've already decided to hold him out this week. We'll find out in the next 48 hours.

***The Falcons listed Devonta Freeman as limited today and dressed him out in a no-contact jersey. I doubt this is a significant concern. With Tevin Coleman very doubtful with a hamstring injury, expect Atlanta to proceed with even more caution than necessary with Freeman this week.

***Don't overreact to the news that Sammy Watkins is now out of a walking boot. He has a long path to successfully navigate the reconditioning phase without a recurrence of pain. The best case scenario -- clearance to return to practice in Week 10 and return to the active roster in Week 12 -- remains very unlikely. Still, any progress is positive progress and gives Watkins a chance to return to the Bills' huddle this year.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

Here are the key offensive players listed on the game status report for Thursday Night Football:

Delanie Walker | Chest | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Mon - DNP | Tue - Full | Wed - Full

Walker was on the injury report all week after missing Monday's practice with a chest injury. He fully practiced through midweek and is not listed on the game status report. He should see his usual workload.

Allen Hurns | Neck / Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Mon - Limited | Tue - Full | Wed - Full

Hurns was briefly limited in practice this week but is not listed on the game status report and is expected to play.

Julius Thomas | ANKLE | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Mon - Limited | Tue - DNP | Wed - Limited

Thomas continues to deal with nagging ankle problems but moved well last weekend. The Tuesday DNP was likely rest and there are no indications he'll sit this week. Watch the pregame notes for any surprises, but expect Thomas to see his usual workload.

Tajae Sharpe | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Mon - DNP | Tue - Limited | Wed - Limited

 Sharpe was limited all week. He's tentatively expected to play but his role in the Tennessee offense has diminished over the past month.

EARLY WEEK PRACTICE PARTICIPATION REPORT AND EARLY EXPECTATIONS

The Wednesday and Thursday practice participation reports are our first chance to see which players each NFL team are limiting in practice after the previous week's games. Players limited in mid-week practice aren't necessarily in danger of missing that week's game. But they all need to be watched closely.

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.