Injury Expectations | Thursday Update | Week 5

Photo: Joe Nicholson, USA Today Sports

KEY THURSDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***Mike Mularkey told reporters Marcus Mariota did not do much more in practice on Thursday than Wednesday and frequently reiterated the team would be "smart" in approaching his availability. Mariota has managed only stationary throws in individual drills. Mularkey said Mariota needed to show more mobility to ensure he could be effective and protecting himself in the pocket. Though the Titans have said Mariota could play without practicing, nothing about his practice participation over the past 48 hours suggests he'll be able to play this week. Consider him well to the doubtful side of questionable.

***The Packers have remained optimistic on Ty Montgomery since late last week. He's worn a protective vest in practice and Mike McCarthy said he looked good on Wednesday. However, I'm not sure I'm buying Montgomery's availability yet. Beat writers didn't see Montgomery in the media portion of practice, McCarthy said the team needed to continue to evaluate his progress, it's very likely Montgomery has more than one broken rib, and Green Bay's medical staff is known to lean conservative. Expect to see a limited Friday practice with little clarity through the weekend as we await the Schefter-Rapoport Sunday reporting.

***Davante Adams was cleared to participate in another limited practice in pads on Thursday. He's not yet been cleared for contact but has progressed to the final stages of the return-to-play protocol. The Packers must still decide to send him to the independent neurologist for clearance but the medical staff looks to be preparing for that eventuality. We should have a good idea of Adams' status by Saturday.

***Michael Crabtree fully participated in practice on Thursday. The Raiders didn't officially update his condition but I doubt the medical staff would have cleared him for full drills if there was concern about his injury. Tomorrow's participation and media availability will be critical but Crabtree is trending toward being active this week.

***Sam Bradford returned to individual drills on Thursday but still looks limited and is unlikely part of this week's game plan. I expect him to be inactive on Monday. If he continues to show progress, there's a chance he could return in Week 6.

EARLY WEEK PRACTICE PARTICIPATION REPORT AND 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.