WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***Dalvin Cook fully practiced Wednesday. While that's a great sign for this week's availability, it was Cook's comments that were more telling than his full practice last week. The trend is strongly positive but I'm waiting to see whether Cook is more confident in his recovery before considering him more than a questionable game-time decision.
***Leonard Fournette didn't practice Wednesday. Doug Marrone tried to convince reporters Fournette could play, saying, "I think you get through today and then tomorrow you give it a shot." Fournette isn't playing this week -- and if he's not practicing by Friday, you can rule him out the following week. I continue to believe the Jaguars will target Week 10 after their bye week.
***T.Y. Hilton was surprisingly back to a full practice on Wednesday. He wouldn't commit to playing, saying only that Wednesday's work was a test. If the hamstring strain responds well and Hilton continues to practice later this week, expect him to be available on Sunday.
***Khalil Mack missed practice on Wednesday but the Bears sound optimistic about his availability. His ankle sprain is more than a simple low ankle sprain, however, and he may be very limited in practice despite playing through the injury last week.
***Cooper Kupp was declared out today. Hopefully, his absence will be just this week.
***Ryan Tannehill was declared out today. Adam Gase told reporters, "He just can't throw." Not good.
***Devonta Freeman was moved to injured reserve after choosing to have core abdominal muscle (a.k.a. sports hernia) surgery on Thursday. Rehab generally takes 4-6 weeks after these procedures. It's likely Freeman will be ready to return when eligible in Week 16. He's no longer likely to have fantasy value but could contribute to the Falcons' playoff hopes. Marshawn Lynch is having an MRI this week to further assess a groin strain. Hopefully, we won't hear a similar progression of news with him over the Oakland bye week.
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
Denver at Arizona
***The Broncos will be without two starting offensive linemen. Guard Ronald Leary has a torn Achilles. Tackle Jared Veldheer continues to recover from a bone bruise around his knee. The Cardinals have offensive line issues of their own. Guards Mike Iupati (back) and Jeremy Vujnovich (hamstring) have been ruled out, while Justin Pugh is likely to play through a hand injury.
***Thankfully, there are no offensive players on either side of concern. Case Keenum and Larry Fitzgerald are still fighting nagging injuries but neither should not be significantly limited.
***Defensively, the Cardinals will be without safety Tre Boston, which will force some changes to their back seven rotation.
EARly week PRACTICE PARTICIPATION & 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.
Quarterbacks
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Deshaun Watson | Hou | Chest | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Carson Wentz | Phi | Back | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Andy Dalton | Cin | Back | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jameis Winston | TB | Hip | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Sam Darnold | NYJ | Elbow | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Ryan Tannehill | Mia | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Declared Out | Inactive | |
Josh Allen | Buf | Elbow | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive | |
Running Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Leonard Fournette | Jac | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
T.J. Yeldon | Jac | Foot / Ankle | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Dalvin Cook | Min | Hamstring | Full | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
Sony Michel | NE | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Isaiah Crowell | NYJ | Foot | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
Adrian Peterson | Was | Shoulder / Ankle | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Chris Thompson | Was | Rib / Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Kerryon Johnson | Det | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Theo Riddick | Det | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Matt Breida | SF | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Lamar Miller | Hou | Chest | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Giovani Bernard | Cin | Knee / Toe | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Darren Sproles | Phi | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Robert Turbin | Ind | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Wide Receivers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
DeAndre Hopkins | Hou | Foot | Limited | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
Cooper Kupp | LAR | Knee | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive | |
Josh Reynolds | LAR | Hand | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
T.Y. Hilton | Ind | Chest / Hamstring | Full | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Ryan Grant | Ind | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
*Calvin Ridley | Atl | Ankle | *DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
*Mohamed Sanu | Atl | Hip | *DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Will Fuller | Hou | Hip | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Keke Coutee | Hou | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Julian Edelman | NE | Heel | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Josh Gordon | NE | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Marquise Goodwin | SF | Hamstring / Quadricep | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Pierre Garcon | SF | Shoulder / Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Trent Taylor | SF | Back | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Dante Pettis | SF | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Robby Anderson | NYJ | Hamstring | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Quincy Enunwa | NYJ | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Terrelle Pryor | NYJ | Groin | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Allen Robinson | Chi | Groin | Limited | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
Ted Ginn Jr | NO | Knee | DNP | DNP | IR | IR | Injured Reserve |
Cameron Meredith | NO | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Paul Richardson Jr | Was | Shoulder / Knee | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
Jamison Crowder | Was | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Josh Doctson | Was | Heel | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Chris Conley | KC | Toe | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Tavon Austin | Dal | Groin | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Brice Butler | Dal | Groin | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
John Ross | Cin | Groin | Full | Full | Awaiting Information | ||
Travis Benjamin | LAC | Foot | Limited | Limited | Inactive | ||
DeVante Parker | Mia | Quad | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Rashard Higgins | Cle | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Tight Ends
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Rob Gronkowski | NE | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
George Kittle | SF | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Greg Olsen | Car | Foot | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
David Njoku | Cle | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jack Doyle | Ind | Hip | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Erik Swoope | Ind | Knee | Limited | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
*Evan Engram | NYG | Knee | *Full | Expected to Play | |||
*Rhett Ellison | NYG | Foot | *Full | Expected to Play | |||
C.J. Uzomah | Cin | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Tyler Kroft | Cin | Foot | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
A.J. Derby | Mia | Foot | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Offensive Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Jason Peters | Phi | Biceps | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Lane Johnson | Phi | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Tyron Smith | Dal | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Joe Staley | SF | Knee | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Terron Armstead | NO | Knee | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Riley Reiff | Min | Foot | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Trent Williams | Was | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jermey Parnell | Jac | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
*Nate Solder | NYG | Neck | *Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Cordy Glenn | Cin | Ankle | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Marcus Cannon | NE | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Kelvin Beachum | NYJ | Foot | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Demar Dotson | TB | Knee / Shoulder | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Offensive Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Rodger Saffold | LAR | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
Andrus Peat | NO | Head | Limited | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Larry Warford | NO | Back | Not Listed | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Alex Lewis | Bal | Neck | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Cameron Erving | KC | Quadricep | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Andrew Norwell | Jac | Foot | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Vladimir Ducasse | Buf | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Brandon Scherff | Was | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Shaun Lauvao | Was | Calf | DNP | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
T.J. Lang | Det | Concussion | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Mike Person | SF | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
Josh Garnett | SF | Toe | Full | Full | Awaiting Information | ||
Zach Fulton | Hou | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Quinton Spain | Ten | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Eric Kush | Chi | Neck | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Jesse Davis | Mia | Elbow | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Mike Pouncey | LAC | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Mitch Morse | KC | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Brandon Linder | Jac | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Weston Richburg | SF | Knee | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Spencer Long | NYJ | Knee / Finger | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Billy Price | Cin | Foot | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
J.C. Tretter | Cle | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
Edge Rushers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Khalil Mack | Chi | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
Joey Bosa | LAC | Foot | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Demarcus Lawrence | Dal | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Carlos Dunlap | Cin | Buttocks | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Danielle Hunter | Min | Groin | Not Listed | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Dee Ford | KC | Groin / Hand | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Everson Griffen | Min | Behavioral Health | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Whitney Mercilus | Hou | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Derek Barnett | Phi | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
*Olivier Vernon | NYG | Ribs | *Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Ryan Kerrigan | Was | Chest | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Ezekiel Ansah | Det | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
Justin Houston | KC | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Deatrich Wise | NE | Ankle / Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Derrick Morgan | Ten | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Randy Gregory | Dal | Knee | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Vinny Curry | TB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Cameron Wake | Mia | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Andre Branch | Mia | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Charles Harris | Mia | Calf | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Defensive Linemen
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Calais Campbell | Jac | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Gerald McCoy | TB | Calf | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
*Grady Jarrett | Atl | Ankle | *Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Linval Joseph | Min | Knee / Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Leonard Williams | NYJ | Back | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Taco Charlton | Dal | Thumb | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Haloti Ngata | Phi | Calf | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Michael Brockers | LAR | Shoulder | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Malcom Brown | NE | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Margus Hunt | Ind | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Denico Autry | Ind | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Bennie Logan | Ten | Elbow | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Linebackers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Sean Lee | Dal | Hamstring | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Joe Schobert | Cle | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Reuben Foster | SF | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Zach Brown | Was | Oblique / Shin | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Wesley Woodyard | Ten | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Anthony Hitchens | KC | Groin | Full | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Kyzir White | LAC | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Jatavis Brown | LAC | Groin | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Nick Vigil | Cin | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Defensive Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Reshad Jones | Mia | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
T.J. McDonald | Mia | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Eric Berry | KC | Heel | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Clayton Geathers | Ind | Concussion / Neck | Full | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Kenny Vaccaro | Ten | Elbow | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Marcus Maye | NYJ | Thumb | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Shawn Williams | Cin | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Clayton Fejedelem | Cin | Thigh | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Andrew Sendejo | Min | Groin | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Tavon Wilson | Det | Back | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jamal Adams | NYJ | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Corey Graham | Phi | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Jaquiski Tartt | SF | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jimmie Ward | SF | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Marshon Lattimore | NO | Concussion | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Chidobe Awuzie | Dal | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Richard Sherman | SF | Calf | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Brandon Carr | Bal | Knee | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Marlon Humphrey | Bal | Thigh | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Bobby McCain | Mia | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Johnathan Joseph | Hou | Shoulder | Full | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Kareem Jackson | Hou | Thigh | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Darqueze Dennard | Cin | Sternoclavicular | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Prince Amukamara | Chi | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Eric Rowe | NE | Groin | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Trumaine Johnson | NYJ | Quadricep | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
E.J. Gaines | Cle | Concussion | Not Listed | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Donte Jackson | Car | Groin | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Buster Skrine | NYJ | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Aaron Colvin | Hou | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Sidney Jones | Phi | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Jalen Mills | Phi | Hamstring | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
D.J. Hayden | Jac | Toe | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Tre Herndon | Jac | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Kickers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
*Matt Bryant | Atl | Hamstring | *DNP | Inactive | |||
Greg Zuerlein | LAR | Groin | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Caleb Sturgis | LAC | Quad | Limited | Limited | Likely Inactive |
Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.