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During the season, I will transcribe Jene Bramel's Thursday injury video conference and provide you with his thoughts on which players to trust or fade for your lineups in the upcoming week's schedule of games. Click here to view Jene's Week 10 injury video conference.
THURSDAY UPDATE (Cleveland at Baltimore)
Terrelle Pryor, CLE (hamstring) - Pryor didn't practice much this week. He was not listed on the game status report and he should play.
Kenneth Dixon, BAL (knee) - Dixon fully practiced this week and despite the Ravens listing his as questionable, he is expected to play Thursday night. Look for Baltimore to use a hot hand approach to Terrance West and Dixon. He who plays best will get more reps.
QUATERBACK
Nearly everyone with an injury concern is practicing (some limited and some full participants). All are expected to play. That includes Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, Carson Palmer, Alex Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Trevor Siemian and Jameis Winston. Regarding Wilson - he's starting to get some of his mobilty back. His tape job looks different than it has in the past, giving him more range of motion. He could be turning the corner as we enter the second half of the season. There is no quarterback that Jene would shy away from this week due to injury.
Result: Trust them all from an injury perspective
RUNNING BACK
Dion Lewis, NE (knee) - Lewis is expected to make his season debut this week against Seattle. He should see work as a rusher and receiver and if he can get his legs underneath him and make plays at a regular level, look for him to see an increase in touches as the game goes on. LeGarrette Blount says Lewis looks great, so take that for what it's worth.
DeMarco Murray (foot) & Derrick Henry (calf) There's a chance that Henry could be back to practice this week with hopes of potentially suiting up to play this week against Green Bay, but Jene does not expect that to happen. Don't worry about Murray missing practice on Wednesday. This is typical for a veteran player with a minor injury that the team doesn't want to overuse in practice and risk further injury or reaggravation.
Result: Trust Murray, Fade Henry
Spencer Ware, KC (concussion), Lamar Miller, HOU (shoulder), Matt Forte, NYJ (knee), Todd Gurley, LA (thigh), Jonathan Stewart, CAR (non-injury) - All have practiced at a limited basis or better this week and are expected to play without complications. Don't expect Spencer Ware to be limited. He should be a full go this week.
Result: Trust
James Starks, GB (knee) Starks has reportedly played in a full padded practice on Wednesday. The fact that he is practicing with contact is a good sign for him to play this week at Tennessee. Unless he suffers a setback, he should be a full go on Sunday. Look for him to get a full practice on Friday and the team will evaluate their decision making off of that. If he plays and the expectation is that he will, look for him to be the primary rusher, which reduces Ty Montgomery's value as a dual position production threat.
Result: Trust
Devontae Booker, DEN, Jerick McKinnon, MIN, Ronnie Hillman MIN - All three are expected to play this week.
Result: Trust
Jacquizz Rodgers, TB (foot) Rodgers is out of a walking boot, but he is not expected to play.
Result: Fade
Tevin Coleman, ATL (hamstring) Coleman has not practiced two days in a row, which is usually not a good sign heading into the weekend. Jene generally likes to see players who missed multiple weeks of practice to at least get an individual workout in as they get ready to play and we have not seen that from Coleman. If he's activated for the game, don't expect him to have anywhere near his usual workload.
Result: Fade
Doug Martin, TB (hamstring) Jene thinks Doug Martin will play this week, but he thinks he'll be pretty limited. He's only getting individual work at this time and has not been a part of regular plays in practice. Look for Peyton Barber to see the majority of the team's carries. Look for about 8-15 touches, which could be closer to the 8-10 range.
Result: Fade
Carlos Hyde, SF (shoulder) He is still in a non-contact jersey and probably will not play, especially if he hasn't had any contact activity in practice and has been this way for over a month now. Don't expect him to play until he endures some padded workouts and practices with full contact.
Result: Fade
WIDE RECEIVER
Mike Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Brandon Marshall, Randall Cobb, Dez Bryant, Julian Edelman, Tyrell Williams, John Brown, Will Fuller - All are expected to play this week barring any type of setback (Evans and Williams would be the ones who could potentially have a setback, but right now, it's looking like they will both play).
Result: Trust
Jeremy Maclin, KC (groin) - Unlikely to play at Carolina. He had a setback with his groin, which is not a good sign. He did not practice on Thursday and is considered doubtful to play, if not out. Whether or not he plays the following week is yet to be seen, but don't expect him for Week 10.
Result: Fade
Travis Benjamin, SD (knee/PCL) Benjamin did not practice on Wednesday and keep in mind the Chargers have a bye in Week 11. They could keep him out to help him heal from that PCL injury.
Result: Fade
DeSean Jackson, WAS (shoulder) - Jackson has missed two practices to get treatment on his shoulder. He has been a player who has missed practice all week in the past and has started that week, but Jene isn't sure if that will be the case with Jackson this time around. Jay Gruden didn't sound too optimistic about him in his afternoon press conference on Thursday.
Result: Fade
Victor Cruz, NYG (ankle) Cruz is dealing with a low-grade ankle sprain and likely will be out this week.
Result: Fade
Jarvis Landry, MIA (shoulder) Landry missed practice on Thursday with a shoulder injury. We're not sure if that will be something to keep him out this week, so definitely keep watch on this over the next 24 hours to see if he will be able to go.
Result: Fade for Thursday lineups. Wait and see for weekend
Allen Hurns, JAC (concussion), Darius Heyward-Bey, PIT (foot) - Both not expected to play this week.
Result: Fade
TIGHT END
Several tight ends are dealing with injuries this week but most are likely to play.
Martellus Bennett, NE (ankle) - The biggest concern this week is with Bennett. He's been hobbled the last few weeks and the bye week definitely helped. Until the local media is a little more positive about him, temper your expectations on him being fully healed to point where his involvement will be conducive to fantasy success.
Result: Fade
Antonio Gates, Delanie Walker, Hunter Henry, Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook. - All seem to be good to go this week. Graham has been on the injury report all season long, but after his strong performance last week, he should be absolutely fine to target in lineups.
Result: Trust
Jacob Tamme, ATL (shoulder) Did not practice on Thursday and is likely out for this week's game.
Result: Fade
Ladarius Green, PIT (ankle) Green is optimistic about his chances of playing this week. He received some first-team reps in practice on Wednesday, which has sparked his confidence, but ultimately its the coaches who will decide on his status and how often he will play. It'll be good to see him get back on the field, but for now, tread lightly.
Result: Fade
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com