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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 9 injury video conference.
THURSDAY UPDATE
Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers, Tevin Coleman - All out for Thursday night.
Jacquizz Rodgers, TB (foot) - Based on the video of the injury, it looks like he could have a lisfranc injury. This is something that would keep him out multiple weeks (6-8 weeks) if it indeed is lisfranc.
QUATERBACK
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT (knee) - Ben Roethlisberger is expected to play this week at division rival Baltimore. Look for him to be limited in the pocket a little and be less likely to extend plays like he normally does, but he should be able to get the ball down the field.
Result: Trust
Russell Wilson, SEA (chest, knee, ankle) - Like he has in recent games, he'll suit up and play, but know he's not 100%.
Result: Trust
Cody Kessler vs Josh McCown - Kessler has been cleared to play after suffering a concussion, but it's not known yet which quarterback will get the start vs. Dallas. This looks to be one you might want to avoid, especially for Thursday lineups.
Result: Fade
Tony Romo, DAL (collarbone) This week Dallas will go with Dak Prescott at quarterback at Cleveland. Romo is not ready to come back, despite receiving some reps in practice.
Result: Fade
RUNNING BACK
LeSean McCoy, BUF (hamstring) - McCoy returned to practice on Thursday, but it's not yet known if he will be back this week, especially with the bye looming in Week 10. Right now, lean towards him playing, but he could be limited once again. The Bills have a tough matchup at Seattle on Monday night, so it's not the best opportunity to use him, especially if he could be limited.
Result: Fade
DeMarco Murray, TEN (toe/foot) - The expectation is that Murray will play this week at San Diego, but we could also see more of a platoon with Derrick Henry. This will limit Murray's touches and make him less susceptible to an aggravation.
Result: Trust (but be wary of reduced role)
Spencer Ware, KC (concussion) - Ware was not cleared to practice on Thursday which makes it almost impossible to be cleared to practice and be a part of contact drills in time to be active for the game on Sunday against Jacksonville.
Result: Fade
Devontae Booker, DEN (shoulder) Booker was sore on Monday and was limited in practice on Wednesday. There doesn't seem to be too much chatter regarding him missing this week's game at Oakland. He seems like a go at this point, barring any negative news from Thursday practice.
Result: Trust
Carlos Hyde, SF (shoulder) Carlos Hyde is not a given to play this week. He was wearing a red no-contact jersey in practice this week, including Thursday. Look for him to see contact in practice Friday to see how things go. It's possible that the bye week didn't allow him enough time to fully heal in time to play this week.
Result: Fade (keep tabs on Friday practice)
Jerick McKinnon, MIN (ankle) McKinnon was back to practice in a limited basis, but the news surrounding him did not sound positive for him to play this week. Keep in mind, if a player is questionable, especially a running back, and is not getting any contact in practice, there's a decent chance of that player not playing that week. This seems to be the case with McKinnon.
Result: Fade
Dion Lewis, NE (knee) - Patriots are on a bye this week, and the target for his return has been Week 10. That appears to be on schedule.
WIDE RECEIVER
Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham, T.Y. Hilton, Brandon Marshall, Dez Bryant, Corey Coleman, Terrelle Pryor, Marvin Jones, Tyrell Williams, Quincy Enunwa, Ty Montgomery - All have been limited in practice some this week, but Jene expects them to play this week and probably see their usual workload. Most of these players should be back to a full practice on Friday. Tyrell Williams, SD (knee) is the one we need to watch closest.
Result: Trust
Jeremy Maclin, KC (groin) - Maclin was added to the injury report on Thursday with a groin injury. Monitor his Friday practice to see if this is something that could keep him out of the lineup on Sunday.
Result: Fade
Randall Cobb, GB (hamstring) - Cobb has been limited for two practices in a row this week. Hopes are trending positive for him, but we saw the same thing last week with limited practices and he was inactive against Atlanta. The Packers have a conservative medical staff, so we need to wait and see how things go on Friday. We lean him as more probable than doubtful at this time, but Friday's practice will be a big determining factor.
Result: Fade for Thursday lineups
Steve Smith, BAL (high ankle sprain) Smith was back to a limited practice on Thursday, but it looks like the bye week may not have been enough time for him to recover enough to play this week.
Result: Fade
Travis Benjamin, SD (knee/mid-grade PCL) - Has played with this injury, but there's still some concern. He was limited in practice on Thursday and it looks like he'll play this week against Tennessee, however he hasn't looked the same since the injury. It would not be a surprise to see a DNP (did not practice) on Friday and he sits this week. We'll know more after Friday's practice. The Chargers bye week isn't until Week 11, but he could be rested.
Result: Fade
TIGHT END
Jimmy Graham, SEA (knee) Graham was limited in practice on Wednesday, but that has become more common to see from him as he continues to rehab his knee. The game this week against Buffalo is on Monday night, but there has been no indication to think that he'll be limited.
Result: Trust
Delanie Walker, TEN (groin tightness) Walker was added to the injury report on Thursday with groin tightness. Monitor his Friday practice to see if this is something that could keep him out of the lineup on Sunday.
Result: Fade for Thursday lineups
Dwayne Allen, IND (ankle) Allen is still limited in practice, but he's trending to being closer to playing than not. The expectation is that he'll be eased back into action, so it may be best to keep him out of your lineups this week.
Result: Fade
Julius Thomas, JAC (ankle) Looks like Thomas will be a go this week after having a limited practice on Wednesday.
Result: Trust
Hunter Henry, SD (concussion) - Henry was out of practice again on Thursday and is looking like he'll be out this week.
Result: Fade
Please see this week's video for more advanced details of various injuries including Ty Montgomery and an explanation of SCT (sickle cell traits) and how it affects players.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com