KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***Doug Martin returned to practice today. It's a good start to the week, but Martin aggravated his hamstring strain with minimal practice four weeks ago. He'll need to prove to the medical staff he can handle individual work and feel good enough to practice the following day. It's possible Martin can prove he's recovered in time to play this week. I think the trend is positive. But it's unlikely Martin will be ready to take a full workload unless he's ready for a full practice by the end of the week.
***Both Spencer Ware and Mike Evans are fully practicing. That means both have passed the final exercise stages of the return to play protocol. That's a very strong indication they'll play this week. Both have to complete the week without a recurrence in symptoms, however, so continue to watch the practice reports for reassuring signs.
***DeMarco Murray didn't practice on Wednesday. In the same way that Devonta Freeman took a day off two weeks ago with the Falcons recognizing that Tevin Coleman was not going to play that week, Murray was rested with a minor injury it made no sense to risk aggravating with his primary backup Derrick Henry likely inactive. I expect Murray to play this week.
***Likely to play: Jameis Winston, Larry Fitzgerald, Lamar Miller, Randall Cobb.
***Good chance to play: James Starks, Will Fuller, Martellus Bennett.
***Trending toward inactive: Carlos Hyde
***Likely inactive: Jeremy Maclin, Travis Benjamin.
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key offensive players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
Terrelle Pryor | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Mon - Limited | Tue - Limited | Wed - Full
Pryor saw his practice reps managed early with a short week but fully practiced and Wednesday and was not listed on Cleveland's game status report. He should see his usual workload.
Kenneth Dixon | Chest | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Mon - Full | Tue - Full | Wed - Full
The Ravens list Dixon questionable but he fully practiced all week and no local media member expects him to be active. His workload will be based on his effectiveness and that of Terrance West.
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
Quarterbacks
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Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Ben Roethlisberger | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Russell Wilson | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Jameis Winston | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Carson Palmer | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Trevor Siemian | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Alex Smith | Head / Ear | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Ryan Fitzpatrick | Knee | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Nick Foles | Elbow | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Tony Romo | Back | Full | Likely Inactive | |||
Running Backs
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Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
DeMarco Murray | Toe | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Spencer Ware | Concussion | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Lamar Miller | Shoulder | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Matt Forte | Knee | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Doug Martin | Hamstring | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Todd Gurley | Thigh | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Jonathan Stewart | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Carlos Hyde | Shoulder | Limited | Likely Inactive | |||
Tevin Coleman | Hamstring | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Thomas Rawls | Fibula | Limited | Likely Inactive | |||
James Starks | Knee | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Devontae Booker | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Jerick McKinnon | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Ronnie Hillman | Heel | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Jacquizz Rodgers | Foot | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Alfred Blue | Ribs | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Derrick Henry | Calf | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
DeAngelo Williams | Knee | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Wide Receivers
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Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Mike Evans | Concussion | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Dez Bryant | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Larry Fitzgerald | Ankle | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Brandon Marshall | Foot | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Randall Cobb | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Julian Edelman | Foot | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Tyrell Williams | Knee | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Jeremy Maclin | Groin | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
John Brown | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Travis Benjamin | Knee | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Will Fuller | Knee | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
DeSean Jackson | Shoulder | DNP | Likely Active | |||
Eddie Royal | Toe | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Sammie Coates Jr | Finger | Limited | Likely Active | |||
*Victor Cruz | Ankle | *Pending | Awaiting Information | |||
Torrey Smith | Back | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Allen Hurns | Concussion | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Darrius Heyward-Bey | Foot | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Russell Shepard | Hip | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Chris Conley | Quad | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Tight Ends
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Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Jimmy Graham | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Delanie Walker | Groin | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Antonio Gates | Knee | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Hunter Henry | Knee | Limited | Possibly Active | |||
Martellus Bennett | Ankle | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Jared Cook | Ankle | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Brent Celek | Rib | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Jacob Tamme | Shoulder | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Dion Sims | Concussion | Full | Expected to Play |
*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.