Unlock More Content Like This With A
Footballguys Premium Subscription
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, NBC Sports EDGE
KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***Washington's official Twitter feed reported Jordan Reed was in the concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms but was not yet confirmed to have a concussion. It's hard to make sense of that statement. You can be evaluated for a concussion without being diagnosed with a concussion. But, semantically, you're not really in the concussion protocol without a diagnosis. And if he's experiencing symptoms, that strongly suggests the evaluation will result in a diagnosis. Semantics aside, it's possible Reed will be back at practice tomorrow and play this week. More likely, given his history of multi-week recovery from previous concussions, Reed will miss this week's game and be considered questionable for Week 7. More on Reed on Thursday.
***Dez Bryant was cleared for individual drills today but he and most observers stopped short of saying he was preparing to play this week. The medical staff does not want an aggravation of this injury. With the Dallas bye looming in Week 7, I don't see the team taking any risks. Bryant will have to prove he has no pain before clearance for contact.
***Both Cam Newton and Carson Palmer will likely be cleared for contact and play this week.
***Tyler Eifert didn't practice on Wednesday and there's little optimism from local writers and observers that he'll be able to play this week. It's been over a week since his back injury and we've heard terms like scans and degeneration and specialists used. Eifert has more than just back spasms and should be considered week-to-week.
***Sammy Watkins will not have surgery to address ongoing soreness in his foot. That surprises me -- Watkins has been struggling with this for months and there's been no indication another few weeks will resolve the issue. However, his surgeon is the leading expert in athletes with this injury. Surgery may not be entirely off the table but today's report gives Watkins a slim, but fighting chance of returning in 2017.
***Dion Lewis is back around the locker room and every beat writer noted his presence this week. The team won't confirm it and the writers are dancing around the subject but there's a clear implication Lewis will be cleared to practice next week when eligible to come off the PUP list. He's unlikely to have a significant role for some time. But all signs are positive that Lewis knee scope was indeed a relatively minor procedure.
***Eric Decker did not progress well in rehab for a rotator cuff and labral tear that was likely straddling the line of needing surgery from the start. The Jets put Decker on injured reserve today. He'll need months of rehab and won't be ready until next season.
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key offensive players listed on the game status report for Thursday Night Football:
Trevor Siemian | Shoulder | Questionable
Practice Participation: Mon - Limited | Tue - Limited | Wed - Limited
Siemian is expected to start on Thursday night. Reports of a high grade shoulder sprain are worrisome, however. Although it's a non-throwing shoulder injury, pain and limited range of motion will be issues and can affect arm strength and accuracy. Siemian will also be at risk of an in-game aggravation. Expect the Broncos to max protect to limit the number of hits Siemian may take against San Diego.
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
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Cam Newton | Concussion | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Russell Wilson | Ankle / Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Carson Palmer | Concussion | MNF | Expected to Play | |||
Cody Kessler | Chest / Rib | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Josh McCown | Shoulder | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Jay Cutler | Thumb | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Tony Romo | Back | DNP | Inactive | |||
Running Backs
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
LeGarrette Blount | Hip | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Eddie Lacy | Ankle | Limited | Expected to Play / ? Limited | |||
Jonathan Stewart | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play / ? Limited | |||
Arian Foster | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Jeremy Hill | Chest | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Frank Gore | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Latavius Murray | Toe | DNP | Likely Inactive / Limited | |||
Jeremy Langford | Ankle | DNP | Inactive | |||
Thomas Rawls | Fibula | DNP | Inactive | |||
James Starks | Knee | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Rashad Jennings | Thumb | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
DeAngelo Williams | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Theo Riddick | Ankle | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Mike Gillislee | Illness | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Charcandrick West | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
C.J. Prosise | Wrist | Full | Awaiting Information | |||
Lance Dunbar | Knee | DNP | Inactive | |||
Ka'Deem Carey | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Dewayne Washington | Ankle | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Wide Receivers
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Julio Jones | Knee | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
A.J. Green | Calf | DNP | Likely Active | |||
Dez Bryant | Knee | Limited | Game-time Decision | |||
T.Y. Hilton | Hip | DNP | Likely Active | |||
Julian Edeman | Foot | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Alshon Jeffery | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Randall Cobb | Neck | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Eddie Royal | Calf | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Donte Moncrief | Shoulder | DNP | Inactive | |||
Steve Smith | Ankle | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Will Fuller | Hamstring | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Mike Wallace | Chest | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Sammie Coates Jr | Finger | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Jeremy Kerley | Ankle | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Mohamed Sanu | Elbow | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Tyler Lockett | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Terrance Williams | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Anquan Boldin | Ankle | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Eli Rogers | Toe | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Braxton Miller | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Markus Wheaton | Shoulder | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Corey Coleman | Hand | DNP | Inactive | |||
Malcolm Mitchell | Hamstring | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Josh Doctson | Achilles | Limited | Inactive | |||
Tight Ends
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Rob Gronkowski | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Jordan Reed | Head | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Tyler Eifert | Ankle / Back | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Jimmy Graham | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Martellus Bennett | Ankle | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Zach Miller | Ribs | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Julius Thomas | Elbow | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Jason Witten | Chest | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Eric Ebron | Ankle / Knee | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Charles Clay | Knee | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Jared Cook | Ankle | DNP | Inactive | |||
Gary Barnidge | Forearm / Hip | Limited | Likely Active | |||
Clive Walford | Knee | Limited | Game-time Decision | |||
Jordan Cameron | Concussion | DNP | Inactive | |||
C.J. Uzomah | Ankle | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Vance McDonald | Hip | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Larry Donnell | Concussion | DNP | Likely Inactive |
*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.