KEY THURSDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***Jameis Winston says his "thought process is to play" but noted in a pre-practice press conference that his shoulder isn't fully recovered. The Buccaneers did not clear him to throw again on Thursday. However, Dirk Koetter told reporters Winston would take all of the first-team reps in Friday's brief practice. Regardless of how the week has progressed thus far, the timeline remains the same. If Winston can prove he can throw freely by game time, he will play. Tomorrow's practice won't be extensive but I expect Winston to be cleared to throw and then be evaluated after practice and on Saturday. If he responds well, he'll play.
***Weeks ago, DeMarco Murray didn't practice with a hamstring injury only to out-snap and out-produce Derrick Henry. The Titans don't seem nearly as optimistic on Murray's status this week, with Mike Mularkey openly discussing the addition of a practice squad running back. As noted in yesterday's review, the Titans have a Week 9 bye. Murray has been battling this strain since the preseason. Tennessee may finally decide to give him the benefit of two (or more) weeks without practice to recover.
***Aaron Rodgers had surgery to fix his broken collarbone today. That news was expected. We're now waiting for the Packers to decide whether Rodgers will be placed on injured reserve. If they choose not to put Rodgers on injured reserve by Saturday afternoon, it's unlikely they will -- it would prolong his timeline by an extra and unnecessary week. And it would imply the team believes Rodgers might return in less than eight weeks.
***The Jaguars remain cautious with Leonard Fournette. He was cleared to run on Thursday but did not practice and expected to cut on Friday. He's told reporters he's "definitely" playing but that could change if his ankle doesn't respond well to activity on Friday. Lean toward him playing and seeing his usual workload but watch Friday's reports closely.
***Keenan Allen was added to the Chargers' practice participation report as limited with a shoulder injury on Thursday. The Chargers did not update his condition after practice. There's no indication the injury is serious but watch Friday's participation to be sure.
***I'm also curious to see Kelvin Benjamin's Friday participation. Benjamin has missed practice with a painful bruise on the inside of his knee. The Panthers say Benjamin was sent for additional evaluation. If he had a relatively benign procedure to drain his knee he could return quickly. If there were imaging studies and further examination involved, his status is in doubt. We should know more on Friday.
***Delanie Walker was another key Thursday addition. He's listed with a calf injury. Walker has played through soft tissue injuries in the past and there are no current indications of a serious injury. Still, midweek additions with soft tissue injuries are always concerning.
***Jordan Matthews is progressing but not yet fully involved in team reps. Sean McDermott didn't sound reassuring about Matthews returning after Thursday's practice. He'll be re-evaluated on Friday.
EARLY WEEK PRACTICE PARTICIPATION REPORT AND 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 | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Jameis Winston | TB | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
| Marcus Mariota | Ten | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Cam Newton | Car | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Andy Dalton | Cin | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Aaron Rodgers | GB | Collarbone | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Andrew Luck | Ind | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Sam Bradford | Min | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Trevor Siemian | Den | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Blake Bortles | Jac | Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Running Backs
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Leonard Fournette | Jac | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Jay Ajayi | Mia | Knee | Full | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Melvin Gordon | LAC | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| DeMarco Murray | Ten | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
| Ty Montgomery | GB | Ribs | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Rob Kelley* | Was | Ankle | MNF | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Bilal Powell | NYJ | Calf | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Matt Forte | NYJ | Knee / Toe | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Terrance West | Bal | Calf | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Jerick McKinnon | Min | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jonathan Stewart | Car | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| *Wendell Smallwood* | Phi | Knee | MNF | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Andre Ellington | Ari | Quadricep | Limited | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Paul Perkins | NYG | Ribs | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Rex Burkhead | NE | Ribs | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Branden Oliver | LAC | Hamstring | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Robert Turbin | Ind | Elbow | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| C.J. Prosise | Sea | Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
|
Wide Receivers
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Stefon Diggs | Min | Groin | DNP | DNP | Limited if Active | ||
| Keenan Allen | LAC | Shoulder | Not Listed | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Kelvin Benjamin | Car | Knee | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Demaryius Thomas | Den | Calf | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Emmanuel Sanders | Den | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Chris Hogan | NE | Ribs | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Marqise Lee | Jac | Knee | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Jordan Matthews | Buf | Thumb | Limited | Limited | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Willie Snead | NO | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Robby Anderson | NYJ | Ankle | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Breshad Perriman | Bal | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Jeremy Maclin | Bal | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Mike Wallace | Bal | Back | Limited | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Mohamed Sanu | Atl | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Laquon Treadwell | Min | Toe | Not Listed | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Michael Floyd | Min | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Markus Wheaton | Chi | Groin | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Tyler Boyd | Cin | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| John Ross | Cin | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Corey Davis | Ten | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Kenny Britt | Cle | Knee / Glute | Limited | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
| Sammie Coates Jr | Cle | Hamstring | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Tight Ends
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Delanie Walker | Ten | Calf | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Charles Clay | Buf | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| George Kittle | SF | Back / Elbow | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Benjamin Watson | Bal | Knee | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Maxx Williams | Bal | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Marcedes Lewis | Jac | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Offensive Line
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Jared Veldheer | Ari | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Matt Skura | Bal | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Cordy Glenn | Buf | Ankle / Foot | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Ryan Kalil | Car | Neck | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Hroniss Grasu | Chi | Hand | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Joe Thomas | Cle | Knee | DNP | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Tyron Smith | Dal | Back | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| La'el Collins | Dal | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Menelik Watson | Den | Calf | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Lane Taylor | GB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| David Bakhtiari | GB | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Bryan Bulaga | GB | Concussion | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Brandon Linder | Jac | Illness | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Joe Barksdale | LAC | Foot | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Spencer Pulley | LAC | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Mike Pouncey | Mia | Concussion / Hip | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Nick Easton | Min | Calf | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Shaq Mason | NE | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Terron Armstead | NO | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| John Jerry | NYG | Tooth | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Weston Richburg | NYG | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Kelvin Beachum | NYJ | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| James Carpenter | NYJ | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Brian Winters | NYJ | Abdomen | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Ramon Foster | Pit | Back | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Marcus Gilbert | Pit | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Maurkice Pouncey | Pit | Chest | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| *Lane Johnson* | Phi | Concussion | MNF | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Luke Joeckel | Sea | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| *Trent Williams* | Was | Knee | MNF | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
|
Edge Players
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Vic Beasley Jr | Atl | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Charles Johnson | Car | Groin | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Julius Peppers | Car | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| John Simon | Ind | Shoulder | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Andre Branch | Mia | Knee | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Olivier Vernon | NYG | Ankle | Limited | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| *Brandon Graham* | Phi | Shoulder | MNF | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Cliff Avril | Sea | Neck | DNP | IR | IR | Injured Reserve | Injured Reserve |
| Noah Spence | TB | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Derrick Morgan | Ten | Abdomen | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Defensive Line
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Robert Nkemdiche | Ari | Calf | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Corey Peters | Ari | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Danny Shelton | Cle | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Corey Liuget | LAC | Back | Limited | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Ndamukong Suh | Mia | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Muhammad Wilkerson | NYJ | Shoulder / Foot | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Leonard Williams | NYJ | Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Fletcher Cox* | Phi | Calf | MNF | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Stephon Tuitt | Pit | Back | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Michael Bennett | Sea | Heel | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Linebackers
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Karlos Dansby | Ari | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Deion Jones | Atl | Quadricep | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Duke Riley | Atl | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Ramon Humber | Buf | Thumb | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Luke Kuechly | Car | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Thomas Davis | Car | Groin | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| John Timu | Chi | Ankle / Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Nick Kwiatkoski | Chi | Chest | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Sean Lee | Dal | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Brandon Marshall | Den | Shoulder | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Joe Thomas | GB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Nick Perry | GB | Hand / Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Anthony Walker | Ind | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Jatavis Brown | LAC | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Mark Barron | LAR | Thumb | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Anthony Barr | Min | Concussion / Ankle | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Jonathan Casillas | NYG | Neck | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Calvin Munson | NYG | Quadricep | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| *Jordan Hicks* | Phi | Calf | MNF | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Vince Williams | Pit | Hip | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Ray-Ray Armstrong | SF | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Reuben Foster | SF | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Lavonte David | TB | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Kwon Alexander | TB | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Mason Foster* | Was | Shoulder | MNF | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Defensive Backs
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Patrick Peterson | Ari | Quadricep | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| E.J. Gaines | Buf | Groin | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Kurt Coleman | Car | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Adam Jones | Cin | Back | Limited | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Dre Kirkpatrick | Cin | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jabrill Peppers | Cle | Toe | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Jason McCourty | Cle | Ankle | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Morgan Burnett | GB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Davon House | GB | Quadricep | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Damarious Randall | GB | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kevin King | GB | Concussion | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| A.J. Bouye | Jac | Hamstring | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Tashaun Gipson | Jac | Neck | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Jalen Ramsey | Jac | Calf | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Lamarcus Joyner | LAR | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Xavier Rhodes | Min | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Andrew Sendejo | Min | Groin | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Stephon Gilmore | NE | Concussion / Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Eric Rowe | NE | Groin | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Landon Collins | NYG | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| *Ronald Darby* | Phi | Ankle | MNF | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kam Chancellor | Sea | Ankle | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Richard Sherman | Sea | Achilles | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jeremy Lane | Sea | Groin | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Eric Reid | SF | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Keith Tandy | TB | Hip | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| T.J. Ward | TB | Hip | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Johnathan Cyprien | Ten | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| *Josh Norman* | Was | Rib | MNF | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| *Bashaud Breeland* | Was | Knee | MNF | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.
