Injury Expectations | Wednesday Update | Week 1

Photo: Imagn Images

KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***Odell Beckham was seen doing some light running during the stretching portion of practice on Wednesday. Although he was cleared to speak to the media after practice -- usually a positive sign -- his comments were not reassuring.

Beckham told reporters he wouldn't play if he needed to brace or tape his ankle. Head coach Bob McAdoo said Beckham hadn't been cleared to return by the medical staff yet, which suggests Beckham isn't close enough to fully recovered to play without support. High ankle sprains are difficult to tape or brace in the best circumstances. McAdoo also said the team wouldn't risk Beckham if he remains at risk of aggravation.

While we've seen players minimize injury early in the week then suit up on game day, every indication here is that the Giants aren't going to take risks with Beckham. And Beckham already seems resigned to missing the opener. This could be a smokescreen but it doesn't read like one. I think he'll have to do something in practice on Thursday to give the med staff a chance to re-evaluate how he feels on Friday. Consider Beckham a game-time decision for now but he's trending toward sitting this week.

***Myles Garrett left practice with an ankle injury on Wednesday. First reports from national media members and the team sound concerning. Garrett was to have on MRI on Wednesday night. At best, Garrett sounds questionable to play this week. Some reports suggest he could miss multiple weeks. The Browns and Garrett will have a better sense after the imaging study is complete.

***Joe Flacco fully practiced on Wednesday and will start this week.

***Pete Carroll told reporters on Wednesday that Thomas Rawls is recovering from a high ankle sprain. His full practice today is a positive sign and Carroll said Rawls was close to returning. However, Carroll said he wanted to see how Rawls responded throughout the week and neither Eddie Lacy nor C.J. Prosise is on Seattle's injury report. Rawls has a good chance to be active and contribute with a full week of practice but I don't expect his workload to be significant.

***DeAndre Hopkins, Jordan Matthews, Bilal Powell, Danny Woodhead, Josh Doctson, and Leonard Williams were all listed as full practice participants on Wednesday. Hopkins was listed as a thumb injury, which likely explains why the Texans held him out longer than you might expect for a hand injury that didn't require surgery. Corey Davis and Cooper Kupp are not listed on their team's practice participation report and are working without restrictions.

***Ezekiel Ansah was listed as limited with a knee injury, which is a mild surprise after suspicions his absence was related to a chronic ankle condition. Deone Bucannon reportedly sprained his ankle early in his return and is unlikely to play this week. Taylor Lewan sprained an ankle in practice and is considered day-to-day.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

Here are the key offensive players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:

Travis Kelce | Calf | Not Listed | EXPECTED TO PLAY

Practice Participation: Mon - Limited | Tue - Limited | Wed - Full

Kelce was limited early this week with a calf injury but returned to a full practice on Wednesday. He was not listed on the Chiefs' final injury report and there has been no indication from the team or local writers of concern. Expect Kelce to see his usual workload Thursday night.

Malcolm Mitchell | Knee | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Mon - Limited | Tue - Limited | Wed - Limited

New England beat writers aren't sure whether Mitchell will play or be limited this week. Mitchell continues to struggle with knee soreness and did not appear in a preseason game. It's unlikely he'll be ready for more than situational work but watch the pregame news for an update on his status.

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

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.