![Injury Expectations | Wednesday Update | Week 1](https://footballguys.imgix.net/nfl-action-photos/BeckOd01_H.jpg?auto=format,compress&w=730)
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
Quarterbacks
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Joe Flacco | Back | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Cam Newton | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Andrew Luck | Shoulder | DNP | Inactive | |||
Carson Palmer | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Tyrod Taylor | Concussion | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Blake Bortles | Wrist | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Running Backs
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Bilal Powell | Ribs | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Thomas Rawls | Ankle | Full | Likely to Play | |||
Matt Forte | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Danny Woodhead | Thigh | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Jeremy Hill | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
T.J. Yeldon | Hamstring | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
D'onta Foreman | Groin | Full | Likely to Play | |||
Alfred Blue | Ankle | DNP | Unlikely to Play | |||
Zach Zenner | Back | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Wide Receivers
|
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Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Odell Beckham | Ankle | DNP | Game-time Decision | |||
Amari Cooper | Knee | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
*Demaryius Thomas* | Groin | MNF | Likely to Play | |||
Larry Fitzgerald | Not Injury Related | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
DeAndre Hopkins | Thumb | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Jeremy Maclin | Hand | Full | Expected to Play | |||
*Tyrell Williams* | Groin | MNF | Awaiting Information | |||
Jordan Matthews | Chest | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Josh Doctson | Hamstring | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Kenny Britt | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Tyler Lockett | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Breshad Perriman | Thigh | Full | Likely to Play | |||
*Mike Williams* | Back | MNF | Inactive | |||
Kenny Golladay | Ankle | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Markus Wheaton | Finger | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
John Ross | Knee | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Tyler Boyd | Hamstring | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Curtis Samuel | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Braxton Miller | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Will Fuller | Shoulder | DNP | Inactive | |||
Tight Ends
|
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Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Tyler Eifert | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
C.J. Fiedorowicz | Concussion | Full | Expected to Play | |||
George Kittle | Hamstring | Limited | Game-time Decision | |||
Offensive Line
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Cordy Glenn | Foot | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Taylor Lewan | Ankle | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Joe Thomas | Knee | DNP | Expected to Play | |||
Bryan Bulaga | Ankle | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Mike Iupati | Tricep | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Kyle Long | Ankle | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Kelechi Osemele | Wrist/Ankle | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Ryan Kelly | Foot | DNP | Inactive | |||
Spencer Long | Knee | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Joel Bitonio | Knee | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Kelvin Beachum | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
James Carpenter | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Edge Players
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Khalil Mack | Knee | DNP | Likely to Play | |||
Brandon Graham | Tricep | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Myles Garrett | Ankle | Limited | Likely Inactive | |||
Clay Matthews | Groin | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Nick Perry | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Frank Clark | Wrist | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Ezekiel Ansah | Knee | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Taco Charlton | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Dante Fowler | Knee | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Defensive Line
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Leonard Williams | Wrist | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Marcell Dareus | Hip | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Danny Shelton | Knee | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Tyrone Crawford | Ankle | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Robert Nkemdiche | Calf | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Linebackers
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Deone Bucannon | Ankle | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Jordan Hicks | Quadricep | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Cory James | Knee | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Anthony Hitchens | Knee | DNP | Inactive | |||
Defensive Backs
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Vontae Davis | Groin | DNP | Likely Inactive | |||
Jalen Ramsey | Hip | Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Prince Amukamara | Ankle | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Shawn Williams | Shoulder | DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
George Iloka | Knee | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Davon House | Hamstring | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Kevin King | Groin | Limited | Likely to Play | |||
Morris Claiborne | Shoulder | Full | Expected to Play | |||
Tashaun Gipson | Ankle | Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Jimmie Ward | Hamstring | 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.