Injury Expectations | Wednesday Update | Week 10

Photo: Imagn Images

KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***Dez Bryant didn't practice on Wednesday. Jason Garrett told reporters on Monday the Cowboys didn't believe Bryant's injury was significant. Along with video evidence of a high ankle sprain, Bryant is also reported to have a bruise around his knee. The knee contusion isn't likely to be in a weight-bearing location, making the ankle injury the primary concern. Despite the Monday optimism, it's not uncommon for high ankle sprains to recover more slowly than initially projected. Consider Bryant a game-time decision for now. If he's back to practice tomorrow, there's a chance he'll be able to play with minimal limitation. It's not looking favorable, however.

***Julio Jones is also uncertain to play with an ankle injury. The Falcons would only say Jones had a lower leg issue on Monday. Replays showed mechanisms of a high ankle sprain and an MCL sprain. It looks like Jones avoided the knee sprain but a high ankle sprain -- you know what I'm about to type here -- is a difficult injury to project in the first 2-3 days. I don't expect to see Jones practice tomorrow but he's played when only managed limited Friday practices in the week. Hopefully, Dan Quinn will be more forthcoming on Jones by the end of the week.

***Dan Quinn was evasive on Monday when discussing Devonta Freeman's injury issues and refused to discuss the body part involved or provide a timetable for recovery. We didn't get much more information on Wednesday. Freeman is listed with a knee injury and was limited to individual drills. I'm projecting Freeman to play but need to see more details reported before feeling comfortable projecting how limited he may be this week.

***It's not yet clear whether Demaryius Thomas and Michael Thomas are getting midweek rest or whether they have injuries that will limit them this week. I'll have more as the week progresses. There is a long list of wide receivers who were getting early week looks to see how soft tissue injuries respond. We'll know more about Jamison Crowder, Kenny Golladay, Markus Wheaton, among others, on Thursday. Unfortunately, Chris Hogan remained in a sling on Wednesday -- he'll miss this week's game and is looking questionable for Week 11 now as well.

***Jordan Reed returned to practice but was cleared only for limited individual work. He's still questionable at best for this week. Charles Clay was doing more on Wednesday than last week. If he shows he's capable of cutting at speed this week, he could return. The Bills' official website thinks Clay is on track to return.

***Teddy Bridgewater is fully practicing in preparation to backup Case Keenum this week. The Vikings see no need to rock the boat right now but are readying Bridgewater to play if needed. The news isn't as reassuring on Sam Bradford. After an early week arthroscopic surgery, Minnesota moved Bradford to injured reserve. The procedure was reported as a cleanout but there's much more going on with Bradford. While there was undoubtedly some minor issues in the knee addressed, the larger cartilage concerns remain. This won't be a simple recovery. More on Bradford in Monday's Injury Rounds column.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

Eddie Lacy | Groin | Out

Lacy was immediately ruled doubtful after last week's injury and didn't return to practice on a short week. It's not clear whether this will prove to be a multiple week absence but he had little chance of recovering in time to play this week.

Paul Richardson Jr | Groin | Questionable

Richardson was added to the injury report on Tuesday with tightness in his groin. Pete Carroll told reporters he expected Richardson to play. Make sure to monitor the pregame notes and inactive list to be certain Richardson didn't have any difficulty in warmups.

The Seahawks limited Jimmy Graham, Tyler Lockett, and C.J. Prosise in practice this week. None are listed on the final game status report. Graham and Lockett should see their usual workload. It's likely Prosise will be active. With Lacy out, Thomas Rawls is expected to start and J.D. McKissic is likely to have a sizable role. Prosise's role will depend on how he looks early in the game. For the Cardinals, Andre Ellington was limited with a quad injury again this week but isn't listed on the game status report.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks will be without Earl Thomas. Seattle is counting on Sheldon Richardson, who didn't practice Wednesday after his full Tuesday workout went well.

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.