![Injury Expectations | Midweek Update | Week 9](https://footballguys.imgix.net/nfl-action-photos/CarsCh00_H.jpg?auto=format,compress&w=730)
Wednesday Media Updates
***Alvin Kamara (foot) and Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) were both limited on Wednesday. Neither injury is significant and both are expected to play. Kamara described his injury as a painful stubbed toe but told reporters he would play.
***The Saints are likely to get both Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders back this week. Sanders has been returned from the COVID list and is expected to play. Drew Brees told reporters he was excited to get Thomas back. The Saints won't directly address Thomas' return but all indications are he'll play for the first time since Week 1.
***Chris Godwin remains in a cast and participating in limited workouts. Bruce Arians told reporters the team won't know whether Godwin will be able to catch a football until Friday. He remains questionable at best.
***Chris Carson remains a game-time decision. Pete Carroll told reporters Carson would see limited work on Friday and the team would evaluate his progress after practice. Carroll does not expect Carlos Hyde to return this week. Travis Homer (just 7 of 68 snaps last week) is expected to be available.
***Jonathan Taylor is dealing with a minor ankle issue and is expected to play. Local writers believe Jordan Wilkins -- also limited on Wednesday with a groin injury -- may see a larger role again this week regardless of Taylor's health.
***Phillip Lindsay suffered a "jammed toe" last week. The Broncos are hopeful he'll be able to play. It's unclear whether this is an aggravation from the toe injury that cost Lindsay multiple weeks earlier this season or a new condition.
Injured Reserve additions through Wednesday transactions:
- QB Andy Dalton (COVID-reserve) -- Out Week 9
- QB Matthew Stafford (COVID-reserve) -- Probable Week 9
Designated to return through Wednesday transactions:
- WR Steven Sims Jr -- Questionable/Doubtful
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key offensive players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
Green Bay at San Francisco
***Aaron Jones is officially questionable as he continues to recover from a calf injury. The team allowed a full week of limited practice and Jones has traveled with the team to San Francisco. The Green Bay medical staff will have to clear Jones -- something they've yet to do while Jones has been less than full strength. Offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett said Jones remains "a game-time deal."
***If Jones is not cleared, the Packers will be without their top three backs. A.J. Dillon (COVID+) and Jamaal Williams (COVID list) are both out.
***Already without George Kittle, Jimmy Garoppolo, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and Tevin Coleman, the Niners will also be without receivers Deebo Samuel (hamstring, COVID list), Brandon Aiyuk (COVID list), and Kendrick Bourne (COVID+). Richie James (ankle) is questionable after limited practices this week. Trent Taylor is the only receiver on the current active roster available and not injured. The team does have multiple practice squad receivers (Kevin White, River Cracraft) they can promote. It's also possible they'll have Jordan Reed back on the active roster.
Early week practice participation and playing expectations
The Wednesday and Thursday practice participation reports are our first chance to see which players each NFL team is 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.
Quarterbacks
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Josh Allen | Buf | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Justin Herbert | LAC | Shoulder | Not Listed | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Drew Brees | NO | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Matthew Stafford | Det | COVID exposure | COVID list | COVID list | Likely to Play | ||
Teddy Bridgewater | Car | Neck | Full | Expected to Play | |||
*Sam Darnold | NYJ | Shoulder | *DNP | Likely to Play | |||
Gardner Minshew | Jac | Thumb | DNP | Inactive | |||
Running Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Alvin Kamara | NO | Foot | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Ezekiel Elliott | Dal | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Josh Jacobs | LV | Knee / Illness | Full | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
Chris Carson | Sea | Foot | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
Carlos Hyde | Sea | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Travis Homer | Sea | Knee | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
DeeJay Dallas | Sea | Arm / Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jonathan Taylor | Ind | Ankle | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jordan Wilkins | Ind | Groin | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Kenyan Drake | Ari | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Phillip Lindsay | Den | Foot | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Justin Jackson | LAC | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Myles Gaskin | Mia | Knee | DNP | IR | IR | IR | Injured Reserve |
Matt Breida | Mia | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Patrick Laird | Mia | Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
*Damien Harris | NE | Ankle | *Limited | Expected to Play | |||
Mark Ingram | Bal | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
*Frank Gore | NYJ | Hand | *Full | Expected to Play | |||
T.J. Yeldon | Buf | Back | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Devonta Freeman | NYG | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
Wide Receivers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
Michael Thomas | NO | Ankle / Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Marquez Callaway | NO | Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Adam Thielen | Min | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Chris Godwin | TB | Finger | Limited | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
Scott Miller | TB | Hip / Groin | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Calvin Ridley | Atl | Foot | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Russell Gage | Atl | Shoulder / Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
Kenny Golladay | Det | Hip | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
A.J. Brown | Ten | Knee | Not Listed | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
Adam Humphries | Ten | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Sammy Watkins | KC | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
T.Y. Hilton | Ind | Groin | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
Michael Pittman | Ind | COVID exposure | Not Listed | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
Marcus Johnson | Ind | Knee | Not Listed | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
*Jamison Crowder | NYJ | Groin | *DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
*Breshad Perriman | NYJ | Concussion | *Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
Sterling Shepard | NYG | Shoulder / Toe | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
John Brown | Buf | Knee | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
David Moore | Sea | Ankle / Back | Not Listed | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
Anthony Miller | Chi | Toe | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
*NKeal Harry | NE | Concussion | *DNP | Awaiting Information | |||
Randall Cobb | Hou | Illness | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Tim Patrick | Den | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
Bryan Edwards | LV | Foot / Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Tight Ends
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
T.J. Hockenson | Det | Toe | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Logan Thomas | Was | Ankle | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Jordan Akins | Hou | Ankle / Concussion | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
Greg Olsen | Sea | Foot | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
Jimmy Graham | Chi | Knee / Hamstring | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
Cole Kmet | Chi | Groin | Not Listed | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Mo Alie-Cox | Ind | Knee | Limited | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
Adam Shaheen | Mia | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play |
Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.