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KEY THURSDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***Thursday brought multiple reassuring practice updates among the injured running backs and wide receivers. Jay Ajayi returned to a full practice and appears to be closer to full strength this week than last week when he didn't practice until Friday. Melvin Gordon was listed limited but described as a "full go" by Anthony Lynn and continues to trend in a positive direction for close to his usual workload this week. Sammy Watkins looks likely to gain full clearance on Friday after a full Thursday practice. Julio Jones continues to be listed as limited but his comments to the local media remain positive and will probably fully practice on Friday. Kelvin Benjamin also returned to a full practice on Thursday.
***It's not yet clear where Doug Baldwin stands this week. Baldwin has yet to practice -- but that doesn't raise as much alarm in Seattle, where veteran players routinely miss practice until Friday and play effectively on game day. That makes Friday the critical day for Baldwin's Week 4 expectation. A limited or full practice on Friday and a reassuring media interview will mean Baldwin is planning to play Sunday night.
***Jordan Reed plays on Monday night and is going to be a tough call. He reportedly did more in individual workouts on Thursday than last week but needs to be near fully healthy to play with the Washington bye looming the following week. If Reed does more on Friday, he's likely to go and will benefit from the added recovery time to follow.
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
|
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| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Andrew Luck | Ind | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Sam Bradford | Min | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Cam Newton | Car | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Josh McCown | NYJ | Ribs | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Blake Bortles | Jac | Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pit | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Running Backs
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| LeVeon Bell | Pit | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| LeSean McCoy | Buf | Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jay Ajayi | Mia | Knee | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Melvin Gordon | LAC | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Carlos Hyde | SF | Hip | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Adrian Peterson | NO | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| *Rob Kelley* | Was | Rib | MNF | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Isaiah Crowell | Cle | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Jonathan Stewart | Car | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Frank Gore | Ind | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Jamaal Charles | Den | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Matt Forte | NYJ | Knee / Toe | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| C.J. Prosise | Sea | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Duke Johnson Jr | Cle | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Gio Bernard | Cin | Thigh | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| *Samaje Perine* | Was | Hand | MNF | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Marlon Mack | Ind | Shoulder | DNP | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
| Rex Burkhead | NE | Ribs | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Jalen Richard | Oak | Calf | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Dwayne Washington | Det | Quadricep | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Orleans Darkwa | NYG | Back | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Shane Vereen | NYG | Calf | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Alfred Blue | Hou | Ankle | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Kyle Juszczyk | SF | Concussion | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Wide Receivers
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Julio Jones | Atl | Back | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Doug Baldwin | Sea | Groin | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
| Michael Crabtree | Oak | Chest | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Sammy Watkins | LAR | Concussion | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Amari Cooper | Oak | Knee | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Kelvin Benjamin | Car | Knee | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Martavis Bryant | Pit | Illness | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| DeAndre Hopkins | Hou | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Danny Amendola | NE | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| John Brown | Ari | Quadricep | Limited | Limited | Unlikely to Play | ||
| J.J. Nelson | Ari | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Robby Anderson | NYJ | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Will Fuller | Hou | Clavicle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Curtis Samuel | Car | Back | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Phillip Dorsett | NE | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| John Ross | Cin | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Brandon LaFell | Cin | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kenny Britt | Cle | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Sammie Coates Jr | Cle | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Kenny Golladay | Det | Hamstring | Limited | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Kenny Stills | Mia | Hand | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Corey Davis | Ten | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Tavon Austin | LAR | Concussion | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Mike Williams | LAC | Back | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Tight Ends
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| *Jordan Reed* | Was | Rib / Sternum | MNF | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
| Jimmy Graham | Sea | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Tyler Eifert | Cin | Back | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Delanie Walker | Ten | Hamstring | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jack Doyle | Ind | Foot | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Jesse James | Pit | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Benjamin Watson | Bal | Calf | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Maxx Williams | Bal | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Jermaine Gresham | Ari | Ribs | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
|
Offensive Line
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Alex Boone | Ari | Chest | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| D.J. Humphries | Ari | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Mike Iupati | Ari | Tricep | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| John Wetzel | Ari | Biceps | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Ryan Schraeder | Atl | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Cordy Glenn | Buf | Foot / Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Ryan Kalil | Car | Neck | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Trey Hopkins | Cin | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
| Joe Thomas | Cle | Knee | DNP | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Kevin Zeitler | Cle | Thumb | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| T.J. Lang | Det | Fibula | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Travis Swanson | Det | Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Xavier Su'a-Filo | Hou | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Jeff Allen | Hou | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Ryan Kelly | Ind | Foot | Limited | Limited | Inactive | ||
| Brandon Linder | Jac | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Cam Robinson | Jac | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Mitch Morse* | KC | Foot | MNF | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Joe Barksdale | LAC | Foot | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| John Sullivan | LAR | Hip | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Andrew Whitworth | LAR | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Mike Pouncey | Mia | Hip | Full | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Marcus Cannon | NE | Ankle / Concussion | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Terron Armstead | NO | Shoulder | DNP | Limited | Inactive | ||
| Zach Strief | NO | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Bobby Hart | NYG | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Likely Inactive | ||
| Brian Winters | NYJ | Abdomen | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Kelvin Beachum | NYJ | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| James Carpenter | NYJ | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jason Kelce | Phi | Knee | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Ramon Foster | Pit | Thumb | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Marcus Gilbert | Pit | Hamstring | Full | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Luke Joeckel | Sea | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Joe Staley | SF | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| J.R. Sweezy | TB | Back | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
|
Edge Players
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| J.J. Watt | Hou | Finger | Full | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Jadeveon Clowney | Hou | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Whitney Mercilus | Hou | Hip | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Chandler Jones | Ari | Chest | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Vic Beasley Jr | Atl | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Shaq Lawson | Buf | Groin | Not Listed | Limited | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Julius Peppers | Car | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Charles Johnson | Car | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Carlos Dunlap | Cin | Neck | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Myles Garrett | Cle | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Ezekiel Ansah | Det | Knee | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Anthony Zettel | Det | Knee | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| *Dee Ford* | KC | Back | MNF | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Olivier Vernon | NYG | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Bud Dupree | Pit | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| T.J. Watt | Pit | Groin | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Frank Clark | Sea | Hamstring | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Noah Spence | TB | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Defensive Line
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Brandon Williams | Bal | Foot | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Kyle Williams | Buf | Not Injury Related | DNP | Not Listed | Expected to Play | ||
| Marcell Dareus | Buf | Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Star Lotulelei | Car | Shoulder | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Danny Shelton | Cle | Calf | Not Listed | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Malik Jackson | Jac | Groin | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Muhammad Wilkerson | NYJ | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Leonard Williams | NYJ | Wrist | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Fletcher Cox | Phi | Calf | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Stephon Tuitt | Pit | Biceps | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Gerald McCoy | TB | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
|
Linebackers
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Deone Bucannon | Ari | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Lorenzo Alexander | Buf | Not Injury Related | DNP | Not Listed | Expected to Play | ||
| Thomas Davis | Car | Rib | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Jamie Collins | Cle | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Sean Lee | Dal | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Anthony Hitchens | Dal | Knee | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Jarrad Davis | Det | Concussion | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Anthony Walker | Ind | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Myles Jack | Jac | Ankle | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Hayes Pullard | LAC | Knee | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Kiko Alonso | Mia | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Rey Maualuga | Mia | Hamstring | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Donta Hightower | NE | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Jonathan Casillas | NYG | Ankle / Wrist | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| B.J. Goodson | NYG | Shin | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Jordan Hicks | Phi | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Reuben Foster | SF | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Kwon Alexander | TB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Lavonte David | TB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| *Mason Foster* | Was | Shoulder | MNF | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Defensive Backs
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Shawn Williams | Cin | Knee | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| George Iloka | Cin | Hamstring | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Bradley Roby | Den | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Aqib Talib | Den | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Glover Quin | Det | Knee | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Tavon Wilson | Det | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kevin Johnson | Hou | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Vontae Davis | Ind | Groin | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jalen Ramsey | Jac | Ankle | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Kayvon Webster | LAR | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Lamarcus Joyner | LAR | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Eric Rowe | NE | Groin | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Stephon Gilmore | NE | Groin | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Sterling Moore | NO | Chest | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Marshon Lattimore | NO | Concussion | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Janoris Jenkins | NYG | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Ronald Darby | Phi | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Rodney McLeod | Phi | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Sean Davis | Pit | Ankle | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Michael Mitchell | Pit | Hamstring | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Earl Thomas | Sea | Knee | DNP | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Richard Sherman | Sea | Achilles | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Eric Reid | SF | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Jaquiski Tartt | SF | Concussion | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| T.J. Ward | TB | Hip | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Brent Grimes | TB | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Johnathan Cyprien | Ten | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.
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