KEY THURSDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***Derek Carr is a near lock to play this week. The Raiders sound pleased with what Carr has been able to do in practice. While he may be limited and considered a game-time decision after Friday's practice, expect him to play without much limitation. The Titans are not as publicly optimistic with Marcus Mariota, with Mike Mularkey telling reporters he hasn't done enough to be cleared to play yet. Mariota won't be fully healthy this week but his practice participation suggests he's doing enough to play. The Titans play Monday night but I think we'll hear enough through Sunday morning to know whether Mariota will play.
***There were multiple reasons to consider Travis Kelce doubtful last night. Today, the Chiefs said Kelce would return to a limited practice. He was then seen in pads and listed as a full participant. It's not clear whether Kelce was cleared for contact but he was definitely in pads. Sport-specific exercise is the final stage of the return-to-play protocol before clearance for contact. Since Kelce has reached that point on Thursday, he's looking more likely to be ready this week. We'll see how Kelce responds to the full practice overnight.
***Stefon Diggs told reporters his current groin strain is not as bad as last year's injury. That doesn't mean he's healthy enough to be active and productive. If Diggs is able to do nearly everything asked on Friday, he's a safe bet to play and see more than 50% of Minnesota's offensive snaps. Otherwise, he should be considered doubtful to play.
***Julio Jones told reporters he was good to go and to ignore the limited designation on the practice report. The Falcons will continue to limit his practice reps but Jones' comments suggest we should anticipate him not being listed on the injury report this week.
***Ty Montgomery was cleared for contact on Thursday. The Packers will want to see how his body responds overnight. If Montgomery is limited or better on Friday, he's likely to be active. There's little reason to expect a pre-injury workload, however, with Aaron Jones establishing himself as a productive option.
***Rob Kelley and Bilal Powell are not likely to play. Neither is DeVante Parker or Sterling Shepard.
EARLY WEEK PRACTICE PARTICIPATION REPORT AND 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 | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Tom Brady | NE | Shoulder | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Matthew Stafford | Det | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Derek Carr | Oak | Back | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| *Marcus Mariota* | Ten | Hamstring | MNF | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Sam Bradford | Min | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| *Jacoby Brissett* | Ind | Wrist | MNF | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Blake Bortles | Jac | Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Josh McCown | NYJ | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Andrew Luck* | Ind | Shoulder | MNF | Limited | Inactive | ||
|
Running Backs
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Jay Ajayi | Mia | Knee | Full | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Leonard Fournette | Jac | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Ty Montgomery | GB | Ribs | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Rob Kelley | Was | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Bilal Powell | NYJ | Calf | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Matt Forte | NYJ | Knee / Toe | Limited | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
| Terrance West | Bal | Calf | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Jamaal Charles | Den | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Paul Perkins | NYG | Ribs | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Chris Ivory | Jac | Hip | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| D'Onta Foreman | Hou | Hip | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Branden Oliver | LAC | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Dwayne Washington | Det | Quad | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Rex Burkhead | NE | Ribs | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| DeAndre Washington | Oak | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Wide Receivers
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Julio Jones | Atl | Hip | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Jordy Nelson | GB | Back | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Tyreek Hill | KC | Hamstring | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Stefon Diggs | Min | Groin | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
| Pierre Garcon | SF | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jeremy Maclin | Bal | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Willie Snead | NO | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Amari Cooper | Oak | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| John Brown | Ari | Quad | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| J.J. Nelson | Ari | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Marqise Lee | Jac | Ribs | Full | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Mohamed Sanu | Atl | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Markus Wheaton | Chi | Groin | Not Listed | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Josh Doctson | Was | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Breshad Perriman | Bal | Knee | DNP | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Mike Williams | LAC | Back | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kenny Britt | Cle | Knee / Groin | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Sammie Coates Jr | Cle | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Kenny Golladay | Det | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Albert Wilson | KC | Knee | DNP | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| *Corey Davis* | Ten | Rib | MNF | DNP | Inactive | ||
|
Tight Ends
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Rob Gronkowski | NE | Thigh | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Travis Kelce | KC | Concussion | DNP | Full | Awaiting Information | ||
| *Jack Doyle* | Ind | Concussion / Neck | MNF | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| George Kittle | SF | Chest | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Maxx Williams | Bal | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Offensive Line
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Alex Boone | Ari | Chest | Limited | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
| D.J. Humphries | Ari | Knee | Limited | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
| Jared Veldheer | Ari | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Ryan Schraeder | Atl | Concussion | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Matt Skura | Bal | Knee | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Hroniss Grasu | Chi | Hand | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kyle Long | Chi | Ankle | Not Listed | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Joe Thomas | Cle | Knee | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| J.C. Tretter | Cle | Knee | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kevin Zeitler | Cle | Thumb | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| T.J. Lang | Det | Back | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| David Bakhtiari | GB | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Bryan Bulaga | GB | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Xavier Su'a-Filo | Hou | Knee | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Brandon Linder | Jac | Illness | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Patrick Omameh | Jac | Hip | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Laurent Duvernay-Tardif | KC | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Mitch Morse | KC | Foot | DNP | Limited | Inactive | ||
| Joe Barksdale | LAC | Foot | Limited | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| John Sullivan | LAR | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Andrew Whitworth | LAR | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Mike Pouncey | Mia | Hip | Full | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Pat Elflein | Min | Toe | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Nick Easton | Min | Calf | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Nate Solder | NE | Not Injury Related | DNP | Not Listed | Expected to Play | ||
| Marcus Cannon | NE | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Terron Armstead | NO | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Andrus Peat | NO | Hip | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Weston Richburg | NYG | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Kelvin Beachum | NYJ | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| James Carpenter | NYJ | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Brandon Shell | NYJ | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Brian Winters | NYJ | Abdomen | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Gabe Jackson | Oak | Foot | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Ramon Foster | Pit | Back | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Maurkice Pouncey | Pit | Chest | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Marcus Gilbert | Pit | Hamstring | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Joe Staley | SF | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Ali Marpet | TB | Illness | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| *Taylor Lewan* | Ten | Knee | MNF | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Trent Williams | Was | Knee | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
|
Edge Players
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Vic Beasley Jr | Atl | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Myles Garrett | Cle | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Ezekiel Ansah | Det | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Nick Perry | GB | Hand | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jadeveon Clowney | Hou | Knee | DNP | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| Justin Houston | KC | Calf | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Dee Ford | KC | Back | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Olivier Vernon | NYG | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Defensive Line
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Robert Nkemdiche | Ari | Calf | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Danny Shelton | Cle | Calf | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Malik Jackson | Jac | Groin | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Bennie Logan | KC | Knee | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Muhammad Wilkerson | NYJ | Shoulder / Toe | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Leonard Williams | NYJ | Wrist | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Linebackers
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Karlos Dansby | Ari | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| John Timu | Chi | Knee / Ankle | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Nick Kwiatkoski | Chi | Chest | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Jamie Collins | Cle | Concussion | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Tahir Whitehead | Det | Pectoral | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Joe Thomas | GB | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Benardrick McKinney | Hou | Hip | DNP | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| *Anthony Walker* | Ind | Hamstring | MNF | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Jatavis Brown | LAC | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Mark Barron | LAR | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Eric Kendricks | Min | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Donta Hightower | NE | Knee | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Jonathan Casillas | NYG | Neck | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Cory James | Oak | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Marquel Lee | Oak | Knee | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Ryan Shazier | Pit | Quad | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| NaVorro Bowman | SF | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Reuben Foster | SF | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Kwon Alexander | TB | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Lavonte David | TB | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Zach Brown | Was | Illness | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Mason Foster | Was | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Defensive Backs
|
|||||||
| Player | Team | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| Patrick Peterson | Ari | Quad | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Aqib Talib | Den | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Glover Quin | Det | Groin | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Morgan Burnett | GB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Kevin King | GB | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Davon House | GB | Quad | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Kevin Johnson | Hou | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Johnathan Joseph | Hou | Groin | DNP | DNP | Likely to Play | ||
| Marcus Burley | Hou | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jalen Ramsey | Jac | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Lamarcus Joyner | LAR | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Andrew Sendejo | Min | Groin | DNP | DNP | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Stephon Gilmore | NE | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Sterling Moore | NO | Pectoral | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Landon Collins | NYG | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| David Amerson | Oak | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Eric Reid | SF | Knee | Limited | Limited | Unlikely to Play | ||
| Jimmie Ward | SF | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| T.J. Ward | TB | Hip | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Josh Norman | Was | Rib | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| *Johnathan Cyprien* | Ten | Hamstring | MNF | DNP | Inactive | ||
| D.J. Swearinger Sr | Was | Hamstring | Limited | 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.