Injury Expectations | Thursday Update | Week 15

Photo: USA Today Sports

KEY Thursday MEDIA UPDATES

>>>> Note: Due to travel and time constraints over the next two weeks, the table will include offensive skill position players only.

***Leonard Fournette missed practice again on Thursday but told reporters he would play this week. His injury reportedly occurred in the third quarter and he was cleared to continue to play. We've seen Fournette's status go either way with missed practices this season, with the Jaguars choosing caution with his ankles at times and allowing him to play without practicing at others. Friday's participation and media comments are critical.

***There were indications Tevin Coleman had been cleared to practice on Wednesday but he was not seen on Thursday and Dan Quinn told reporters Coleman remained in the concussion protocol. There remains time for Coleman to progress by Monday night. He'll need to be cleared for individual drills on Friday to feel comfortable with his Week 15 availability.

***It's unclear whether Kyle Rudolph will play this week but I think he's trending poorly. Yet to practice with an ankle injury, Mike Zimmer wouldn't discuss Rudolph's status while sounding optimistic about his multiple injured offensive linemen. The Vikings worked out extra tight ends on Thursday, with Rudolph, Blake Bell, and David Morgan all limited in practice at best.

***Joe Mixon did not practice Wednesday, a week and a half after suffering a concussion on the previous Sunday night, and it appeared his status was questionable at best. He returned to individual drills on Thursday, opening the possibility he'd be able to clear the return-to-play protocol this week. Friday's participation is key; I don't think Mixon is a strong bet to return just yet.

***DeAndre Hopkins (toe), Alshon Jeffery (illness), JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring), and Sterling Shepard (hamstring) were added to Thursday's practice participation report. Smith-Schuster aggravated a hamstring strain in Thursday's practice and is in danger of missing this week's game. Hopkins and Jeffery are likely to play. The Giants provided no information on Shepard's condition.

SATURDAY INJURY EXPECTATIONS

Here are the key players listed on the practice participation or game status report for the Saturday games:

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

The most notable injury situation in this game is the state of the Detroit offensive line. Center Travis Swanson and tackle Rick Wagner are out with injury. Guard T.J. Lang is questionable after managing only a limited Thursday practice. Adam Shaheen, Ameer Abdullah, and Matthew Stafford are all expected to play. 

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers list only Casey Hayward on the game status report. He is questionable after missing Thursday's practice with a calf injury. The Chiefs are also healthy. Other than Mitch Morse, who continues to miss time after aggravating an early season midfoot sprain, there are no Kansas City injuries of concern.

MIDWEEK 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.

^Note: Saturday players with carat practice Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday

Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.