Injury Expectations | Wednesday Update | Week 7

Photo: USA Today Sports

KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***Andrew Luck needed a steroid injection to address inflammation in his shoulder this week. Though Luck's rehab and recovery have progressed more slowly than hoped, this is the first known setback in the process. But this isn't a new issue. Luck didn't wake up on Wednesday, report new soreness, and have a cortisone injection on the same day. This issue has been present for days, and possibly weeks.

It's a significant setback for his chances of playing this season. He was arguably 2-3 weeks from playing before today's news. He'll now need at least one week, and likely two weeks, of rest while the medical staff re-evaluates his progress after the injection. He'll then step back to where he was two weeks ago with a slow progression of return to practice. Do the math and Luck's earliest possible return could be six weeks from now. And that's if he progresses smoothly from today's treatment.

Realistically, I think Luck is a longshot to return in 2017. For months, the Colts have refused to put a timetable on Luck's recovery. I find it odd that Chris Ballard continued to say Luck has no timetable for return -- but told reporters definitively that injured reserve was not a consideration. All involved have been very cautious through this process. I see no reason to rush by a week or two at the end of the season. If Luck's recovery progresses perfectly from this point and if the Colts remain in contention and if Jacoby Brissett has an unexpected hiccup along the way -- we could see Luck after Week 14. More likely, the team decides to continue the strengthening program during the offseason.

There are two other important questions still unanswered here. Why does Luck have inflammation in the shoulder joint? What's the likelihood Luck will return to his pre-injury form in 2018? Those questions are outside the scope of today's feature. I'll address them in depth in next Monday's injury rounds feature. The short version is this: While there's still a chance Luck can return to form, there is reason for concern that this is more than routine post-operative soreness and Luck isn't guaranteed a full recovery.

***Jameis Winston is recovering from last week's AC sprain and has not yet been cleared to throw. Winston was allowed to dress in pads on Wednesday, however, and run through the motions of his position. He took pass drops and simulated handoffs. It's reassuring Winston was on the field rather than in the training room and there is confidence he'll be cleared to throw by the end of the week. However, until that happens, he should be considered questionable. In order to play, he'll have to prove a full and free throwing motion to ensure he's not putting himself at risk of a compensatory injury or inflammation.

***Three high volume running backs will be limited in practice this week. Leonard Fournette sprained his right ankle last week, was reportedly cleared to return but did not, and now Doug Marrone has refused to speculate on his status. Melvin Gordon is listed on the practice participation report with a shoulder injury; the Chargers provided no updates on his condition on Wednesday. And DeMarco Murray is again fighting hamstring trouble. I expect Fournette and Gordon to play -- and likely without limitation. Murray will be the more interesting follow. He's continued to practice and play through hamstring troubles all season. However, the Titans have a bye following this week's game in Cleveland and could see the extra week as a path to a more certain recovery for Murray.

***There's little clarity in today's practice reports and media interviews on a number of injured wide receivers. Stefon Diggs is still not practicing and probably needs to be on the practice field to have any chance to play without limitation this week. Demaryius Thomas was held out of practice today for treatment but often plays through painful leg injuries. DeVante Parker didn't practice but was not walking with a limp in the locker room; he'll also need to practice tomorrow to feel good about his Week 7 availability. Sterling Shepard and Jordan Matthews both look likely to return.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

Kareem Hunt | Knee | Not Listed
Tyreek Hill | Neck | Not listed

Both Hunt and Hill were listed on this week's practice participation report for Kansas City. Neither missed practice time, however, and neither are listed on the game status report. Hill was evaluated for a concussion last week and cleared. Both players are expected to start and see their usual workloads this week.

The Chiefs will be without two starting offensive linemen again. Mitch Morse, who has been out for weeks with a midfoot sprain, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who is recovering from a knee sprain, will both be inactive. Charcandrick West is also out this week with a concussion.

The Raiders are relatively healthy. Linebackers Cory James and Marquel Lee are fighting injuries and may be limited if active.

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.