Injury Expectations | Wednesday Update | Week 8

Photo: USA Today Sports

KEY WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***This was easily the quietest Wednesday of the season. There were no Andrew Luck news updates, no unexpected running backs adds, and no actionable information given on many of the questionable receivers. I expect Thursday's notes to be more extensive.

***I don't expect any surprises with Melvin Gordon this week but he was listed on the weekly injury report with a knee injury then a shoulder injury in earlier weeks. A foot injury raises concern with any running back. For now, it's a positive sign the Chargers didn't provide any concerning updates and there were no media reports of concern.

***The Vikings remain optimistic for a Stefon Diggs' return this week. The limited practice is a good start but consecutive practices would be even more reassuring. Michael Thomas was listed with a knee injury and it's unknown whether he was given a rest day or the knee injury will limit him all week. Golden Tate surprisingly practiced but it's not yet clear whether he's conditioning or preparing for contact this week. We'll get our first update on Emmanuel Sanders on Thursday as the Broncos prepare for Monday night football.

***Myles Garrett is in the concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday. with the Browns traveling to London on Thursday for Sunday's game, it will be nearly impossible for Garrett to progress through the remainder of the protocol and see the independent neurologist in time to make the flight. Luke Kuechly, on the other hand, looks to be on track to return this week.

***Twenty offensive line starters did not practice today. Washington and San Francisco could join the list of teams missing multiple starters this week.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

Jay Ajayi | Knee | Not Listed

Ajayi fully practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday and should be ready to take his usual workload. The Dolphins increased Ajayi's target count last week but his snap count didn't increase significantly. As long as Ajayi is limited in practice, it's possible we'll continue to see some limitation in his passing down role. 

DeVante Parker | Ankle | Questionable

Parker is officially a game-time decision. The Dolphins practiced very little this week, making Parker's limited workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday a tougher read. Still, it's clear Parker is not fully healthy and he would be limited if active Thursday night. The Dolphins may work him out during pregame warmups before deciding but there's a strong argument for giving Parker the extra ten days to recover if he's not ready for a sizable workload.

Jeremy Maclin | Shoulder | Questionable
Mike Wallace | Concussion | Questionable
Breshad Perriman | Concussion | Questionable
Ben Watson | Knee | Questionable

Maclin didn't feel right during pregame last week and was held out. He's expected to play again this week but his status must be monitored carefully in pregame. I don't expect Wallace to be cleared to play. It's been multiple seasons since a player diagnosed with a concussion the previous week has been cleared to play the following Thursday night. I expect Wallace to be inactive, but the Ravens had him listed as a limited participant all week long, however, and the home game may allow for easier clearance. Perriman fully practiced on Wednesday and is expected to return. Watson is also tentatively expected to play.

Jay Cutler (ribs), Terrance West (calf), and Maxx Williams (ankle) have been declared out.

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.