WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES
***James Conner confirmed his injury is a high ankle sprain during a radio interview earlier this week. He's been seen dancing and walking without a limp -- but he's yet to be cleared for practice. He "politely declined" comment in the locker room on Wednesday as he skipped practice to rehab. There are indications Conner could still play this week but we're now ten days after the injury and he's been unable to practice. The Steelers rarely activate players who are unable to practice on Thursday. Another DNP would mean Conner is a likely inactive this week. If the optimistic reports are accurate, expect to see Conner limited on Thursday and considered a game-time decision.
***Odell Beckham returned to a limited practice after Pat Shurmur told reporters Beckham would likely miss the workout. Indications are Beckham is continuing to improve but the Giants and Beckham aren't likely to address his availability until later in the week. Tentatively, expect him to return but last week's late and unexpected rule out remains a concern.
***Julio Jones will again have his practice reps severely limited but is reportedly at no risk of missing this week's game. Friday's game status report remains the key data point. If he's not listed, he's close to full strength. If he gets a questionable tag, it suggests he'll be more limited than before.
***T.Y. Hilton played very effectively through a shoulder sprain last week. He didn't practice again this Wednesday but is listed with an ankle injury. There are no local concerns and a Thursday DNP would not necessarily be a concern. Continue to track his participation through Friday.
***Ezekiel Elliott did not practice with a "sore shoulder" but called his absence a maintenance day. He's expected to see his usual workload.
***David Johnson is also expected to play despite a Wednesday DNP. Rashaad Penny has a "sore knee" and is having his practice reps closely monitored.
***Carson Wentz is likely to miss this week's game with a back injury. It's reportedly an chronic issue for him this year and the team may choose not to play him for the rest of the season.
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
los angeles chargers at kansas city
***Melvin Gordon was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and was listed questionable to play. This is the game the Chargers have likely targeted since Gordon's Week 11 MCL sprain. Unfortunately, Gordon has not done enough in practice to assure he's returned to full strength. There are conflicting reports about Gordon's availability. NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche has been reporting all week the Chargers were not expecting Gordon to play and were leaning toward remaining cautious with him. However, Gordon has told reporters he wants to play and the Chargers -- as they did in Week 11 -- are listening and allowed him to travel to Kansas City with the team. Unlike in Week 11, when Gordon looked better than reported and was on pace for his usual 20+ touches, it's very unlikely Gordon will be ready for a full workload in Kansas City. If Gordon is active, expect 10-15 touches with a relatively low floor due to the risk of discomfort and aggravation.
***Tyreek Hill was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chiefs listed Hill questionable with heel pain. His early week evaluation was reassuring and sources have already told Adam Schefter that Hill will play. Expect a slightly limited snap count and the potential for pain during the game. However, the injury should not limit Hill getting to top speed and his route tree and upside remain.
***Spencer Ware did not practice with shoulder and hamstring injuries this week and will not play.
***Austin Ekeler is out with a concussion and recurrent stinger. There's no guarantee he plays in Week 16 either. More on Ekeler in Monday's article.
***The Chiefs have ruled Sammy Watkins out. He did not practice this week. While there was a glimmer of hope the team was previously resting him with this week's game in mind, it's clear now Watkins may still be multiple weeks away.
***Eric Berry should return in a limited role.
EARly week PRACTICE PARTICIPATION & 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: Saturday
|
Quarterbacks
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Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
| Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |||||
| ^Deshaun Watson | Hou | Shoulder | ^Full | ^Full | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pit | Ribs | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Cam Newton | Car | Shoulder | *Limited | Expected to Play | |||
| Aaron Rodgers | GB | Knee | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Lamar Jackson | Bal | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Joe Flacco | Bal | Hip | Full | Full | Active as Backup | ||
| Carson Wentz | Phi | Back | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Ryan Tannehill | Mia | Ankle / Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Matthew Stafford | Det | Back | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| ^Sam Darnold | NYJ | Foot | ^Full | ^Full | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Jeff Driskel | Cin | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Colt McCoy | Was | Fibula | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
|
Running Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Ezekiel Elliott | Dal | Shoulder | DNP | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| James Conner | Pit | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Adrian Peterson | Was | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| David Johnson | Ari | Quadricep | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Rashaad Penny | Sea | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Kenyan Drake | Mia | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Matt Breida | SF | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| LeSean McCoy | Buf | Hamstring | DNP | Limited | Game-time Decision | ||
| Chris Ivory | Buf | Shoulder | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Kerryon Johnson | Det | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| ^Isaiah Crowell | NYJ | Toe | ^DNP | ^DNP | ^DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
| ^Elijah McGuire | NYJ | Ankle | ^DNP | ^Limited | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| ^Trenton Cannon | NYJ | Toe | ^DNP | ^Limited | ^Limited | Questionable | Likely to Play |
| Ito Smith | Atl | Back | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
|
Wide Receivers
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Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Adam Thielen | Min | Ankle | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Odell Beckham | NYG | Quadricep | Limited | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
| ^DeAndre Hopkins | Hou | Foot | ^Limited | ^Limited | ^Limited | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| ^Keke Coutee | Hou | Hamstring | ^Limited | ^Limited | ^Limited | Questionable | Game-time Decision |
| Julio Jones | Atl | Foot / Calf / Illness | DNP | DNP | Expected to Play | ||
| T.Y. Hilton | Ind | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Dontrelle Inman | Ind | Shoulder | Full | Full | Likely to Play | ||
| Allen Robinson | Chi | Hip | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Dante Pettis | SF | Foot | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| ^Courtland Sutton | Den | Quadricep | ^DNP | ^Limited | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Randall Cobb | GB | Hamstring | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Equanimeous St. Brown | GB | Elbow | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| ^Quincy Enunwa | NYJ | Ankle | ^DNP | ^DNP | ^DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
| ^Robby Anderson | NYJ | Ankle | ^Full | ^Full | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| ^Andre Roberts | NYJ | Foot | ^Full | ^Full | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Josh Doctson | Was | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Jamison Crowder | Was | Ankle | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Danny Amendola | Mia | Knee | DNP | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| DeSean Jackson | TB | Thumb | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Cole Beasley | Dal | Foot | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Tavon Austin | Dal | Groin | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Tajae Sharpe | Ten | Ankle | Limited | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Bruce Ellington | Det | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
|
Tight Ends
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Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| ^David Njoku | Cle | Knee | ^Full | ^Full | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Austin Hooper | Atl | Ankle / Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Jimmy Graham | GB | Knee / Thumb | DNP | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Jordan Reed | Was | Ankle / Foot | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Mo Alie-Cox | Ind | Calf | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Geoff Swaim | Dal | Wrist | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| ^Matt LaCosse | Den | Shoulder | ^Limited | ^Limited | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
|
Offensive Tackles
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Tyron Smith | Dal | Neck | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| *Terron Armstead | NO | Pectoral | *Limited | Awaiting Information | |||
| *Ryan Ramczyk | NO | Shoulder | *Limited | Expected to Play | |||
| Bryan Bulaga | GB | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Trent Williams | Was | Thumb / Wrist | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Morgan Moses | Was | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Marcus Gilbert | Pit | Knee | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Taylor Lewan | Ten | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Cordy Glenn | Cin | Back | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Bobby Hart | Cin | Knee | Not Listed | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
| Brian O'Neill | Min | Ankle | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Chris Clark | Car | Knee | *DNP | Likely to Play | |||
| Rick Wagner | Det | Concussion | DNP | DNP | Awaiting Information | ||
| Taylor Decker | Det | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Likely to Play | ||
| Laremy Tunsil | Mia | Knee | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Ja'Wuan James | Mia | Quadricep | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Jermey Parnell | Jac | Knee | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| ^Kelvin Beachum | NYJ | Knee | ^Full | ^Full | ^Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Korey Cunningham | Ari | Hip | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Demar Dotson | TB | Knee | Limited | Full | Likely to Play | ||
|
Offensive Guards
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Zack Martin | Dal | Knee | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
| Xavier Su'a-Filo | Dal | Ankle / Thumb | Full | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| *Andrus Peat | NO | Ankle / Shoulder | *Limited | Likely to Play | |||
| Gabe Jackson | Oak | Elbow / Ankle | DNP | DNP | Game-time Decision | ||
| Kelechi Osemele | Oak | Toe | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Clint Boling | Cin | Knee | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| D.J. Fluker | Sea | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | Inactive | ||
| Ben Garland | Atl | Back | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Mark Glowinski | Ind | Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Mike Remmers | Min | Back | Limited | Limited | Expected to Play | ||
| Isaac Seumalo | Phi | Pectoral | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Tony Bergstrom | Was | Knee / Ankle | DNP | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| ^Zach Fulton | Hou | Hand | ^Limited | ^Limited | ^Limited | Questionable | Likely to Play |
| ^Senio Kelemete | Hou | Elbow | ^Limited | ^Limited | ^Limited | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
| Lane Taylor | GB | Foot | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Alex Lewis | Bal | Shoulder | Limited | DNP | Likely Inactive | ||
| Laken Tomlinson | SF | Hip | Limited | Full | Expected to Play | ||
| Oday Aboushi | Ari | Toe | Limited | Limited | Awaiting Information | ||
|
Centers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
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