Injury Expectations | Midweek Update | Week 17

Jene Bramel's Injury Expectations | Midweek Update | Week 17 Jene Bramel Published 12/25/2019

Wednesday Media Updates

***The Titans rested Derrick Henry last week after the Texans' win eliminated Tennessee from the AFC South division race. Henry would have played if needed and is fully practicing this week. He should be ready for a full workload this week.

***The Vikings are locked into the six seed in the NFC and should have little incentive to risk further injury to Dalvin Cook -- whose injury was clarified to the shoulder condition it was suspected to be all along -- or Alexander Mattison. Both may be limited in practice this week as the team works on reconditioning phase of their rehab but they're questionable at best to play.

***Kyler Murray told reporters his hamstring was "good" on Tuesday and he expects to play but allowed he will not play if he's not fully recovered. It's unlikely he'll be full strength by the weekend, however. Consider him to the doubtful side of questionable.

***Zach Ertz has a broken rib and hopes to play. He'll likely not practice this week. The Eagles will decide later this week whether he's able to play with an injection and additional padding.

***Julio Jones did not practice with a knee injury. The Falcons haven't provided an update on his status. There are no indications they're planning on resting players with minor injuries. Thursday and Friday practice will better define Jones' status.

***The Raiders have a path to a playoff berth with a lot of help. It's possible Josh Jacobs will again try to battle through a shoulder blade fracture. Jon Gruden told reporters the team wouldn't rush Jacobs but saw encouraging signs early this week. Jacobs missed Wednesday's practice with an illness; his status remains unclear.

***Mark Andrews has an ankle sprain that's not believed to be serious. John Harbaugh did not list Andrews among the long list of veterans who will sit for the Ravens this week but it's possible Andrews will also be resting.

***Deshaun Watson struggled through back pain over the final series of last week's game and was limited in Wednesday's practice. Bill O'Brien told reporters the Texans were playing to win this week, implying all his offensive starters would play. It's still possible the Texans elect to be cautious and rest Watson if he doesn't improve by the end of the week.

***Dak Prescott isn't likely to practice much this week but hopes to again play despite a throwing shoulder injury.

***James Conner told reporters his Week 17 availability "wasn't looking good." Expect him to be inactive.

***Jordan Howard has been cleared for contact. If practice goes smoothly, he may return to a limited role in Week 17.

***Dwayne Haskins remained immobilized in a boot after suffering a high ankle sprain last week. He's unlikely to play.


Early week practice participation and playing expectations

The Wednesday and Thursday practice participation reports are our first chance to see which players each NFL team is 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.

Quarterbacks
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Deshaun Watson Hou Back Limited Likely to Play
Drew Brees TB Knee Limited Expected to Play
Jameis Winston TB Thumb / Knee Limited Expected to Play
Dak Prescott Dal Shoulder DNP Awaiting Information
Kyler Murray Ari Hamstring Limited Awaiting Information
Ryan Fitzpatrick Mia Shoulder Full Expected to Play
Philip Rivers LAC Thumb Limited Expected to Play
Gardner Minshew Jac Shoulder Limited Expected to Play
Dwayne Haskins Was Ankle DNP Likely Inactive
Sam Darnold NYJ Knee / Thumb Full Expected to Play
Running Backs
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Derrick Henry Ten Hamstring Full Expected to Play
Dalvin Cook Min Shoulder Limited Awaiting Information
Alexander Mattison Min Ankle Limited Awaiting Information
Mark Ingram Bal Ankle DNP Inactive
Leonard Fournette Jac Neck Limited Likely to Play
Josh Jacobs Oak Illness / Shoulder DNP Awaiting Information
Jordan Howard Phi Shoulder Limited Likely to Play
Spencer Ware KC Shoulder IR IR IR IR Injured Reserve
Jamaal Williams GB Shoulder DNP Likely to Play
James Conner Pit Quad DNP Likely Inactive
Justin Jackson LAC Hamstring Full Expected to Play
Wide Receivers
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Michael Thomas NO Hand Limited Expected to Play
DeAndre Hopkins Hou Illness DNP Expected to Play
Will Fuller Hou Groin DNP Inactive
Kenny Stills Hou Knee Limited Likely to Play
Julio Jones Atl Knee DNP Awaiting Information
Chris Godwin TB Hamstring DNP Inactive
Julian Edelman NE Knee / Shoulder Limited Expected to Play
Terry McLaurin Was Concussion DNP Awaiting Information
Odell Beckham Cle Groin Limited Expected to Play
Jarvis Landry Cle Hip Limited Expected to Play
D.J. Moore Car Concussion DNP Likely Inactive
Deebo Samuel SF Shoulder Limited Likely to Play
D.J. Chark Jac Ankle Limited Likely to Play
Dede Westbrook Jac Neck / Shoulder Full Expected to Play
Robby Anderson NYJ Calf Limited Likely to Play
Jamison Crowder NYJ Thumb Full Expected to Play
Demaryius Thomas NYJ Knee / Hamstring DNP Inactive
Darius Slayton NYG Knee Limited Awaiting Information
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside Phi Foot Limited Likely to Play
Nelson Agholor Phi Knee DNP Likely Inactive
Allen Lazard GB Ankle Limited Likely to Play
Corey Davis Ten Concussion Limited Awaiting Information
Allen Hurns Mia Ankle / Neck Limited Likely to Play
Tim Patrick Den Shoulder Full Expected to Play
Taylor Gabriel Chi Concussion DNP Inactive
Tight Ends
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Mark Andrews Bal Ankle DNP Awaiting Information
Zach Ertz Phi Ribs DNP Awaiting Information
Greg Olsen Car Knee Limited Likely to Play
Ian Thomas Car Ankle Limited Likely to Play
Ricky Seals-Jones Cle Illness DNP Awaiting Information
Charles Clay Ari Calf DNP Likely Inactive
Rhett Ellison NYG Concussion Limited Likely Inactive
Offensive Tackles
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Tyron Smith Dal Back DNP Expected to Play
La'El Collins Dal Knee Full Expected to Play
Laremy Tunsil Hou Ankle Limited Likely to Play
Bryan Bulaga GB Groin DNP Awaiting Information
Lane Johnson Phi Ankle DNP Likely Inactive
Duane Brown Sea Knee / Biceps DNP Inactive
George Fant Sea Knee Full Expected to Play
Germain Ifedi Sea Knee Full Expected to Play
Ty Nsekhe Buf Ankle DNP Inactive
Marcus Cannon NE Ankle Limited Likely to Play
Andrew Whitworth LAR Quad DNP Awaiting Information
Russell Okung LAC Groin DNP Expected to Play
Cam Robinson Jac Knee Limited Likely to Play
Mike Remmers NYG Concussion DNP Likely Inactive
Rick Wagner Det Knee DNP Likely Inactive
Taylor Decker Det Ankle Limited Likely to Play
Donovan Smith TB Ankle / Knee Limited Likely to Play
Kelvin Beachum NYJ Back / Ankles Limited Expected to Play
Bobbie Massie Chi Ankle DNP Inactive
Chris Hubbard Cle Knee Limited Likely to Play
Ja'Waun James Den Knee DNP Inactive
Elijah Wilkinson Den Ankle DNP Awaiting Information
Offensive Guards
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Quenton Nelson Ind Concussion DNP Awaiting Information
Brandon Brooks Phi Calf Limited Likely to Play
Zack Martin Dal Ankle Full Expected to Play
Andrus Peat NO Forearm Limited Likely Inactive
Larry Warford NO Knee Limited Awaiting Information
Gabe Jackson Oak Knee Limited Expected to Play
Richie Incognito Oak Ankle DNP Awaiting Information
Andrew Wylie KC Ankle Limited Expected to Play
Mike Iupati Sea Neck DNP Likely to Play
Justin Pugh Ari Back DNP Awaiting Information
Alex Cappa TB Elbow Full Expected to Play
Alex Lewis NYJ Ankle DNP Awaiting Information
Tom Compton NYJ Calf DNP Awaiting Information
Ron Leary Den Concussion DNP Likely Inactive
Centers
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Maurkice Pouncey Pit Knee DNP Inactive
Rodney Hudson Oak Ankle Limited Expected to Play
Ethan Pocic Sea Core Full Expected to Play
Joey Hunt Sea Fibula DNP Awaiting Information
Mitch Morse Buf Ankle Full Expected to Play
Brandon Linder Jac Knee DNP Likely to Play
Corey Linsley GB Back Limited Likely to Play
J.C. Tretter Cle Knee Limited Likely to Play
Daniel Kilgore Mia Finger Full Photos provided by Imagn Images