Wednesday Media Updates
***Dalvin Cook, likely dealing with a lower-grade ankle sprain, did not practice on Wednesday. Mike Zimmer told reporters the Vikings would not limit Cook's workload if he was healthy but also said "If he can't play, there's a reason why he's not playing." Cook was cleared to talk to the media and suggested he could play. Expect Cook to be limited in practice and prepare for him to be a game-time decision.
***Carson Wentz is dealing with injuries to both ankles. The more significant injury is to his back (right) leg and was noted to be quite swollen earlier in the week. Frank Reich told reporters Wentz is unlikely to play and Wentz did not participate in any walkthrough snaps on Wednesday. Expect Wentz to be inactive.
***Diontae Johnson added a somewhat cryptic post to his Instagram account earlier in the week, suggesting a "comeback" is necessary. Even though there are reports Johnson's knee injury is not significant, the Instagram note and Wednesday DNP are ominous signs he'll be inactive in Week 3.
***Elijah Mitchell missed practice with what Kyle Shanahan said was "a little worse than a stinger." That's concerning. Mitchell was cleared to return during last week's game, which is usually a strong indication the medical staff is not concerned about weakness, pain, or range of motion issues related to the nerve injury. It's not clear why Mitchell's injury is more worrisome on Wednesday but it's not a good trend. He's trending doubtful. Trey Sermon is already back to limited practices and could be on track to play after last week's concussion.
***Josh Jacobs did not practice. Jon Gruden told reporters Jacobs was "very questionable" to play. Expect him to be inactive.
***Darrell Henderson has a painful rib cartilage injury. It's possible the Rams will clear him to play with an injection and kevlar padding but it's more likely he'll be inactive.
Added to injured reserve thru Wednesday transactions:
- WR Jarvis Landry
- WR Nico Collins
- QB Tyrod Taylor
- TE James OShaughnessy
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key offensive players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
Carolina at Houston
***There are no game-time decisions in this game. The Texans will be without Tyrod Taylor (IR-hamstring), Nico Collins (IR-shoulder), and Danny Amendola (declared out - thigh).
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
|
|||||
| Derek Carr | LV | Ankle | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Carson Wentz | Ind | Ankles | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Baker Mayfield | Cle | Shoulder | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pit | Pectoral | DNP | Likely to play | |||
| Tua Tagovailoa | Mia | Ribs | DNP | Inactive | |||
| Zach Wilson | NYJ | Groin | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Andy Dalton | Chi | Knee | DNP | Inactive | |||
|
Running Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Dalvin Cook | Min | Ankle | DNP | Game-time decision | |||
| Austin Ekeler | LAC | Ankle | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | Knee | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Antonio Gibson | Was | Shoulder | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| DAndre Swift | Det | Groin | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Josh Jacobs | LV | Ankle | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Elijah Mitchell | SF | Shoulder | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Trey Sermon | SF | Concussion | Limited | Awaiting information | |||
| JaMycal Hasty | SF | Ankle | DNP | Inactive | |||
| Darrell Henderson | LAR | Ribs | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Damien Harris | NE | Finger | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Rashaad Penny | Sea | Calf | DNP | Inactive | |||
|
Wide Receivers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| DK Metcalf | Sea | Knee | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Dee Eskridge | Sea | Concussion | DNP | Inactive | |||
| DeAndre Hopkins | Ari | Ribs | DNP | Likely to play | |||
| A.J. Brown | Ten | Knee | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Diontae Johnson | Pit | Knee | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Marquise Brown | Bal | Ankle | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Tee Higgins | Cin | Shoulder | DNP | Awaiting information | |||
| Antonio Brown | TB | COVID+ | C-RESERVE | Likely inactive | |||
| Courtland Sutton | Den | Hip | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Tim Patrick | Den | Hip | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Kenny Golladay | NYG | Hip | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Odell Beckham | Cle | Knee | Full | Likely to play | |||
| Anthony Schwartz | Cle | Knee | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Laviska Shenault | Jac | Shoulder | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Gabriel Davis | Buf | Ankle | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Shoulder | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Preston Williams | Mia | Foot | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Jakeem Grant | Mia | Ankle | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Zach Pascal | Ind | Illness | DNP | Likely to play | |||
| Parris Campbell | Ind | Abdomen | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Darnell Mooney | Chi | Groin | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Jamison Crowder | NYJ | Groin | DNP | Inactive | |||
| Tyrell Williams | Det | Concussion | DNP | Inactive | |||
| Russell Gage | Atl | Ankle | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Frank Darby | Atl | Calf | DNP | Inactive | |||
|
Tight Ends
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Noah Fant | Den | Ankle | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Evan Engram | NYG | Calf | Limited | Awaiting details | |||
| Kaden Smith | NYG | Knee | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Zach Ertz | Phi | COVID+ | C-RESERVE | Likely inactive | |||
| Anthony Firkser | Ten | Knee | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.
