Wednesday Media Updates
***Kyler Murray told reporters he feels good despite not practicing. Kliff Kingsbury said Murray could play without practicing. Ten days is a tough turnaround for a mobile quarterback with an ankle injury more significant than a simple low ankle sprain. Jay Glazer reported Murray's return timetable was 1-3 weeks. It's possible Murray returns this week but he's likely to be limited in the pocket.
***The Panthers designated Christian McCaffrey to return to practice but Matt Rhule told reporters McCaffrey was "very limited" in Wednesday's workout. He's likely to need at least one more week of reconditioning before returning.
***DeAndre Hopkins aggravated a hamstring injury in Week 8 and is in jeopardy of missing this week's game. Hopkins rarely misses games but Kliff Kingsbury told reporters he's not sure Hopkins will be able to play.
***Saquon Barkley tested positive for COVID but has since had a negative follow up test. It's likely a large number of positive tests in New York were false positives. Barkley needs just one additional negative test to be cleared to return. Joe Judge would not rule Barkley out when asked about the status of his ankle earlier in the day. The lost day of practice and rehab could push Barkley's return to next week.
***Deebo Samuel aggravated his calf injury last week but Kyle Shanahan expects him to return to practice and play on Sunday.
***Dak Prescott was reportedly cleared to play last week but the Cowboys elected to allow him another week to recover. Dallas plans to put Prescott through a full Thursday practice. He's likely to play Sunday.
***Urban Meyer said James Robinson "made a big step" but is still day-to-day with a heel contusion.
***The Niners are hopeful Elijah Mitchell is able to practice despite a rib injury. His status will become more clear as the week progresses.
***Darren Waller had no injury designation and is expected to play.
***Matthew Stafford missed practice with back stiffness. He told reporters he will play against Tennessee.
Added to injured reserve thru Wednesday transactions:
Designated to return thru Wednesday transactions:
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- TE George Kittle
- RB Jeff Wilson (PUP practice window open)
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- WR Scott Miller
COVID-reserve
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- WR Davante Adams
- RB Saquon Barkley
- TE Noah Fant
- WR A.J. Green
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key offensive players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
New York Jets at Indianapolis
***Corey Davis was unable to practice again this week. He's listed doubtful but will not play. Zach Wilson and Tevin Coleman also remain out for New York.
***The Colts will be without T.Y. Hilton, who had no chance to complete the return to play concussion protocol on a short week. Indianapolis is otherwise healthy.
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
|
|||||
| Kyler Murray | Ari | Ankle | DNP | Game-time decision | |||
| Dak Prescott | Dal | Calf | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Aaron Rodgers | GB | COVID+ | C-reserve | Inactive | |||
| Justin Herbert | LAC | Hand | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Matthew Stafford | LAR | Back | DNP | Expected to play | |||
| Baker Mayfield | Cle | Shoulder | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Tua Tagovailoa | Mia | Ribs / Finger | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Sam Darnold | Car | Concussion / Shoulder | Limited | Likely inactive | |||
| Taysom Hill | NO | Concussion | Limited | Awaiting information | |||
|
Running Backs
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Christian McCaffrey | Car | Hamstring | DTR | Likely inactive | |||
| Austin Ekeler | LAC | Hip | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Justin Jackson | LAC | Quadricep | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | Ankle / COVID+ | C-reserve | Game-time decision | |||
| Elijah Mitchell | SF | Rib | DNP | Awaiting information | |||
| Chase Edmonds | Ari | Shoulder | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| James Robinson | Jac | Heel | DNP | Game-time decision | |||
| Carlos Hyde | Jac | Calf | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Latavius Murray | Bal | Ankle | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Jeff Wilson | SF | Knee | PUP-practice | Remain on PUP | |||
| Chris Evans | Cin | Hamstring | Limited | Game-time decision | |||
| Rex Burkhead | Hou | Hip | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Ty Montgomery | NO | Hamstring | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
|
Wide Receivers
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Davante Adams | GB | COVID+ | C-reserve | Likely to play | |||
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | GB | Hamstring | DTR | Awaiting information | |||
| Deebo Samuel | SF | Calf | DNP | Likely to play | |||
| Tyreek Hill | KC | Ankle | Full | Expected to play | |||
| CeeDee Lamb | Dal | Ankle | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Amari Cooper | Dal | Hamstring | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Michael Gallup | Dal | Calf | DTR | Awaiting information | |||
| DeAndre Hopkins | Ari | Hamstring | DNP | Game-time decision | |||
| A.J. Green | Ari | COVID+ | C-reserve | Inactive | |||
| Robert Woods | Buf | Foot | DNP | Likely to play | |||
| Cole Beasley | Buf | Ribs | DNP | Likely to play | |||
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Quad | DNP | Inactive | |||
| Kenny Golladay | NYG | Knee | DNP | Game-time decision | |||
| Kadarius Toney | NYG | Thumb | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Dante Pettis | NYG | Shoulder | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Julio Jones | Ten | Hamstring | Limited | Game-time decision | |||
| Jarvis Landry | Cle | Knee | DNP | Expected to play | |||
| Donovan Peoples-Jones | Cle | Knee | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Russell Gage | Atl | Groin | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Jalen Reagor | Phi | Ankle | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Sammy Watkins | Bal | Thigh | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Shoulder / Hamstring | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Chris Conley | Hou | Calf | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| Terrace Marshall | Car | Concussion | Full | Likely to play | |||
|
Tight Ends
|
Team
|
Injury
|
Practice Participation
|
Game
Status |
FBGs
Expects |
||
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
|||||
| Travis Kelce | KC | Neck | Full | Expected to play | |||
| George Kittle | SF | Calf | DTR | Expected to play | |||
| Dawson Knox | Buf | Hand | DNP | Likely inactive | |||
| Noah Fant | Den | COVID+ | C-reserve | Likely inactive | |||
| Albert Okwuegbunam | Den | Knee | Limited | Likely to play | |||
| *Eric Ebron | Pit | Hamstring | MNF | Awaiting information | |||
| David Njoku | Cle | Neck | Full | Expected to play | |||
| Jonnu Smith | NE | Shoulder | Limited | Expected to play | |||
| Blake Jarwin | Dal | Hip | DNP | Game-time decision | |||
| Nick Boyle | Bal | Knee | DTR | Likely to play | |||
| Kaden Smith | NYG | Knee | Limited | Expected to play | |||
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.