Wednesday Media Updates

***Kyler Murray says he is "close" to returning from a high ankle sprain. He's nearing the end of the initially reported 1-3 week timetable and the Cardinals have an important divisional matchup against Seattle this weekend. This game has likely been the hopeful target all along but Arizona's Week 12 bye looms. Murray's limited practice has him trending toward playing for now.

***Alvin Kamara returned to limited practice. The Saints will need to see how his knee responds to midweek workouts but his clearance for drills is a sign of optimism. It's also notable that the beat writers who expressed concern early last week are considerably more promising in their reporting thus far this week.

***Saquon Barkley was moving well in unofficial practices during the bye week and appears to be on track to play.

***The outlook on DeAndre Hopkins remains cloudy. He's now missed nearly three weeks with an aggravated hamstring strain. The Cardinals have a bye next week and it's likely Hopkins will get the additional rest before returning in Week 13.

***Elijah Mitchell had a pin inserted in a broken finger on Monday after 27 carries last week. Kyle Shanahan said he thinks Mitchell will play this week but the Niners will need to confirm ball security and pain management are not issues on game day.

***Rob Gronkowski looked good during early-week walkthroughs but the team needs to learn whether he can handle full-speed practices. The Bucs play on Monday night and do not report their first injury designations until Thursday.

***James Robinson did not practice with heel and knee injuries. He played well after returning from the heel injury last week and Ian Rapoport tweeted the knee injury was minor. His absence was likely precautionary but a return to practice on Thursday and Friday would be reassuring.

***Mike Tomlin said the Steelers were excited about Chase Claypool returning to a limited practice and learning whether or not he's recovered enough to play. It's an optimistic tone and reason to hope Claypool will return.

***Miles Sanders was designated to return and practiced. If his midweek workouts go well, the Eagles will likely clear him to return. Nick Sirianni suggested Sanders will start when he's healthy but may see fewer touches.

***Chris Carson is unlikely to return. He did not practice on Wednesday after two practices last week and could be in jeopardy of season-ending injured reserve.

***Jared Goff played through an oblique abdominal muscle strain last week but faces an uphill battle to play. These injuries cause pain with any rotation around the body, a motion critical to throwing accuracy and velocity. Goff said he'll need to "let it run its course." He will need to improve to be cleared to play.

Added to injured reserve thru Wednesday transactions:

• None

Currently designated to return:

• RB Chris Carson
• RB Miles Sanders
• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
• TE James OShaughnessy
• RB Tony Jones

COVID-reserve

• RB Nick Chubb
• QB Ben Roethlisberger
• WR Denzel Mims
• QB Drew Lock

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

New England at Atlanta

***Cordarrelle Patterson managed a full week of limited practices after suffering a low-grade high ankle sprain last week. The limited practices are a hopeful sign but Patterson remains a game-time decision. Recovering from any high ankle sprain -- even low grade -- is difficult within five days. If Patterson is active, he'll be at high risk of an aggravation or limited production.

***The Patriots continue to list the bulk of their roster questionable for game day. Jonnu Smith (shoulder) is expected to return. Damien Harris has cleared concussion protocol and will 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.

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.