Every team has now played one preseason game. While it still seems early in the preseason, the league is now halfway through training camp and less than four weeks from opening weekend.

Expect teams to start advancing recovering players in their rehab protocols soon. Unfortunately, we're also likely to see more high-profile players at risk of injury as teams increase practice reps and consider playing starters in preseason games.

Here's where Carson Wentz, Saquon Barkley, Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott, and others stand as we approach the second preseason game.

What You Need to Know

• Saquon Barkley is off the PUP list but has work to do to convince the Giants he's healthy enough to be available in Week 1.
• Carson Wentz is expected to advance his rehab next week. A reassuring week will give him a chance to complete his rehab in time to play in Week 1.
• Darren Waller has a minor ankle injury and is not expected to miss regular-season time.
• Amari Cooper was activated off the PUP list last week and will continue reconditioning this week.
• Dak Prescott will continue his throwing program this week after an MRI showed his muscle strain is healing well.
• Rashod Bateman had core abdominal muscle surgery and is likely to start the season on injured reserve.

Follow Up Appointments

Carson Wentz | Left metatarsal avulsion fracture | August 2 | 5-8 Weeks | Doubtful Week 1

The Colts and Wentz continue to get good news. Wentz did not need crutches or a boot after the procedure, confirming he did not require more extensive ligament or tendon repair and condensing his likely rehab timetable to the 4-8 week range.

He'll be two weeks from his August 2nd surgery on Monday and will be evaluated to determine whether he can begin more aggressive rehab. The Colts are optimistic that clearance will come. While Jim Irsay told reporters Wentz would not play until fully recovered, steady and successful rehab in the next two weeks will put him on track to play in Week 1.

We'll know more about his availability -- and how mobile he may be in his first start -- by the end of the month.

Dak Prescott | Right latissimus muscle strain | July 28 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

It was reasonable to raise an eyebrow when the Cowboys reported Prescott would undergo another MRI just a few days after returning to a light throwing program. It's generally not standard procedure to repeat imaging studies during rehab protocols.

But this is the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys, and Dak Prescott.

Prescott said he was not having any pain with light throwing, the MRI was reportedly reassuring, and Prescott is expected to continue his throwing program this week. There's a chance he'll practice this week and all indications continue to point to him being fully ready for Week 1.

Saquon Barkley | Right ACL reconstruction / meniscus repair | October 2020 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

The Giants removed Barkley from the PUP list last week and allowed him to start individual drills as part of his conditioning process. Observers didn't sound any alarms after watching him move through drills. The Giants will continue to be cautious with Barkley. Expect multiple days off during the next 1-3 weeks and Barkley won't be in full contact situations for some time.

If New York clears him for contact by the end of the month, it's possible Barkley could see 12-15 touches in Week 1. More likely, he'll be limited through September.

Amari Cooper | Right ankle arthroscopy | January 2021 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Cooper was activated off the PUP list last week and returned to individual drills. Reviews on his movement in his first routes were mixed but the Cowboys' decision to remove him from the PUP list in early August is the latest indication they expect him to play in Week 1.

Steady progress through the reconditioning phase is expected. Cooper may not rejoin team drills and live contact for another 10-14 days but you can remain hopeful he'll see a full Week 1 snap count.

Injury Rounds

Darren Waller | Ankle injury | Aug 2 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

Waller's extended absence from early camp practices was finally clarified last week. It's reportedly a minor ankle injury that isn't expected to keep him out of Week 1 preparation or affect his early-season snap count. Look for Waller to return to practice and begin football conditioning soon.

Rashod Bateman | Core abdominal muscle repair | Aug 13 | 4-8 weeks | Out Week 1

Bateman missed multiple practices in late July and early August with an abdominal condition, then left shortly after returning to practice with a groin injury. That's a concerning combination for a core muscle injury (formerly known as a "sports hernia") and Bateman underwent surgery last week.

Most players are able to successfully rehab in 4-8 weeks -- the range depends on the severity and location of the muscle tear -- and return to play in the same season. After his physical recovery, however, Bateman may need some additional time to rebuild his core strength and conditioning.

Expect him to start the season on injured reserve and be designated to return by early October. He should be full strength by midseason, if not weeks earlier.

Fast Track News and Notes

Justin Jefferson reportedly could've played in a regular-season game last week. That's a very reassuring sign he'll avoid lingering range-of-motion or pain management issues into the regular season.

DAndre Swift has not participated in team drills for over a week while recovering from a groin injury. It's too early to tell whether this is a mid-grade strain or the Lions are being cautious with their top running back. If he doesn't return to drills this week, your concern for a full Week 1 workload should increase.

Elijah Moore suffered a quad injury in practice last week. An MRI reportedly showed a low-grade injury. Moore is expected to be available in Week 1.

Darrynton Evans suffered a knee injury Friday night. Video suggested a hamstring or calf strain but it's possible Evans was dealing with something prior to his final play. The Titans told reporters Evans was day-to-day but have not specified his injury or discussed any imaging results. A multiple-week injury remains possible here.

Injured Players on Active Roster

Injured Players Not on Active Roster

DECIPHERING THE ALPHABET SOUP OF INJURY LISTS

Players not ready for camp practices are placed on one of two lists – Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury/Illness (NFI).

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)

Active/PUP – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. This list is commonly used for veterans still recovering from injury and those who fail conditioning tests before camp begins.

Reserve/PUP – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.

Non-Football Injury / Illness (NFI)

Active/NFI – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. Only veterans with a non-football related injury or rookies injured before the NFL draft are eligible for this list.

Reserve/NFI – Regular season only list. Players converted from the Active/NFI list to the Reserve/NFI list are out for the entire season.

Injured Reserve – Return Designation

Each NFL team can return two players to the active roster from injured reserve. Teams are not forced to designate this player at the time of the move to injured reserve. Players designated to return can begin practicing six weeks after being placed on injured reserve and are eligible to return to the active roster eight games after being placed on injured reserve. This rule allows a team to continually evaluate the rehab and recovery of their injured players and provides roster flexibility should teams have multiple key injuries early in the season.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.