***A.J. Green was cleared to return to practice by Dr. Robert Anderson earlier this week but didn't work out on Wednesday. That was reportedly a planned rest day, however, and there continues to be optimism that Green will return this week. Marvin Lewis told reporters, "From my seat, we'll see him out there." Green still needs to return to football-related activity and prove himself capable of practicing without any setbacks. Expect more detailed reports after Thursday and Friday practice.
***Sony Michel remained limited in practice coming out of New England's bye week but told reporters he felt "better" and "strong" on Wednesday. He will play this week.
***Marcus Mariota was cleared to throw on Wednesday but did very little. He confirmed he was unable to return to last week's game because nerve symptoms related to his stinger did not improve. As with his earlier season elbow injury, it becomes difficult to predict whether those symptoms will resolve quickly if they aren't improved within the first minutes after the injury. Consider him questionable -- but hopeful -- to play this week. Thursday's practice participation is critical. If he's not showing improvement, he will be limited at best on Monday night.
***Jimmy Graham will reportedly try to play through a broken thumb. He'll need a splint strong enough to protect his injury and small enough to allow him to reliably catch passes from Aaron Rodgers. That seems an incredibly difficult ask. Graham didn't practice today and likely won't on Thursday. However, he'll need to test whatever splint the Packers fashion before game time. He's still to the doubtful side of questionable.
***Rob Gronkowski is considered likely to play. The Patriots have not updated his status this week.
***Joe Flacco is still not practicing. He's unlikely to play this week.
***Sam Darnold was expected to play after the Jets' Week 11 bye but did not practice today and is now considered doubtful to play. Ryan Tannehill and Josh Allen are both expected to return.
THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS
Here are the key players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:
Chicago at Detroit
***Mitchell Trubisky is fighting a shoulder injury. There have been conflicting reports about the exact nature of Trubisky's injury but strong consensus that he does not have enough strength and range of motion in the shoulder to play. The Bears have listed him doubtful but he will not play. More on Trubisky's injury in Monday's Injury Rounds article.
***The short week also made it impossible for Kerryon Johnson (knee sprain) and Marvin Jones (knee bruise) to recover in time to play. Both have been declared out.
***The Lions have also listed eight players questionable, including Michael Roberts (shoulder). There have been no local reports on Roberts' status this week. He has not played in two weeks with this injury but managed a full week of limited practices. Watch the inactive list for Roberts' final status. If he plays, expect him to see near his pre-injury number of snaps and routes.
Washington at Dallas
***Chris Thompson remains out with a rib injury. Jamison Crowder is listed questionable but did not participate in walk throughs this week. He will likely join Thompson on the inactive list. It's unclear whether Trent Williams will be able to play with a cast on his broken thumb. He remains a game-time decision.
***Adrian Peterson and Jordan Reed were listed on the injury report earlier in the week but fully practiced and should see their usual workloads.
***Tavon Austin (groin) and Geoff Swaim (wrist) have been declared out. Although the Cowboys have multiple offensive linemen dealing with injury, all will play and the remainder of their offense is healthy.
***Tre'Quan Smith did not participate in walk throughs until Wednesday. He's listed questionable with a foot injury. While there's no guarantee he plays, he told reporters he believes he can play saying, "In my eyes, I'm playing tomorrow."
***The Falcons are not yet ready to activate Deion Jones. He has again been ruled out.
***New Orleans will be without tackle Terron Armstead another week.
EARly week PRACTICE PARTICIPATION & EARLY EXPECTATIONS
The Wednesday and Thursday practice participation reports are our first chance to see which players each NFL team are 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: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
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