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Injury Expectations | Midweek Update | Week 15 - Footballguys

Jene Bramel's Injury Expectations | Midweek Update | Week 15 - Footballguys
By Jene Bramel, December 12, 2018

Injury Expectations | Midweek Update | Week 15 - Footballguys
Photo: USA Today Sports

WEDNESDAY MEDIA UPDATES

***James Conner confirmed his injury is a high ankle sprain during a radio interview earlier this week. He's been seen dancing and walking without a limp -- but he's yet to be cleared for practice. He "politely declined" comment in the locker room on Wednesday as he skipped practice to rehab. There are indications Conner could still play this week but we're now ten days after the injury and he's been unable to practice. The Steelers rarely activate players who are unable to practice on Thursday. Another DNP would mean Conner is a likely inactive this week. If the optimistic reports are accurate, expect to see Conner limited on Thursday and considered a game-time decision.

***Odell Beckham returned to a limited practice after Pat Shurmur told reporters Beckham would likely miss the workout. Indications are Beckham is continuing to improve but the Giants and Beckham aren't likely to address his availability until later in the week. Tentatively, expect him to return but last week's late and unexpected rule out remains a concern.

***Julio Jones will again have his practice reps severely limited but is reportedly at no risk of missing this week's game. Friday's game status report remains the key data point. If he's not listed, he's close to full strength. If he gets a questionable tag, it suggests he'll be more limited than before.

***T.Y. Hilton played very effectively through a shoulder sprain last week. He didn't practice again this Wednesday but is listed with an ankle injury. There are no local concerns and a Thursday DNP would not necessarily be a concern. Continue to track his participation through Friday.

***Ezekiel Elliott did not practice with a "sore shoulder" but called his absence a maintenance day. He's expected to see his usual workload.

***David Johnson is also expected to play despite a Wednesday DNP. Rashaad Penny has a "sore knee" and is having his practice reps closely monitored.

***Carson Wentz is likely to miss this week's game with a back injury. It's reportedly an chronic issue for him this year and the team may choose not to play him for the rest of the season.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

los angeles chargers at kansas city

***Melvin Gordon was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday and was listed questionable to play. This is the game the Chargers have likely targeted since Gordon's Week 11 MCL sprain. Unfortunately, Gordon has not done enough in practice to assure he's returned to full strength. There are conflicting reports about Gordon's availability. NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche has been reporting all week the Chargers were not expecting Gordon to play and were leaning toward remaining cautious with him. However, Gordon has told reporters he wants to play and the Chargers -- as they did in Week 11 -- are listening and allowed him to travel to Kansas City with the team. Unlike in Week 11, when Gordon looked better than reported and was on pace for his usual 20+ touches, it's very unlikely Gordon will be ready for a full workload in Kansas City. If Gordon is active, expect 10-15 touches with a relatively low floor due to the risk of discomfort and aggravation.

***Tyreek Hill was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chiefs listed Hill questionable with heel pain. His early week evaluation was reassuring and sources have already told Adam Schefter that Hill will play. Expect a slightly limited snap count and the potential for pain during the game. However, the injury should not limit Hill getting to top speed and his route tree and upside remain.

***Spencer Ware did not practice with shoulder and hamstring injuries this week and will not play.

***Austin Ekeler is out with a concussion and recurrent stinger. There's no guarantee he plays in Week 16 either. More on Ekeler in Monday's article.

***The Chiefs have ruled Sammy Watkins out. He did not practice this week. While there was a glimmer of hope the team was previously resting him with this week's game in mind, it's clear now Watkins may still be multiple weeks away.

***Eric Berry should return in a limited role.

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.
^Note: Saturday

Quarterbacks
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday Thursday Friday
^Deshaun Watson Hou Shoulder ^Full ^Full ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Ben Roethlisberger Pit Ribs DNP Full Expected to Play
*Cam Newton Car Shoulder *Limited Expected to Play
Aaron Rodgers GB Knee Full Full Expected to Play
Lamar Jackson Bal Ankle Full Full Expected to Play
Joe Flacco Bal Hip Full Full Active as Backup
Carson Wentz Phi Back DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Ryan Tannehill Mia Ankle / Shoulder Limited Limited Expected to Play
Matthew Stafford Det Back Limited Limited Expected to Play
^Sam Darnold NYJ Foot ^Full ^Full ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Jeff Driskel Cin Shoulder Full Full Expected to Play
Colt McCoy Was Fibula DNP DNP Inactive
Running Backs
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Ezekiel Elliott Dal Shoulder DNP Full Expected to Play
James Conner Pit Ankle DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Adrian Peterson Was Shoulder Limited Limited Expected to Play
David Johnson Ari Quadricep DNP Limited Expected to Play
Rashaad Penny Sea Knee DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Kenyan Drake Mia Shoulder Limited Limited Expected to Play
Matt Breida SF Ankle Limited Limited Awaiting Information
LeSean McCoy Buf Hamstring DNP Limited Game-time Decision
Chris Ivory Buf Shoulder Full Full Expected to Play
Kerryon Johnson Det Knee DNP DNP Inactive
^Isaiah Crowell NYJ Toe ^DNP ^DNP ^DNP Declared Out Inactive
^Elijah McGuire NYJ Ankle ^DNP ^Limited ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
^Trenton Cannon NYJ Toe ^DNP ^Limited ^Limited Questionable Likely to Play
Ito Smith Atl Back Limited Full Expected to Play
Wide Receivers
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Adam Thielen Min Ankle Full Full Expected to Play
Odell Beckham NYG Quadricep Limited DNP Game-time Decision
^DeAndre Hopkins Hou Foot ^Limited ^Limited ^Limited Not Listed Expected to Play
^Keke Coutee Hou Hamstring ^Limited ^Limited ^Limited Questionable Game-time Decision
Julio Jones Atl Foot / Calf / Illness DNP DNP Expected to Play
T.Y. Hilton Ind Ankle DNP DNP Awaiting Information
Dontrelle Inman Ind Shoulder Full Full Likely to Play
Allen Robinson Chi Hip DNP Limited Expected to Play
Dante Pettis SF Foot Not Listed Limited Awaiting Information
^Courtland Sutton Den Quadricep ^DNP ^Limited ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Randall Cobb GB Hamstring Limited Full Expected to Play
Equanimeous St. Brown GB Elbow Full Full Expected to Play
^Quincy Enunwa NYJ Ankle ^DNP ^DNP ^DNP Declared Out Inactive
^Robby Anderson NYJ Ankle ^Full ^Full ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
^Andre Roberts NYJ Foot ^Full ^Full ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Josh Doctson Was Concussion DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Jamison Crowder Was Ankle Limited Full Expected to Play
DeVante Parker Mia Shoulder Limited Limited Expected to Play
Danny Amendola Mia Knee DNP Limited Likely to Play
DeSean Jackson TB Thumb DNP DNP Inactive
Cole Beasley Dal Foot Full Full Expected to Play
Tavon Austin Dal Groin Limited Limited Awaiting Information
Tajae Sharpe Ten Ankle Limited DNP Awaiting Information
Bruce Ellington Det Hamstring DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Tight Ends
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
^David Njoku Cle Knee ^Full ^Full ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Austin Hooper Atl Ankle / Knee DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Jimmy Graham GB Knee / Thumb DNP Limited Expected to Play
Jordan Reed Was Ankle / Foot DNP DNP Inactive
Mo Alie-Cox Ind Calf Limited Limited Awaiting Information
Geoff Swaim Dal Wrist DNP DNP Likely Inactive
^Matt LaCosse Den Shoulder ^Limited ^Limited ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Offensive Tackles
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Tyron Smith Dal Neck Limited Limited Expected to Play
*Terron Armstead NO Pectoral *Limited Awaiting Information
*Ryan Ramczyk NO Shoulder *Limited Expected to Play
Bryan Bulaga GB Knee DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Trent Williams Was Thumb / Wrist Limited Full Expected to Play
Morgan Moses Was Ankle Limited Limited Expected to Play
Marcus Gilbert Pit Knee DNP DNP Inactive
Taylor Lewan Ten Shoulder Limited Full Expected to Play
Cordy Glenn Cin Back Limited Limited Awaiting Information
Bobby Hart Cin Knee Not Listed Limited Awaiting Information
Brian O'Neill Min Ankle Limited Full Expected to Play
*Chris Clark Car Knee *DNP Likely to Play
Rick Wagner Det Concussion DNP DNP Awaiting Information
Taylor Decker Det Shoulder Limited Limited Likely to Play
Laremy Tunsil Mia Knee Limited Limited Expected to Play
Ja'Wuan James Mia Quadricep Limited Full Expected to Play
Jermey Parnell Jac Knee DNP DNP Likely Inactive
^Kelvin Beachum NYJ Knee ^Full ^Full ^Full Not Listed Expected to Play
Korey Cunningham Ari Hip Limited Full Expected to Play
Demar Dotson TB Knee Limited Full Likely to Play
Offensive Guards
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
FBGs
Expects
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Zack Martin Dal Knee DNP DNP Game-time Decision
Xavier Su'a-Filo Dal Ankle / Thumb Full Full Expected to Play
*Andrus Peat NO Ankle / Shoulder *Limited Likely to Play
Gabe Jackson Oak Elbow / Ankle DNP DNP Game-time Decision
Kelechi Osemele Oak Toe DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Clint Boling Cin Knee Limited Full Expected to Play
D.J. Fluker Sea Hamstring DNP DNP Inactive
Ben Garland Atl Back Limited Full Expected to Play
Mark Glowinski Ind Ankle DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Mike Remmers Min Back Limited Limited Expected to Play
Isaac Seumalo Phi Pectoral DNP DNP Likely Inactive
Tony Bergstrom Was Knee / Ankle DNP DNP Likely Inactive
^Zach Fulton Hou Hand ^Limited ^Limited ^Limited Questionable Likely to Play
^Senio Kelemete Hou Elbow ^Limited ^Limited ^Limited Not Listed Expected to Play
Lane Taylor GB Foot Limited Full Expected to Play
Alex Lewis Bal Shoulder Limited DNP Likely Inactive
Laken Tomlinson SF Hip Limited Full Expected to Play
Oday Aboushi Ari Toe Limited Limited Awaiting Information
Centers
Team
Injury
Practice Participation
Game
Status
Photos provided by USA TODAY Sports
Tags Injuries Danny Amendola Robbie Chosen Tavon Austin Budda Baker Cole Beasley Odell Beckham Jr Matt Breida Trenton Cannon Frank Clark Kenny Clark Randall Cobb Jamie Collins Sr James Conner Keke Coutee Jamison Crowder Sam Darnold Carlton Davis III Sean Davis Josh Doctson Kenyan Drake Jeff Driskel Austin Ekeler Ezekiel Elliott Justin Evans Joe Flacco Graham Gano Stephon Gilmore Melvin Gordon III Jimmy Graham Chris Harris Jr Jordan Hicks Tyreek Hill T.Y. Hilton Malik Hooker Austin Hooper DeAndre Hopkins Xavien Howard Marlon Humphrey Margus Hunt Maurice Hurst II DeSean Jackson Kareem Jackson Lamar Jackson Grady Jarrett Tony Jefferson David Johnson Kerryon Johnson Deion Jones Julio Jones Sidney Jones IV Eric Kendricks Devon Kennard Dre Kirkpatrick Matt LaCosse Josh Lambo Avonte Maddox Colt McCoy Gerald McCoy Bradley McDougald Cam Newton David Njoku Larry Ogunjobi DeVante Parker Rashaad Penny Adrian Peterson Dante Pettis Jason Pierre-Paul Jarran Reed Justin Reid Xavier Rhodes Sheldon Richardson Andre Roberts Allen Robinson II Aaron Rodgers Ben Roethlisberger Joe Schobert Tajae Sharpe Buster Skrine Ito Smith Malcolm Smith Matthew Stafford Equanimeous St. Brown Courtland Sutton Geoff Swaim Ryan Tannehill Jaquiski Tartt Adam Thielen Denzel Ward Sammy Watkins Deshaun Watson J.J. Watt Trae Waynes Carson Wentz Derek Wolfe Daryl Worley K.J. Wright Isaac Yiadom

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