Photo: Michael Chow, USA Today Sports

Wednesday Media Updates

***Cam Newton was back in a walking boot earlier this week and was still immobilized on Wednesday after aggravating his preseason midfoot sprain. Although he's not been ruled out and continues to attend meetings, Newton looks doubtful to play this week.

***James Conner did not practice Wednesday but again told reporters he would play this week. Expect Conner to be back on the practice field Thursday or Friday to see how his knee responds to drills. Hopefully, he'll progress quickly enough to avoid the game-time decision label.

***Neither Damien Williams nor LeSean McCoy practiced in Kansas City on Wednesday. The Chiefs haven't updated either player's status since Andy Reid told reporters Monday both would be okay. McCoy looks more likely to play than Williams for now.

***Multiple wide receivers require further observation as the week progresses. Keenan Allen and T.Y. Hilton are likely to play. DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery are likely inactive. Tyrell Williams is dealing with a hip pointer but I'd lean toward him increasing his practice participation and playing on Sunday.

***While it may prove to be nothing, I'm suspicious about Josh Jacobs. Earlier this week, Jon Gruden called Jacobs' injury a groin injury. On Wednesday's practice report, Jacobs was limited with a hip injury. Whenever there's confusion about a groin-hip-abdomen condition, it raises the likelihood of a core abdominal muscle injury (a.k.a. sports hernia). If that's what Jacobs is dealing with, it could be a lingering and limiting injury. A full practice by the end of the week would be reassuring.

***David Njoku was unlikely to play this week after a Monday night concussion. Unfortunately, he reportedly suffered a fracture in his wrist on the same play. Regardless of whether he chooses surgery, Njoku will miss multiple weeks.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

Tennessee at Jacksonville

***Marcus Mariota did not practice with a quad injury on Monday but returned to practice fully through Wednesday.

***Tennessee guard Kevin Pamphile remains out. The Jaguars get tackles Cam Robinson and Cedric Ogbuehi back. Ogbuehi will rotate with Will Richardson.

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 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: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.