Photo: Isaiah J. Downing, USA Today Sports

Wednesday Media Updates

***Patrick Mahomes II took part in limited individual drills on Wednesday. No matter how reassuring the MRI results may have been, returning Mahomes to play within ten days of a dislocated kneecap is a risk the Kansas City medical staff will not take. A recurrent dislocation will almost certainly result in surgery. While it's excellent short-term news for Mahomes, expect him to be inactive this week.

***Drew Brees circled Week 8 on his rehab calendar as his goal. He wants to play before the Saints' bye week and his continued progress has made his goal possible. While Brees will have to practice this week without soreness or weakness, he's trending toward returning.

***Saquon Barkley narrowly avoided an aggravation of his high ankle sprain last week. The Giants held him to limited Wednesday practice with "game soreness" and he's expected to play this week. That's plausible and I think truthful. However, if Barkley remains limited through the end of the week, there could be more limitation this week than the Giants are currently suggesting.

***Matt Ryan is no longer immobilized in a boot but he's not yet been cleared to practice. The Falcons will accelerate his rehab and could adjust their game plan to ensure max protection schemes but it will be tough for Ryan to play this week.

***Alvin Kamara continues to rehab a high ankle sprain and MCL sprain. With the Saints' bye week looming, it's highly unlikely he risks playing at less than full strength.

***Davante Adams took part in stretching drills today and has begun testing different shoes and orthotic inserts. He remains questionable at best.

***Both David Johnson and the Cardinals understated an ankle injury last week. Johnson was clearly limited on his lone carry and the team has since signed two running backs for depth. Expect Johnson to be inactive.

***Josh Jacobs required an injection to finish last week's game. He's not practicing with a shoulder injury and his status may be more in doubt than last week.

***A.J. Green is back to individual drills and will travel with Cincinnati to London. He's still more likely to play in Week 10 than this week but a full Thursday practice would put this week in play.

***Tyrell Williams is back at practice. If he responds well to individual drills, his comments to the media on Wednesday suggest he's planning to return.

***Both Jared Cook and Delanie Walker are unlikely to play.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

Washington at Minnesota

***Adam Thielen's hamstring strain isn't expected to be a long-term injury but the quick turnaround to Thursday night proved too difficult. He's been declared out.

***Adrian Peterson missed practice on Monday and Tuesday but told reporters he expects to play against his former team. Washington remains without Vernon Davis and Chris Thompson.

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: 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.