Photo: Tim Heitman, USA Today Sports

Wednesday Media Updates

***Dalvin Cook told reporters he felt better than expected on Wednesday after limited practice and is planning to play. Mike Zimmer would not commit to Cook playing this week, however, saying the Vikings would not "play a guy that's hurt." Cook said playing with his SC joint sprain is a pain tolerance question and has been told he is unlikely to suffer a more severe injury by playing. The Vikings have a strong backup in Alexander Mattison and know Cook is at risk of missing snaps after a hit. Expect Cook to be limited if active.

***Julio Jones was back to limited practice, lending additional credence to last week's report that Jones could have played if he had a full week to rehab and prepare. He's trending toward playing.

***Derrick Henry is again taking Wednesday off this week for treatment for a hamstring strain. Henry did not appear limited by the hamstring condition last week and is expected to play.

***Adam Thielen suffered a "scare" last week during the late stages of his recovery from a hamstring strain. He did not play Monday night after limited practices last week and did not practice on Wednesday. He is again trending doubtful as he's told reporters he will not play until fully recovered. Do not expect him to play until he manages at least one full practice.

***Both James Conner and Marlon Mack are trending toward playing but may need another week of rehab. Damien Williams did not practice Wednesday but local observers believe he could play. Late week practice participation will determine their availability.

***Austin Hooper was not on Atlanta's practice participation report and is preparing to return this week.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

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

Dallas at Chicago

***Amari Cooper has seemingly had an MRI every week this season. After another knee contusion last week and another reassuring early week MRI, Amari Cooper returned to a full practice on Wednesday and is not listed on the Dallas game status report. He will play.

***The Cowboys will be without a player at every level of their defense. Leighton Vander Esch (neck), Jeff Heath (shoulders), and Antwaun Woods (knee) will not play.

***Chicago will be without Taylor Gabriel (concussion) and Ben Braunecker (concussion) again this week. Also still recovering and declared out are tackle Bobby Massie (ankle) and linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow).

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.