Photo: Chuck Cook, USA Today Sports

Wednesday Media Updates

***The Saints designated Drew Brees to return to practice. While undoubtedly a positive sign, this does not mean he's close to playing. Sean Payton said Brees "has a ways to go still and he's someone we're not going to just hurry back and put him in the game." Brees is confident he can return soon but noted that he has benchmarks to hit -- being able to throw without discomfort and fully protect himself in the pocket -- and wouldn't commit to a return. He remains on the doubtful side of questionable for now.

***Do not expect Christian McCaffrey back this week. After a brief workout on Tuesday, McCaffrey did not practice Wednesday. Matt Rhule told reporters there was no change in McCaffrey's status. McCaffrey "has a chance for next week" but isn't doubtful to make the trip with Carolina to Green Bay for Saturday's game.

***George Kittle was designated to return to practice. There's no chance he plays this week but the Niners are starting the reconditioning and evaluation process on the slim chance Kittle recovers well enough to risk in a limited role in a must-win game later in the season. His most likely return date remains Week 1 2021.

***Daniel Jones is dealing with ongoing hamstring soreness and a new ankle sprain and was limited in practice. He wants to play but the team will need to be convinced Jones has the mobility to play effectively.

***Ronald Jones II needed to be able to practice by Friday to prove he was comfortable playing through a broken finger. Added to the COVID list now, Jones likely won't be available to show his comfort level. Expect him to be inactive this week.

***Raheem Mostert was still experiencing pain last week and looks unlikely to be ready this week. Kyle Shanahan said the Niners are hopeful Mostert would be able to practice on Friday.

***Matthew Stafford often plays through difficult injuries but did not sound confident in his ability to recover from a painful rib cartilage injury in time to play this week. He told reporters he wouldn't play unless he could throw comfortably. That's unlikely to happen this week -- even with an injection to manage pain.

***Washington will continue to evaluate Alex Smith this week but a calf strain has prevented him from practicing. The unusual anatomy in his reconstructed lower leg will limit his mobility further and may prove too difficult for Smith to overcome 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:

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders

Chargers Injuries

• RB Austin Ekeler (quad) -- Likely to play after consecutive limited practices
• WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) -- Generally plays through soft tissue injuries if able to practice
• TE Hunter Henry (hip) -- Full practice and not listed on final injury report
• WR Mike Williams (back) -- At risk of limited snaps but trending toward playing

Raiders Injuries

• WR Nelson Agholor (ankle) -- Fully practiced, will play
• WR Henry Ruggs III (COVID list) -- Expected inactive

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.

* = playing on Monday night
^ = playing on 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.