[LT Profits]

QUARTERBACK

Marcus Mariota | Hamstring | Questionable | Unlikely to play / Limited if active

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thursday - Limited | Friday - Limited
Mariota wants to play this week and he's optimistic he'll be able to play. The Titans allowed Mariota to speak with the media after practice on Friday and he told reporters, "If I'm able to move around, hand the ball off, and drop back, I'll definitely play."
Unfortunately, what a player wants to do and what a player's injured body is able to do are often two different things.
Mike Mularkey told reporters on Thursday that Mariota would have to prove he was mobile enough to protect himself in the pocket and execute the team's game plan. At no point this week did Mariota show he could do that. Including Friday's limited practice, Mariota was only seen doing light throwing drills without much movement before going in for treatment. Mularkey has said the team will be smart with their decision. It's unlikely Mariota improves enough to play if he hasn't made much progress in the first five days after his injury.

I still believe he's on the doubtful side of questionable. If he does play, expect no designed runs or rollouts, no scrambling, and less downfield accuracy than usual.
***Sunday AM Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport tweeted Mariota is not expected to play today. Rapoport tweeted Mariota was given an early timetable of 2-4 weeks, which suggests a higher grade injury and one the Titans will undoubtedly choose to rehab in the hopes of a Week 6 return rather than risk aggravation and a longer recovery time.


Derek Carr | Back | Questionable | Unlikely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thursday - Limited | Friday - Limited
Ian Rapoport did a television interview on Friday and reported Carr was "truly questionable" and said there was a "chance" he could play this week.

Don't bet on it.

An isolated transverse process fracture is not a long-term injury. It's not a weight-bearing bone and it doesn't have to fully heal before a player can be cleared for contact. But it's still a painful injury and often causes spasm of attached muscles. It's possible Carr can play through these limitations against Baltimore. But it's pushing the limits of expectation -- both Tony Romo and Cam Newton needed two weeks to recover and missed a game each -- and may put Carr's availability at risk in the future. With divisional matchups against the Chargers and Chiefs in Week 6 and 7, I expect the Raiders to rest Carr and allow him more time to recover.

***Sunday AM Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport tweeted Carr is not expected to play today.

*Sam Bradford | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive

Practice Participation: Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited | Sat - Limited

The Vikings won't officially update Bradford's chances of playing Monday night but Mike Zimmer told reporters Saturday his quarterback wasn't significantly improved since Thursday's practice. Bradford returned to light individual drills this week but continues to throw without running or any pocket movement. He's shown no evidence he can protect himself in the pocket. Every game is important but risking a limited Bradford in Week 5 against Chicago with another division matchup against contender Green Bay in Week 6 doesn't make sense.

***Sunday AM Update: Stacey Dales reported this morning Bradford had taken the majority of first-team reps and has a chance to start. That's not consistent with any video, beat writer reports, or comments from Zimmer this week but notable nonetheless. I still think it's a stretch for Bradford to play but I'll adjust his expectation to game-time decision to account for this morning's note.


Others of note: Cam Newton (shoulder), Alex Smith (ankle), Blake Bortles (shoulder), Josh McCown (shoulder), and Ben Roethlisberger have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Andrew Luck (shoulder) has been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

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RUNNING BACK

MELVIN GORDON | KNEE | Not Listed | EXPECTED TO PLAY

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Gordon fully practiced this week and is expected to see a full workload. Last week, there was some concern the Chargers would lighten Gordon's usage by giving Branden Oliver more passing down snaps and change-of-pace work. Although Gordon had only ten rushes, the Chargers had only 13 total rushing attempts and his limited duty was game script dependent rather than game plan dependent. Oliver has been declared out with a hamstring injury this week. The light Week 4 duty, a full week of practice, and the absence of Oliver all argue strongly for a high workload for Gordon.


Jay Ajayi | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Full

Ajayi had a day off on Thursday but otherwise fully practiced as the Dolphins continue to limit his practice time during the week. Miami followed through on plans to rest Ajayi on some passing downs last week against the Saints and he played on just 62% of the team's offensive snaps. For comparison, Ajayi played 94% of Miami's snaps in Week 2, then 52% in the two-score loss to the Jets in Week 3.

The Dolphins are at home this week against the Titans. Ajayi remains the primary back in all base offense and red zone alignments and will see as much workload as the game script allows.


Carlos Hyde | Hip | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Hyde has been limited in practice with an oblique muscle strain over the past two weeks but it hasn't limited his workload and performance much. Hyde out-snapped Matt Brieda 56 to 14 last week after being listed questionable. He returned to a full practice on Friday and is not listed on the team's game status report this week. Breida is also expected to play through an ankle injury; he shouldn't be seen as any more of a threat than last week.


Ty Montgomery | Ribs | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

The Packers sounded optimistic this week but likely knew Montgomery would be doubtful -- at best -- from the start of practice this week. Montgomery practiced with a padded vest all week but multiple rib fractures are too limiting to play through in less than two weeks. Expect Montgomery to be on the inactive list on Sunday.


Wendell Smallwood | Knee | Questionable | Unlikely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP

Smallwood is reportedly dealing with swelling in his right knee. Les Bowen reported the condition is likely related to residual laxity in Smallwood's knee after last season's MCL sprain. If that's accurate, Smallwood's absence shouldn't be extended but he'll be at risk of a flare-up in future weeks. It's unlikely Smallwood will play after not practicing all week but the Eagles did not add another running back to the roster. Consider Smallwood a game-time decision but I think he's more doubtful than questionable.


Others of note: LeSean McCoy (wrist), Ezekiel Elliott (chest), Leonard Fournette (ankle), Ameer Abdullah (ankle), Jonathan Stewart, Frank Gore, Jamaal Williams (knee), Marlon Mack (shoulder), Jerick McKinnon (ankle), Orleans Darkwa (back), and Matt Breida (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Matt Forte (toe), Branden Oliver (hamstring), Paul Perkins (ribs), and Dwayne Washington (quad) have been declared out, with C.J. Prosise (ankle) doubtful and likely inactive. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

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WIDE RECEIVER

Odell Beckham | Ankle / Finger | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited |Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Images of Beckham's dislocated index finger weren't for the squeamish last week but the injury isn't a major issue. Beckham may not be attempting one-handed catches with his left hand this week but the finger can be taped and protected and shouldn't limit him much. I had more concern for the late fourth quarter aggravation of his mid-grade high ankle sprain. Thankfully, the tweak proved to be a minor setback and Beckham showed enough in a full week of limited practice to keep himself off the game status report. While he may not be 100% recovered, Beckham has played 123 snaps and been targeted 28 times over the past two weeks. He looks to be healthy enough for another significant workload.


Doug Baldwin | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Baldwin was limited to just 69% of Seattle's offensive snaps last week. After Wednesday's DNP, there was reason to worry the Seahawks would again need to limit their top receiver. Baldwin returned to a full Thursday and Friday practice -- something the Seahawks have not done with veteran players with injury concerns this season -- and is not listed on the game status report. Barring an unexpected setback during pregame warmups, Baldwin should be ready for his pre-injury workload this week.


Michael Crabtree | Chest | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Crabtree's lung contusion healed and he was cleared for contact by mid-week. There's no indication Crabtree suffered any other bony or soft tissue injury to the area overlying his lung injury and the full Thursday and Friday practices are reassuring. Expect Crabtree to see his usual number of routes run and targets.


Davante Adams | Concussion | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Adams traveled to Dallas on Saturday after clearing the concussion protocol and will play this week. Some may question how Adams was able to practice in pads earlier this week and clear protocol so quickly after a violent hit and losing consciousness last Thursday. It's important to remember the medical community no longer grades concussions. Loss of consciousness used to suggest a higher-grade injury. Studies of athletes who suffer concussions show other symptoms are associated with a higher risk of prolonged recovery -- amnesia, in particular. Whatever symptoms Adams may have had cleared quickly enough to allow him to progress through the later exercise stages of the protocol by mid-week. The Packers' medical staff, who are known to be cautious and deliberate, felt comfortable sending Adams to an independent neurologist and he's been cleared. Hopefully, Adams will avoid future injury.


Tyrell Williams | Neck | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Jeremy Maclin | Hand | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

It's odd to see players listed questionable after a full week of practice. Both the Ravens and Chargers have a history of using the questionable tag as probable in some cases. There's been no indication Maclin or Williams are at risk of missing this week's game. Both should see their usual workload with minimal risk of in-game aggravation.


John Brown | Quad | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

In his first game after missing time with recurrent quad soreness, Brown played 53 snaps. More importantly, he was able to practice all week. The Cardinals will likely continue to limit Brown's practice reps and his game usage but expect him to continue to see 60-70% of Arizona's offensive snaps.


J.J. Nelson | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Nelson has been limited in practice and listed questionable in each of the past three weeks. Expect him to be active. Nelson played fewer snaps last week, however, and is at risk of continued rotation this week.


Marqise Lee | Ribs | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Doug Marrone was encouraged by Lee's limited Friday practice but acknowledged Lee's injury was painful. Lee did not speak with the media and has been listed questionable. He's still considered a game-time decision as of Saturday afternoon. The Jaguars ruled out starting center Brandon Linder due to illness on Saturday but did not downgrade Lee before their trip to Pittsburgh. Expect the medical staff to evaluate Lee in pregame and decide if pain management and added padding will be enough for Lee to play effectively.


Marquise Goodwin | Concussion | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Goodwin has an extensive history of concussions but progressed quickly through the return-to-play protocol this week. Kyle Shanahan told reporters he would "be surprised if [Goodwin] wasn't ready to go" this week.


Kenny Britt | Knee / Groin | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP

The Browns listed Britt doubtful after he missed practice all week and Hue Jackson sounding pessimistic on the wide receiver's status. Expect Britt to be inactive.


Others of note: Sammy Watkins (illness), Amari Cooper (knee), Kelvin Benjamin (knee), Brandon Marshall (toe), Robby Anderson, Brandon LaFell (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Jordan Matthews (thumb), Corey Davis (hamstring), Kenny Golladay (hamstring), John Ross (knee), and Mike Williams (back) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

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TIGHT END

Benjamin Watson | Calf | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Full

Watson followed the same practice participation last week and played over 40 snaps against the Steelers. I expect Watson to be active again this week.


Others of note: Jimmy Graham (ankle), Charles Clay, Jesse James (shoulder), and Tyler Kroft (neck/knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Tyler Eifert (back), Jack Doyle (concussion, neck) and Maxx Williams (ankle) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

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DEFENSIVE PLAYER NOTES

EDGE:

The Browns will have Myles Garrett for the first time this week. It's unlikely he'll play full time right away but he's had two weeks of practice and should be able to contribute immediately.

Jason Pierre-Paul was adamant he'd play through his chronic shoulder issues. Olivier Vernon told reporters he wanted to play but sounded resigned to the possibility he'd need time to recover after aggravating his ankle sprain in last week's game.

Cliff Avril has been declared out and may not be able to return immediately after Seattle's Week 6 bye either.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Mike Daniels told reporters he was good to go. He'll give the Green Bay front a big boost.

LINEBACKER:

Jatavis Brown managed only a limited Friday practice and is questionable at best. Anthony Lynn would only say Brown would be evaluated at game time.

Sean Lee is reportedly doing everything possible to play this week but managed only light work on the rehab field. He's unlikely to play. The Cowboys are expected to get Anthony Hitchens back.

Jarrad Davis is out of the concussion protocol but listed on this week's injury report with a neck injury. He's likely to play but was inactive in a similar situation last week.

DEFENSIVE BACK

Kurt Coleman is the only notable list to this week's list of inactive defensive backs. Jeremy Lane and Lamarcus Joyner are unlikely to play.

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OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES

Key Starters Declared Out:

• D.J. Humphries-ARI
• Ryan Kalil-CAR
• Brandon Linder-JAC
• Laurent Duvernay-Tardif-KC
• Mitch Morse-KC
• Weston Richburg-NYG

Key Starters with Unknown Status:

• Cordy Glenn-BUF (ankle) -- Likely to Play
• Matt Kalil-CAR (groin) -- Game-time Decision
• Tyron Smith-DAL (back) -- Game-time Decision
• David Bakhtiari-GB (hamstring) -- Game-time Decision
• Bryan Bulaga-GB (ankle) -- Game-time Decision
• Joe Barksdale-LAC (foot) -- Likely to Play
• Gabe Jackson-OAK (foot) -- Game-time Decision
• Marcus Gilbert-PIT (hamstring) -- Likely Inactive

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*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday

Quarterbacks
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Marcus Mariota	Ten	Hamstring	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Unlikely to Play
Derek Carr	Oak	Back	DNP	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Unlikely to Play
*Sam Bradford*	Min	Knee	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Likely Inactive
Cam Newton	Car	Shoulder	Limited	Limited	Limited	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Andrew Luck	Ind	Shoulder	Limited	DNP	Limited	Declared Out	Inactive
Alex Smith	KC	Ankle	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Blake Bortles	Jac	Shoulder	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Josh McCown	NYJ	Shoulder	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	Not Injury Related	DNP	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Running Backs
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
LeSean McCoy	Buf	Wrist	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Ezekiel Elliott	Dal	Chest	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Melvin Gordon	LAC	Knee	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jay Ajayi	Mia	Knee	Full	DNP	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Carlos Hyde	SF	Hip	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
*Jordan Howard*	Chi	Shoulder	MNF	Not Listed	Not Listed	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Leonard Fournette	Jac	Ankle	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Ty Montgomery	GB	Ribs	Limited	Limited	Limited	Doubtful	Likely Inactive
Ameer Abdullah	Det	Ankle	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Frank Gore	Ind	Not Injury Related	Not Listed	DNP	DNP	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jonathan Stewart	Car	Not Injury Related	Not Listed	DNP	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Matt Forte	NYJ	Knee / Toe	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Jamaal Williams	GB	Knee	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Likely to Play
Wendell Smallwood	Phi	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Questionable	Unlikely to Play
Marlon Mack	Ind	Shoulder	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Likely to Play
*Jerick McKinnon*	Min	Ankle	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Likely to Play
Branden Oliver	LAC	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Matt Brieda	SF	Ankle	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
C.J. Prosise	Sea	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful	Likely Inactive
Orleans Darkwa	NYG	Back	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Paul Perkins	NYG	Ribs	Limited	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Mike Tolbert	Buf	Thumb	Full	Not Listed	Not Listed	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Dwayne Washington	Det	Quad	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
DeAndre Washington	Oak	Hamstring	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Awaiting Information
Wide Receivers
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Odell Beckham	NYG	Finger / Ankle	Limited	Limited	Limited	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Doug Baldwin	Sea	Groin	DNP	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Michael Crabtree	Oak	Chest	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Davante Adams	GB	Concussion	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Expected to Play
Amari Cooper	Oak	Knee	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Kelvin Benjamin	Car	Knee	DNP	Limited	Limited	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Sammy Watkins	LAR	Illness	DNP	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jeremy Maclin	Bal	Hand	Full	Full	Full	Questionable	Expected to Play
Brandon Marshall	NYG	Toe	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
John Brown	Ari	Quad	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Expected to Play
J.J. Nelson	Ari	Hamstring	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Expected to Play
Mike Williams	LAC	Back	Limited	Limited	Limited	Declared Out	Inactive
Tyrell Williams	LAC	Neck	Full	Full	Full	Questionable	Likely to Play
Jordan Matthews	Buf	Thumb	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Marqise Lee	Jac	Ribs	DNP	DNP	Limited	Questionable	Game-time Decision
Robby Anderson	NYJ	Not Injury Related	DNP	DNP	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Marquise Goodwin	SF	Concussion	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Likely to Play
Kenny Golladay	Det	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
John Ross	Cin	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Brandon LaFell	Cin	Knee	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Curtis Samuel	Car	Back	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Kenny Britt	Cle	Knee / Groin	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful	Likely Inactive
Sammie Coates	Cle	Hamstring	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Corey Davis	Ten	Hamstring	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Tight Ends
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Jimmy Graham	Sea	Ankle	DNP	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Charles Clay	Buf	Not Injury Related	DNP	Not Listed	Not Listed	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Tyler Eifert	Cin	Back	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Tyler Kroft	Cin	Neck / Knee	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jesse James	Pit	Shoulder	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jack Doyle	Ind	Concussion	Limited	Limited	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Benjamin Watson	Bal	Calf	DNP	DNP	Full	Questionable	Likely to Play
Maxx Williams	Bal	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive

Source: footballguys.com

[wikkidinsane]

Thanks for the info bro

[JAKEPEAVY21]

thanks for the breaking injury report, Sal Palantonio...

back to Boomer and the lads in the studio.

[BuckyOne]

Terrific information! We are still guessing a little on interpretation but at least this gives a clue on availability.