[LT Profits]

QUARTERBACK

JAMEIS WINSTON | SHOULDER | QUESTIONABLE | EXPECTED TO PLAY

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full
The Buccaneers again rested Winston's shoulder this week, limiting his throwing until Friday. There were no limitations on him in last week's game, with the Tampa Bay passing game plan looking very similar to what it had been prior to Winston's injury. In the two games prior to his AC sprain, Winston threw the ball 38 and 46 times. Last week, he had 44 passing attempts -- including a number of downfield throws -- on his way to a season-high 384 yards. Though he's listed questionable, there was no indication Winston's rest this week was related to soreness after his big workload in Week 7. He's expected to play and should not have any game plan limitations.


Others of note: Cam Newton (shoulder), Jacoby Brissett (thumb), Josh McCown (back), and Case Keenum (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Sam Bradford (knee) and Andrew Luck (shoulder) have 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 | Foot | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

There has been no reporting on Gordon's foot injury this week in the local or national media. While the lack of reporting -- and a full week of limited practice -- means Gordon isn't likely to be dealing with a long-term injury, it's not clear whether Gordon will be limited on game day or the team is continuing its previous pattern of veteran rest. Previously, the team minimized concerns with Gordon when he was listed with a knee contusion and shoulder injury. Though there's no official word this week, I think it's reasonable to assume the same and expect Gordon to take his usual share of the team's workload this week. Check back Sunday morning for an update.


Tevin Coleman | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Falcons didn't share specifics on Coleman's knee injury. Dan Quinn told reporters Coleman was "fine" on Friday and the team allowed him to fully practice. Not listed on the game status report, Coleman is expected to play. Atlanta continues to take heat over the offensive game plan and erratic usage pattern of their offensive weapons. While Coleman's health looks to be a non-issue, deducing this week's workload remains difficult.


Others of note: Rob Kelley (ankle), Chris Thompson (toe), Jonathan Stewart (toe), Christian McCaffrey (wrist), Matt Forte (knee), and Wendell Smallwood (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. C.J. Prosise (ankle) is doubtful and likely to be declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

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WIDE RECEIVER

Stefon Diggs | Groin | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Diggs traveled with the Vikings to London then fully practiced on both Thursday and Friday. He told reporters early this week he felt ready to play last week but the medical staff opted to rest him for another week. Minnesota listed him questionable but Diggs is expected to play. The clearance for long travel, consecutive full practices, and preparation to play with a bye week ahead strongly suggest the Vikings are ready to have Diggs fully participate in this week's game plan. And with Jason McCourty likely out with injury, Diggs' workload could be a productive one. Watch for any surprising notes during pregame warmups but, while there's always a risk of an in-game setback in a player's first game after a multiple-week soft tissue injury, Diggs has a good chance to see his usual 6+ targets.


Michael Thomas | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

After a concerning Wednesday DNP, Thomas increased his practice participation all week and fully practiced on Friday. He is not listed on the New Orleans game status report and told reporters on Friday his early-week rest was "just being smart" and said he's ready to play. Expect no limitation on Sunday.


Golden Tate | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The early reports on Tate's injury suggested he would miss multiple games and Tate was seen wearing a sling last week during the Lions' bye. It was surprising to see him practice on Wednesday and then continue to practice throughout the week. Mid-grade AC sprains can be difficult to project in the early stages. Predicting how quickly stiffness and swelling resolve and when full range of motion returns is key. Some players struggle with both or have a playing style that risks aggravation. Others heal more quickly than expected. Tate seems to be in the latter category.

Still, it's unlikely Tate's injury has fully healed. He will be at risk of aggravation if he plays. This week's practice participation and media discussions are reassuring but be aware Tate's floor is lower than usual this week.
*Emmanuel Sanders | Ankle | pending | Unlikely to Play

Practice Participation: Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP | Sat - Pending

The Broncos have yet to release Saturday's game status report but Sanders was still limping and only doing rehab work on a side field through the end of the week. Sanders has a low ankle sprain but the injury is of higher grade. While the Broncos would prefer to have Sanders available for Monday night's road divisional matchup in Kansas City, it's unlikely he'll have recovered enough to play.


Danny Amendola | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Amendola hyperextended his knee last week and was limited in practice this week. It's not clear whether Amendola's injury is a low-grade ligament sprain, meniscus damage, or contusion but he told reporters he was playing this week. He addressed possible weather concerns and said the team had considered the impact of a wet field. It's possible Amendola would be limited in any scenario but a wet field is more likely to limit his workload.


Willie Snead | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Snead was inactive last Sunday. It was a surprise after he had returned to play the previous week. However, Snead's role remained minimal and the Saints expected a wet field and uncertain footing in Green Bay. A full week of practice also suggests last week's rest was primarily precautionary. Snead is not listed on the game status report and expected to be active. The Saints' wide receiver depth chart is healthy, however, and there's no guarantee Snead will see a spike in targets yet.


JuJu Smith-Schuster | Concussion | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Smith-Schuster was fully practicing on Wednesday after a recent concussion and had no setbacks. After getting clearance by an independent neurologist, Smith-Schuster was not listed on the game status report and will play.


John Ross | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Ross injured his knee late in the preseason and returned in Week 2. He managed only five offensive snaps, fumbled on his one rushing attempt, and was not seen again. It's unclear when Ross re-injured his knee or if he just wasn't comfortable at game speed. After another 4-6 weeks of deliberate rehab, Ross has made it through football-related practice over the past two weeks without issue. He's not listed on the game status report and is expected to be active. He'll likely see a limited role in situations where the Cincinnati offense can make best use of his speed -- multiple wide receiver sets, jet sweeps, etc.


Kamar Aiken | Shoulder | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Not Listed | Fri - DNP

Aiken was added to the injury report after not practicing on Friday with a shoulder injury. The primary beat reporters in Indianapolis had no information on Aiken's status. He's listed questionable. I'll have updates through the weekend as they are reported.


Others of note: Alshon Jeffery (groin), Kelvin Benjamin (knee), Devin Funchess (hamstring), Kenny Britt (knee/groin), and Robby Anderson (knee) and have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Markus Wheaton (groin) 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

Antonio Gates | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Gates was limited with a knee injury this week but is expected to play. His snap count, target share, and red zone usage have all sharply trended downward over the past three games. While the injury doesn't appear to be significant, the larger trend of fewer snaps and targets is likely to continue.


Ed Dickson | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Panthers routinely use the questionable tab as a surrogate for probable. Dickson did not practice on Wednesday but fully practiced on Thursday and Friday and gave no indication he would be unable to play when talking to reporters about the Carolina offensive struggles early in the week.


Others of note: Charles Clay (knee) and Vance McDonald (knee) 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:

Myles Garrett is out with a concussion. The travel to London accelerated the window for improvement and the Browns chose to be cautious. Hopefully, he'll return after the Week 9 bye.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Stephon Tuitt was ruled out early this week. This will be his second missed game with his back injury. The Steelers may be looking ahead to the Week 9 bye and hoping the extra two weeks further aids Tuitt's recovery.

Muhammad Wilkerson played last week and was more productive than he had been after continued missed time with multiple injuries. He's likely to play again this week.

LINEBACKER:

Luke Kuechly cleared concussion protocol and will play this week.
Reuben Foster is battling a rib injury and was limited in practice. The 49ers expect him to play.
Duke Riley is out with a knee injury. It could be a multiple week recovery.
Dont'a Hightower was moved to injured reserve with a pectoral tendon tear. Mason Foster will have surgery to repair a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the season.

DEFENSIVE BACK:

Ronald Darby is nearing full recovery. He's listed questioanble but Doug Pederson strongly hinted Darby was not yet in football shape. Next week is likely, but the Eagles have a Week 10 bye that may prompt continued reconditioning.
The Bills are likely to be without E.J. Gaines (already ruled out) and Jordan Poyer (GTD, but doubtful).
Kurt Coleman, Adam Jones, Kevin Johnson, and Josh Norman are all likely to return.

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OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES

Key Starters Declared Out:

• Ryan Kalil-CAR (neck)
• Greg Robinson-DET (ankle)
• Chris Clark-HOU (calf)
• Larry Warford-NO (abdomen)
• Brandon Shell-NYJ (neck)
• Marcus Gilbert-PIT (hamstring)
• Luke Joeckel-SEA (knee)
• Spencer Long-WAS (knee)

Key Starters with Unknown Status:

• Hroniss Grasu-CHI (hand) -- Awaiting Information
• Menelik Watson-DEN (calf) -- Likely to Play
• Ryan Kelly-IND (pelvis/knee) -- Expected to Play
• Mitch Morse-KC (foot) -- Likely to Play
• Laurent Duvernay-Tardif-KC (knee) -- Awaiting Information
• Joe Barksdale-LAC (foot) -- Likely Inactive
• Riley Reiff-MIN (knee) -- Expected to Play
• Marcus Cannon-NE (ankle) -- Likely to Play
• Marshall Newhouse-OAK (foot) -- Likely to Play
• Justin Britt-SEA (ankle) -- Game-time Decision
• Brandon Fusco-SF (biceps) -- Game-time Decision
• Brandon Scherff-WAS (knee) -- Likely Inactive
• Trent Williams-WAS (knee) -- Likely to Play
• Morgan Moses-WAS (ankle) -- Likely to Play

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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
Cam Newton	Car	Shoulder	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jameis Winston	TB	Shoulder	Limited	Limited	Full	Questionable	Expected to Play
Andrew Luck	Ind	Shoulder	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Jacoby Brissett	Ind	Thumb	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Josh McCown	NYJ	Back	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Case Keenum	Min	Chest	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Sam Bradford	Min	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Running Backs
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Melvin Gordon	LAC	Foot	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Likely to Play
Tevin Coleman	Atl	Knee	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Jonathan Stewart	Car	Toe	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Christian McCaffrey	Car	Wrist	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Rob Kelley	Was	Ankle	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Chris Thompson	Was	Toe	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Matt Forte	NYJ	Knee	Full	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
C.J. Prosise	Sea	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Doubtful	Likely Inactive
Wendell Smallwood	Phi	Knee	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Likely to Play
*Charcandrick West*	KC	Concussion	Full	Full			Likely to Play
Wide Receivers
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Stefon Diggs	Min	Groin/Ankle	Limited	Full	Full	Questionable	Expected to Play
Michael Thomas	NO	Knee	DNP	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Golden Tate	Det	Shoulder	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Likely to Play
Alshon Jeffery	Phi	Groin	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
*Emmanuel Sanders*	Den	Ankle	DNP	DNP			Likely Inactive
Kelvin Benjamin	Car	Knee	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Devin Funchess	Car	Hamstring	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Danny Amendola	NE	Knee	DNP	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Expected to Play
Robby Anderson	NYJ	Ankle	Limited	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Willie Snead	NO	Hamstring	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Likely to Play
Curtis Samuel	Car	Ankle	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Markus Wheaton	Chi	Groin	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
*Albert Wilson*	KC	Knee	Full	Full			Expected to Play
Tyler Boyd	Cin	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
John Ross	Cin	Knee	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Kamar Aiken	Ind	Shoulder	Not Listed	Not Listed	DNP	Questionable	Awaiting Information
Michael Floyd	Min	Hamstring	Limited	Limited	Limited	Questionable	Awaiting Information
Laquon Treadwell	Min	Toe	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Kenny Britt	Cle	Knee/Groin	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Likely to Play
JuJu Smith-Schuster	Pit	Concussion	Full	Full	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Kenny Golladay	Det	Hamstring	Limited	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Marquise Goodwin	SF	Back	Limited	DNP	Limited	Questionable	Likely to Play
Tight Ends
Player	Team	Injury	Practice Participation			Game Status	FBGs Expects
Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Charles Clay	Buf	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive
Antonio Gates	LAC	Knee	Limited	Limited	Full	Not Listed	Expected to Play
Ed Dickson	Car	Ankle	DNP	Full	Full	Questionable	Expected to Play
Vance McDonald	Pit	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	Declared Out	Inactive

Source: footballguys.com

[RGriebling]

Thanks LT.....great info as always