The Browns roll into a Thursday night matchup looking for their first win in 20 games, and they're favorites -- favorites! -- but if they finally put a crooked number in Hue Jackson's win column, it'll have to come without multiple key players on defense and potentially the team's best passing-game weapon.
We'll also take a first look below at the injury reports around the league for the teams playing on Sunday.
Jets vs. Browns (-3)
- Jets: TE Neal Sterling (concussion), LB Josh Martin (concussion) OUT; S Marcus Maye (foot) DOUBTFUL
- Browns: TE Seth DeValve (hamstring), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (ankle) OUT; LB Christian Kirksey (shoulder, ankle) DOUBTFUL; WR Jarvis Landry (knee), S Damarious Randall (heel) QUESTIONABLE
The Jets listed two offensive linemen as limited early in the week but come into this matchup relatively healthy. The Browns, however, are a different story.
Landry was limited by a knee injury all week before drawing a questionable tag. The offense cannot afford to lose the reliable passing-game option after trading Josh Gordon to the Patriots this week. If Landry can't go, the team wouldn't have much behind Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway. Darren Fells could see more work in two tight-end sets, but the team could use running back Duke Johnson as a receiver to help make up for the loss.
On defense, the Browns' injuries could also be problematic. With Ogbah out again, the Browns will have to rotate three unimpressive options opposite Myles Garrett, and it could lead to less pressure on rookie QB Sam Darnold. Kirksey is a big loss at linebacker, and Randall seems to be on the wrong side of questionable after not practicing all week.
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Wednesday injury reports
Eight Colts missed practice on Wednesday, including left tackle Anthony Castonzo (hamstring), receiver T.Y. Hilton (quad) and running back Marlon Mack (foot, hamstring). The offense will want to be as healthy as possible going to Philadelphia to take on a usually excellent Eagles defense coming off a loss. The Eagles got a full practice from Carson Wentz (knee), who is set to make his season debut on Sunday. He could have trouble with the weapons around him, as Jay Ajayi (back) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) both missed practice, and the team could be down three of its top four receivers. That's if Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) can't join Wentz in making his season debut, though he did get in a limited workout on Wednesday, as did left tackle Jason Peters (quad).
Bengals running back Joe Mixon (knee) and center Billy Price (foot) missed practice, and Mixon is set to miss this game. He's scheduled to be replaced as the lead back by Giovani Bernard, but Bernard himself was limited Wednesday by a knee injury. Thomas Rawls, who was just signed to give the team depth in the backfield, was also limited by cramps. Two key defenders joined those RBs as limited: linebacker Preston Brown (ankle) and defensive end Michael Johnson (knee). The Panthers are still without guard Trai Turner (concussion), who missed practice on Wednesday. Getting him back would be a huge help for a patchwork offensive line. Rookie corner Donte Jackson (groin) and safety Da'Norris Searcy (concussion) also missed practice, which means the secondary could be shorthanded on Sunday.
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (elbow) was limited in the first practice of the week after missing Week 2's win over the Texans. The uncertainty at the position has most sportsbooks hanging no line on the board just yet. Running back Derrick Henry (back) was limited Wednesday, as were starting tackles Taylor Lewan (concussion) and Jack Conklin (knee). Swing tackle Dennis Kelly, who also missed Sunday's win, didn't practice due to an illness. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) was back at practice in a limited fashion, improving his chances to return in this matchup. T.J. Yeldon, who filled in as the lead back last week, missed practice with an ankle injury. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle) and center Brandon Linder (knee) also didn't practice. Starting left tackle Cam Robinson suffered a torn ACL in Week 2 and is done for the year.
Three Saints missed practice on Wednesday, including linebacker Manti Te'o (knee). Three starters were also limited to start the week, including receiver Ted Ginn (knee), left tackle Terron Armstead (knee) and guard Andrus Peat (ankle). Falcons receiver Julio Jones (calf) and running back Devonta Freeman (knee) missed practice on Wednesday, as did defensive ends Takk McKinley (groin) and Derrick Shelby (groin). Coach Dan Quinn considers both D-linemen and Freeman day-to-day, while Jones is likely just having his practice reps managed. The Falcons are already having their depth at guard tested with Andy Levitre heading to IR, and Ben Garland (calf) was limited on Wednesday. Wes Schweitzer is expected to start for Levitre.
Broncos quarterback Case Keenum didn't practice on Wednesday due to a sore knee, but he should get some work in Thursday and isn't in danger of missing this game at this point. Right tackle Jared Veldheer (concussion), linebacker Brandon Marshall (knee) and corner Adam Jones (thigh) also missed practice. Ravens tight end Hayden Hurst (foot) and defensive tackle Willie Henry (abdomen) continued to miss practice Wednesday, but they were joined as DNPs by running back Alex Collins (illness), linebacker C.J. Mosley (ankle) and defensive tackle Michael Pierce (foot). Mosley is dealing with a bone bruise and seems unlikely to play in this matchup. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (elbow) was one of two players limited on Wednesday.
Giants at Texans (-6)
The Giants' pass rush has had to make do without Olivier Vernon (ankle) thus far, and he remained sidelined at Wednesday's practice. The issue might actually be getting worse for the defense, as Connor Barwin (knee) also missed practice, and they could be down a corner as well with Eli Apple (groin) a DNP. Tight end Evan Engram showed up on the initial injury report as limited with an ankle injury, and starting center Jon Halapio is on injured reserve with a broken ankle. The Texans listed 14 players on their injury report Wednesday, but seven practiced in full, including defensive end J.J. Watt (knee) and linebacker Whitney Mercilus (shoulder). The other seven were limited, a group that includes pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney (back) and receivers DeAndre Hopkins (thumb, ankle) and Will Fuller (hamstring).
Dolphins safety Reshad Jones played every defensive snap last week but missed practice on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury. That's the biggest concern for the team in this matchup at this point. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill also found himself on the injury report with knee and ankle issues but practiced in full. The Raiders didn't have rookie defensive tackle P.J. Hall (ankle) or rookie offensive tackle Brandon Parker (ankle) at practice on Wednesday. Running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) was limited to start the week after playing 65 percent of the offensive snaps last week. Center Rodney Hudson (ankle) and guard Gabe Jackson (pec) were also limited; both played every snap last week.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was listed as DNP on Wednesday as he continues to manage his knee injury, and all eyes will be on his status throughout the week after he played at far less than 100 percent in last week's tie with the Vikings. The Green Bay secondary is also banged up, with corner Kevin King (groin) a DNP and corner Davon House (biceps) and safety Josh Jones (ankle) listed as limited (the team didn't practice at all Wednesday, so all listings are estimates). The Redskins held four players out of practice, including receiver Paul Richardson (shoulder, knee), linebacker Zach Brown (oblique) and guard Shawn Lauvao (calf). Three other starting O-linemen were also on the injury report, with left tackle Trent Williams (knee) and guard Brandon Scherff (knee) limited and right tackle Morgan Moses (knee) practicing in full. If the team is missing more than one of their starting linemen on Sunday, it could mean trouble.
Bills at Vikings (-16.5)
The Bills enter the week with plenty of injury concerns, but defensive end Shaq Lawson (hamstring) was the only one to miss practice entirely for a reason other than rest. Running back LeSean McCoy (rib) and receiver Kelvin Benjamin (hip) were both limited Wednesday, and a Bills offense that already lacks talent can't afford to lose either player. Five players missed practice for the Vikings, including top running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring), defensive end Everson Griffen (knee) and right tackle Rashod Hill (ankle). Latavius Murray could be in for all the work he can handle if Cook is less than 100 percent for a game expected to be a blowout.
49ers receiver Marquise Goodwin (quad) was back at practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday after missing Week 2, while corner Ahkello Witherspoon (ankle) and guard Mike Person (foot) were also limited. Guard Joshua Garnett (toe) and safety Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) didn't practice at all. Linebacker Malcolm Smith avoided the injury report altogether, so he looks on track to make his season debut in this matchup. Chiefs safety Eric Berry remained sidelined at Wednesday's practice as he nurses a heel injury, and the team was also without top defensive lineman Chris Jones (groin). If one or both players are missing for this matchup, an already high ceiling for scoring in this game could be removed completely.
Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa remained sidelined at Wednesday's practice as he recovers from a foot injury, and three other players were also listed as DNP: tackle Joe Barksdale (knee), tight end Antonio Gates (illness) and fullback Derek Watt (thumb). Receiver Travis Benjamin was limited due to a foot injury that caused him to miss Week 2's win over the Bills, but Melvin Gordon, who picked up a neck injury in last week's game, practiced in full. Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein missed last week's game after suffering a groin injury that is expected to keep him out a few weeks. He missed practice on Wednesday, as did center John Sullivan (ankle), defensive tackle Michael Brockers (shoulder) and linebacker Mark Barron (ankle), the last of whom has yet to play this year.
The Bears had only one player on the injury report on Wednesday, with safety DeAndre Houston-Carson listed as limited with a forearm injury. The team doesn't have many players on injured reserve either, making them remarkably healthy at this point of the year. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring) was one of three DNPs for the Cardinals on Wednesday, but he is expected to face the Bears on Sunday. Five players were limited for the Cardinals, including guard Mike Iupati (chest) and tackle Andre Smith (elbow). The Cardinals are looking to put a slow start behind them, and having a healthy offensive line would make that easier.
Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) joined center Travis Frederick (illness) as DNPs on Wednesday, but he was able to return to Sunday's game after initially suffering the injury. Safety Xavier Woods (hamstring) was limited to open the week after missing the team's first two games, and he could be ready to make his season debut in this matchup. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson appeared on the Wednesday injury report with a hamstring injury, but he is listed as practicing in full, as is linebacker Bobby Wagner (groin) and corner Tre Flowers (hamstring), both of whom missed Week 2. Receiver Doug Baldwin (knee), linebacker K.J. Wright (knee), center Justin Britt (shoulder) and guard Ethan Pocic (ankle) all missed practice.
Patriots (-7) at Lions
Two Patriots missed practice Wednesday as they recover from concussions: defensive end Trey Flowers and safety Patrick Chung. Five others were limited, including new Patriot Josh Gordon, who suffered a hamstring injury late last week. Right tackle Marcus Cannon (calf) missed Week 2's loss to Jacksonville, but he was back at practice on Wednesday as limited. Rookie running back Sony Michel (knee) practiced in full. Lions corner Darius Slay missed practice Wednesday while recovering from a concussion. Guard T.J. Lang (back) and pass rusher Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) were both limited on Wednesday, improving their outlook after both missed last week's loss to the 49ers.
Steelers (-1) at Buccaneers
No injury report on Wednesday.
