The Colts limp into "Thursday Night Football" with nearly a quarter of their 53-man roster on the injury report, and several key starters have already been ruled out for the game. Meanwhile, the Patriots could have the services of their star tight end despite Rob Gronkowski missing practices earlier in the week.
We'll break down the injuries you need to know about for that matchup below before digging in to each team playing on Sunday's initial injury report for Week 5. Check back with us throughout the day as we react to all the injury news around the NFL.
Colts at Patriots (-10.5)
- Colts: RB Marlon Mack (hamstring), WR T.Y. Hilton (chest, hamstring), TE Jack Doyle (hip), OT Denzelle Good (NIR), DT Hassan Ridgeway (calf), CB Quincy Wilson (concussion), CB Kenny Moore (concussion) OUT; OT Anthony Castonzo (hamstring), C Ryan Kelly (hand), LB Darius Leonard (ankle), CB Nate Hairston (ankle), S Clayton Geathers (knee), PK Adam Vinatieri (groin) QUESTIONABLE
- Patriots: WR Josh Gordon (hamstring), TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle), TE Jacob Hollister (chest), DE Geneo Grissom (ankle), DT Danny Shelton (elbow), DT Adam Butler (knee), LB Elandon Roberts (calf), CB Eric Rowe (groin) QUESTIONABLE
The Colts have a ton of injury issues heading into the Thursday night matchup. Mack is unable to return after a week of limited practices, and Hilton is sidelined as expected. With Doyle also still out, that leaves the team leaning on rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins at running back, Eric Ebron at tight end and Chester Rogers, Ryan Grant and Zach Pascal at receiver. Not exactly ideal. Castonzo was limited in practice all week before being listed as questionable, and if he can't go, Andrew Luck could be in serious trouble against the Patriots.
The Colts aren't that much healthier on defense, with two corners out and another questionable, as well as breakout linebacker Darius Leonard uncertain to play after being upgraded to a limited practice on Wednesday. Even the team's kicker is a question mark with Vinatieri missing practice Tuesday and being upgraded to limited on Wednesday.
The Patriots upgraded Gronkowski to a limited practice on Wednesday, and he joins the other seven New England players who were limited in the final practice of the week as questionable for Thursday's game. While the upgrade is good news for Gronk's outlook in Week 5, it's also possible the team holds him out in a matchup the Patriots should win handily with or without their star tight end. Tom Brady will also have Julian Edelman back in the fold after the receiver finished serving his four-game suspension, and his presence should be a big boost for the offense.
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Wednesday's injury reports
The Ravens didn't have corners Brandon Carr (knee) and Anthony Averett (hamstring) at practice Wednesday, but top corner Jimmy Smith is eligible to return from his suspension this week, giving the secondary a boost. Running back Alex Collins managed only a limited practice due to a knee injury. Browns receivers Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway both missed practice Wednesday with knee injuries, but Landry has been playing through his knee issue for a few weeks and should be good to for this game. Callaway could have his playing time reduced even if active after being plagued by drops this season.
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Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette missed practice on Wednesday and figures to be sidelined in Week 5 due to his hamstring injury. Two offensive linemen also missed practice in guard Andrew Norwell (foot) and center Brandon Linder (knee, back), while another (Jermey Parnell, knee) was limited. Corner D.J. Hayden (toe) and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle) were also DNPs, while T.J. Yeldon (ankle) was limited. Yeldon figures to start if he's cleared to play. Chiefs safety Eric Berry remains sidelined by a heel injury. Linebacker Dee Ford (groin) and receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) were both limited on Wednesday as Ford continues to manage his injury while Watkins deals with the injury sustained this past Sunday.
Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard didn't practice on Wednesday after picking up a shoulder injury in Week 4. Receiver Corey Davis was limited due to an illness, while quarterback Blaine Gabbert (concussion) returned to a full practice, putting him on track to back up Marcus Mariota in this game. Bills safety Micah Hyde missed practice Wednesday after suffering a groin injury in Week 4, and he appears to be a long shot to suit up this week. Tight end Charles Clay, whose eight receptions are tied for the second most on the team through four weeks, was limited Wednesday due to an ankle injury.
Giants receiver Sterling Shepard had a cyst removed from his back this week and was absent from practice on Wednesday, but he's expected to return to action later in the week before playing in this game. Defensive tackle Damon Harrison also missed practice due to a knee injury, while pass rusher Olivier Vernon was back to a limited practice as he works to get cleared and make what would be his season debut in Week 5. The only Panthers player listed as missing practice due to injury on Wednesday was tight end Greg Olsen, who remains sidelined by a foot injury. The defense is set to get back Thomas Davis as well with his four-game suspension over.
Broncos linebacker Todd Davis (shoulder) and tackle Jared Veldheer (knee) were among four injured players not to practice on Wednesday, while pass rusher Von Miller (thigh) was among three players limited. Most of the Jets players on the injury report practiced in full on Wednesday, though offensive lineman Spencer Long (knee, finger) and defensive back Marcus Maye (ankle, foot) were limited.
Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett missed practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury and is not expected to play in Week 5, so add another name to the long list of players missing from the Falcons defense. Running back Devonta Freeman (knee) was limited as he tries to see his first game action since Week 1 against the Steelers. Backfield mate Tevin Coleman (shin) joined Freeman as limited. Receiver Julio Jones (hand, ankle) also missed practice but should be available for this game. Steelers safety Morgan Burnett (groin) managed a limited practice on Wednesday, while corner Mike Hilton (elbow) practiced in full, after both players missed last week's game. Receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (ankle) and linebacker Vince Williams (hamstring) were both held out of practice due to injuries.
The Packers' top three receivers all showed up on the team's first injury report of the week, with Davante Adams (calf) limited, and Randall Cobb (hamstring) and Geronimo Allison (concussion) missing practice altogether. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) and tight end Jimmy Graham (knee) also missed practice, so the second-string Green Bay offense should see plenty of work on the practice field this week. Four Lions players missed practice on Wednesday, including guard T.J. Lang (concussion) and running back LeGarrette Blount (illness). If Blount isn't 100 percent this week, that could mean more looks for rookie runner Kerryon Johnson, who has impressed when leaned upon. Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) and three Lions defensive backs were limited as well.
Five Dolphins players missed practice due to injury, including defensive ends Cameron Wake (knee) and Andre Branch (knee) as well as corner Bobby McCain (knee). The list doesn't include safety Reshad Jones, who practiced in full Wednesday after missing the last two weeks with a shoulder injury. Bengals running back Joe Mixon (knee) was back at practice in a limited fashion, while backfield mate Giovani Bernard (knee) was held out on Wednesday. Mixon is looking to make his first appearance since Week 2. Center Billy Price (foot) remained sidelined, while receiver John Ross (groin), defensive end Michael Johnson (knee) and linebacker Preston Brown (shoulder) were limited. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict returns this week after serving a four-game suspension to open the season.
Raiders guard Kelechi Osemele (knee) was one of three players to miss practice on Wednesday, with running back Marshawn Lynch (shoulder) following his typical schedule and not practicing as well. Receiver Amari Cooper (foot) was one of five players limited for Oakland, including three offensive linemen. Five Chargers players missed practice on Wednesday, including Joey Bosa (foot), who is expected to be sidelined through the bye. The team was also missing tackles Russell Okung (groin) and Joe Barksdale (knee) to open the week.
Cardinals at 49ers (-4)
Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald missed practice on Wednesday as he continues to manage hamstring and back injuries, and he was joined as DNPs by defensive end Markus Golden (knee) and corner Bene Benwikere (neck). Linebacker Josh Bynes (wrist) and tackle Andre Smith (elbow) were among the five limited Cardinals players. The 49ers could be in for trouble on the offensive line this week, with tackles Joe Staley (knee) and Mike McGlinchey (knee) along with center Weston Richburg (knee) all sidelined on Wednesday. Receivers Marquise Goodwin (hamstring, quad) and Dante Pettis (knee) also sat in the team's first practice of the week, as did corner Richard Sherman (calf). Running back Matt Breida (shoulder) was limited.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday following his return to action in Week 4. If he can't go this week, Latavius Murray would lead a committee at the position. Corner Trae Waynes (concussion) also missed practice, while defensive tackle Linval Joseph (shoulder) was one of three Vikings players limited. Eagles running backs Corey Clement (quad) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) remained sidelined at Wednesday's practice, which receiver Alshon Jeffery (chest), defensive end Derek Barnett (shoulder) and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (ankle) also missed. Left tackle Jason Peters was limited by a quad injury as well.
Greg Zuerlein (groin) remains sidelined as the Rams decided to swap kickers this week, bringing in Cairo Santos. Guard Rodger Saffold (knee) and tight end Tyler Higbee (knee) also missed practice on Wednesday, while linebacker Mark Barron (ankle) was limited as he attempts to make his season debut this week. Running back Chris Carson (hip) remained sidelined to start the week, and he was joined as a DNP by defensive ends Frank Clark (illness) and Rasheem Green (ankle) along with K.J. Wright (knee), who isn't expected to return this week. Guards Ethan Pocic (ankle) and D.J. Fluker (knee) were both limited.
Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (hamstring) continued to miss practice after sitting for the team's Week 4 win over the Lions. Rookie Leighton Vander Esch would continue to see an increased role if Lee is out again. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (shoulder), receiver Cole Beasley (ankle) and corner Chidobe Awuzie (ankle) were all limited on Wednesday. Eleven Texans players were listed as limited for the first practice of the week, including running back Lamar Miller (chest), defensive end J.J. Watt (thigh), pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney (foot) and the team's top three receivers in DeAndre Hopkins (thumb, ankle, hamstring), Will Fuller (hamstring) and Keke Coutee (hamstring).
