We finish up the Weekly on Wednesday morning, at which point teams return to practice and we get more clarity on some injuries. Those things are addressed fully in the Friday update. But we can at least get early glimpses of a couple of injuries.
First, Zach Ertz has apparently cleared the concussion protocol and is practicing on Wednesday. That should put him in the starting lineup against a Giants defense that's been laughably inept against tight ends for most of the season. Ertz is working with a new quarterback in Nick Foles, and the Eagles should be able to run for upward of a buck fifty in this game. But if you've got Ertz, as I do, you probably don't have the option of sitting him down.
Joe Mixon is not practicing today; he's still in the concussion protocol. Mixon has a really awful matchup this week anyway, at Minnesota. The Vikings are very tough against the run. But with his passing game involvement, if he plays, at least he should be close to a full-time player, with Giovani Bernard a mere change of pace. If Mixon isn't cleared, Bernard might be even better, because he'd lose less work to another back than Mixon will likely lose to him.
Ameer Abdullah is expected to return for the Lions. There have been conflicting reports on whether he was inactive last week because of a neck injury, because he's been struggling, or both. Whatever the case, he's not really a good option against the Bears, nor are possible fill-ins Tion Green or Zach Zenner. Theo Riddick should play the most and be the best bet, although he'll definitely lose a little appeal if Abdullah is out there to take some carries away.
A couple of Bills notes: Both Tyrod Taylor and Kelvin Benjamin, dealing with knee injuries, are practicing on Wednesday. Looks good for them being available to play against Miami in the battle of AFC East also-rans.
--Andy Richardson