We're starting out this Wednesday's injury roundup with some bad news for fantasy owners: Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden missed practice Wednesday because of his high ankle sprain. It's early, but it would be a surprise if McFadden returned to the field this week.
The other injuries we're tracking:
- New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles (hand) is practicing again. It sounds like he might return to the field this week against the Raiders.
- Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews is out once again. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson (hamstring) was limited. There's hope Nelson will play this week against the Detroit Lions.
- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (concussion) has been cleared for non-contact drills.
- Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (ankle) missed practice again. He has missed the last two weeks of action.
- New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins (ankle) and wide receiver Wes Welker (ankle) both missed practice Wednesday.
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (ankle) missed practice, and the local scribes believe he won't play. Some good news: Running back Rashad Mendenhall (Achilles) returned to practice.
- Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (foot) missed practice. It doesn't look good for his availability this week against the Cleveland Browns, even if he did say there's a chance he could play.
- Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (knee) missed practice on Wednesday, as usual. We're past worrying about him.
- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (concussion) hasn't been ruled out, but he's not expected to play this week against the Washington Redskins.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.