Calvin Johnson hasn't given up on playing this weekend against the New Orleans Saints.
The All-Pro Lions wideout told reporters on Wednesday that he's still battling pain in his injured ankle, but is trying to get right for Sunday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Megatronsat out Wednesday's practice after missing the team's Week 6 trouncing of the Minnesota Vikings. Saddled with a high ankle sprain, he was no more than an on-field decoy against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in Detroit's previous two tilts. Johnson remains a candidate to be shelved through the team's Week 9 bye in order to fully recover for the stretch run.
The receiver, though, told reporters that he "very seriously" doubts that he wouldn't make the trip next week to play the Atlanta Falcons in London's Wembley Stadium.
A silver lining for the Lions: Reggie Bushreturned to practice after missing Detriot's Week 6 game with an ankle injury.
Other injuries we're tracking on this fine Wednesday:
- Quarterback Jake Lockerreturned to Titans practice and split reps with Charlie Whitehurst during the open portion of Wednesday's session. Locker has been battling a thumb injury that kept him out of Tennessee's Week 6 game.
- While Pro Football Talk reported Tuesday that Patrick Willis is "unlikely" to play Sunday night against the Broncos, coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday that the 49ers linebacker is day to day.
Two key 49ers returned to practice on a limited basis. Defensive back Tramaine Brock (toe) and tackle Anthony Davis (knee, ankle) practiced for the Niners on Wednesday.
- Robert Griffin III (ankle) did individual drills Wednesday. Coach Jon Gruden said the signal-caller "looked fine" and "had a little bounce to his step." Gruden outlined the game plan for RGIII's return, saying that the quarterback will resume his starting role "once they say he's healthy and he practices with us and we feel like he's ready to go mentally." However, the coach added that he's not sure when that will be. "It could be one week two weeks, it could be five weeks. I don't know yet," Gruden said.
The Redskins also welcomed back wideout Leonard Hankerson on the heels of his long rehab from knee surgery, per Mike Jones of The Washington Post. Meanwhile, Trent Williams did not practice, while Brian Orakpo was a full go. Meanwhile, David Amerson said he feels good and expects to play Sunday, per The Washington Post.
- Jason Garrett told reporters that quarterback Tony Romo is "a little sore" after Sunday's epic win over the Seahawks, but the Cowboys' coach still thinks "he'll be OK" to face the Giantson Sunday, per the New York Post. Romo regularly misses practice on Wednesdays, and this week was no exception. On PFT Live, Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram said the signal-caller may miss Thursday's practice as well, as he's also dealing with a rib injury. Still, we'd be stunned if he didn't suit up against Big Blue.
Also absent from Cowboys practice on Wednesday: DeMarco Murray, who was out with an undisclosed illness.
- For New York, running back Rashad Jennings (MCL sprain) has been ruled out for the Cowboys showdown by coach Tom Coughlin. The hope is that he returns after the team's Week 8 bye.
- Chiefs coach Andy Reid declared wide receiver Donnie Avery (groin) out for the week. Cornerback Chris Owens (knee) is day-to-day and running back Cyrus Gray (hand) is expected to practice Friday.
- Packers starting cornerbacks Sam Shields (knee) and Tramon Williams (ankle) did not practice Wednesday, but coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that neither injury appeared to be serious. Also for Green Bay: Jarrett Boykin and Datone Jones were limited participants Wednesday.
- San Diego cornerback Brandon Flowers (groin) had his helmet on but didn't work with the other defensive backs at the start of Wednesday's position drills. His status is thought to be in question for Week 7, per U-T San Diego.
Also for the Chargers: Shareece Wrightpracticed for the first time since spraining his knee.
- Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart said his knee is "good" and he will be playing Sunday when the Pantherstake on the Packers, per ESPN. Meanwhile, Kelvin Benjamin has a mild concussion, per head coach Ron Rivera. The wideout will go through concussion protocol.
- Pete Carroll said that Seahawks tight end Zach Miller and center Max Ungerwill not make the trip to St. Louis this weekend. Niether Miller nor Unger practiced Wednesday. Also from the Seattle front: Carroll said that middle linebacker Bobby Wagner is not expected back for a few more weeks, but cornerback Byron Maxwell is recovering faster than expected (though he also did not practice Wednesday).
- Calais Campbellstarted jogging Wednesday. According to Cardinals coach Bruce Arians, the team will be careful in the defensive end's comeback. Campbell suffered an MCL sprain in a chop block -- which Arians called the "dirtiest play" he's seen in his 37 years of coaching football -- during Arizona's Week 5 game against the Broncos.
- Saints running back Mark Ingram returned to practice for the first time since suffering a fractured thumb in Week 2. He was full-go and is expected to play Sunday. Also for New Orleans, Jimmy Graham (shoulder) and cornerback Patrick Robinson (hamstring) missed practice.
- Jets receiver Eric Decker, who has been plagued by a lingering hamstring injury, was a full participant in practice ahead of Thursday's game with the Patriots. The Jets also activated linebacker Antwan Barnes (knee) from the PUP list.
- The Vikings got Chad Greenway back at practice Wednesday, but defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd (elbow/ankle) was limited. Greenway has missed the past three games with a broken hand.
- Texans coach Bill O'Brien said he "doesn't know" if Jadeveon Clowney will play in the team's Monday night matchup against the Steelers. O'Brien is keeping Clowney's rehab game plan under wraps.
- NFL Media's Desmond Purnell offered an update on Cowboys offensive lineman Tyron Smith, who has been dealing with an ankle injury. Smith walked with a limp during practice and did not partake in team drills. However, the injury isn't believed to be serious and Dallas expects Smith to play Sunday, per Purnell, via a source with knowledge of the injury.
- D.J. Haydenreturned to Raiders practice Wednesday. It was his first day back after missing five months with a foot injury and landing on the PUP list.
While Hayden returned to practice, the Raiders were without veteran defensive end Justin Tuck. Tuck injured his knee during Oakland's loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Fullback Marcel Reece (quad), right tackle Khalif Barnes (quad) and receiver Vincent Brown also missed practice for the Raiders.
We recap all the Week 6 action on a jaunty edition of the "Around The NFL Podcast." Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
