Marcus Mariota and Corey Davis limited on Thursday and other injury report notes

The Titans and Texans updated their injury reports following their respective practices on Thursday. There was good news and bad news on the Titans side of things. Let’s start with the bad news.

Bad News

Marcus Mariota was downgraded from a full participant on Wednesday to a limited participant on Thursday. Mike Vrabel downplayed the significance of this distinction, saying that Mariota was “about the same” as he was on Wednesday, but that they wanted to get Blaine Gabbert some more reps “just in case”. He said that he still expects Mariota to be able to play on Sunday.

The other big item on the negative side was a second straight limited practice for Corey Davis. Again, Davis himself downplayed the injury, saying “my hamstring is good and I just want to leave it at that.” I would expect that we will see Davis out there on Sunday and getting his full complement of snaps and targets.

Taylor Lewan remains in the concussion protocol as Vrabel said they sent Taylor home for a second straight day. This generally means that he’s still in Step 1 of the return to play protocol for concussions. You can read more about that protocol here. It’s not great news that Lewan is still not moving on to other steps, but there is still time for him to proceed through and be cleared to play on Sunday. Concussions are tricky things though and some take longer than others for symptoms to pass.

Minor bad news for some other players. Dennis Kelly missed practice today with an “illness”. I wouldn’t be too alarmed right now, but if Kelly remains out on Friday things could get pretty bleak at the Titans tackle spots.

Jack Conklin, still working his way back from ACL surgery over the offseason did not practice today after being limited on Wednesday. No news of a setback so this could just be part of the “plan” for him, but I wouldn’t expect a surprise activation for him this weekend.

Backup corner Kenneth Durden was also added to the injury report with a hamstring as he just had limited participation on Thursday.

Kendrick Lewis remains out with a foot injury that has held him back for several weeks now.

Good News

The good news comes entirely on defense where first round pick Rashaan Evans and second round pick Harold Landry both were full participants in practice. Vrabel seemed optimistic about the prospects of both guys. Adding these rookies to the mix on defense could make a big impact right away for that unit.

Derrick Morgan was upgraded from limited participation to full participation as he continues to work his way back from surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

Reserve defensive lineman Matt Dickerson was also upgraded from limited participation to full after being a surprise addition yesterday.

Texans News

The Texans injury report remained static today as the following players were all listed as limited participants both Wednesday and today.

CB Johnson Bademosi (knee)

DE Jadeveon Clowney (back/elbow)

WR Sammie Coates Jr. (hamstring)

WR Keke Coutee (hamstring)

DE Christian Covington (thigh/knee)

OLB Duke Ejiofor (hamstring)

WR Will Fuller (hamstring)

WR DeAndre Hopkins (foot)

CB Kayvon Webster (Achilles)

That’s a lot of hamstrings (maybe we’re not the only ones). The Texans also put former first round pick Kevin Johnson on IR earlier this week as he deals with a concussion. The cornerback wasn’t great in their opener against the Patriots, but this leaves them short on depth at that spot behind Johnathan Joseph and Aaron Colvin, especially with Webster and Bademosi also carrying injury designations.