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MOSCOW -- The International Olympic Committee says it is exploring the legal options for a possible ban of the entire Russian team from next months Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as a result of the countrys repeated doping scandals. Russia finished fourth in the gold medal table at the 2012 Olympics in London and third in the overall medal table. Its absence in Rio would shake up both tables. Here are five Russian stars who could miss out:Aliya MustafinaShe led the Russian gymnastics team which narrowly failed to beat the U.S. to gold in the womens all-around in 2012 and also won individual gold in the uneven bars. While Mustafina has been plagued by injuries since, she bounced back with two European championship gold medals last month. Russia has arguably the worlds richest tradition of excellence in gymnastics, and if its athletes arent in Rio, the U.S. and China will benefit in the medal table.Yulia EfimovaOne of the worlds top breaststroke sprinters, Efimova spearheads the Russian swim team for Rio despite previous brushes with the anti-doping authorities. She bounced back from a drug ban to win 100-meter gold at last years world championships in a fiercely competitive race with her longtime rival, Lithuanian teenager Ruta Meilutyte, who would become the hot favorite for gold if Efimova is forced to miss Rio. Efimova missed four months this season after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium but was given a reprieve and won the 200 at her comeback meet in Los Angeles on Sunday.Yelena IsinbayevaThe world record holder in the pole vault and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, Isinbayeva would compete at her fifth games in Rio, but she faces extra obstacles to get there. Russias track and field team is already banned from the games due to widespread doping, and Isinbayevas hopes rest on a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She represented Russias athletes at a crucial CAS hearing on Tuesday in Switzerland and even posted a selfie online from inside the closed session. Her absence in Rio would help Brazilian, Greek and U.S. athletes, among others.Nataliya IshchenkoWith three Olympic and 19 world championship gold medals to her name, Ishchenko typifies Russias total domination of synchronized swimming -- its won every Olympic event this century. If no Russians compete in Rio, China and Spain would fight for the two gold medals on offer. Russia is similarly dominant in another female-only Olympic sport, rhythmic gymnastics, where former Soviet nations Ukraine and Belarus usually compete for the silver behind Russias winners.Maxim MikhailovTop scorer when Russia won the mens volleyball competition at London 2012, Mikhailov would be a formidable opponent in Rio. Host nation Brazil had to settle for silver four years ago but is fired up for a gold medal in front of its home crowd. The absence of the Russian team would make that mission significantly easier. L.J. Collier Womens Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Patrick Kerney Youth Jersey . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. 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NFL Nation reporters assess the?biggest injuries across the league for Week 1.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestNFC EASTDallas CowboysLinebacker Sean Lee was held out of practice last week because of soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, but the time off was designed to have him ready for this week. He played just 29 snaps in the preseason but he said he feels ready to go, and the Cowboys will need Lee to be at his best. He is their best playmaker defensively and knows how to get the rest of the defense in the right spots, which is a must against a veteran quarterback like Eli Manning. In two games against New York last season, Lee?had 18 tackles. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsRookie free safety Darian Thompson missed the previous two weeks with a shoulder injury, but he practiced Wednesday in a limited capacity. Thompson is wearing a harness and is expected to play -- and likely start -- Sunday against the Cowboys. The key is to see how he does in Thursdays fully padded practice. If Thompson cant play, Nat Berhe has been taking first-team reps in his place. Overall, the Giants are relatively healthy. All 53 players on their active roster practiced Wednesday and are expected to play in the opener. The Giants also didnt lose a projected starter to injury this spring or summer. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesRookie quarterback Carson Wentz has been cleared for action after sitting out most of the preseason with a hairline rib fracture. Coach Doug Pederson announced that every Eagles player practiced Wednesday, including defensive end Vinny Curry, who was eased in after missing some time with a knee injury. Wide receiver?Jordan Matthews missed the preseason with a knee injury of his own, but he is expected to be full go. The Eagles are in good health overall heading into Week 1. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsRunning back Matt Jones was full go in practice Wednesday and didnt need to wear a yellow no-contact jersey like he had to on Monday. The expectation remains that Jones will play Monday vs. Pittsburgh after missing two weeks of practice with a sprained left shoulder. Rookie wide receiver Josh Doctson practiced Monday, but he was limited Wednesday and its uncertain if hell play against the Steelers as he returns from Achilles tendonitis. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsThe primary concern is guard Kyle Longs (shoulder) health, but he practiced on Monday and Wednesday and looks on track to play against the Texans. Of course, the great unknown is how Longs shoulder reacts when faced with live contact. Cornerback Tracy Porter passed the NFLs concussion protocol and pronounced himself good to go for Week 1, but Kyle Fullers status is more difficult to predict. Fuller is doing some work at practice, but is only a couple weeks removed from arthroscopic knee surgery. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsThe Lions are almost fully healthy heading into their season opener against Indianapolis. While tight end Eric Ebron (ankle) has been a question mark over the past few weeks, he took part in practice Monday and Wednesday. This is a good sign hell be available after not playing at all in the preseason. The Lions need him, too, because their tight end depth after him is questionable. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersWide receiver?Jordy Nelson isnt even on the injury report this week, so how can he be an injury question? Well, it has been nearly 13 months since he has been on a game field, and that was when he tore the ACL in his right knee at Pittsburgh. Will the 31-year-old be able to return to his Pro Bowl form from 2014? He says there are no limitations on his knee, and coach Mike McCarthy said Nelson will be full bore for the opener in Jacksonville. But considering Nelson didnt play a single snap in a preseason game this year, its hard to know what impact the injury will have on him. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsAs they break in a new starting quarterback on Sunday, the Vikings will be monitoring several ailments to players who could help Shaun Hill or Sam Bradford produce on Sunday. Wide receiver Charles Johnson, who didnt practice Monday,?was a limited participant on Wednesday with a quadriceps injury, though Johnson said he expects to play Sunday. Running back Jerick McKinnon was also limited with a foot injury; if hes healthy Sunday, hed give the Vikings another option on high-percentage passes for their new quarterback. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsWide receiver?Julio Jones?(ankle) was supposed to return to full participation in practice Wednesday, but he was instead limited once again. Falcons coach Dan Quinn still has expressed little concern about Jones availability for Sundays season opener against Tampa Bay. In fact, Quinn said Jones should return to full practice Thursday. Jones looked better running routes and making cuts during the first part of Wednesdays practice. Well see if he has his full explosion come Sunday. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersThe only player in question is backup safety Dean Marlowe, still coming back from a bad hamstring injury that sidelined him for three weeks. The Panthers will carry Marcus Ball?to Denver as an emergency safety, but theyre happy with the three-man rotation they have in Kurt Coleman, Tre Boston and Colin Jones. Tight end Greg Olsen dealt with back spasms in the preseason, but he is good to go. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsLeft tackle Terron Armstead was limited in practice Wednesday with knee and quad injuries -- which is a good sign that he will play Sunday against the Raiders. Thats huge for the Saints, considering Armstead is one of the best young tackles in the NFL and is vital to helping them fix the O-line issues that plagued them this preseason. Its also huge since the Saints are about to face one of the NFLs most dynamic pass-rushers in Khalil Mack. Mack normally lines up against the right tackle, but he moves around some. And when Armstead isnt facing Mack, the Saints would like to be able to leave him one-on-one against Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersThe biggest injury question mark in training camp was, When will J.R. Sweezy and Louis Murphy be back? Both start the season on the physically unable to perform list, so those questions have been?answered. After that, the only player with real concerns for Sunday is tight end Luke Stocker, who happens to be the teams best run blocker. He missed practice Wednesday with a back injury. He also missed the final two preseason games. Thankfully for the Bucs, theyre carrying five tight ends on the active roster (but no fullbacks) so if Stocker misses this week, it wouldnt be a crushing blow. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThe two players most in question of playing Sunday night are running back?Stepfan Taylor (bruised knee) and outside linebacker?Kareem Martin (MCL), who both missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. Linebacker Lamar Louis joined them on the sideline Wednesday after tweaking his knee in Tuesdays practice. If all three miss Sundays game, Arizonas special teams will?be affected as they all have significant roles. Safety Tyrann Mathieu, who tore his ACL in Week 15 last season, was not on the injury report and is expected to play Sunday night. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThe injuries to wide receiver Pharoh Cooper and cornerback E.J. Gaines could have a major impact on the Rams season. Cooper (shoulder) and Gaines (quad) each hurt themselves in Week 3 of the preseason and both could miss the Week 1 opener. How much longer theyre gone will be key. Cooper, drafted in the fourth round, had already cemented himself as the No. 3 receiver. Gaines had a solid rookie season in 2014 but spent all of 2015 recovering from foot surgery. Now he is the No. 2 cornerback opposite Trumaine Johnson. The Rams secondary already lost enough over the offseason, with Rodney McLeod now with the Eagles and Janoris Jenkins joining the Giants. Gaines needs to stay healthy. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ers49ers running back?Carlos Hyde is still working his way back from a concussion, but he took the next step Wednesday when he participated in practice while wearing a blue no-contact jersey. He still has to pass a simulated contact test in order to be cleared to play, but coach Chip Kelly and offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins have expressed confidence that Hyde will be ready to play Monday night against the Rams. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksThe key player to keep an eye on is Thomas Rawls?(ankle). The running back?played two snaps in the preseason, and coachh Pete Carroll has indicated that the team will ease him in.dddddddddddd Asked if Rawls faces any limitations, Carroll said, Just in the amount of plays. Its the second preseason game for him if you look at it that way, and were trying to take care of him as weve said all along in every way that we can. So were just going to watch and see how he does and how he handles it. Thats all. Its just to see how he handles it. That will be the only restriction is how hes taking the rigors of the game. Meanwhile, tight end?Jimmy Graham (ruptured patellar tendon) could be a game-time decision. Hes practicing fully but did not see any snaps in the preseason. -- Sheil KapadiaAFC EASTBuffalo BillsHows this for something different? The Bills are nearly fully healthy entering Sundays game in Baltimore. Reserve safety Colt Anderson (foot) and cornerback Kevon Seymour (hamstring) are likely to be questionable for the game, but otherwise coach Rex Ryans decision to sit most of his starters in the final two preseason games has paid off. A year ago, running back?LeSean McCoy (hamstring) and wide receiver?Sammy Watkins (hamstring) were dealing with injuries entering the opening weekend.?-- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsCenter Mike Pouncey injured his left hip in the second preseason game, and his status is up in the air for Sundays opener against the Seahawks. Coach Adam Gase said Pounceys status will be evaluated up until the weekend, but Pouncey has been out during practices so far this week. His potential absence greatly impacts Miamis rushing attack against Seattles talented front seven. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsTight end Rob Gronkowski is not yet 100 percent, as he has been limited in practice with a hamstring injury. How that affects Gronkowski in the season opener bears watching. Meanwhile, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is preparing to see a heavy dose of Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett regardless, as he said Wednesday that he expects the Patriots to be in their two-tight end package about 70 percent of the time -- Mike ReissNew York JetsMiddle linebacker David Harris, who has returned to practice on a limited basis after bruising his right shoulder in the third preseason game, remains a question mark for Week 1, according to coach Todd Bowles. Still, it would be an upset if Harris doesnt play. He hasnt missed a game since 2008. Harris is vital because hes an every-down linebacker who essentially is the quarterback of the defense. The Jets would be out of sorts without him, but bet on him being in the lineup. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensOutside?linebacker Elvis Dumervil said he will not play in the season opener against the Bills. Dumervil acknowledged he had a minor setback in his recovery from an offseason procedure on his foot. He was the only Ravens starter who was not practicing Wednesday. Albert McClellan is expected to replace Dumervil and start in his first game since 2012. ZaDarius Smith and Matt Judon will fill in for Dumervil as the other edge rusher opposite Terrell Suggs. Its a little disappointing, Dumervil said, but sometimes youve just got to wait your turn and when the opportunity presents itself, take full advantage. Hes unsure about his status for the Week 2 game at Cleveland. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsPro Bowl tight end Tyler Eifert hasnt practiced the entire offseason, and that doesnt look like its going to change anytime soon. Eifert is still recovering from an ankle injury and his timetable to return is unknown. I dont anticipate him taking any team reps this week, coach Marvin Lewis said Monday. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsThe Browns are an extremely healthy team. The only player not working was defensive back?Marcus Burley, who was picked up on waivers on Sunday. The Browns have zero questions about the health of their top players. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers have several key linemen fighting through injuries with hopes of playing Week 1. Defensive end Cam Heyward (high ankle sprain) says he will be ready, and after multiple ankle sprains in his career, hes accustomed to the pain management. Expect him to play, assuming the bruising subsides. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert (hyperextended elbow) practiced Wednesday, which is a good sign. The biggest question mark is new starting nose tackle Javon Hargrave, who hurt his leg in Mondays practice session. Hes considered day-to-day and isnt sure when hell be ready. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansDefensive end J.J. Watt has practiced twice this week, and he is expected to play in the season opener against the Bears. Watt said he feels like he can do anything and everything that he is asked to do, and he feels no limitations whatsoever despite missing all of training camp after having back surgery in late July. Left tackle Duane Brown will not play against the Bears, but right tackle Derek Newton appears to have recovered from a hamstring injury and was a?full participant?in practice on Wednesday. Rookie wide receiver Will Fuller was a surprise addition to the injury report as a limited participant with a hamstring injury. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsThe Colts caused warning flags to go up when they listed quarterback Andrew Luck as being limited in practice on their injury report Wednesday. The decision to list Luck was nothing more than making sure hes fresh for Sundays game against the Lions, according to a source. But concern will likely arise every week Luck is put on the injury list because he missed nine games last season with an assortment of injuries, and because the Colts gave him a $140 million contract during the offseason. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars are remarkably healthy heading into the season. The only minor concern is nose tackle Roy Miller, who has dealt with chronic knee soreness over the past several seasons, but the Jaguars have been careful in terms of giving him a day off each week to manage it. Hes the key to the Jaguars run defense because he occupies blockers to keep middle linebacker Paul Posluszny clean. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansThe Titans have only one injury concern heading into their opener against Minnesota. Kendall Wright, their top slot receiver, is out with a hamstring injury. That means Harry Douglas will operate as the teams third receiver. Coach Mike Mularkey said theyd also have Marc Mariani, Andre Johnson and Rishard Matthews ready to work inside if needed. There is no timetable for Wright, though hes scheduled for another MRI. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosWide receiver Bennie Fowler will miss Thursday nights game because of an elbow injury he suffered in the preseason opener in Chicago. Fowler had been the No. 3 receiver in camp, so his absence means more work for Cody Latimer. It will also likely mean Emmanuel Sanders works out of the slot at times since Fowler is the guy who had worked the slot the most before his injury. Fowler had hoped to be ready for the opener, but he didnt practice this week. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsThe Chiefs are preparing to play without running back Jamaal Charles on Sunday. Thats nothing new, as they played most of 2015 without him as well. Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West and perhaps Knile Davis will share the featured back role. The Chiefs are expecting outside linebacker Tamba Hali to play, though he will probably have less than a full-time role. When hes in the lineup, its important that Hali play well. With Justin Houston out with his own rehab from knee surgery, Hali is the Chiefs most accomplished pass-rusher. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersThe Raiders are ridiculously healthy coming out of the preseason. Only backup offensive lineman Austin Howard, who was competing for the starting right tackle position with Menelik Watson, missed practice on Wednesday. Howard rolled his right ankle in the Raiders exhibition finale last Thursday. And while he is a second-stringer, he does bring quality depth to both tackle positions. Its early, but if he is unable to suit up Sunday at New Orleans, Matt McCants would likely be his replacement. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersDefensive end Joey Bosa participated in just one practice in a helmet, jersey and shorts since he signed a four-year rookie contract last week. Sidelined with an apparent left leg injury, the Ohio State product likely will remain on the NFLs exempt list through the weekend. He is doubtful to play in San Diegos season opener on the road against the Chiefs. -- Eric D. Williams ' ' '