Injuries: Melvin Gordon (ankle) optimistic for Sunday

Melvin Gordon is hopeful he'll be available for the Chargers' game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the swelling in the Los Angeles running back's sprained ankle was minimal, and the tailback is optimistic about playing in Week 17, per a source.

Coach Anthony Lynn said the team will evaluate Gordon, who won't practice Wednesday, during Friday's practice, and if he's healthy enough, he'll play Sunday.

That'd be good news for the Chargers, who need a win and some help Sunday to clinch a wild-card berth.

Here are the other injuries we're tracking Wednesday:

1. Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he anticipates Sam Bradford (knee) will return to practice next week, but is unsure of his availability for the playoffs. Bradford hasn't played since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in November. Bradford, who is still on injured reserve, is eligible to practice this week.

2. Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said he believes quarterback Andrew Luck (shoulder) is returning this week from Europe, where he underwent treatment for his injury. Luck hasn't played since last year after undergoing surgery during the offseason.

The team listed receiver Donte Moncrief (ankle) as a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

3. New York Giants tight end Evan Engram told reporters he suffered bruised ribs in Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. X-rays were negative, he added. "Definitely going to try my best to get rehab everything this week and give it a shot from there," Engram said. In addition to Engram, wide receiver Sterling Shepard (neck) also sat out practice.

The Giants will make Davis Webb the backup quarterback for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, interim coach Steve Spagnuolo announced.

4. New England Patriots quarterbackTom Brady (Achilles, left shoulder) didn't practice, but he's expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets. Running backs Rex Burkhead (knee) and Mike Gillislee (knee) also sat out. Wide receiver Chris Hogan (shoulder), defensive back Devin McCourty (shoulder) and running backJames White (ankle) were limited.

5. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (knee), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (groin) and cornerback Shareece Wright (concussion) did not practice. Cornerback E.J. Gaines (knee) and tight end Charles Clay (knee) were limited.

6. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (ankle, thumb) and tight end Levine Toilolo (knee) didn't practice.

7. With Houston Texans backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke's status in the air after he suffered a concussion Monday, the team signed free-agent quarterback Josh Johnson.

8. Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy announced it will be "tough" for receiver Jordy Nelson (shoulder) to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The coach also announced receiver Davante Adams has not cleared the concussion protocol.

9. Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (foot) and safety Kurt Coleman (ankle) did not practice.

10. New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams (concussion), offensive lineman Brian Winters (abdomen), receiver Robby Anderson (hamstring/hip), running back Matt Forte (knee), tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (undisclosed), cornerback Mo Claiborne (foot) and receiver Jermaine Kearse (undisclosed) did not practice.

11. New England Patriots receiver Malcolm Mitchell returned to practice for the first time since being placed on injured reserve because of a knee injury on Sept. 7.

12. Detroit Lions tight end Eric Ebron (knee), guard T.J. Lang (foot) and offensive tackle Rick Wagner (ankle) were each limited in practice.

13. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (hamstring) was limited in practice.

14. Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray sat out practice because of ankle injury.

15. Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) didn't practice.

16. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (knee) didn't practice.

17. Chicago Bears offensive tackle Bobby Massie (knee) and guard Josh Sitton (ankle) did not practice.

18. Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (shoulder) and running back Joe Mixon (ankle) did not practice.