UNDERSTANDING THE NFL'S INJURY REPORT
The injury report released by the NFL is actually two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players were able to practice and how much. It also includes players who rested or missed practice for non-injury related reasons. The second is the Game Status Report, which gives the probability a player will play, i.e. Questionable, Doubtful, Out. The Practice Participation Report is released every day of the week (Monday through Saturday). The Game Status Report is released with the Friday participation report (Wednesday for Thursday games, Saturday for Monday games).
The NFL has made the practice participation report more complicated this season. Teams are no longer allowed to declare players "probable" to play. The current designations are Questionable (Uncertain to Play), Doubtful (Unlikely to Play), and Out. In our Monday Injury Rounds column, we'll often review how these changes are impacting the injury reports.
In this feature, I'll include the Game Status Listing, my expectation of their likelihood to play, and the player's practice participation throughout the week.
Key:
PLAYER | INJURY | GAME STATUS LISTING | FOOTBALLGUYS EXPECTATION
Practice Participation Listing by Day
* = playing on Monday night
I'll also include a table at the bottom of the article for easy reference.
Here's the latest on every relevant injured offensive player on the practice participation and game status report this week:
QUARTERBACK
The quarterback position is as healthy as it's been all season.
There are five notable quarterbacks on the injury report this week and all five are expected to be active. Four of the five -- Russell Wilson (knee), Andrew Luck (shoulder), Carson Palmer (not injury related), and Andy Dalton (shoulder) -- are not listed on the injury report and should have no limitations. The fifth -- Tony Romo (back) -- is questionable but expected to be active and serve as Dak Prescott's backup.
Others of note: Ryan Fitzpatrick (knee) and Trevor Siemian (shoulder) are on bye and there are rumblings that Robert Griffin III III (shoulder) may be close to returning. I'll update return to play expectations on Monday.
RUNNING BACK
DEMARCO MURRAY | Foot | NOT LISTED | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full
Murray remains on the practice participation report with a foot injury. He's shown no limitations since suffering the injury and is again not listed on the game status report. The Titans are managing Murray's practice reps during the week and leaning heavily on him on gameday. Expect him to see his usual workload.
*Lamar Miller | Shoulder | Pending | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited | Sat - Pending
Miller told reporters on Friday he was ready to play. While reassuring, the Texans have greatly limited his workload in recent weeks. After averaging over 50 offensive snaps and 25-30 touches through six weeks, Miller has had 31-33-24 snaps and 14-19-15 touches over the past three. Miller looked more healthy during the first half last week, then missed time afterwards with a minor ankle injury and ongoing shoulder soreness. With Alfred Blue declared out with a calf injury, Miller may get a higher percentage of this week's workload by default. A full Saturday practice would help reassure that he can play effectively.
*Latavius Murray | Ankle | Pending | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited | Sat - Pending
There are no local indications that Murray's ankle injury will keep him from playing effectively on Monday. Barring a surprising weekend report to the contrary, expect Murray to see his usual workload.
Thomas Rawls | Fibula | Not Listed | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full
There seemed to be conflicting reports about Rawls' workload this week. Early in the week, Pete Carroll said Rawls would play a "considerable" amount. On Wednesday, Chris Mortensen said Rawls would be "eased back" into the offense. Carroll was again optimistic on Friday, saying they'll be aggressive with him immediately. Rawls fully practiced at the end of last week and fully practiced this week. The team cut Christine Michael early this week. There's no indication from the team -- and Pete Carroll has been upfront about injuries this year -- that Rawls will be limited. If the game script is favorable and Rawls is productive early, he'll see 15+ touches. Expect C.J. Prosise to get some early down work and most of the passing down work, but Rawls is ready to see more than 15-20 snaps.
Sunday AM Update: The conflicting reports continue this morning. Ian Rapoport says "Rawls will see plenty of snaps" but "C.J. Prosise is being treated like the starter." It's a difficult read, but this likely means the team plans to use Prosise as their primary base offensive running back with Rawls rotating in a minimum of every third series as most teams do. However, this is likely a fluid situation. If Rawls looks good early, this could be much closer to a 50-50 split than Rapoport's note suggests.
Todd Gurley | Thigh | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Not Listed | Fri - Limited
Gurley was back on the participation report and game status report on Friday after seeing limited reps with a nagging thigh injury. The Rams practice less than most teams during the week and it's tough to read much into their notations. Reports from those around the team suggest Gurley will play. Projecting his workload is often a frustrating exercise but he's likely healthy enough to see his usual 15-20 carries and 4-7 targets.
Theo Riddick | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
The Lions are one of the tighter teams in the league with injury information. All Jim Caldwell would say on Friday was, "We'll see." Riddick has played through this ankle injury for two weeks and likely will again. His practice participation coming out of the bye week was more limited than expected, however, and I'll be watching for any pessimistic Sunday reports just in case there's more here than is yet known.
Others of note: Carlos Hyde (shoulder), Frank Gore (not injury related), and Matt Asiata (shoulder) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and expected to see their usual workload. Jacquizz Rodgers (foot) and Alfred Blue (calf) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations in Monday's column.
WIDE RECEIVER
*Amari Cooper | Back | Pending | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited | Sat - Pending
We're still awaiting the weekend participation report and game status listing for Cooper. Through Friday's practice, there was minimal concern around the team. Cooper was on the practice report with a back injury prior to his last game and was not limited on game day. Expect the same this week. I'll update after Saturday's practice.
Larry Fitzgerald | Knee / Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full
After last week's game, Fitzgerald's status was questionable. Rumblings about an aggravated MCL sprain and an ankle injury cast doubt on his availability. The Wednesday DNP was a little worrisome despite Bruce Arians' early-week comments suggesting Fitzgerald was good to go. That proved to be a rest and treatment day for Fitzgerald, who fully practiced on Thursday and Friday and is not listed on the game status report. Expect Fitzgerald to play through pain -- and likely effectively -- yet again.
Dez Bryant | Back | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Not Listed | Fri - Limited
Bryant was added to the injury report with a back issue on Friday but is expected to play.
Julian Edelman | Foot | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Edelman -- as he's been for weeks -- was limited in practice and listed questionable by the Patriots. There were no indications of any aggravations or other concerns this week. With Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan already declared out, Edelman is very likely to see his usual workload.
Jarvis Landry | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full
Landry remained on the injury report this week. Last week's notes were more worrisome and he was able to play 49 of 51 snaps and see his usual workload. The Dolphins listed Landry questionable but the full practice is reassuring. Landry's target counts have dropped over the past month but the injury shouldn't affect his projection this week.
Jordan Matthews | Back | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full
Matthews injured his back weightlifting on Tuesday and missed practice on Wednesday. After returning to a full practice on Friday, Matthews told reporters he'd play. Expect his usual workload.
DeSean Jackson | Shoulder | Questionable | Unlikely to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full
The full Friday practice looks optimistic for Jackson. However, it's not clear whether Jackson has been cleared for contact yet and one week of treatment (which reportedly included a cortisone injection) isn't enough to ensure Jackson's recovery and health over the rest of the season. And Jay Gruden's comments weren't promising on Friday. I expect Jackson to be the rare player who increases to a full Friday practice and still be inactive on game day. Week 12 is now looking possible for Jackson, if not likely.
Sunday AM Update: Jackson's health continued to impress the team through the weekend. Both Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter are now hearing that Washington is comfortable with Jackson playing immediately. I don't believe the team would risk his recovery to activate him as a decoy, so expect him to see close to a full workload if his shoulder holds up.
Eddie Royal | Toe | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Royal returned to play last week after missing multiple weeks with his toe injury. A full week of limited practice is reassuring for Chicago veterans and a strong indication Royal will play this week.
*Will Fuller | Knee | Pending | Game-time Decision
Practice Participation: Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited | Sat - Pending
Bill O'Brien told reporters Friday that the decision on Fuller's status would not be made until Monday.
Others of note: Randall Cobb (hamstring), Sammie Coates Jr (finger), Ty Montgomery (illness), and Victor Cruz (ankle) are not listed and expected to play. Jeremy Maclin (groin) and Chris Hogan (back) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations in Monday's column.
TIGHT END
Rob Gronkowski | Chest | DEclared Out | Inactive
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP
Ignore the variation in the reports on Gronkowski's injury. As with Dez Bryant's knee injury earlier this year, the specifics are important but it's tough to know which specific report is most correct. In general terms, Gronkowski has a lung injury that's serious enough that he's yet to be cleared to fly or take contact. If it's to the minor side of the spectrum, it's very possible he'll have a reassuring imaging study early next week and be cleared to return to contact practices next. It may also require another week of rest and healing. There have been no indications Gronkowski's injury is on the level of Brandon Marshall's recent injury, which required hospitalization and invasive intervention. More on this in Monday's column.
Martellus Bennett | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Bennett looked more healthy coming out of the bye last week than he had in some time. As with Edelman, it's hard to know whether this week's run of limited practice and questionable tag is different than those in previous weeks. There are no local indications of concern, however, and it's again reasonable to expect a normal workload for Bennett. This week, with Gronkowski out, that "normal" workload is likely to include more targets than usual.
Zach Ertz | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Full
Ertz strained his hamstring during Wednesday's practice. That makes the Thursday DNP and Friday full practice a reassuring line. The Eagles have listed Ertz questionable and likely will want to re-evaluate him throughout the weekend. However, I think the full Friday practice means Ertz is more probable than questionable.
*C.J. Fiedorowicz | Neck | Pending | Expected to Play
Practice Participation: Thurs - Full | Fri - Full | Sat - Pending
Fiedorowicz has fully practiced through Friday. I'll update after Saturday's participation and game status reports, but expect Fiedorowicz to see his usual workload.
Jared Cook | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full
Cook is expected to return this week. The Packers have slowly returned him to a full practice over the past three weeks and there have been no setbacks. He may not see a full complement of snaps and targets but he should return to the active roster.
Others of Note: Jimmy Graham (knee), Tyler Eifert (knee), and Ladarius Green (knee) are not listed on the injury report and expected to play.
*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Quarterbacks
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Russell Wilson | Knee | Full | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Andrew Luck | Shoulder | Not Listed | Limited | Limited | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Carson Palmer | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Andy Dalton | Shoulder | Limited | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Running Backs
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
DeMarco Murray | Foot | DNP | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
*Lamar Miller | Shoulder | *Limited | *Limited | Pending | Pending | Expected to Play |
*Latavius Murray | Ankle | *Limited | *Limited | Pending | Pending | Likely to Play |
Thomas Rawls | Fibula | Full | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Todd Gurley | Thigh | Not Listed | Not Listed | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Carlos Hyde | Shoulder | Full | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Jacquizz Rodgers | Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
Frank Gore | Not Injury Related | DNP | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Theo Riddick | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Matt Asiata | Shoulder | Full | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
*Alfred Blue | Calf | DNP* | DNP* | Pending | Declared Out | Inactive |
DeAngelo Williams | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
Wide Receivers
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
*Amari Cooper | Back | *Limited | *Limited | Pending | Pending | Expected to Play |
Larry Fitzgerald | Knee / Ankle | DNP | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Dez Bryant | Back | Not Listed | Not Listed | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Randall Cobb | Hamstring | Limited | Limited | Limited | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Jeremy Maclin | Groin | DNP | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
Julian Edelman | Foot | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Jarvis Landry | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Full | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Jordan Matthews | Back | DNP | Limited | Full | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Eddie Royal | Toe | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
DeSean Jackson | Shoulder | Limited | Limited | Full | Questionable | Expected to Play |
*Will Fuller | Knee | Limited* | Limited* | Pending | Pending | Game-time Decision |
Sammie Coates Jr | Finger | Limited | Full | Full | Not Listed | Likely to Play / Limited |
Ty Montgomery | Illness | DNP | Full | Full | Not Listed | Likely to Play |
Kenny Stills | Calf | Limited | Limited | Full | Questionable | Likely to Play |
Marquess Wilson | Foot | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Likely to Play |
Chris Hogan | Back | Limited | Limited | Limited | Declared Out | Inactive |
Brandon LaFell | Knee | Limited | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Robert Woods | Foot | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Torrey Smith | Back | DNP | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Unlikely to Play |
Victor Cruz | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Limited | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Darrius Heyward-Bey | Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
Markus Wheaton | Shoulder | DNP | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
Tight Ends
|
||||||
Player | Injury | Practice Participation | Game Status | FBGs Expects | ||
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | ||||
Rob Gronkowski | Chest | DNP | DNP | DNP | Declared Out | Inactive |
Tyler Eifert | Knee | Limited | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Jimmy Graham | Knee | DNP | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
Martellus Bennett | Ankle | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable | Expected to Play |
Zach Ertz | Hamstring | Limited | DNP | Full | Questionable | Expected to Play |
*C.J. Fiedorowicz | Neck | *Full | *Full | Pending | Pending | Expected to Play |
Jared Cook | Ankle | Full | Full | Full | Questionable | Likely to Play |
Ladarius Green | Knee | Limited | Full | Full | Not Listed | Expected to Play |
*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.