Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 2

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today Sports

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.

Here's the Key:

Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Footballguys Expectation

Practice Participation Listing by Day

I'll also include a table at the bottom of the article for easy reference.

Here's the latest on every relevant injured skill position player on the practice participation and game status reports this week:

Quarterback

Russell Wilson | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Wilson suffered a low grade high ankle sprain last week. It's an injury that often limits players in practice throughout the week as they fight through post-game swelling and stiffness. Not Wilson. He was out of his immobilizing boot on Monday and fully practiced all week. It's a tough injury to tape/brace and there will be a risk of aggravation this week. But Wilson will play Sunday and his full week of practice strongly suggests he'll be able to play effectively.

Andrew Luck | Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

The Colts put Luck back on the injury report on Thursday with shoulder soreness. Regardless of the specific details of his injury -- asymptomatic frayed labrum is the working speculation -- the best indicator we'll have of Luck's health and effectiveness will be his most recent game. Last year, Luck was inaccurate and uncomfortable when fighting through this condition. Last week, he showed no signs of limitation. That should again be the expectation this week.

Others of note: Tony Romo has not returned to practice and is out again this week.

Running Back

Todd Gurley | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

The Rams rested Gurley in practice on Wednesday after a 37 snap, 20 touch effort on Monday night. He fully practiced on Thursday and Friday and will play Sunday.

Spencer Ware | Toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Ware missed practice on Wednesday. It was unexpected and the revelation of a "sprained toe" was reason for concern for a possible turf toe injury. It's an injury well known to limit a running back's effectiveness for multiple weeks. However, Ware fully practiced the rest of the week and the Chiefs showed no signs of accelerating Jamaal Charles' return to play. It's a tougher matchup for Ware this week, however, and it's been made tougher by injuries to Kansas City's interior line.

DeAngelo Williams | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Not Listed | Fri - Not Listed

Williams was rested on Wednesday after a stellar Monday night performance. He was not listed on the practice participation report after Wednesday's DNP and is not listed on the game status report. There are no injury concerns with Williams this week.

Adrian Peterson | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Peterson has a minor ankle injury. The Vikings are listing him on the injury report according to the letter of last year's rules, i.e. if you receive treatment, you must be declared on the participation report. Peterson is fully practicing and not listed on the game status report. He will play this week and there are no indications his ankle will limit his performance.

Jonathan Stewart | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Stewart practiced on Friday and there are no beat writer reports of concern. Rather, he was seen to be dancing and sprinting during warmups before practice, then participated in a number of team drill repetitions. He's likely listed questionable due to the early week limited work and would have been listed probable under the old injury report rules. He's fully expected to play this week.

Arian Foster | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Any time Foster is listed on the injury report with a soft tissue injury, your alarm sound of choice should be blaring in your ears. This strain is apparently minor enough to allow Foster to return to consecutive full practices by the end of the week. Though Foster is listed questionable, the full practices are an indication the Dolphins have game planned with Foster's usual workload in mind. Barring a surprising report through the weekend, you can expect Foster to play. But cross your fingers this isn't the first link in the kinetic chain to break this year.

Devonta Freeman | Quad | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

It's not clear whether Freeman injured his quad during last week's game or early this week in practice. It's also not clear whether it's a simple bruise or a low grade strain. What is clear is that the Falcons returned Freeman to full practices and did not list him on the game status report. He'll be active and play this week.

Chris Ivory | Medical Illness | Declared Out

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP

Ivory returned to the Jaguars on Thursday after a multiple-day hospital stay for what he termed an "emergency medical condition." He will not play this week. No further information on Ivory's condition has been reported. On the injury report this week, Ivory was listed as DNP (not injury related - illness). Hopefully, that bodes well for a Week 3 return. We may learn more this weekend or early next week.

Jamaal Charles | Knee | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Charles practiced with the scout team this week and is currently buried on the depth chart. We're still left to presume Charles is struggling to return to form through the later stages of ACL rehab, but Andy Reid told reporters, "We just want to make sure that thing is set there. We don't want to go through another surgery." That may be a coach's interpretation of what might happen if his player returns "too soon" from a second ACL repair or it may be a hint that Charles did have some sort of setback with his knee between what seemed to be a reassuring offseason and his disappointing camp return. Whatever the case, Charles is listed doubtful and will likely be inactive again this week.

Sunday Morning Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Charles will "make his debut" in Week 3 -- which essentially confirms he'll be inactive today.

Others of note: Matt Jones (shoulder) fully practiced this week, is not listed on the injury report, and is expected to play. Jerick McKinnon (foot, fibula) fully practiced Thursday and Friday, is not listed on the injury report, and is expected to play. C.J. Prosise (wrist) fully practiced all week, is listed questionable, but is expected to be active. Kenneth Dixon (knee) has yet to return to practice and has been ruled out this week.

Wide Receiver

Julio Jones | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play | May Be Limited

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Like last week, Jones returned to a full practice on Friday and was not listed on the game status report. He's going to be active and will play. Like last week, Jones will be at risk of aggravating his sprained ankle if his foot slips while planting or he's tackled at a stressful angle. Jones will have the ankle taped and possibly braced, but the low profile and thin shoes players now wear will make it difficult to fully protect a twice-sprained, already-loose ankle joint. Like last week, Jones may miss snaps and/or series with any recurrence of the injury. That's not to say Jones will be severely limited or used as a decoy only. I don't think that's likely. It's a low ankle sprain that many players play through effectively. Just note that last week's in-game limitations are again possible this week.

T.Y. Hilton | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Pagano described Hilton's midweek practice downgrade as "just us being careful." It's likely we can take Pagano at his word after Hilton returned to a full Friday practice. Neither Hilton nor the team revealed any specifics about Hilton's injury so it's difficult to handicap the odds of an in-game aggravation. Hilton isn't listed on the game status report, however, which means he's not "uncertain to play." He'll be active on Sunday.

Demaryius Thomas | Hip | Questionable | Game-Time Decision | Likely to be Limited

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Thomas had a lot to say about his hip condition this week. He told reporters his left hip has bothered him off and on since 2012 and it was already bothering him before he aggravated it early in Week 1. He also told reporters the hip flares up when he makes sharp cuts or takes a hit. While I think he was trying to reassure writers he'd dealt with this injury before and knew how to play through its limitations, none of that is reassuring. What I hear is: I have a chronic hip condition that causes pain and decreased range of motion which has often left me less than full strength for the past five seasons. And it's one he was worried enough about to have an MRI done and evaluated by multiple specialists last week. Thomas says the extra days of rest have helped and was seen to be running routes well during mid-week practices. But it's an injury that will limit his route running at full speed and put him at risk of a compensatory injury. Thomas may be active this week, but will be less than full strength.

Larry Fitzgerald | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

The Cardinals will continue to limit Fitzgerald's practice reps and rehab him aggressively during the week until his low grade MCL sprain fully heals. Fitzgerald showed no limitations last week, returned to a full Friday practice, and is not listed on Arizona's game status report. There are no significant injury concerns with him this week.

Jeremy Maclin | Not Injury Related | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation | Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Not Listed

Maclin was not at practice Thursday for personal reasons. He was not listed on the injury report Wednesday or Friday and is not listed on the game status report. There are no injury concerns with him this week.

Mohamed Sanu | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Like teammate Julio Jones, Sanu is dealing with a low grade low ankle sprain and the Falcons appropriately managed his practice reps while he received treatment. Sanu returned to a full Friday practice and is not listed on the game status report. While at low risk of aggravation, his practice participation is reassuring.

DeVante Parker | Hamstring | Questionable | Game-Time Decision | Likely to be Limited

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Armando Salguero wrote that those around the team are concerned that Parker's conditioning and attentiveness to rehab likely contributed to multiple aggravations of his hamstring strain over the past 3-4 months. Parker followed up last Friday's limited practice with this week's three consecutive limited practices and could be active this week. Parker says he's ready to return and was cleared to talk to the media on Friday. Those are good signs Parker will make Sunday's active roster. If Parker does play, expect limited snaps and usage.

Sunday Morning Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted that Parker will play today.

Breshad Perriman | Calf | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Perriman missed Wednesday practice with a calf injury. Like many others this week, his absence was brief. He returned to full practices on both Thursday and Friday. He's listed questionable but was cleared to talk to the media on Friday and told reporters he expects to have a larger role in this week's game plan. Barring an unexpected setback this weekend, Perriman will be active this weekend with little limitation if any.

Markus Wheaton | Shoulder | Questionable | Game-Time Decision | Likely to be Limited

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Limited

It's not clear why Wheaton was downgraded to a limited practice on Friday. At least one beat writer thinks Wheaton is more likely probable than questionable. But last week's optimism turned to pessimism quickly and most Friday practice participation downgrades signal trouble. I'm skeptical on Wheaton's availability. We'll know more on Sunday morning.

Terrelle Pryor | Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Pryor is listed on the participation report again this week but he fully practiced all week and is not listed on the game status report. He'll be active and should not have any limitations.

Josh Doctson | Achilles | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Washington listed Doctson on the game status report as questionable but fully practiced on a short week after Monday night's game without evidence of a setback. He may not be fully over his Achilles' soreness yet, but his full practice participation may put him in line for more than the 12 snaps he saw last week.

Chris Hogan | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

The Patriots listed nine players questionable this week. Hogan was the only one to fully practice all week. There are no indications he'll miss this week's game.

Others of note: Kendall Wright (hamstring) was ruled out on Thursday, Charles Johnson (quad) fully practiced all week, is not listed on the game status report, and is fully expected to play. Jaron Brown (ankle) was added to Thursday's report but fully practiced on Friday and is likely to play. Jeff Janis (hand) fully practiced all week, was not listed on the game status report, and is expected to play. J.J. Nelson (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday, was limited the rest of the week, and should be considered a game-time decision after being listed questionable.

Tight End

Rob Gronkowski | Hamstring | Questionable | Game-Time Decision | Likely to be inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

There were multiple reports (first from Will Gellman, then Adam Schefter) early Thursday that the Patriots were leaning toward shelving Gronkowski through next week's Thursday night game and possibly beyond. That may prove true, but the Patriots have no incentive to declare their intentions with Gronkowski. The early Sunday home game means there's no Gronk Travel Watch to provide additional clues. Gronkowski mostly refused to talk to the media this week, noting the Patriots' clear policy on discussing injuries. (It's notable to me that Gronkowski is referencing this policy now -- he's been willing to violate it in the past.) All Gronkowski would say is, "If I could play, I would play." To me, he's saying he's not yet at a place where he could play. Whether this is a high-grade strain or a recent aggravation is still unknown. But every indication is that Gronkowski will sit this week. I'll have more on Gronkowski's injury and future in my Monday column. 

Sunday Morning Update: Multiple sources reporting Gronkowski will be inactive today.

Zach Ertz | Rib | declared OUT

Practice Participation: Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP | Sat - DNP

I'm awaiting Saturday's game status report. The Eagles have yet to rule Ertz out for Monday night, but he's highly unlikely to dress.

Saturday Night Update: The Eagles have ruled Ertz out for Monday night.

Dwayne Allen | Not Listed | Will be Active

Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Not Listed | Fri - Not Listed

Many readers and followers asked about Allen during this week's Periscope sessions and Twitter Q&As after he was said to be "shaken up" and missed parts of the Colts' vital fourth quarter offensive series. Allen wasn't listed on the practice participation at all this week and there were no local reports of concern after the game or late this week. He'll be active this week.

Julius Thomas | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Thomas was listed on the practice participation report with an ankle injury but fully practiced and is not listed on the game status report. He will be active this week and should not be significantly limited by the ankle injury.

Jimmy Graham | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Graham is still working back into game condition. He played just 17 of the team's 82 offensive snaps this week. Another full week of practice is a good sign for Graham and he's not listed on the game status report. He will be active. Hopefully, we'll see his usage and effectiveness increase.

Kyle Rudolph | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

The Vikings listed a handful of players on the practice participation report with minor injuries this week. That included Rudolph, who fully practiced with a knee injury. He is not listed on the game status report and will be active this week.

Others of note: Tyler Eifert (ankle) has been ruled out this week. Jordan Cameron (thigh) fully practiced this week, is listed questionable, but is expected to be ready. Josh Hill (ankle) did not practice this week and has been ruled out.

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday

Best of luck in your fantasy contests this weekend. I'll be back on Monday morning to review all the Week 2 injuries in the Injury Rounds column. Follow on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking news and analysis during the games today.