Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 9

Photo: 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).

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 player on the practice participation and game status report this week:

QUARTERBACK

JAMEIS WINSTON | SHOULDER | QUESTIONABLE | EXPECTED TO PLAY

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

Last Friday, Winston's shoulder injury looked to be a minor issue. After a limited week of practice, Winston worked out on Friday, then completed 32 of 44 passes for 384 yards on the road in Week 7. One week later, there's much more concern. Dirk Koetter told Sirius XM radio Winston aggravated his shoulder sprain in Week 7 and was also receiving treatment for a bruise in his deltoid muscle. Winston's poor performance against Carolina -- 21 of 38 for 210 yards with multiple poorly thrown passes -- raises concerns about whether his shoulder injury/aggravation or a divisional opponent who knows the Tampa Bay offensive well was the primary limiting factor.

While Carolina's defense certainly played a role, it's reasonable to think Winston's shoulder is affecting his accuracy. The Buccaneers again limited Winston's throwing in practice this week before returning him to the usual Friday full -- but minor -- workout. Winston will play this week but until we see his accuracy improve and Tampa Bay comfortable increasing his practice load during the week, expect some hiccups in his performance.

Jay Cutler | Ribs | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Cutler had no chance to recover on a short week to play in the Week 7 Thursday night game. But Adam Gase had seen enough of Matt Moore and told reporters in his post-game press conferences Cutler would start ten days later. Though he's listed questionable, Cutler fully practiced and will start this week. There's a risk of inaccuracy and an in-game aggravation but Cutler can reasonably be expected to finish the game.

Others of note: Joe Flacco (concussion), Cam Newton (shoulder) and Blake Bortles (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Deshaun Watson (knee) and Andrew Luck (shoulder) were placed on injured reserve. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Leonard Fournette | Ankle | Not Listed | Inactive

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

Fournette's low ankle sprain kept him out of last week's game after he responded more slowly than expected to rehab and the medical staff wasn't quite comfortable with his ability to cut at speed late in the week. Now, three weeks from the ankle injury, Fournette had no practice restrictions this week and the Jaguars intend to return him to his pre-injury role. Expect Fournette to play with minimal, if any, limitations this week.

***Sunday Morning Update: Fournette is out today -- due to violations of team rules.

Devonta Freeman | Neck / Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Television replays of Freeman's shoulder injury were not clear enough to determine a precise injury. By midweek, it was reported Freeman suffered a stinger. The Falcons chose to keep him in a non-contact jersey this week, though Dan Quinn jokingly said Freeman didn't have to wear it on Thursday -- he just liked the look of it. The Falcons consistently told reporters Freeman's shoulder would not limit him this week and supported their contention by not listing him on the game status report despite no full practices this week.

It's a little disconcerting to see a player restricted from contact after a stinger. If there are lingering pain, weakness, or range of motion concerns after a stinger, players usually are restricted from practice until they can protect themselves. And that can take days to weeks. If Freeman had a stinger, his symptoms likely resolved quickly, with this week's restrictions more likely due to a sprain or contusion. While the game status report is reassuring, be aware that handicapping the Falcons' offensive target share this season has been difficult. If there are any in-game issues, Atlanta may increase Tevin Coleman's usage -- as they did at the end of last week's game.

Unfortunately, we don't know enough about Freeman's condition to approximate odds on that happening. Watch for Sunday morning updates. If the Twitter feeds of Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are quiet, Freeman can likely be expected to see his pre-injury workload.

***Sunday Morning Update: Freeman was not mentioned by either Schefter or Rapoport this AM. While there's no guarantee the Falcons won't use Coleman more this week, I see the lack of "need" to update the public on Freeman's condition as a positive sign.

Rob Kelley | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Washington had a quarter of the players on their active roster out or limited in practice this week including Kelley, who's been playing on a sprained ankle. There doesn't seem to be any concern locally about Kelley's availability. However, Washington continues to use multiple backs in multiple roles, at least two starters on the line are out with another two starters limited at best, and both Vernon Davis Jordan Reed and Niles Paul will be inactive. Though Seattle's defense has its own injury issues, any limitation for Kelley will be rough. After only 12 offensive snaps and eight carries last week, don't expect much more from Kelley this week.

Matt Breida | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Although I didn't see it specifically confirmed anywhere else, Stephania Bell tweeted early this week that Brieda suffered a low-grade MCL sprain last week. The 49ers limited him to non-contact work until late in the week but did not list him on the game status report. He's expected to play.

C.J. Prosise | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Two weeks ago, Prosise fully practiced on Thursday and Friday but had only a lukewarm Friday endorsement from Pete Carroll and played just two snaps against the Giants. On Friday, Prosise told reporters the pain he was experiencing two weeks ago is gone and Carroll told reporters Prosise was "full speed and looking good." Still, the Seahawks have a stable running back depth chart and Carroll wouldn't fully commit to Prosise returning to the active roster. He's officially considered a game-time decision. While Prosise looks to be ready to return, it's not clear whether the Seahawks fully trust him to take up a roster spot and execute their game plan.

Andre Ellington | Quad | Questionable | Game-time decision

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

There were no actionable local reports on Ellington through Friday night. The limited practices, after a bye week to rest and now three weeks after what's been reported as a contusion, are worrisome. Hopefully, Ellington is being eased back in to work without much concern from the team. But watch the Sunday reports and inactive list closely if the market share in the Arizona backfield interests you.

***Sunday Morning Update: Ellington is expected to play today.

Others of note: Lamar Miller (knee), Ty Montgomery (ribs/wrist), Jonathan Stewart (toe), and Paul Perkins (ribs) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Terrance West (calf) has been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Emmanuel Sanders | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Sanders was reportedly given a six week timetable after his ankle injury in Week 6 and was still limping significantly during practice last week. This week, Sanders told reporters he could make all the cuts he needed to make and returned to a full Friday practice. Sanders also told reporters he isn't "all the way" himself yet but expected to play. The potential of a limited route tree and quarterback change to Brock Osweiler are both concerns for Sanders' upside.

DeVante Parker | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The practice line looks good for Parker and all indications are that Parker will return this week. However, Adam Gase has pulled no punches with his team over the past two weeks and wasn't ready to say all is well with Parker on Friday. While Gase told reporters Parker has looked good and isn't restricting himself in practice, he also said Parker wasn't ready for a physical secondary last week and said there were no guarantees Parker was healthy enough to finish a game yet. It's dangerous to read too much into observations in the locker room, but at least one beat reporter noted a limp during the week. I expect Parker to play but there are enough red flags to worry about a lower than usual floor for Parker in his return. Working in Parker's favor will be a matchup against a banged-up Oakland secondary that will be without David Amerson again.

Sterling Shepard | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Shepard fully practiced out the Giants' bye week, is not listed on the game status report, and will play. One of many players close to playing in Week 7 before their team elected to hold them out to rest through a Week 8 bye, the extra two weeks of rehab and recovery are positive signs for those looking for Shepard to play without limitation.

Marqise Lee | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Lee was very limited in practice in the Jaguars' Week 7 game but played. He's remained limited despite a bye week recovery period. Observers expect him to play this week. Despite the limited practice, Lee played 47 snaps and was targeted 6 times in Week 7.

Jeremy Maclin | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Mike Wallace | Back | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Ravens listed 12 players questionable this week but expect nearly all of them to play. That includes Maclin and Wallace. Maclin has been listed with a shoulder injury for weeks and missed time, including one unexpected absence in Week 6. Watch pregame notes closely but expect him to play. Wallace has recovered from a recent concussion but continues to have sporadic practice participation due to back pain. His full practice on Friday suggests he'll be fully available barring an unexpected pre-game flare.

Jamison Crowder | Hamstring | Questionable | Inactive

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

Crowder aggravated a mild, but nagging hamstring strain last week. Jay Gruden was not optimistic on Crowder's availability at all this week and Washington did not clear Crowder to practice. Crowder isn't reassuring either and told reporters after Friday's DNP he does not want to further aggravate his injury and "have it linger the rest of the season." An important note for those watching Washington's inactive list: The team has more than six players who are not healthy enough to play this week. At least three offensive linemen are going to be inactive. Two tight ends have already been ruled out. It's possible Crowder will be on the active roster but not play. If he is active and dresses, he'll likely see very few snaps at best.

***Saturday Update: Crowder did not travel with the team and has been declared out.

Cole Beasley | Concussion | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Beasley's practice participation increased throughout the week and Dallas cleared him to visit the independent neurologist for clearance to return to game action. At the time the team's game status report was published, the outcome of that visit was still unknown and the Cowboys list him questionable. Beasley is expected to be cleared and play.

Dede Westbrook | Core abdominal muscle repair | Not yet on active roster

Westbrook was officially designated to return this week and practiced. He's not listed on the team's game status report because the Jaguars haven't yet moved him to their active roster. Doug Marrone was still unsure whether the team would do so this week. They have until Saturday afternoon to decide. If Westbrook is activated, he'll have no surgical restrictions and is ready to play. However, the Jaguars have said they'll limit his offensive role early. I'll update after Jacksonville makes their roster decision.

***Saturday Update: Westbrook was not moved to the active roster and is not yet eligible to play.

Corey Davis | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Davis admitted he wasn't fully recovered before his most recent aggravation. Unfortunately, aggravations are a common occurrence -- particularly in young players who may not understand the fine line between "still injured" and "limited but ready." After another month of rehab, Davis fully practiced out of the Titans' bye week and is ready to play. Mike Mularkey told reporters Davis wasn't yet ready for a full snap count but would have a significant role in the offense despite the limited snap count. If Davis is effective and finishes the game healthy, he'll see a full workload in the weeks to come.

Adam Humphries | Rib | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Buccaneers routinely use the questionable tag as a surrogate for probable. Humphries increased his practice participation all week and is expected to see his usual snap count. 

Others of note:  Dez Bryant (knee), Terrelle Pryor (ankle), Brandon LaFell (hamstring), and Taylor Gabriel (tooth) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kenny Golladay (hamstring), Tyler Boyd (knee), and Albert Wilson (hamstring) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Zach Ertz | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Ertz left Thursday's practice with a tight hamstring and was short with reporters who asked questions about his status. The Eagles cleared him to return to a limited Friday practice, which is generally a good sign. At minimum, the medical staff was looking to see how Ertz responded the following day with the hopes of clearing him. Doug Pederson told reporters he expects Ertz to play, noting the medical staff decided to "back him down" and "not push him any farther." I expect Ertz's status to be addressed in the Sunday morning Schefter/Rapoport tweet updates.

***Sunday Morning Update: Adam Schefter tweeted this AM that Doug Pederson said Ertz will play. Shortly after, Ian Rapoport tweeted a source told him Ertz is expected to play. There were no reports of limitation. I'll continue to monitor news on Ertz this morning.

***Sunday Morning Update: Adam Schefter reporting that Ertz struggled through warmups this morning and could not get loose. He will reportedly be inactive.

Delanie Walker | Ankle | Questionable | active

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

Walker wants to play this week and the Titans have no concerns putting veteran offensive talent on the field on game day whether they practice or not. Walker admitted his return would depend on how well he "can take the pain." That's an obvious response but a meaningful one. Bone bruises are painful, especially if it's in a weight-bearing area of the ankle. Given Walker's inability to do much in practice -- Mike Mularkey said Walker could only "do some things" and didn't trust him to do much on the indoor turf field -- it's clear Walker's bone bruise remains painful.

I think Walker is on the doubtful side of his questionable tag. If he is active, he'll be limited and at risk of an early exit if he's unable to perform.

***Sunday Morning Update: This is the third time I've updated today and we're no closer to getting clarity on Walker's status. There were no updates from Adam Schefter or Ian Rapoport overnight or this morning. My opinion hasn't changed on Walker -- I think he'll be limited at best if he's active. It may be the only additional note we get on Walker is whether the Titans put him on the active roster or not before the early games begin.

***Sunday Morning Update: Walker is active today.

*Martellus Bennett | Shoulder | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

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

The Packers have not published their Saturday practice report and game status report yet but Bennett is looking doubtful to play. Mike McCarthy said the team was still waiting on test results at the end of the week and multiple beat writers believe Bennett will be rested. I'll update after Saturday's release.

***Saturday Update: Bennett did not practice Saturday and is listed doubtful. He is likely to be inactive.

C.J. Fiedorowicz | Concussion | Not yet on Active Roster

Fiedorowicz was designated to return this week and returned to practice. As of Friday, his recovery continued to progress and Bill O'Brien told reporters Fiedorowicz had a good chance to be ready. As of Saturday morning, the Texans had yet to move him to the active roster. I'll update after the NFL's Saturday transaction press release.

***Saturday Update: Fiedorowicz was not moved to the active roster and is not yet eligible to play.

Others of note: Jimmy Graham (ankle), Ryan Griffin (hip), and Maxx Williams (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Jordan Reed (hamstring) and Niles Paul (concussion) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

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