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

Sam Darnold | Foot | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Earlier this week, reports indicated Darnold would likely need another week of practice and reconditioning before returning to action. The Jets did comment on those reports, however, and Darnold had a full week of limited practices. On Friday, Todd Bowles told reporters he had "kind of decided" on his quarterback but wouldn't confirm his starter until Sunday. Josh McCown was also limited at times this week with back and hand injuries but fully practiced on Friday and will be available. Though on-field development is critical for Darnold, he's not yet been cleared for a full practice. Expect the Jets to start McCown on Sunday -- but Darnold could be on the active roster in a backup role.

Saturday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Saturday night that the Jets are "committed to making sure Darnold is 100% when he returns to the field." That makes McCown the likely starter on Sunday.

Others of note: Aaron Rodgers (knee), Cam Newton (shoulder), Tom Brady (knee), Marcus Mariota (abdomen), Derek Carr (ankle), Ryan Tannehill (shoulder), and Josh McCown (back/hand) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report and will play without limitation. Joe Flacco (hip) and Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) are doubtful or have been declared out. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Gus Edwards | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Alex Collins | Foot | Questionable > Injured reserve

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

Edwards was an unexpected DNP on Wednesday but returned to practice on Thursday. Reporters observed him moving well during individual drills on Thursday and his full Friday practice was even more reassuring. The questionable tag can sometimes be a tough read in Baltimore -- the Ravens use it liberally on players they expect to play while mixing in a few players who are eventually inactive -- but there is a strong local consensus of optimism. Edwards looks healthy enough to see his 15+ touch recent workload once again.

Collins fully practiced last Friday and looked likely to play before the team declared him inactive in Week 12. His practice participation mirrored Edwards' participation but local reporters are not as optimistic. While Edwards was said to "move well" in Thursday's limited practice, Collins didn't do nearly as much. The same beat writer reporting on Edwards didn't notice much from Collins at all on Thursday or Friday. Consider Collins a game-time decision. If active, he's likely to have only a limited workload behind Edwards.

*Saturday Update: Collins was moved to injured reserve on Saturday. His season is over. The Ravens activated Kenneth Dixon.

*Adrian Peterson | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Peterson never returned to his usual full practice by the end of the week and Washington has listed him questionable. There does not appear to be any concern among local media members about Peterson's Monday night availability. But it may be notable that Peterson played his lowest percentage of snaps last week in some time. And Chris Thompson is now healthy. Expect Peterson to play but his snap count may again be lower than his season norms.

Marlon Mack | Concussion | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Mack fully practiced on Thursday and Friday, suggesting he cleared the return-to-play protocol without unexpected difficulty. Reporters weren't sure whether Mack had seen the independent neurologist for full clearance on Friday but the post-practice game status report didn't include Mack. That means Mack did receive clearance to play. As long as there are no recurrent symptoms during pre-game warmups, Mack will see his usual workload.

Matt Breida | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Breida seemingly aggravates his lingering ankle sprain every game, misses a handful of plays, then returns to his prior effectiveness. There are players like this every year who defy the physics of their own injury and Breida is the poster boy this season. He fully practiced Friday and is not listed on the game status report. Expect Breida to again see 30-40 snaps and around 14-18 touches this week.

*Josh Adams | Hip | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

*Darren Sproles | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Adams was a late addition to Saturday's injury and game status report with a hip condition. The Eagles have listed Adams questionable but there have been no additional details on his status. Philadelphia plays on Monday, leaving us reliant on an overnight report from Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport, or the local media for information on Sunday.

Sproles has been optimistic about his return all week and continued to tell reporters he'll play on Monday night despite his questionable designation. If Adams is unable to play, Sproles could see more playing time than may have been planned in his first week back.

Sunday Update: Mike Garafolo is reporting this morning Adams is "on track to play" on Monday night.

Others of note: Adrian Peterson (shoulder/knee), Chris Thompson (rib), Peyton Barber (ankle/shoulder), Kenyan Drake (shoulder), and Austin Ekeler (neck) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Melvin Gordon (knee) and Kerryon Johnson (knee) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

A.J. Green | Toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Green was rumored to be ready to return last week by media members and coaches. Green himself didn't speak to the media and didn't practice -- then didn't play. On Wednesday, Green bristled at any suggestion he'd allow himself to be shut down with Andy Dalton out for the season and all but guaranteed he'd play this week after a limited practice on Wednesday. Green continued to escalate his practice participation and had a full Friday workout. He's not listed on the game status report and will play.

It's reasonable to question Green's conditioning after missing more than a month of practice and managing just one full practice before returning on game day. However, when Green returns from injury, he's usually back to his usual snap count and production quickly. The matchup against Denver with backup quarterback Jeff Driskel will also be a limiting factor. And there's still some risk of aggravation. Expect Green to be healthy enough to see his pre-injury workload and targets but his statistical floor is lower than usual.

Stefon Diggs | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play > Likely Inactive

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

Diggs was seen with a wrap on his left knee all week and the Vikings did not provide any specifics on his injury. Diggs did play 94% of the team's offensive snaps last week and did not appear to be limited. He returned to a limited practice on Friday and is listed questionable. Mike Zimmer didn't address Diggs' health this week but Ben Goessling reported on Friday that a source says Diggs will play. I'll update with any Saturday news or overnight tweets from Adam Schefter or Ian Rapoport. For now, consider Diggs a game-time decision.

Sunday Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Diggs is expected to play today.

Sunday Update: Diggs did not respond well to Friday's practice. After arriving today with more swelling in his knee, Adam Schefter notes he'll need to test his health in pregame warmups. Consider him doubtful at best now and limited at best.

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

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

The Colts have frequently limited starters in practice this season. Hilton missed one game earlier this year with a hamstring strain but has been listed with a groin strain earlier this year and played. His snap counts have been variable since the Week 4 hamstring and Week 8 groin strains but his production has been strong over the past two weeks. Hilton isn't listed on the injury report and there are no local reports of concern. Expect him to see his usual 8-12 targets.

Doug Baldwin | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Baldwin looked much healthier than I expected last week after barely practicing and looking more doubtful than questionable through pregame warmups. On Monday, Pete Carroll said Baldwin felt great. Baldwin went through a week of practice typical of Seattle veterans with minor injury concerns -- a rest day on Wednesday and gradually increased participation until Friday. Even more reassuringly, Baldwin is not listed on the game status report. Baldwin played 90% of the offensive snaps last week and saw his usual workload. Expect the same this week.

Keke Coutee | Hamstring | Questionable | inactive

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

Coutee aggravated a hamstring strain again last Monday night and managed only 27 snaps and two targets. Surprisingly, the Texans told reporters mid-week that Coutee was trending toward playing. In past weeks, the team has been conservative and Coutee has said he'd prefer not to play unless he's full strength. That seems unlikely just six days after an aggravation. Bill O'Brien called Coutee a game-time decision on Friday. He'll have to prove he's capable of a full snap count and workload in pre-game warmups. If active, expect no more than 30-40 snaps and it's unlikely he'll see more than 4-6 targets.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport confirmed overnight the Texans plan to test Coutee in warmups.

Sunday Update: Coutee is inactive.

Randall Cobb | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Cobb's practice participation doesn't look any different than in recent weeks. But there's much more optimism for Cobb's return this week than at any point in the past month and a half. Cobb admitted he rushed back from his initial hamstring strain, played poorly, then aggravated the injury in practice. This week, Cobb said he feels back to his pre-injury health and conditioning and fully expects to play. Aaron Rodgers also strongly hinted to reporters that Cobb is finally healthy enough to return. Expect Cobb back in a rotational role this week, with the possibility of a higher-than-expected snap count if Equanimeous St. Brown has a setback with his elbow injury or Cobb looks strong in the first quarter offensive series.

Devin Funchess | Back / Personal | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Funchess missed Wednesday's practice and looked doubtful again this week. The Panthers didn't discuss his status but included a "personal" listing on the injury report. After a full Friday practice, Ron Rivera told reporters Funchess "would have been listed probable if probable were still a thing." The Panthers often list players they expect to play as questionable but Funchess is the only player on the game status report this week. Expect him to play but back injuries are tricky. Watch for unexpected news overnight and through pregame warmups.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport reports Funchess will play in a limited role today as the Panthers "work him back slowly."

Tyrell Williams | Quadricep | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Williams convinced the team he was healthy during pregame warmups last week but played only nine of 65 snaps. After not practicing last week, Williams managed a full week of limited practices. There are no reports in the local media about Williams' recovery and status. Tentatively expect him to be active in a limited role again this week.

Robby Anderson | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Anderson played 48 snaps (75%) last week after two additional weeks of rehab. He's not been close to his 2017 target counts this season as he works through multiple injuries and new quarterback play. Anderson's practice participation is better this week and the health of both of Tennessee's top cornerbacks is in question. Expect Anderson to play but until we see him back to the 8-10 target range consistently, it's difficult to project a return to strong statistical production.

DeVante Parker | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Parker has been limited by a shoulder injury for weeks. He returned to play after the Week 11 bye but was used on less than 50% of Miami's offensive snaps. Though Parker has been in a non-contact jersey frequently in practice, Adam Gase told reporters Parker's usage was not health related. Not much changed in practice this week. While Parker looks likely to play, divining how Gase may use him this week is difficult and -- while he may be healthy enough for a higher workload -- it's risky to expect more than 50-60% of the team's snaps.

Others of note: DeAndre Hopkins (foot), Adam Thielen (calf), Demaryius Thomas (wrist), Julian Edelman (foot), Emmanuel Sanders (heel), Calvin Ridley (ankle/elbow), Curtis Samuel (hamstring), Torrey Smith (knee), Equanimeous St. Brown (elbow), and Quincy Enunwa (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Sammy Watkins (foot), DeSean Jackson (thumb), Danny Amendola (knee), and Pierre Garcon (knee) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Rob Gronkowski | Ankle / Back | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Gronkowski played 69 of 70 snaps last week. More importantly, while he didn't look like vintage Gronkowski, he looked more mobile and explosive than before his missed time. Tom Brady is still adjusting to Gronkowski's new throwing windows but was willing to target Gronkowski on 50-50 balls down the seam. Gronkowski also had three red zone targets in Week 12. He had only two for the entire season before last week's game. Other than a rest day on Thursday, Gronkowski fully practiced and didn't need any extra maintenance in practice. That's a strong sign for continued progress this week.

*Jordan Reed | Back | Questionable | OOO

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

Reed was limited three weeks ago during practice with a back condition, was active, and played his usual number of snaps. Reed was again limited this week with a back issue but did not return to a full practice by the end of the week. There are no reported concerns about Reed's availability and he should see his usual snap count.

Charles Clay | Hamstring | Questionable | ACTive

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

Clay was limited in practice all week. He looked to be moving well in individual drills but still favoring his injury slightly. Sean McDermott did not address Clay's status this week other than to note his limited participation. Clay has played through difficult injuries in past seasons but he may not be ready quite yet. I'll update his status through the weekend.

Erik Swoope | Knee | Questionable | Active

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

Swoope returned to a full week of practice but remains questionable. Jack Doyle (IR - kidney) and Mo Alie-Cox (calf) are both out and there is optimism from multiple local writers on Swoope's status. Should he return, it will likely be a limited role only.

Others of note: Eric Ebron (back), Greg Olsen (foot), David Njoku (knee), Jordan Reed (back), Jimmy Graham (thumb/knee), and Vance McDonald (hip) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Evan Engram (hamstring), Michael Roberts (shoulder), and Mo Alie-Cox (calf) are doubtful or have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS

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