Photo: USA Today Sports

UNDERSTANDING THE NFL'S INJURY REPORT

The injury report released by the NFL is 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:

Fast Track News and Notes

Scroll down for full details, extensive updates, and the complete table of projected availability. Here are the most important notes for this week's games:

***The Steelers limited James Conner, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Vance McDonald this week. Conner is expected to play. Both Smith-Schuster and McDonald are game-time decisions.

***Marlon Mack is trending toward playing but may be more questionable than he was two weeks ago with a similar practice line.

***T.Y Hilton reportedly wants to play but does not appear to be close to full strength. The Colts have a bye in Week 6 that may factor into the decision-making process.

***Josh Allen passed the final stage of concussion protocol and will play.

QUARTERBACK

Josh Allen | Concussion | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Allen fully participated in Friday's practice but Sean McDermott told reporters Allen remained in concussion protocol.

There are multiple steps and multiple pathways in the return-to-play protocol. Players must report no symptoms while gradually increasing physical exercise -- from light exercise to more strenuous exercise including football-specific activity and finally contact. Players must pass cognitive testing to ensure their executive brain function has returned to baseline and must have no residual findings on balance testing. Players must also be cleared by an independent neurologist for contact and formal return to game play.

In Allen's case, it's likely the team's medical personnel cleared him to return to contact on Friday and is waiting to see how he responds to Friday's participation. If they are reassured by his continued progress, Allen is likely to see the independent neurologist for clearance on Saturday. The Bills have listed him questionable but this is an either-or situation. If he's not sent to the neurologist for testing or not officially cleared, he'll be declared out on Saturday. If he clears that final hurdle, he's likely to play.

It's not entirely clear whether a player who's suffered a concussion is more likely to suffer a future concussion. Many studies are confounded by the inclusion of players who returned to play before symptoms had resolved. However, the current consensus is that a player without ongoing symptoms is safe to return and should not necessarily be considered at higher risk of injury after symptoms have resolved.

If Allen plays, he and the Bills are comfortable he'll be able to play his position as he normally would. If there are any changes, they'll likely be in how he manages his body position when scrambling or on designed runs downfield to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact.

Saturday update: The Bills announced Allen met the final requirements of the return-to-play protocol and will play.

Others of note: Patrick Mahomes II (ankle), Gardner Minshew (knee), and Josh Rosen (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Drew Brees (thumb), Cam Newton (foot), Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder), and Sam Darnold (illness) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

James Conner | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Conner briefly left Monday night's game after turning an ankle on the first play of the second half. There were no obvious signs of a significant injury on television replay and coaches film angles. Conner and the Steelers' local writers shared no concerns for his availability this week.

In previous seasons, if a Pittsburgh player did not return to practice by Thursday he was doubtful to play that week. That is not the case any longer. Multiple Steelers -- including Conner already this season -- have not practiced until Friday and played fully on Sunday. After a full Friday practice, Conner is not listed on the game status report and will play.

The Steelers have also adjusted their approach in the backfield. In the past, their lead back would routinely see 75-90% of the team's offensive snaps. This season, regardless of Conner's health, Pittsburgh has used Jaylen Samuels more than any secondary back in recent history. Although Conner's ankle is not a major concern, his ceiling workload likely remains in the 15-18 touch range this weekend.

Marlon Mack | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Mack felt pain in his ankle after at least one play in the first half last week, returned briefly in the second half, then didn't return. Frank Reich told reporters mid-week that the Colts were in hurry-up mode while Mack rested on the sideline, suggesting Mack was not medically ruled-out but rather sitting due to personnel-package reasons.

Mack did not practice until Friday, then fully participated. That's a similar practice plan to Week 3 when Mack did not practice until Friday and was healthy enough to get 18 touches on Sunday. The Colts have frequently had players take very few practice reps during the week yet fully participate on game days under Reich. Mack may follow this path again.

However, while there were not clear video angles of a significant injury, the Colts' local writers aren't as optimistic about Mack as they were in Week 3. Stephen Holder believes Mack's status is "still murky." Mack told reporters he's not sure what his status will be through the weekend. And Will Carroll, who's back writing injury features and remains plugged into the Indianapolis market, also expressed concern on Mack's injury earlier this week.

For now, I'm leaning toward Mack playing this weekend, but the full Friday practice may not be as reassuring as it appears.

Damien Williams | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

After a full week of practice, Williams will play on Sunday. The full practices suggest Williams has returned to football condition and has minimal risk of re-injury. While Andy Reid confirmed Williams would return to the active roster, Reid provided no clues on Williams' snap count, expected workload, or overall fitness. Our official Footballguys projections, have the workload split nearly evenly between Williams and LeSean McCoy.

Devin Singletary | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Singletary has now participated in five consecutive limited practices, including one outdoor practice in the rain on Thursday, without a setback in his recovery. Sean McDermott said Singletary was close to playing last week against New England -- something I thought highly unlikely and more gamesmanship leading into the divisional matchup with New England.

While the Bills list Singletary as questionable, he's trending toward playing. If he's on the active roster, the road matchup in Tennessee and his recent injury will likely keep him under 10 touches.

Sunday update: Singletary will workout pregame but is "very close to being back" per Ian Rapoport overnight.

*Tevin Coleman | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Niners have yet to release their final game status report. all signs remain positive on Coleman. The Niners have targeted Week 5 as his return date for some time and Coleman's midweek practice participation is reassuring. Expect Coleman to return to a rotational role on Monday night.

Saturday update: Coleman is listed questionable but expected to play.

Rex Burkhead | Foot | Questionable | Inactive

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

After playing a season-high 74% of the snaps in Week 3, Burkhead was limited with a foot injury leading into Week 4 and played just 12 snaps. While that raises concern about Burkhead's health, it's notable that the Patriots allowed him to play 16 special teams snaps. It's also notable that trusted beat writer Mike Reiss tweeted concern about how healthy Burkhead looked when covering punts on those snaps.

Confused? That's nothing new when trying to divine what Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels will do with their versatile personnel from week-to-week.

Burkhead was again limited this week. The Patriots have provided no detail on his status. Sony Michel and James White and Brandon Bolden are all fully practicing. It'll be another week where projecting snaps and touches in New England is much easier in hindsight.

Saturday update: The Patriots have ruled Burkhead out.

Others of note: Josh Jacobs (elbow), LeSean McCoy (ankle), Wayne Gallman (neck), and Carlos Hyde (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Saquon Barkley (ankle), Jamaal Williams (concussion), and Justin Jackson (calf) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

JuJu Smith-Schuster | Toe | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

As noted in the Conner discussion above, the Steelers are holding injured players out of midweek practices then returning them later in the week before clearing them for full gameday participation more frequently than ever.

The full Friday practice for Smith-Schuster looks reassuring at first glance. However, the Steelers still have Smith-Schuster listed questionable. In contrast, Conner is not listed on the game status report. And Smith-Schuster told reporters he did the "bare minimum" on Friday despite the full practice designation and called himself questionable to play.

Toe injuries are very difficult on football players who need quick vertical explosion and lateral agility -- see also Davante Adams -- and Smith-Schuster has been battling the toe sprain for multiple weeks. I believe Smith-Schuster is more likely to play than not and Mason Rudolph's midweek vow to get Smith-Schuster more involved in the offense is compelling. But there may be more to Smith-Schuster's declining target counts (8-8-7-4) than the larger struggles of the Pittsburgh offense.

I'll update with any overnight news.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted sources described Smith-Schuster as a true game-time decision and a pre-game workout will determine today's status.

T.Y. Hilton | Quadricep | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Hilton's status is the toughest call of the weekend. An aggravated muscle strain often requires multiple weeks of recovery and the Colts have a bye in Week 6. It would not be surprising to see Hilton give his injury those extra two weeks to heal. However, Hilton frequently plays -- and plays effectively -- through limiting injuries. He returned to practice late last week then logged back-to-back limited practices this week.

Indianapolis beat writers tend to have a good read on the players they cover and have a good relationship with many of the offensive players -- and the consensus is that Hilton is pushing to play.

If Hilton plays, it's likely to be more than a decoy. There's little upside in risking another prolonged recovery period with a bye week on the horizon if Hilton isn't healthy enough to play his usual role. Still, that doesn't mean Hilton isn't risking injury.

I'll have more overnight and Sunday morning. Expect Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport and others to give us some additional context on where Hilton stands. With luck, those reports will come early enough to be helpful -- the Colts play Sunday night.

Sunday update: No additional context from Adam Schefter overnight, who simply tweeted Hilton is expected to play.

Julian Edelman | Chest | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

After an Ian Rapoport full of hedges on Edelman's Week 4 status, the New England wide receiver played 62 of the team's 65 snaps and saw seven targets. There were no obvious aggravations of the rib injury and Edelman had another full week of limited practices. Expect him to see his full workload and remain heavily involved in the offense.

Sammy Watkins | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Watkins' limited Friday practice was a surprise. The Chiefs have listed him questionable. For now, there are no concerning local reports and Watkins looks likely to play. Most teams -- including the Chiefs -- do little during Friday practices and the full Thursday workout looks reassuring.

Tyrell Williams | Foot | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

The Raiders have been publicly optimistic about Williams all week. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson felt confident Williams would respond to rest through the week and play. Local writers also seem to believe Williams will play.

However, there's nothing positive in Williams' practice participation line. Though Williams is listed questionable, it's not a trustworthy designation. The Raiders also listed edge rusher Clelin Ferrell -- who didn't practice in any capacity this week while recovering from a concussion -- questionable this week.

Without a very positive weekend update, consider Williams more doubtful than questionable.

Michael Gallup | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Cowboys may limit his personnel packages in his first game back from arthroscopic meniscus surgery but Gallup is expected to play. Gallup told reporters his recovery didn't go as quickly as he'd hoped. That's not a red flag for re-injury but it does raise questions about his conditioning.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Gallup's snaps may be limited today.

Mike Williams | Back | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Travis Benjamin | Hip | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Williams told reporters he was playing this week, clarifying he chose not to travel cross-country to Miami last week to avoid further aggravating his back spasms. Williams said he was "solid" this week and feels confident about his playing status. The full Friday practice supports Williams' confidence.

Benjamin fully practiced on Friday and is also likely trending toward playing after missing last week's game. There were no specific comments from Benjamin, however, and he may be closer to a true questionable designation than Williams. Still, expect Benjamin to play Sunday.

Terry McLaurin | Hamstring | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

McLaurin strained his hamstring last Thursday, an injury that was suspected to be a "minor pull" and a relatively mild issue. Washington chose to make McLaurin inactive last week and there has been no indication this week's limited practice was only precautionary. Jay Gruden told reporters McLaurin was "50-50" for Sunday despite some continued improvement. Expect the team to work McLaurin out through the weekend before making a final decision.

Others of note: Odell Beckham (hip), Amari Cooper (ankle), Chris Godwin (hip), Emmanuel Sanders (quadricep), Josh Gordon (knee), and Jarvis Landry (shoulder/concussion) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Davante Adams (toe), Tyreek Hill (shoulder), A.J. Green (ankle), John Ross (sternoclavicular), DeSean Jackson (abdomen), Taylor Gabriel (concussion), Christian Kirk (ankle), and Parris Campbell (abdomen) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Mark Andrews | Foot | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

While he's been the most frequent tight end target of Lamar Jackson, Andrews has never dominated the snap count among the Ravens' three-headed tight end rotation. Last week's 29 snaps were the fewest Andrews has played this season. Despite the relatively low snap count, Andrews played a relatively stable 42% of the team's offensive snaps and saw his usual number of targets.

Andrews told reporters late last week he was nearing full strength and expect his foot injury to continue to improve. His practice participation supports his confidence and the full Friday workout is reassuring.

Expect Andrews to see 30-40 snaps and 7-10 targets again this week.

Vance McDonald | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

McDonald missed nearly two weeks of practice time before Friday's full practice. Despite the missed practices, local writers were consistently writing that McDonald would play. The full Friday practice is likely more telling than the questionable listing. Mike Tomlin hinted the team would limit McDonald's personnel packages had he played last week. The Steelers may follow through on that plan this week. If so, McDonald may be closer to a 50% participation than 70-80% this week.

Virgil Green | Groin | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Green returned to a full Friday practice after missing last week's game with what was originally reported to be a low-grade strain. He's trending toward the active roster.

Others of note: Delanie Walker (knee) and Trey Burton (groin) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Hunter Henry (knee), Jordan Reed (concussion), Vernon Davis (concussion), and Tyler Kroft (foot/ankle) are listed doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

Practice Participation, Game Status Report, and Playing Expectations

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