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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:

***Amari Cooper was more positive after Friday's practice than he's been for some time but remains a game-time decision and could be limited.

***David Johnson is a game-time decision but likely trending toward playing.

***Saquon Barkley is back and should be ready for a full workload.

***Todd Gurley is not listed on the injury report. The Rams may not use him for 90+% of the offensive workload again but he's ready to handle 12-15+ touches.

***Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Geronimo Allison are game-time decisions. Valdes-Scantling is more likely to play than Allison.

QUARTERBACK

Mitchell Trubisky | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Trubisky continued to rehab through Chicago's bye week after dislocating his throwing shoulder in Week 4. The Bears cleared him to return to full practices but continue to list him questionable. Matt Nagy refused to declare Trubisky the starter on Friday but Trubisky took first team reps all week and will play.

Trubisky will play with a harness supporting his left shoulder. It's not likely to hinder his throwing motion but the Bears may not ask Trubisky to run the ball on designed plays. While there's some risk of a repeat injury, expect Trubisky to be close to pre-injury form.

Others of note: Aaron Rodgers (knee), Matthew Stafford (hip), and Case Keenum (shoulder/foot) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Drew Brees (thumb) has 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

Saquon Barkley | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Barkley returns this week after a four week recovery from a high ankle sprain. While there were hints of a 6-8 week recovery, that didn't seem likely after specialists agreed Barkley would not need surgery to stabilize his lower leg. Barkley pushed to play last Thursday night but the Giants remained cautious. Another week of rehab went well and Barkley fully practiced this week.

He's not listed on the game status report and should immediately resume his pre-injury workload. There will be a risk of re-injury, but the full practices suggest the risk is minimal. Expect Barkley to play effectively through 15-20+ touches.

Todd Gurley | Quad | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Gurley surprised the Rams last week when his quad muscle did not respond to the previous Thursday's contusion. Gurley quickly improved through the weekend and was able to complete individual drills and team sessions all week. The contusion is likely a non-issue this week but Gurley's conditioning is still an unknown.

In the two weeks before Gurley's injury, the Rams began to significantly increase his playing time and target share. Even with Malcolm Brown likely inactive with an ankle injury, the Rams aren't likely to ask Gurley to take 90% of the offensive snaps this week. Expect 12-18 touches and the majority of the high-leverage work in the red zone.

David Johnson | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Johnson's week has been confusing. After a very limited week of practice last week with back spasms, Johnson played more snaps than expected and played effectively in Week 6. Kliff Kingsbury told reporters he expected Johnson's back condition to linger for another week or two on Wednesday. The Cardinals then listed Johnson as not practicing with an ankle injury.

There seemed to be optimism around the team after Thursday's limited practice, then Kingsbury followed a limited Friday practice by saying Johnson would not have been able to play through the ankle injury had the team had a game on Friday. The Cardinals officially report Johnson as a game-time decision. Johnson told reporters he was "feeling good" and was "hopeful" to play.

We should know more about Johnson's status on Saturday afternoon. As of Saturday morning, the Cardinals would have only Chase Edmonds at full strength if Johnson is unable to play. If the Cardinals do not add a running back on Saturday, it's very reassuring for Johnson's Sunday availability.

If the team does add a player, it's an indication there's still some concern. Whether that addition is evidence Johnson won't play will be a tougher call. Given the state of the running back depth chart, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team hedge even if Johnson feels good on Saturday rather than risk an early-game setback.

Sunday update: The Cardinals did not add a running back to the roster on Saturday and overnight reports are Johnson will play.

Raheem Mostert | Knee | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

The Niners have already ruled six players out this week. The seventh is likely to be third quarterback C.J. Beathard. Mostert isn't among those declared out but he was cleared only for a limited Friday practice. Regardless of whether Mostert is inactive, he's unlikely to see any meaningful playing time.

Others of note: Aaron Jones (shoulder), Josh Jacobs (elbow), Adrian Peterson (quadricep), Devin Singletary (hamstring), Wayne Gallman (concussion), and Carlos Hyde (shoulder/thigh) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee), Malcolm Brown (ankle), Chris Thompson (toe), Darren Sproles (quad), 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

Amari Cooper | Ankle / Quadricep | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

On Thursday night, I told listeners on our live YouTube broadcast I saw little chance Cooper would be active this week. After a week to rehab a Week 5 quad contusion, Cooper managed only three snaps last week without any visible aggravation. Cooper planned to test his fitness on Friday but there was little reported optimism for a return after the Wednesday and Thursday missed practices.

Quad contusions are limiting in multiple ways. Not only is the injury painful but the surrounding muscle fibers often don't respond well, robbing players of explosiveness and accelerating fatigue. Cooper told reporters he suspected in pre-game warmups last week he wasn't fit enough to play and quickly took himself out after confirming it during the first series.

On Friday, Cooper said he felt better than he did at the same time last week and there's universal optimism from local reporters that Cooper will play this week. And Cooper -- as he did last week -- is known to try to play through injury. I'm anticipating Cooper will be active this week but there's a wide range of expectations here. Though it's hard to feel comfortable arguing Cooper is fit enough to see 60+ snaps, double-digit targets, and consistently effective play, that outcome is possible. Aggravation, continued limitation, and ineffective play are also possible.

I'll update with more context after assessing the tone of the overnight media reports.

Sunday update: The overnight consensus remained optimistic for Cooper. He's considered likely to play. There are no new reports on Cooper's fitness. Though Cooper generally plays effectively through injury, the possibility of limited snaps remains.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling | Ankle / Knee | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Geronimo Allison | Concussion / Chest | Doubtful > Questionable | Awaiting Information

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

Much of the Packers' pass-catching group spent the week rehabbing rather than practicing. Davante Adams has been ruled out after another week without practicing. Valdes-Scantling has a low-grade high ankle sprain and a knee condition and was unable to practice until Friday. Allison cleared another stage in the return-to-play protocol on Saturday and was upgraded to questionable from doubtful.

After Friday's practice, Valdes-Scantling told reporters the ankle and knee were equally concerning to him but was hoping the 48 hours before game time would allow him enough time to heal and play. I believe Valdes-Scantling will try to play but every indication suggests he'll be limited and at risk of aggravation. I'll have more on his status overnight and Sunday morning.

Allison looked doubtful all week but the Saturday upgrade to questionable means the Packers felt good about how Allison responded well to an escalation in activity on Friday. Though he was listed as a DNP, Allison likely worked out for the medical staff. Whether his progress will be enough to earn clearance from an independent neurologist late Saturday or before Sunday's noon local start remains more questionable than probable.

Sunday update: Early in the week, Allison's chest injury was reportedly a non-factor. But Adam Schefter has Allison as a game-time call, which is a very rare approach to returning to play after a concussion. That increases the likelihood yesterday's upgrade was actually clearance for concussion with the Packers actually wanting to re-evaluate the rib injury this morning. It's also possible the Packers have Allison scheduled for a Sunday morning clearance exam by an independent neurologist and that's the impetus for the game-time designation. I still think Allison is on the doubtful side of questionable. If he's active, he should be considered available for a full workload.

Valdes-Scantling also remains a game-time decision according to both Schefter and Ian Rapoport.

Sunday update: Both Allison and Valdes-Scantling are active today. Now active and fully cleared, Allison is more likely to see his usual targets than Valdes-Scantling.

*Julian Edelman | Chest | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

*Phillip Dorsett | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Edelman has been listed questionable for multiple weeks with a chest injury. He's played over 70 snaps over each of the past two weeks and continued to see double-digit targets. There's no concern with his availability or workload this week.

Dorsett missed last week's game and there was some early-week concern about his availability this week. But Dorsett returned to practice early in the week, was cleared to talk to reporters, and has convinced the most trustworthy local writers he'll play this week.

Dede Westbrook | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Westbrook played 78% of his team's offensive snaps last week and wasn't added to this week's injury report until Thursday. It's not clear whether the shoulder injury is a lingering and nagging condition or something that occurred in practice. Had it been the latter, it's likely Westbrook would have been listed as limited on Thursday. That makes the week's practice line more likely a maintenance plan than needed after a new and concerning injury.

Doug Marrone told reporters Westbrook "worked hard" and was "feeling better" on Friday, saying the team "wanted to be cautious and see where we are when we get to game day." According to the team, Westbrook won't work out before the game. Marrone's comments suggest Westbrook is considered healthier than a game-time decision.

Without clear evidence to the contrary, I think Westbrook is healthy enough to see his usual number of snaps.

Sunday update: Westbrook will be evaluated in pre-game warmups but is expected to play.

Christian Kirk | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Cardinals have remained cautious with Kirk, refusing to clear him for game action until he proves he's able to cut without limitation. Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Friday that Kirk remains a game-time decision. While Kirk reportedly made progress this week, he had not fully recovered enough to cut at speed. Given the tone of Friday's comments, it's likely Kirk will be inactive again this week.

Sunday update: Kirk is unlikely to play today. Ian Rapoport reports Kirk "needs another week of rehab and recovery."

Marquise Brown | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Brown has been unable to practice for two weeks. On Monday, John Harbaugh said Brown would not play if he could not practice. Despite the Ravens listing Brown questionable and Harbaugh's amended Friday comments -- "It's up in the air." -- it'll be a surprise if Brown is active and there's little chance he'll have any impact on the game plan if he is on the active roster.

Others of note: Julio Jones (hip), DeAndre Hopkins (ribs), Will Fuller (calf/oblique), Kenny Stills (hamstring), Michael Gallup (knee), John Brown (groin), and Albert Wilson (calf / hip) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Davante Adams (toe), A.J. Green (ankle), Tyrell Williams (foot), Josh Gordon (knee/ankle), DeSean Jackson (abdomen), Sterling Shepard (concussion), and Deebo Samuel (groin) 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

George Kittle | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Last week, there were multiple reports that Kittle was likely to be limited after a mid-week groin strain. Kittle played 65 snaps and had eight catches. On Monday, Kittle told reporters he was in no danger of missing the game and wasn't seriously injured, saying the concerning injury report always makes him sound more limited than he really is.

This week, Kittle was again limited in practice but he's not listed on the game status report and already laughed off the injury in front of reporters. Expect another full workload this week.

Delanie Walker | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Generally, Walker's veteran rest days come earlier in the week but there are no local reports the Friday DNP is anything other than planned rest. Expect Walker to see his usual number of snaps.

Tyler Kroft | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Kroft had recovered from a second surgery on his broken foot but suffered an ankle injury in his first week of practice and required another multiple weeks of rehab. Kroft was close to returning before Buffalo's bye week and put in another full week of practice this week. The Bills may ease him into the flow of the offense but Kroft is ready to return on game day.

Others of note: Evan Engram (knee), Darren Waller (foot), Jimmy Graham (ankle), and Eric Ebron (illness) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Jared Cook (ankle) and Vernon Davis (concussion) 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.