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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
^ = playing on Tuesday 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 High Impact News and Notes

Scroll down for full details, extensive updates, and the complete table of projected availability.

COVID notes

>> The entire starting Las Vegas offensive line is in high-risk quarantine after a close contact exposure with Trent Brown on Monday. High-risk close contacts must quarantine for five days, remain asymptomatic, and have daily negative COVID tests. Brown will not play but the rest of the Raiders' offensive line -- able to be tested in their home city on day 5 of quarantine -- could be cleared to play on Sunday morning.

Saturday Update: The quarantined Las Vegas offensive linemen had negative COVID tests on Saturday and have been activated off the COVID list. If their Sunday morning tests are negative they will be cleared to play.

>> Emmanuel Sanders tested positive for COVID and will not play.

>> Every Buffalo tight end except Tyler Kroft -- who was away from the team for the birth of his child -- is now on the COVID list. Dawson Knox tested positive for COVID and three others are quarantined. Buffalo has been cleared to travel to New York and their game with the Jets is currently expected to be played as scheduled.

Game-time Decision

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• RB Aaron Jones -- INACTIVE
• WR Jamison Crowder
• TE Jordan Akins

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• WR DeAndre Hopkins
• TE Jonnu Smith
• RB Justin Jackson
• RB Leonard Fournette
• TE Noah Fant
• RB Darrell Henderson
• WR Robert Woods
• TE Robert Tonyan Jr
• TE Tyler Higbee
• QB Sam Darnold

Activated from Injured Reserve

• WR Denzel Mims

Ruled Out

• WR Michael Thomas
• RB Joe Mixon
• RB Raheem Mostert
• WR John Brown
• WR Sammy Watkins
• TE Austin Hooper
• TE Dawson Knox

QUARTERBACK

Sam Darnold | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Darnold is listed questionable but will return this week after missing two games with a shoulder sprain.

Though he has yet to face contact since finishing the Week 4 game with the injury, Darnold is reportedly throwing comfortably in practice and has been pushing hard to play. Adam Gase said Darnold was not "looking to take no for an answer" leading some local writers to speculate Darnold may be rushing his return -- a common theme among the writers on Darnold over the past two weeks.

Darnold may not be fully recovered and will have to prove he can accurately perform and handle contact in the pocket but he's likely at relatively low risk of aggravating the injury.

Others of note: Josh Allen (shoulder) and Baker Mayfield (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Aaron Jones | Calf | Questionable | Game-time Decision >> INACTIVE

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

Jones was added to the injury report with a calf injury he suffered during Thursday's practice.

When asked about the injury, Jones said he "kind of felt my calf get tight during practice, didn't really pay it much attention, then...throughout later parts of the day is when I started to feel it." While the calf condition sounds relatively minor, it's likely more strain than cramp as the Packers chose to hold Jones out on Friday for treatment.

We often discuss the conservative nature of the Green Bay medical staff in these weekend articles. The Packers' players know it, too -- and nearly uniformly respect the policy. On Friday, Jones said, "I'm confident I can play but I know our trainers and doctors have the players' best interests in mind. I'm going to do everything in my power [to play] but it's up to the team doctors."

Expect the Packers to re-evaluate Jones early on Saturday before they travel to Houston. If Jones is on the team flight, it's the best possible sign heading into the overnight national media injury updates. Generally, I would be pessimistic about a late-week soft tissue injury and a conservative medical staff but Green Bay cleared Jones to talk to the media. That leaves him in the game-time decision category until the decision on travel is made.

I'll have frequent updates on Jones through the weekend.

Saturday Update: Jones was not ruled out prior to the team traveling to Houston but the Packers called up running back Dexter Williams from the practice squad. Green Bay may allow Jones to work out pregame if he tolerates the flight but he's trending to the doubtful side of questionable now.

Sunday Update: Overnight, Tom Pelissero confirmed Jones made the trip to Houston and "wants to play." Pelissero added, "If Jones isn't 100%, he won't go." It's difficult to see Jones being fully healthy after an MRI-confirmed Thursday calf strain. The trend continues toward Jones not playing today.

Sunday Update: Jones is inactive.

Justin Jackson | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Jackson is listed questionable with a knee injury but fully practiced on Friday and should play. Unless he shows signs of limitation early in Sunday's game, expect him to continue to hold a usage advantage over Joshua Kelley.

Leonard Fournette | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Fournette fully practiced this week after the Bucs elected to give him another week to recondition rather than risk re-injury last Sunday. Bruce Arians, who has been clear about Fournette's prospects since the injury, told reporters Fournette was "good to go" and will "reassume his role." Prior to his injury, that included a heavy rotation with Ronald Jones II, with Arians favoring Fournette in most short-yardage situations and a willingness to have him close out games if running well.

*Darrell Henderson | Thigh | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Sean McVay didn't sound any alarms on Henderson's status on Friday, suggesting that the Rams were choosing to "be smart with [guys] who have played a lot of football for us." If that's an accurate assessment, expect Henderson to practice on Saturday and be cleared to play. Another DNP would be concerning.

Saturday Update: Henderson fully practiced and is not listed on the game status report.

Jeff Wilson | Calf | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Niners were hopeful Wilson would return to practice on Wednesday after a Week 6 calf strain. He was able to finish a full week of limited practice and is listed questionable after seeing a handful of reps in Friday's team drills. It's not clear whether he'll be active, however, and with Jerick McKinnon and JaMycal Hasty -- a rookie Kyle Shanahan expressed trust in during the week -- available, Wilson may not see much time even if cleared to play.

Others of note: Kareem Hunt (groin), Mike Davis (ankle), Carlos Hyde (shoulder, toe), and Darrel Williams (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Joe Mixon (foot) and Raheem Mostert (ankle) have been ruled out and will not play. Ryquell Armstead remains on the COVID list and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

DeAndre Hopkins | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Hopkins missed practice again this week with what's described as a lingering ankle injury. After not practicing with the injury leading into Week 4, Hopkins had seven catches for 41 yards. At the time, general manager Steve Keim told reporters, "Hopkins doesn't miss games." After that game, Hopkins said, "I don't miss games unless I just have one leg or something."

So -- expect Hopkins to be active.

The relatively lower production from Week 4 may be a concerning data point but Hopkins continues to lead the team in targets -- seeing over twice as many opportunities as the next most targeted Cardinals' receiver. The limited Friday practice is a reassuring sign. It's reasonable to expect Hopkins to see his usual workload and his ceiling projection is comfortably within his range of outcomes this week.

*Robert Woods | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Woods felt some soreness in his groin on Thursday and Sean McVay suggested the Rams were being careful with their high-volume offensive talents. If Woods does not practice on Saturday, he'll be a higher risk on Monday night. If McVay was honest and Friday's DNP was more caution than concern, expect him to see his usual workload.

Saturday Update: Woods was not listed on the game status report after a limited Saturday workout. He's expected to play.

Jamison Crowder | Groin | Questionable >> Doubtful | Likely Inactive

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

Crowder was added to Wednesday's injury report with a groin issue and did not practice on Thursday. That prompted beat writer concern as Adam Gase had said Crowder was expected to be available for part of Thursday's practice. Crowder's injury was described as "tightness" and his return to Friday practice is an optimistic sign. Consider him just to the probable side of questionable and watch for a reassuring weekend report to be certain.

Saturday Update: Crowder did not respond well to Friday's workout and was downgraded to doubtful on Saturday. He will likely be inactive.

Julian Edelman | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Edelman will continue to be limited in practice with a chronic knee condition. While spikes of elite production are possible, he's likely to remain in the 5-8 target range in most weeks, with limited upside.

Curtis Samuel | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Samuel did more in practice this week but was still not cleared for contact through Thursday's practice. The Panthers kept him off the active roster last week in a similar situation and it's possible Samuel will be rested again in Week 7.

Others of note: Julio Jones (hamstring), Calvin Ridley (elbow), Russell Gage (shoulder), Mike Evans (ankle), Chris Godwin (hamstring), A.J. Brown (knee), Keenan Allen (back), JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), D.J. Chark (ankle), Laviska Shenault (hamstring), Jarvis Landry (hip, ribs), Marvin Jones (knee), Danny Amendola (foot), and Breshad Perriman (ankle, knee) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Michael Thomas (ankle, hamstring), John Brown (knee), Sammy Watkins (hamstring), and Bryan Edwards (foot, ankle) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Emmanuel Sanders is on the COVID list and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Jonnu Smith | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Smith turned his ankle while blocking last week and did not return to the game. Video was consistent with a low ankle sprain, reports suggested the injury was minor, and Smith continued to increase his practice work throughout the week. The Titans allowed Smith to participate in blocking drills on Thursday and the ankle held up well enough to be cleared for a full Friday practice.

Smith won't be full strength this week but he should be healthy enough to approach his usual workload.

Noah Fant | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Fant will return from a high ankle sprain and his consecutive full practices to end this week are a sign of confidence in his ability to return to his pre-injury role.

Robert Tonyan Jr | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Tonyan returned to practice on Friday. It's rare for a Green Bay player with a new injury to miss multiple practices and play. The team travels to Houston on Saturday. If Tonyan makes the flight, he's better than a game-time decision. I'll update with news throughout the weekend.

Sunday Update: Tonyan is expected to play, per Ian Rapoport.

*Tyler Higbee | Hand | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Sean McVay anticipates Higbee returning to practice on Sunday and be able to play on Monday night saying, "the anticipation is that [he'll] be good to go."

Saturday Update: Higbee was limited on Saturday and is listed questionable.

Jordan Akins | Ankle / Concussion | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Akins' ankle is not responding to rehab as quickly as hoped. The team listed him questionable but he is not expected to play.

Others of note: Logan Thomas (neck), David Njoku (shoulder), Rob Gronkowski (shoulder), Will Dissly (Achilles), and Marcedes Lewis (knee) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Austin Hooper (illness), Dawson Knox (calf), and Tyler Eifert (neck) 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.
^Note: Tuesday night players with carat practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.