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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

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

Game-time Decision

• RB Ezekiel Elliott

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• WR Calvin Ridley
• WR T.Y. Hilton
• QB Sam Darnold
• RB Mark Ingram

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• WR Michael Thomas
• WR Chris Godwin
• WR Keenan Allen
• RB Phillip Lindsay
• WR Jamison Crowder

Activated from Injured Reserve

• RB Christian McCaffrey
• WR Steven Sims

Ruled Out

• WR Kenny Golladay
• RB Chris Carson
• RB Carlos Hyde
• RB Kenyan Drake
• WR Sammy Watkins
• RB Matt Breida

QUARTERBACK

Matthew Stafford | COVID list | Expected to Play

Stafford is reportedly considered a high-risk, close contact to a COVID+ case away from the team. He remains on the COVID list but will be cleared to return to the team on Sunday if his daily tests remain negative and he does not develop symptoms.

Saturday Update: Stafford was returned to the active roster on Saturday night. He is expected to play.

*Sam Darnold | Shoulder | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

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

Last week, Darnold aggravated the throwing shoulder sprain that cost him multiple games earlier in the season. A Monday MRI was reportedly reassuring and the Jets allowed Darnold to take some limited individual reps on Friday.

After Friday's practice, Darnold didn't sound as optimistic about his condition. He told reporters he "felt all right" and thought "taking it day by day is the best thing to do." When asked if he would be able to play Monday night, Darnold said, "We'll see."

The Jets have another 48 hours to evaluate Darnold before Monday night but if he and the team aren't more positive after Saturday's practice, consider him to the doubtful side of questionable.

Saturday Update: Darnold did not practice on Saturday. He will be inactive.

Others of note: Josh Allen (shoulder), Justin Herbert (shoulder), Teddy Bridgewater (neck), and Drew Brees (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Gardner Minshew (thumb) and Andy Dalton (COVID list) have been ruled out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Christian McCaffrey | Ankle | Returned to Active Roster

McCaffrey was activated on Saturday after two weeks of reconditioning and practice and will play. Teammates did not restrain their enthusiasm for McCaffrey's return and Matt Rhule said McCaffrey looked "fresh and fast" during practice this week. High-grade high ankle sprain are tricky recoveries but the Panthers gave McCaffrey over five weeks of rest and rehab and the optimism around the team suggests the injury is behind him.

Carolina has said they'll be cautious with McCaffrey and see the value in Mike Davis. But while it's unlikely the Panthers will immediately return McCaffrey to a full 90%+ snap / 30 touch workload in his first week back, you can expect him to see significant usage this week.

Ezekiel Elliott | Hamstring | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Elliott did less than the team anticipated on Thursday and Friday after straining a hamstring trying to run down a Philadelphia defender on a fumble return. Though there was uniform optimism from local writers about Elliott's availability earlier this week, the trend turned as the week progressed.

The Cowboys plan to work Elliott out pregame but are preparing to be without him.

If Elliott is active, he'll continue to play behind a patchwork offensive line and alongside his fourth starting quarterback this season against one of the league's strongest defensive units. A limited Elliott has little statistical upside this week.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Elliott has a "good chance" to play after looking healthier in a Saturday workout. Elliott will need to show continued progress in a pregame workout but he is trending positively for now.

Josh Jacobs | Knee / Illness | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Jacobs routinely misses practice early in the week and is listed questionable with minor injury. This week, Jacobs participated in a full Wednesday practice before sitting out a Thursday workout with an illness.

Jacobs was not added to the COVID list and was cleared to return to practice on Friday. The Raiders listed Jacobs questionable but there are no concerns about Jacobs' availability. Expect him to see his usual workload.

Phillip Lindsay | Foot | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Lindsay missed time early in the week with a foot injury. That raised concern about an aggravation of the toe condition that forced Lindsay to miss multiple weeks earlier in the season. Lindsay was able to return to a full practice on Friday after he responded well to individual drills on Thursday.

Vic Fangio told reporters he expected Lindsay to play against Atlanta this week, putting Lindsay on the probable side of questionable. There's some risk of aggravation for Lindsay and the possibility of a game script favoring Melvin Gordon but expect Lindsay to see at least 8-10 touches this week.

*Damien Harris | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Harris has been limited in practice for two weeks with a minor ankle condition. The Patriots have not restricted his media sessions and Harris had 16 carries on 20 snaps last week. 10-15 touches are possible against the scuffling Jets this week.

Others of note: Alvin Kamara (foot), Jonathan Taylor (ankle), Jordan Wilkins (groin), Justin Jackson (knee), DeeJay Dallas (arm/wrist), Travis Homer (knee), Frank Gore (hand), and Patrick Laird (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Chris Carson (foot), Carlos Hyde (hamstring), Kenyan Drake (ankle), Mark Ingram (ankle), Matt Breida (hamstring), Devonta Freeman (ankle), T.J. Yeldon (back), and Troymaine Pope (concussion) 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

Michael Thomas | Ankle / Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Saints list Thomas questionable but he is expected to play.

New Orleans expected Thomas back from a high ankle sprain in Week 7 only to see their star wideout sidelined by a hamstring strain for an additional two weeks. Thomas has been conditioning and participating in individual drills for two weeks without a setback. Now outside the highest risk window of aggravation, he should be ready to see his usual snap count and resume his status as the team's highest-targeted receiver.

Chris Godwin | Finger | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Even after reports that surgery to stabilize a broken finger gave Godwin a chance to play this week, I was not reassured by the team's plan to keep him immobilized in a cast until Friday then observe him catch footballs and considered him doubtful to play.

Fortunately, Godwin performed very well during the Friday workout. Bruce Arians told reporters Godwin had been cleared to play and caught the ball without difficulty in the splint he's wearing. Arians said Godwin's availability was based on pain tolerance. Assuming Godwin doesn't experience more soreness than expected after Friday's workout, Arians anticipates Godwin playing Sunday night.

It's possible Godwin will struggle to complete catches but the Friday reports suggest he's not having any difficulty receiving the ball. Expect Godwin to be active and effective Sunday night.

Calvin Ridley | Foot | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Ridley suffered a midfoot sprain last Thursday. While an MRI showed a low-grade injury, Ridley has had an extra 3-4 days to recover, and the team has maintained optimism all week, it's a difficult injury to play through and the lack of any practice reps is concerning.

Most players listed questionable with a new soft tissue injury do not play if they're unable to practice. The Falcons have cleared players to return without practice before but it's difficult to see Ridley return from a midfoot sprain without reconditioning.

Expect Ridley to be inactive.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reported overnight the Falcons "think it is going to be tough for [Ridley] to play." Atlanta may put Ridley through pregame warmups but there's little chance of him being active and productive today.

Keenan Allen | Illness | Questionable | Expected to Play

Allen was a late Saturday addition to the Chargers' status report. He is listed as questionable with an illness.

There are no indications Allen or the Chargers are concerns for COVID. However, current NFL policy is very careful with any illness. Allen will need two negative COVID tests at least 24 hours apart and to have no significant symptoms of illness to be cleared to play. Both may be difficult hurdles if Allen's symptoms began Saturday afternoon.

Players are now tested early on game day. But -- as we saw with Green Bay last week -- test results are not always known by game time. It's reassuring that no national or local media has reported that Allen is doubtful to play.

But this bears close monitoring overnight. I'll update further as more details are reported.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reports Allen suffered from a sore throat on Saturday and confirmed his Saturday test was negative. The Chargers will need a negative game day test to clear Allen. It's unclear whether the game day test will result in time for Allen to play.

Sunday Update: Schefter has tweeted Allen's follow up testing remains negative and he is eligible to play today.

Sammy Watkins | Hamstring | Questionable > Declared Out | Inactive

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

Watkins was initially listed questionable after a week of limited practice but was ruled out on Saturday. The Saturday downgrade is a little odd -- this isn't a travel situation where Watkins didn't board the plane on a road week. Watch for evidence of any setback in the news next week.

*Jamison Crowder | Groin | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Crowder's midweek workout went much better this week than it did leading into Week 7 or 8 and he's trending toward playing this week. The Jets haven't released their final practice and game status report but local reporters posted video of Crowder participating in Saturday's practice -- something he was unable to do last week.

Expect Crowder to be active.

Devin Duvernay | Thigh | Questionable | Awaiting Information

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

The Ravens routinely list players they expect to play as questionable. But it's hard to trust that to be the case with Duvernay, a rookie without an established record of success without practice -- especially with a late week soft tissue injury of unknown severity.

Tim Patrick | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Patrick was one of several Broncos listed questionable but considered "expected to play" by Vic Fangio in his week-ending press conference.

Others of note: A.J. Brown (knee), Adam Thielen (shoulder), John Brown (knee), Sterling Shepard (shoulder, toe), Breshad Perriman (concussion), Anthony Miller (toe), Scott Miller (hip, groin), Russell Gage (shoulder, knee), Michael Pittman (COVID exposure), and Marquez Callaway (ankle) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kenny Golladay (toe), T.Y. Hilton (groin), Adam Humphries (concussion), and NKeal Harry (concussion) 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

Dawson Knox | Calf | Questionable | Awaiting Information

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

Knox was returned to the active roster after his 10-day COVID isolation period ended. Prior to his COVID diagnosis, Knox had missed two weeks of practice with a calf strain. The Bills haven't said whether his two limited practices are sufficient to allow him to play this week.

Cole Kmet | Groin | Questionable | Awaiting Information

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

Kmet's return to a limited Friday practice after a Thursday groin strain may give him a chance to play. The Bears have not addressed Kmet's condition and local writers are not speculating on his availability.

Mo Alie-Cox | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Alie-Cox returned from a knee injury last week and played 32 of 77 snaps in rotation with Jack Doyle and Trey Burton. The Friday practice is reassuring but it remains to be seen if he'll be available this week.

Others of note: T.J. Hockenson (toe), Logan Thomas (ankle), Jordan Akins (ankle, concussion), Greg Olsen (foot), Jimmy Graham (knee, hamstring), Tyler Eifert (neck), and Adam Shaheen (shoulder) 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.

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.