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 | Awaiting Information

• RB Kalen Ballage
• TE Jordan Reed

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• WR Julio Jones
• TE Tyler Higbee
• QB Tua Tagovailoa
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• QB Kyler Murray
• RB Austin Ekeler
• RB Giovani Bernard
• RB Raheem Mostert
• RB Chris Carson
• WR Deebo Samuel
• WR Jerry Jeudy
• TE Hayden Hurst
• RB Jeff Wilson

COVID reserve (Inactive)

• QB Lamar Jackson
• TE Mark Andrews
• WR Adam Thielen
• RB James Conner
• RB J.K. Dobbins
• RB Mark Ingram
• RB Jonathan Taylor
• WR Brandon Aiyuk
• RB A.J. Dillon
• WR Larry Fitzgerald
• QB Drew Lock
• QB Brett Rypien
• QB Jeff Driskel
• QB Blake Bortles

Activated from Injured Reserve

• RB Austin Ekeler
• RB Raheem Mostert
• RB Jeff Wilson

Ruled Out

• RB Christian McCaffrey
• RB Todd Gurley
• RB Salvon Ahmed
• WR John Brown
• WR D.J. Chark
• WR Chris Conley
• RB Tevin Coleman
• TE Irv Smith
• WR Adam Humphries

QUARTERBACK

Kyler Murray | Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Murray progressed to a full practice on Friday and is not listed on the game status report. Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Murray improved each and was encouraged by how he threw in practice.

After suffering the injury in the first half of the Thursday night game two weeks ago, Murray returned to throw effectively in the second half. He should be able to throw with minimal limitation again this week. However, it's not clear whether the Cardinals will include the same number of designed runs in the game plan. Murray scrambled just twice for eight yards after halftime last Thursday.

Kingsbury did not address whether the team would modify the game plan. It's likely the team will limit the chances Murray will be hit but expect him to leave the pocket as usual. He'll likely be asked to slide or run out of bounds whenever possible rather than take risks for extra yardage.

Philip Rivers | Toe | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Rivers managed only a limited Friday practice and is listed questionable but there's no concern about him playing. Rivers rarely leaves the pocket and shouldn't have his throwing motion significantly affected by this injury.

Tua Tagovailoa | Thumb | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Tagovailoa suffered a thumb injury in practice Wednesday and was limited throughout the week. On Friday, Brian Flores didn't sound concerned, telling reporters Tagovailoa was "banged up a little bit" but the team was not "too worried about" the injury. Local reporters felt Tagovailoa would play after Friday's comments.

On Saturday morning, Mike Garafolo reported the Dolphins "won't force Tagovailoa to fight through" the injury if he's still affected by the injury.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is ready to play. With Garafolo's report strongly suggesting the team remains concerned about Tagovailoa's status, it looks likely the Dolphins will give their rookie quarterback another week to rehab. Consider Tagovailoa doubtful unless there's an overnight report that he's recovered enough to start.

Saturday Update: The Dolphins downgraded Tagovailoa to doubtful on Saturday afternoon. He'll likely be inactive.

Inactive on COVID-reserve:

• Lamar Jackson (COVID+)
• Drew Lock, Brett Rypien, Blake Bortles (High-risk COVID contacts); Jeff Driskel (COVID+)

Others of note: Teddy Bridgewater (knee), Drew Lock (ribs), Sam Darnold (shoulder), and Mitchell Trubisky (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Nick Foles (hip) is listed doubtful 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 | Shoulder | Questionable | Inactive

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

The Panthers allowed McCaffrey to practice this week but never cleared him for contact and did not expect him to play despite the questionable tag. McCaffrey did not travel with Carolina on Saturday and has now been ruled out.

Austin Ekeler | Hamstring | Injured Reserve / Designated to Return | Likely to Play

The Chargers designated Ekeler to return from injured reserve early this week. He practiced through Thursday and flew to Buffalo with the team on Friday.

Ekeler has been posting workout videos and showing excitement for his return. Sprinting in shorts and squatting hundreds of pounds are excellent signs his rehab is nearing an end. But it's still not clear whether the Chargers have seen enough in his return to football activities to move him back to the active roster.

Anthony Lynn told reporters on Thursday he didn't think Ekeler would play this week but did "better than I thought" and the team had decided to push him on Friday.

The trend on Ekeler is clearly positive but players generally need at least one week of football conditioning after a high-grade soft tissue injury to limit their risk of aggravation. Week 13 was likely always the target for Ekeler. The team will re-evaluate Ekeler once more during a Saturday walkthrough, but I expect the Chargers to wait until next week to return him.

We'll know for certain after Saturday's transactions. Los Angeles must activate Ekeler on Saturday for him to be eligible to play.

If Ekeler is activated, he's unlikely to see more than 5-8 touches. I'll have a more specific projection after the Saturday roster decision and any overnight guidance from Adam Schefter and others.

Saturday Update: The Chargers activated Ekeler. I still believe he's likely to see fewer than ten touches but a reassuring note from Schefter overnight or a decision to make Kalen Ballage inactive would suggest significantly more upside.

Sunday Update: Overnight reports suggest Ekeler will not be a lead back today, but will play. Adam Schefter is reporting Kalen Ballage is not expected to play, leaving the Chargers with Ekeler, Joshua Kelley, and Troymaine Pope. If that's accurate, Ekeler could see 10-15+ touches depending on game script. He's a much better play than he appeared earlier this week.

Kalen Ballage | Ankle / Calf | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Local reporters noted Ballage struggled to get through Wednesday's practice. Ballage limped off the field early last week with an ankle injury before returning to play 55 snaps. The Chargers listed him with ankle and calf injuries after Wednesday's workout and questionable for Sunday's game.

The Chargers' injury report can be tough to read but a full week of limited practice is reassuring. Expect Ballage to play. His role will depend on whether the team clears Ekeler to return.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Ballage is not expected to play. Ian Rapoport says Ballage is a game-time decision. Working through multiple lower leg issues with Austin Ekeler returning, Ballage's upside is limited if he plays.

Giovani Bernard | Concussion | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Bernard was an eye-opening addition to the Cincinnati injury report on Wednesday with a concussion. However, despite the DNP listing, Bernard was cleared to talk to the media. That was a positive indicator for Bernard as players in the earliest stages of the concussion protocol are not available for locker room interviews.

With continued progress to a full Friday practice, all indications are the Bengals planned to send Bernard to the independent neurologist for clearance. All local reporters expect Bernard to be available.

Watch for weekend reports of concern but Bernard should see his usual workload.

Sunday Update: Bernard is expected to play.

*Chris Carson | Foot | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Carson has been reconditioning for two weeks and is on track to play Monday night. Brian Schottenheimer said Carson "looks terrific" and was excited to return. The Seahawks listed him as a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday but local reporters note Carson is doing everything full speed.

Carlos Hyde looked healthy and was productive on 46 snaps last week. While Carson is expected to return, he may not yet his pre-injury usage. 8-12 touches as the complementary back may be the most reasonable immediate expectation.

Raheem Mostert | Knee | Injured Reserve / Designated to Return | Likely to Play

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Mostert would be activated from injured reserve and Saturday and listed questionable. There's no reason to activate Mostert -- his window to activate or be lost for the season has not expired -- if he was not healthy enough to return. The Niners have been optimistic about a Week 12 return for Mostert for some time and the full week of practice is reassuring.

Mostert may not be ready for a full workload immediately but the Niners are without Tevin Coleman and Jamycal Hasty and it's unclear how ready Jeff Wilson may be coming off injured reserve this week. Expect Mostert to see 8-12 touches with upside to 15+ if the game script and his play warrants more.

Myles Gaskin | Knee | Injured Reserve / Designated to Return | Inactive

Brian Flores has refused to discuss Gaskin's injury or availability since he was placed on injured reserve after a Week 8 MCL sprain. The Dolphins designated Gaskin to return early this week and allowed him to practice. On Friday, Flores would only say the team planned to watch practice film and discuss Gaskin's status with the team's medical staff.

Unlike a soft tissue strain, Gaskin may not need a full week of reconditioning before being cleared to play. If his joint is stable and his week of practice went smoothly, it's likely he'll be cleared to play. With Salvon Ahmed out with a shoulder injury, it's possible Gaskin could see 12-15+ touches immediately.

Miami has until Saturday afternoon to make roster moves. If Gaskin is added to the active roster, expect him to see the bulk of the Dolphins' running back snaps.

Saturday Update: Gaskin was not activated from injured reserve. He cannot play Sunday.

*Boston Scott | Abdomen | Not Listed| Expected to Play

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

Doug Pederson told reporters Scott "had a good week of practice" and had no setbacks this week. He's expected to play.

Inactive on COVID-reserve:

• James Conner (COVID+)
• J.K. Dobbins (COVID+)
• Mark Ingram (COVID+)
• Jonathan Taylor (high-risk COVID contact)
• A.J. Dillon (COVID+)

Others of note: Alvin Kamara (foot), Josh Jacobs (hip), and David Montgomery (concussion) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Todd Gurley (knee), Salvon Ahmed (shoulder), Tevin Coleman (knee), Rex Burkhead (knee), and Travis Homer (wrist, knee) 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.

WIDE RECEIVER

Julio Jones | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Jones continues to deal with chronic hamstring soreness and suffered another aggravation last week. He played just 22 snaps and labored through two catches on two targets.

In past seasons, a Friday DNP has been a poor indicator of Jones' status. It's also notable Jones did not speak with the media this week. Jones may try to play once again this week. Though he's missed two games and parts of three others through eleven weeks, Jones has produced 677 receiving yards and three scores in his five healthy games and three limited weeks.

I'm expecting Jones to be inactive this week but a positive report overnight could push him to the probable side of questionable. Still, 3-5 targets with limited upside would be his most optimistic projection.

Sunday Update: Jones will get another look during pregame but the Friday missed practice is telling. Adam Schefter wouldn't commit to Jones' status. Ian Rapoport tweeted Jones is not expected to play. Consider Jones well to the doubtful side of questionable.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling | Achilles | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Valdes-Scantling injured his left Achilles during individual drills on Thursday and did not practice on Friday. The Packers listed him questionable but he's unlikely to be cleared with a midweek soft-tissue injury by the Green Bay medical staff. Expect him to be inactive.

Deebo Samuel | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Samuel was cleared to return to play after two weeks of conditioning through the Niners' Week 11 bye. A full Friday practice is reassuring. Expect him to return to his pre-injury workload.

Jerry Jeudy | Achilles / Ankle | Questionable | Awaiting Information

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

Jeudy has been on the injury report with a variety of ailments this season, but the Broncos are not as optimistic on Jeudy as they've been in past weeks.

The Thursday DNP was for treatment and rehab rather than rest and load management. Vic Fangio told reporters the team planned to "test [Jeudy] a little bit more" on Friday and implied Jeudy would have to be confident and moving well before he would be cleared to play.

Fangio said Jeudy had a foot injury that was "bugging" him after he played a season-low 41 snaps (63%) last week. The team has listed him with Achilles and ankle conditions on the practice report. Beat writers have flagged the ankle as the more concerning condition.

I'll update with overnight reports.

Sunday Update: There were no updates on Jeudy overnight. After reports broke that all four Denver quarterbacks were isolated or quarantined with COVID exposures, Jeudy tweeted he'd "have to get my Lamar Jackson on." That suggests he'll play. But there's very little upside with a practice squad wide receiver or third-string running back playing quarterback, especially with a limiting injury.

Inactive on COVID-reserve:

• Adam Thielen (COVID evaluation/isolation)
• Brandon Aiyuk (COVID+)
• Larry Fitzgerald (COVID+)

Others of note: Davante Adams (ankle), Allen Lazard (core), Michael Thomas (ankle), Chris Godwin (finger), DeAndre Hopkins (illness), Calvin Ridley (foot), A.J. Brown (knee), Tyler Lockett (knee), JuJu Smith-Schuster (foot), D.J. Moore (shoulder), Jarvis Landry (hip), Sammy Watkins (calf, hamstring), Sterling Shepard (hip, toe), Nelson Agholor (knee), and Breshad Perriman (shoulder) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. John Brown (ankle), D.J. Chark (ribs), Chris Conley (hip), and Adam Humphries (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

^Mark Andrews | Thigh / COVID+ | Pending | Inactive

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

Andrews will remain limited in practice. He was expected to play on Thursday night and should be fine for the rescheduled Tuesday game if played.

Sunday Update: Andrews tested positive for COVID on Saturday. He will be out Tuesday.

Hayden Hurst | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Hurst played his usual share of snaps last week (54 of 62) but had no catches on just two targets. No injuries were reported during the game but Hurst managed only a limited Friday practice and is listed questionable. The Falcons did not address Hurst's condition and local beat writers have not speculated further on his availability.

I'll update with any overnight reports.

Sunday Update: Hurst is expected to play.

*Zach Ertz | Ankle | Injured Reserve / Designated to Return | Inactive

Saturday, Doug Pederson told reporters Ertz is not ready to return this week. Pederson denied Ertz had suffered a setback and the Eagles are hopeful to have him back for Week 13.

Jordan Reed | Illness | Questionable | Awaiting Information

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

Reed did not join the long list of Niners on the COVID-reserve list but has not yet been cleared to return to team facilities with a non-COVID illness. Reed will need additional negative tests and improvement in any symptoms to be cleared to play.

Tyler Higbee | Elbow | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Rams canceled Friday's practice due to COVID concerns and provisionally listed Higbee as a DNP. Sean McVay told reporters Higbee is a game-time decision but it's difficult to see the Rams clearing him to play without practicing.

Others of note: Travis Kelce (pectoral), Jonnu Smith (ankle), Noah Fant (ribs), Chris Herndon (back), Robert Tonyan Jr (ankle), Marcedes Lewis (knee), and Dawson Knox (hamstring) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Irv Smith (groin, back) is doubtful 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.