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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:

Current Status on High Impact Injured Players

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:

Game-time Decision

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• WR Keelan Cole (knee)

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring)
• RB Saquon Barkley (knee)
• WR Odell Beckham (knee)
• QB Trey Lance (finger)
• WR Darnell Mooney (back)
• WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot)

Ruled Out

• RB Gus Edwards (injured reserve)
• WR Curtis Samuel (injured reserve)
• WR TreQuan Smith (injured reserve)
• WR Jamison Crowder (COVID reserve)
• TE Evan Engram (calf)
• TE Nick Boyle (injured reserve)

QUARTERBACK

Carson Wentz | Foot | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Wentz will start for the Colts. He's five weeks from surgery to remove a bone fragment in his foot. Surgical healing went as expected and Wentz has quickly progressed to full practices over the past three weeks.

Although he's told reporters he has had "moments of pain," observers and limited video of Wentz participating in individual drills are reassuring. Wentz has not been in full-speed contact situations but looks recovered enough to be mobile and comfortable in the pocket. Whether Frank Reich will install any designed runs for Wentz -- who commonly ran 4-5 times per game in Philadelphia -- remains to be seen.

Indianapolis will be without tackle Eric Fisher but wide receiver Parris Campbell and All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson are both expected to play after fully practicing Friday.

Trey Lance | Finger | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Lance was cleared to play after responding well to throwing sessions this week. The Niners say they have a package of plays ready for Lance but there's no indication of how many snaps he'll see. Ultimately, Lance's playing time and upside will depend on the success of the offense under Jimmy Garoppolo -- and Kyle Shanahan's comfort level with his quarterbacks. The injury should not affect Lance in future weeks.

Others of note: Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Saquon Barkley | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

After months of observation and debate, we finally get answers on Barkley's recovery, usage, and playing form this week.

The final stages of Barkley's rehab from a complicated ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair went smoothly and he's responded well to three weeks of individual drills and non-contact team sessions. The Giants have consistently said they'd be careful with Barkley's conditioning and publicly stated their plans to limit Barkley's early workload as needed.

Ignore the questionable tag here. After a full week of limited practice, it looks very likely Barkley will be active and play. How much? Both Barkley and the team refuse to say. When asked on Friday, Barkley told reporters, "If they feel like it's ready for me to go, I'm ready."

I continue to believe the most reasonable expectation for Barkley is a limited Week 1 workload. He's yet to test himself in contact situations at full speed. It's impossible to know whether the medical staff feels Barkley is recovered enough to avoid inflammation and soreness after his first game action. And the Giants travel to Washington for a Thursday night divisional contest.

Look for 12-18 touches this week. If the Giants feel comfortable with Barkley, there's a chance a productive and well-conditioned first half could lead to more snaps and touches as the game progresses.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Barkley will play today but will be "eased in and used sparingly."

Austin Ekeler | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Ekeler managed only a limited Friday practice this week with a hamstring injury.

The optimistic case: There were no indications of limitations in practice as camp ended. The national media has not reported any concern about the injury. The team allowed Ekeler to practice Friday. Head coach Brandon Staley was specifically optimistic after Friday's practice, telling reporters Ekeler's injury "wasn't anything significant" and the team "wanted to make sure...he got all that discomfort out" rather than practice midweek.

The pessimistic case: Ekeler didn't practice until Friday. Any discomfort within 72 hours of full-speed game action is a prime setup for aggravation. Though it's unclear which leg is currently affected, Ekeler has previously had high-grade hamstring strains. We have no baseline for how Staley handles injuries with the media, making it more challenging to accurately read his comments.

For now, I expect Ekeler to see a limited workload and be at risk of aggravation. Ceiling and floor projections are both well within his range of expectations.

I'll update -- hopefully with a more narrow and actionable recommendation -- after Adam Schefter's overnight reporting.

Sunday Update: Schefter did not specifically address Ekeler's status but included him in a tweet alongside many other players expected to play today. Ian Rapoport tweeted Ekeler "impressed at practice Friday and should be good to go today." Expect Ekeler to be active but he has a wide range of expectation.

DAndre Swift | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Despite full-contact practices and strongly reassuring reports from observers about Swift's movement and fitness, Dan Campbell twice told reporters in late August that Swift would be limited during the early weeks of the season.

Campbell was likely being cautious with his comments and Swift's progress after returning from a groin strain has continued to go well. After a full week of practice, Swift is not listed on the team's game status report, and running back coach Duce Staley told reporters there would be no snap count limitation this week. Staley said, "We can count the reps on Monday."

Staley's strong comment doesn't mean you should expect 80% usage and 20+ touches for Swift. Veteran Jamaal Williams is talented and trusted by the coaching staff and will see significant rotational time. But Swift is healthy enough to fully participate in Detroit's offensive game plan.

*Josh Jacobs | Toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Jacobs has been battling a toe injury recently. After two limited practices, Jacobs told reporters he "did everything today" and feels good to go. Jacobs has routinely played through injuries and the Raiders have consistently been comfortable trusting him despite missed practices during the week.

Expect him to play Monday night.

Others of note: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle), Chris Carson (neck), and Rashaad Penny (calf) 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.

WIDE RECEIVER

DK Metcalf | Calf | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Metcalf was unexpectedly listed on Friday's injury report with a calf condition. There's been no reporting on the injury and Metcalf wasn't listed on the game status report. He will play. The more important calf injury here is that of Indianapolis cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who was declared out on Friday. The Colts will now rely on their depth and scheme to cover Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

Kenny Golladay | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Golladay progressed through two weeks of reconditioning without a setback. The Giants managed his reps in practice this week but have not significantly limited his workouts. Off the injury report, Golladay can be expected to run a full route tree and see 80+% of the offensive snaps.

Odell Beckham | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Kevin Stefanski put himself firmly in the "Will Be Defiantly Vague When Asked About Injury" group of coaches after his comments on Beckham's status on Friday.

After months and months of glowing reports on Beckham's "freakish" recovery from ACL surgery, his clearance to participate in offseason workouts, minicamp, and training camp, Stefanski refused to commit to Beckham playing this week. He went out of his way to include Beckham in the group of players limited in practice whose status would not be determined until "90 minutes before the game" and to confirm Beckham had yet to see full-speed contact.

It's very unlikely Beckham suffered a setback. Expect him to play and see 6+ targets.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Beckham "looked good at practice" but the Browns are planning to evaluate during pregame warmups to be sure he's comfortable playing after limited camp reps and no full-speed contact. Beckham remains likely to play.

Courtland Sutton | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Local observers, including our own Broncos Insider Cecil Lammey, expressed concern about Sutton's explosiveness, range of motion, and fitness throughout the offseason. Over the past two weeks, however, Sutton appeared to "turn a corner" per Vic Fangio. The tone of reports from those covering the team grew steadily more positive. Sutton participated and received favorable reviews after taking 18 snaps in the final preseason game.

After a full week of practice, Sutton is expected to see a full workload. We'll have a better sense of his fitness and chemistry with Teddy Bridgewater after the game.

Darnell Mooney | Back | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Mooney returned to a full practice on Friday and Matt Nagy did not express concern about Mooney's status in his post-practice press conference. The Bears routinely list players they expect to play as questionable. Check the inactives list to ensure there are no pre-game issues with Mooney's back but expect a full workload.

Nelson Agholor | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

It's rare for a New England player to play if they are unable to practice during the week. After Thursday's DNP, the local media stance on Agholor's availability was uniformly pessimistic. But observers wrote that Agholor looked to be moving well during Friday's light workout.

There's still concern here. The Patriots' are thin at wide receiver; backup Malcolm Perry has already been ruled out. If they do not add a wide receiver off the practice squad on Saturday, it will be a very good sign for Agholor's status.

Emmanuel Sanders | Foot | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Sean McDermott told reporters Sanders' injury was improving. McDermott wouldn't commit to Sanders playing during the press conference, saying he'd need to check with the medical staff to see how Sanders responded to Friday's workout. All indications are that Sanders will play.

Keelan Cole | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Cole left Thursday's practice with a knee injury and didn't return for Friday. Robert Saleh said Cole's status would "go down to the wire" but the Friday DNP is concerning.

The Jets will be without Jamison Crowder, who remains on the COVID-reserve list. Corey Davis, Elijah Moore, and Denzel Mims would anchor the unit if Cole is inactive.

Others of note: Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring), Mecole Hardman (oblique), DeVante Parker (shoulder), and Parris Campbell (Achilles) are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Curtis Samuel (groin), TreQuan Smith (hamstring), and Jamison Crowder (covid-reserve) 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

T.J. Hockenson | Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Hockenson suffered an AC sprain during camp. While he was not cleared to play during the preseason, he's been back to practice for multiple weeks and fully practiced this week. He's expected to play and should not be limited.

Noah Fant | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Broncos refused to provide any details about Fant's injury. Vic Fangio called it a "tweak" but has been consistently optimistic about Fant's Week 1 status. Consecutive full practices and no injury designation on the final game status report suggest Fant is slated for a full workload.

Others of note: Albert Okwuegbunam (knee), Kyle Rudolph (foot), and Tyler Conklin (hamstring) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Evan Engram (calf) 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.

Early week practice participation and playing expectations

The Wednesday and Thursday practice participation reports are our first chance to see which players each NFL team is limiting in practice after the previous week's games. Players limited in mid-week practice aren't necessarily in danger of missing that week's game. But they all need to be watched closely.

Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who 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.