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

• TE George Kittle -- trending probable
• RB Elijah Mitchell -- trending doubtful
• RB Josh Jacobs -- trending doubtful

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• TE Rob Gronkowski -- did not travel, declared out
• WR Chase Claypool -- did not travel, declared out
• QB Andy Dalton -- downgraded to doubtful by CHI

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• RB Dalvin Cook
• QB Lamar Jackson
• WR Tyler Lockett
• RB Antonio Gibson
• RB Jonathan Taylor
• WR Keenan Allen
• RB Darrell Henderson
• WR Curtis Samuel
• QB Carson Wentz
• RB Melvin Gordon

Ruled Out

• RB Christian McCaffrey
• WR A.J. Brown
• WR Julio Jones
• RB James White
• WR Sterling Shepard
• WR Darius Slayton
• WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
• WR Russell Gage
• TE Gerald Everett (COVID reserve)
• RB Rashaad Penny
• WR Dee Eskridge
• WR Elijah Moore
• WR Danny Amendola

QUARTERBACK

Lamar Jackson | Back | Questionable | Expected to play

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

A second missed practice on Thursday raised concern about Jackson's availability this week. Reassuringly, Jackson was back to a full practice on Friday and reportedly moved well. The Ravens commonly list players they fully expect to play as questionable and Jackson should follow that pathway.

Specifics on Jackson's back condition haven't been reported and muscle spasms can recur at any time but it's reasonable to expect Jackson to see his usual number of rushing attempts.

Carson Wentz | Ankles | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Wentz will continue to play through a significant right ankle sprain. Last week, Wentz did not have a single rushing attempt for the second time in over five seasons and managed a very middling 5.2 yards per pass attempt as he fought mobility issues. Wentz told reporters he felt "way better" earlier this week and Frank Reich expects him to do a little more from the pocket this week.

Expect continued limitation in the pocket and rushing game. The unfortunate loss of Quenton Nelson to a high ankle sprain won't help.

Justin Fields | Thumb | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Andy Dalton | Knee | Questionable >> Doubtful | Likely inactive

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

Fields injured the thumb on his throwing hand in the second half last week. Though limited in practice, Fields told reporters his thumb was "feeling better." Dalton, who continued to look limited in mid-week practice video as he recovers from a bone bruise in his knee, is listed questionable.

On Friday, Fields told reporters he still hadn't been told who the starting quarterback this week will be. If the practice video on Dalton is any indication, it's unlikely Dalton will be ready to return this week. I suspect the Bears -- and Fields -- have known all week that Fields would start. Nagy's Friday comments to the press suggested he was comfortable with Fields' progress in practice and had no concerns with the thumb injury.

Expect Dalton to be inactive.

Sunday Update: Dalton was downgraded to doubtful. Fields has been named the starter.

Others of note: Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral) and Jameis Winston (knee) 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

Dalvin Cook | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Cook continues to recover from a Week 2 high ankle sprain. There was optimism he could play early last week but swelling and stiffness kept him from practicing and he was inactive. Video of the injury and the early optimism last week are good indicators that Cook's sprain is low-grade.

This week, Cook gradually increased his individual work and told Tom Pelissero he took a "good amount of reps" on Friday. Cook didn't speak to the media like he did last week but Mike Zimmer said Cook "looked pretty good."

It's likely Cook will be active. With Alexander Mattison coming off an effective and productive 32 touches in Week 3, the Vikings should be confident that Cook isn't immediately needed for a full workload. Though there's more upside if Cook is feeling good during his first-quarter series, it's more reasonable to expect 12-15 touches.

Sunday update: Both Adam Schefter and Tom Pelissero are reporting Cook is expected to play. Schefter qualified his tweet with "barring a pregame setback."

Antonio Gibson | Shin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Although there was no injury designation on Wednesday's practice report, Ron Rivera told reporters Gibson's injury happened during last week's game. It doesn't appear Washington is concerned about his availability. Rivera said Gibson participated in walkthrough reps on Thursday (he was listed DNP), looked good in his limited reps on Friday, and is "pretty confident" Gibson will play.

Unless Gibson is unexpectedly tender on Saturday, expect him to be active and see his usual early-down workload.

Jonathan Taylor | Knee | Questionable | Expected to play

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

The Colts haven't revealed details on Taylor's injury but multiple local writers are expecting him to play. Taylor played his seasonal baseline 50% offensive snaps last week. The Colts say his decline in touches (23 in Week 1, 16 in Week 2, 11 in Week 3) was due to Tennessee's defensive scheme last week rather than injury.

Expect Taylor to be active. However, the continuing limited mobility of Carson Wentz and the loss of Quenton Nelson to a high-ankle sprain will limit his upside even if his knee is a non-issue.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Taylor had "a little fluid build up in his knee" last week but described the condition as "more nagging than anything else." Taylor is expected to play and should see his usual workload. If he does not and it becomes clear the knee is likely to be a chronic issue, we'll need to revisit his 2021 outlook.

DAndre Swift | Groin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

The Lions continue to limit Swift's practice repetitions but there are no indications his usage will be affected on game day. Depending on game script and situation, expect Swift to again see 12-20 touches again this week.

Elijah Mitchell | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Originally described as a stinger-like injury, it now appears Mitchell also suffered a shoulder sprain in Week 2. Kyle Shanahan told reporters Mitchell's return is now a "pain-tolerance issue" and a Saturday evaluation would inform the team on how much Mitchell would be able to play. Shoulder sprains are not easy injuries to play through but there's some measure of reassurance in that Mitchell is not working through a nerve-recovery issue that could take another 2-3 weeks to resolve.

Predicting how Shanahan will handle offensive usage is difficult. If Mitchell is cleared for contact, it's likely the Niners will split the backfield workload between Mitchell and Trey Sermon.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reported overnight Mitchell "will be out" today.

Darrell Henderson | Ribs | Questionable | Expected to play

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

The Rams list Henderson questionable. But a full Friday practice was enough to convince Sean McVay that Henderson is sufficiently recovered from his rib cartilage injury. McVay told reporters Henderson will play.

Sony Michel carried a full workload for Los Angeles last week and proved he was ready to contribute. After seeing just one carry in Week 1 and limited snaps in Week 2 prior to Henderson's injury, the Rams may be more confident in Michel's committee role this week. Henderson is at some risk of aggravation if pain management becomes an issue during the game.

Henderson will be active but 10-15 touches are well within the range of expectation in his first week back.

*Josh Jacobs | Ankle | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Jacobs returned to limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Jon Gruden told reporters Jacobs was questionable for Monday night. That's an upgrade from last week's "very questionable" early week tag.

Gruden also said he would not "hesitate to put [Peyton Barber] in a primary role" after his strong effort against Miami last week. Expect some rotational duty for Barber even if Jacobs is able to play.

I'll update after the Raiders' Saturday practice.

Saturday update: Gruden told reporters the Raiders would "run [Jacobs] around the field on gameday and see how he feels." Jacobs remains questionable at best and is unlikely to see more than 10-12 touches if he's active.

Sunday update: Adam Caplan reported Saturday night Jacobs is "very questionable" to play. It's best to keep Jacobs on your bench unless you have no other viable 8-10+ touch options and/or have a strong Monday night hedge.

Melvin Gordon | Ribs / Lower leg | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Gordon was limited with a rib injury on Wednesday. The team added a nebulous lower leg designation on Thursday and Friday and list him questionable. Gordon was cleared to speak to the media on Friday and there are no indications of concern from beat writers.

The usage split between Gordon and Javonte Williams is consistent through the first three weeks, with Gordon just slightly ahead on snaps. Williams has seen at least 12 touches in each game, however, and local writers continue to speculate the team may push Williams slightly ahead in usage soon.

It doesn't appear Gordon's injuries will be enough to force Denver's hand but watch for any overnight reports suggesting a shift is planned.

Others of note: Aaron Jones (ankle), A.J. Dillon (back), and Saquon Barkley (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), James White (hip), Giovani Bernard (knee), and Rashaad Penny (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

Tyler Lockett | Hip | Questionable | Expected to play

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

The Seahawks do not hesitate to give players full days of treatment rather than push them through a handful of practice reps. Their injury report sometimes seems entirely random, with midweek DNPs or players entirely removed from the practice report by the end of the week the norm rather than the exception.

So, the Thursday DNP should not routinely prompt the same concern in Seattle as it might with another player on another team.

On Friday, after Lockett returned to a full practice, Pete Carroll told reporters the team "rested [Lockett] during the week and he had a bunch of treatment and he feels good." That's consistent with Lockett returning to the game last week and Carroll's early-week reassurance about Lockett's Week 4 status.

However, Lockett's target counts and production have dipped after injury in previous seasons and video of his injury suggested possible injuries that could limit his mobility.

Don't shy away from using Lockett in lineups this week. But if his target count is less than expected, his injury and status will need to be monitored even more carefully in Week 5.

*Keenan Allen | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to play

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

Allen has been limited by an ankle injury but looks likely to play.

After playing his usual 80-90% snaps last week, Allen has spoken to the media this week about his excitement in facing former teammate Casey Hayward this week and took questions about the stellar play of teammate Mike Williams. Allen generally plays through injury and often effectively.

I'll update after Saturday's practice but expect Allen to be available for his usual number of routes and targets.

Saturday update: Allen practiced fully on Saturday and is not on the game status report. He will play and should see his usual workload.

Chase Claypool | Hamstring | Questionable | Inactive

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

Claypool's practice line includes the most glaring red flag possible for a new soft-tissue injury -- a Friday DNP after leaving practice on Thursday.

Although the Steelers list Claypool questionable, it's rare for a player to recover from any grade soft-tissue injury within 72 hours. The Steelers have to travel to Green Bay on Saturday, adding another layer of difficulty to Claypool's recovery timetable.

Expect Claypool to be inactive.

Saturday update: Claypool did not travel with the team to Green Bay and has been declared out.

Curtis Samuel | Groin | Activated off injured reserve | Expected to play

Ron Rivera told reporters Samuel will be active on Sunday.

Samuel frequently aggravated his groin strain this offseason. Despite reports of Samuel moving well in individual drills after returning to practice, beat writers were surprised to see the team move him to the active roster on Friday. While an immediate return to 60 snaps and a full workload of routes is possible, expect Samuel to be used in limited practice. 5-7 targets is likely his ceiling.

Jamison Crowder | Groin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

After a mild aggravation of his groin strain two weeks ago, Crowder successfully returned to a full practice and is expected to return this week.

Darnell Mooney | Groin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Mooney returned to play 98% of Chicago's offensive snaps last week and went through his typical limited week of practice. He is expected to play.

Others of note: Tyreek Hill (rib), Mecole Hardman (hip), Demarcus Robinson (knee), DK Metcalf (foot), DeAndre Hopkins (ribs), Chris Godwin (thumb), Antonio Brown (COVID), Diontae Johnson (knee), JuJu Smith-Schuster (ribs), Odell Beckham (shoulder), Kenny Golladay (hip), DeVante Parker (shoulder), Will Fuller (chest, elbow), and Terrace Marshall (thumb) are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. A.J. Brown (hamstring), Julio Jones (hamstring), Sterling Shepard (hamstring), Darius Slayton (hamstring), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (hamstring), Russell Gage (ankle), Danny Amendola (thigh), Elijah Moore (concussion), and Dee Eskridge (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

Rob Gronkowski | Ribs | Doubtful | Inactive

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

Gronkowski returned to play last week after the rib injury and x-rays were reportedly negative after the game. But rib injuries are difficult and variable recoveries. Cartilage injuries are very painful and recovery time varies. Multiple rib contusions can be difficult to endure. Pain-killing injections and protective padding can help but it's an impossible injury to manage while continuing to take full-speed contact.

Unfortunately, even with the motivation of this week's matchup against New England, Gronkowski has been unable to practice and is listed doubtful.

Bruce Arians and team reporters expected Gronkowski to take some limited reps in Friday's practice but the final report suggests the team chose treatment over practice instead. Gronkowski wasn't cleared to speak to the media either.

The doubtful tag leaves only the smallest sliver of hope for Gronkowski to play. There's an outside chance of a Saturday upgrade if he responds well to further treatment, but expect Gronkowski to be inactive. If he does play, he'll likely see red zone opportunities only but could be statistically viable in that limited role.

Saturday update: Gronkowski did not travel to New England as been declared out.

Saturday update: Adam Schefter is reporting an MRI showed Gronkowski fractured multiple ribs and could be sidelined multiple weeks.

George Kittle | Calf | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Kittle managed limited practice reps on Friday and is listed questionable with a calf injury. This isn't a new injury. Although he's played nearly every snap through the first three weeks, Kittle said he has been dealing with limitations in the calf since Week 1.

The Niners did allow Kittle to talk to reporters on Friday, which is often a hopeful sign. Kittle said he was "dealing with some swelling and a little pain" and "if my body says I can go, I'll be out there." Neither Kittle nor the Niners would commit to his availability.

If Kittle plays, he may see limited packages and routes.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Kittle was "loudly telling teammates...he was playing" and the Niners are optimistic he'll play. Adam Schefter later tweeted simply Kittle "will play."

Jack Doyle | Back | Questionable | Game-time decision

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

The Colts have not ruled Doyle out and local writers have not speculated about his availability. The practice line looks worrisome but there's room for hope the Colts have been extra cautious with a veteran player. Watch inactives for confirmation.

Others of note: Tyler Conklin (glute, elbow), Anthony Firkser (knee), and Kaden Smith (knee) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Gerald Everett (COVID) 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.

PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS

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