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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

• RB James Robinson -- active

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• WR Kyler Murray
• WR DeAndre Hopkins
• TE Jonnu Smith

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• QB Aaron Rodgers
• WR Chris Godwin
• RB Zack Moss
• WR Corey Davis
• RB Rhamondre Stevenson
• WR Rondale Moore
• WR Tim Patrick

Expected to return from injured reserve / PUP

• QB Russell Wilson
• WR Michael Gallup
• WR Dee Eskridge

Ruled Out

• RB Alvin Kamara
• WR Robert Woods
• RB Chase Edmonds
• WR Antonio Brown
• WR Chase Claypool
• TE Rob Gronkowski
• WR Julio Jones
• RB Damien Harris
• RB JaMycal Hasty
• WR Curtis Samuel
• RB Jamaal Williams

Remains on injured reserve / PUP

• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (doubtful to play)
• RB Chris Carson (will remain on IR)

COVID-reserve | Inactive

• RB Nick Chubb
• QB Ben Roethlisberger
• QB Drew Lock

QUARTERBACK

Kyler Murray | Ankle | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Murray told reporters he felt much better this week but managed only a limited Friday practice.

General manager Steve Keim said Murray "looked good throwing the ball around" but there's been no indication Murray has recovered enough to be his usual dynamic self around and outside the pocket. Observers said Murray was only throwing lightly and didn't appear to be stepping into throws. Keim said the team's decision would depend on how Murray feels on Sunday and the team would allow him to play if he's "comfortable enough."

It's unlikely Murray is near full recovery and Arizona has already said he won't play until he can protect himself. He remains questionable at best to play.

Sunday update: The Cardinals are saying Murray will be given until game time to play but there's a strong overnight consensus among local and national reporters Murray won't play.

Aaron Rodgers | COVID+ | Expected to play

Rodgers cannot be returned to the active roster until Saturday afternoon but the Packers expect him to start on Sunday.

Russell Wilson | Finger | Activated from injured reserve | Expected to play

Wilson has cleared every necessary hurdle to play. Recovery from surgery to fix a fractured finger and tendon injury went smoothly. Predictably, Wilson pushed his rehab and progressed through a throwing program quickly.

The Seahawks confirmed Wilson will be activated from injured reserve on Saturday and return. Expect some inaccuracy as Wilson acclimates to football speed. It's possible Seattle chooses to limit Wilson's downfield throwing until he proves he's ready.

Ben Roethlisberger | COVID+ | Inactive

Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID on Saturday. He has been placed on the COVID-reserve list and will not play.

Others of note: Ryan Tannehill (illness), Carson Wentz (illness), Baker Mayfield (shoulder, foot), and Trevor Lawrence (ankle) 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

*Elijah Mitchell | Rib | Not listed | Expected to play

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

*JaMycal Hasty | Ankle | Declared out | Inactive

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

Mitchell has been practicing in a no-contact jersey again this week but is likely to play. After a similar practice line last week and some concern that Jeff Wilson would return to threaten Mitchell's volume, the Niners leaned heavily on Mitchell despite the rib injury. Mitchell saw 13 touches on 66% of the team's offensive snaps. Wilson did not play a snap and Hasty had just four touches on 20 snaps.

With no indication of a setback last week, expect Mitchell to see 12-15+ touches again this week.

Hasty is back on the injury report with an ankle condition and has yet to practice. He looks doubtful to play, likely putting Wilson in line for touches in support of Mitchell.

Saturday update: Mitchell fully practiced and is cleared to play. Hasty was declared out.

James Robinson | Heel | Questionable | Game-time decision > Likely active

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

Robinson returned to consecutive limited practices on Thursday and Friday. The Friday practice is a good sign that Robinson handled Thursday's workout well.

Urban Meyer said Robinson had a good chance to play but the team would "mix in" Carlos Hyde. If Robinson is active, expect his snaps and touches to be limited. 10-12 touches is a reasonable ceiling unless there are very positive weekend reports on Robinson's progress.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport reports Robinson is unlikely to aggravate his injury if he plays but is still considered questionable. Expect a limited role if active.

Sunday update: Robinson is active. There are no updates on his role but the Jaguars said to expect Hyde to see a sizable role if Robinson was active.

Chris Carson | Neck | Designated to return | Declared out

Pete Carroll told reporters the Seahawks are not yet ready to activate Carson. The medical staff will continue to evaluate Carson's progress next week.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Knee | Designated to return | Likely to remain on IR

Andy Reid felt Edwards-Helaire looked good in his return to practice this week. But Reid said it was "probably a stretch" for Edwards-Helaire to be activated to play. Expect Edwards-Helaire to stay on injured reserve and be re-evaluated next week.

Sunday update: Edwards-Helaire was not added to the active roster on Saturday and remains ineligible to play.

Damien Harris | Concussion | Questionable | Inactive

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

Rhamondre Stevenson | Concussion | Questionable | Likely to play

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

The Patriots routinely list every injured player questionable. Many lean probable and are expected to play, some are doubtful and have no chance to play. Harris and Stevenson are likely in the latter category.

New England has until Saturday afternoon to continue rehab and observation and it remains theoretically possible Harris and/or Stevenson can play. However, it's extremely unlikely the independent neurologist will clear a player for contact that has yet to do any individual drills for his team.

Neither Harris nor Stevenson is likely to be active.

Saturday update: Harris has been ruled out. Stevenson reportedly made further progress on Friday and Saturday morning and is trending toward playing.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Stevenson cleared the final steps of the return to play protocol and is expected to be active.

Zack Moss | Concussion | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Moss practiced on Thursday and Friday. While he was listed limited on Friday, Moss was not in a no-contact jersey. That suggests he was in the final stage of the return-to-play protocol and is trending toward playing.

Moss will have to see the independent neurologist on Friday evening or early Saturday morning to gain final clearance. The Bills travel to New York on Saturday. If Moss is cleared to fly, he'll be active and play.

Saturday update: Moss reportedly cleared concussion protocol on Saturday and will play.

Ty Montgomery | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Montgomery had a full week of limited practice and was taking some team snaps during the week. With Alvin Kamara down with a knee sprain, Montgomery could be active in a supporting role behind Mark Ingram.

Tevin Coleman | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Coleman is expected to return and play a limited role.

Others of note: Ezekiel Elliott (knee), Chase Edmonds (ankle), Najee Harris (foot), Antonio Gibson (shin), Alex Collins (groin), Josh Jacobs (knee), and Giovani Bernard (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Alvin Kamara (knee), Nick Chubb (COVID+), Jamaal Williams (hip), and Justin Jackson (quadricep) 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

DeAndre Hopkins | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Rondale Moore | Neck / Concussion | Questionable | Likely to play

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

It can be nearly impossible to convince a player with a long history of playing through injury to miss a game. Once that player rests for that first week, they're often more comfortable rehabbing until they're closer to full recovery, even if it means missing multiple games.

I think that's where Hopkins is right now. The Cardinals rested Hopkins last week, ten days after he snuck back on the field multiple times after aggravating a hamstring strain in Week 8. Hopkins was again unable to practice all week and Kliff Kingsbury said the Cardinals would continue to be cautious with their star wide receiver. Kingsbury told reporters Hopkins would be rested until the team was certain "he 100% can do everything he does."

Expect Hopkins to be inactive again this week.

Moore continues to make progress in his recovery from last week's concussion and has not yet been ruled out. He could be cleared by an independent neurologist on Saturday. I'll update with news through the weekend.

Sunday update: Hopkins continues to trend toward missing another game. If he's a surprise active on game day, his snap count and usage will be severely limited. Moore is considered likely to play.

Chris Godwin | Foot | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Godwin played 97% of the Buccaneers' offensive snaps in Week 8 but has barely practiced this week after Tampa Bay's Week 9 bye.

It's not clear what Godwin's foot injury may be but the lack of practice is concerning. Friday's limited session was critical for Godwin. Bruce Arians said Godwin was a game-time decision but the Buccaneers will know whether Godwin can play on Saturday. If Godwin responded well to Friday's light workout, the team will likely clear him to travel to Washington and re-evaluate him on Sunday.

Temper your expectations even if Godwin is active. Foot injuries are limiting for receivers and Godwin may be at risk of aggravation.

Saturday update: Local reporters expect Godwin to be available. Wait for further confirmation before committing to Godwin in your fantasy lineup.

Sunday update: Godwin is expected to play today per multiple reports. There are still no details on his injury, making speculation on his usage difficult.

Keenan Allen | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

The Chargers listed Allen questionable but Brandon Staley told reporters Allen will play. That's not surprising. Allen continues to see heavy usage without obvious limitation and the Chargers routinely rest veterans with minor injury in practice.

Staley said Allen was "hurting a little bit" but practiced well in full pads on Thursday and Friday and "will play in the game." Expect Allen to see his usual workload.

Robert Woods | Knee | Declared out

Multiple outlets reported Woods tore his ACL during practice on Friday. He was not listed on the team's injury or game status report because he completed practice. Further testing revealed the extent of his injury.

Julio Jones | Hamstring | Questionable - Injured reserve | Inactive

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

Jones appeared to aggravate his chronically sore hamstring again on Thursday and did not practice Friday. Mike Vrabel told reporters the team had no plans to shut Jones down to get past the hamstring injury. But there's no local optimism that Jones will play this week.

If he's active, expect limited snaps and targets and a high risk of in-game aggravation.

Saturday update: Jones was moved to injured reserve on Saturday. He's officially out.

Corey Davis | Hip | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Davis fully practiced on Friday and is expected to return to his pre-injury workload immediately.

Tim Patrick | Knee | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Patrick has been dealing with knee soreness at times this year and the Broncos chose to limit practice reps this week. There are no local reports of concern and Patrick is expected to play.

Michael Gallup | Calf | Activated from injured reserve | Expected to play

Cedrick Wilson | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Gallup hasn't yet been officially returned to the active roster but Mike McCarthy said he expects Gallup to be available on Sunday and play without limitations. The roster move will likely happen on Saturday.

Wilson was limited with a shoulder condition in practice but is also expected to play.

Sunday update: Gallup was activated and will play.

Dyami Brown | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Brown is on track to return after aggravating a knee injury before Washington's bye. Watch for confirmation in pregame warmups.

Others of note: Tyreek Hill (ankle), CeeDee Lamb (ankle), Amari Cooper (hamstring), DK Metcalf (foot), A.J. Brown (foot), Jarvis Landry (knee), DeVonta Smith (elbow), Cole Beasley (ribs), Christian Kirk (thumb), T.Y. Hilton (concussion), and Hunter Renfrow (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Antonio Brown (ankle), Chase Claypool (toe), and Curtis Samuel (groin) 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

*George Kittle | Calf | Not listed | Expected to play

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

The Niners are limiting Kittle's practice reps this week. After reports Kittle would play "roughly half the snaps" last week, he returned to play 73% of San Francisco's offensive snaps in his first week back and had eight targets.

San Francisco plays Monday night and won't post an official game status report until Saturday afternoon. While it's possible Kittle may be limited on Saturday and listed questionable, it's more likely Kittle won't be on the injury report at all. Expect him to see the majority of the team's snaps and approach double-digit targets again this week.

Jonnu Smith | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Smith has been limited by a shoulder injury for weeks. After playing his usual snaps in Week 8, Smith left last week's game early and was again limited in practice all week. Ominously, Smith was taken off the media schedule on Friday. That's likely an indication the Patriots have decided to hold him out this week.

Albert Okwuegbunam | Knee | Questionable | Game-time decision

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

Okwuegbunam was limited in practice last week but was cleared to play. He tweaked the knee early but returned to play and saw a season-high 63 snaps (81% of Denver's offensive snaps). He's likely to play but will see limited duty with Noah Fant returned from the COVID list.

Others of note: Travis Kelce (neck), Dawson Knox (hand), and Eric Ebron (hamstring) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Rob Gronkowski (back) 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.