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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

• TE Rob Gronkowski (MNF - lean probable)

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• QB Lamar Jackson
• QB Kyler Murray
• RB Elijah Mitchell
• WR Curtis Samuel
• WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
• QB Jared Goff
• RB Damien Williams

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• RB Saquon Barkley
• WR Chris Godwin
• RB James Robinson
• RB Latavius Murray
• RB Jamaal Williams

Expected to return from injured reserve / PUP

• RB Miles Sanders
• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
• RB Tony Jones

Ruled Out

• RB Alvin Kamara
• RB Aaron Jones
• WR DeAndre Hopkins
• WR Marquise Brown
• WR Antonio Brown
• WR Sterling Shepard
• WR Allen Robinson
• RB JaMycal Hasty
• TE Ricky Seals-Jones

Remains on injured reserve / PUP

• RB Chris Carson

COVID-reserve | Inactive

• WR Amari Cooper
• WR Denzel Mims

QUARTERBACK

Lamar Jackson | Illness | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Saturday update: Jackson fully practiced on Friday and was not listed on the Ravens' game status report. Baltimore added him back on Saturday with the same illness designation. There's no indication he'll be unable to play. If the Ravens add Trace McSorley from their practice squad on Saturday afternoon, the concern for Jackson will heighten considerably.

Check back for more weekend updates.

Saturday update: Jackson traveled with the team to Chicago. He's reportedly dealing with respiratory symptoms and wasn't feeling well during a Saturday morning walkthrough.

Saturday update: The Ravens moved Trace McSorley to the active roster this afternoon as a hedge on Jackson's availability. Watch for news on how Jackson feels on Sunday morning.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports a source says Jackson is "50-50" to play saying, "He's sick - not COVID." Jackson's status will not be known until this morning. It's possible we won't get more information until inactives are released at 1130am ET.

Sunday update: The tone of this morning's reports have trended doubtful this morning. Josina Anderson is now reporting Jackson is "not doing well enough to play." Expect Jackson to be inactive.

Kyler Murray | Ankle | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Colt McCoy | Pectoral | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Murray was able to return to limited practices this week and told reporters he is "hopeful" to play. The Cardinals continue to refer to Murray as a game-time decision. General manager Steve Keim would not elaborate on Murray's status during an interview Friday. Keim has consistently said the team needs to be sure Murray can protect himself from aggravating the injury to be cleared to play.

The full week of limited practice is a good sign. The Cardinals want Murray available for Sunday's divisional game -- especially with Colt McCoy battling a pectoral strain. Beat writer consensus is that Murray will play. But it's clear that Murray is not fully recovered from a Week 8 high ankle sprain and Arizona may choose to allow Murray to finish healing through their Week 12 bye.

McCoy fully practiced and should be cleared to play.

I currently lean toward Murray active and starting. He'll have limitations in the pocket and will be at risk of an in-game aggravation. Overnight updates will provide a clearer idea of his game day status.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports McCoy will start over Murray. Although Murray reportedly wants to play and is closer than last week, the Cardinals are likely to hold him out until after the bye.

Ben Roethlisberger | COVID+ | Expected to play

Roethlisberger will not meet the 10-day isolation requirement in time for Sunday's game. He needs consecutive negative COVID tests to be cleared to play. He was not activated on Friday -- which means his earliest possible first negative test would be Friday. That's possible but unlikely.

Expect Roethlisberger to be out again this week.

Saturday update: Roethlisberger did have a negative test on Friday. His follow-up test on Saturday was also negative and he's been cleared to play. He'll travel to Los Angeles separately but is expected to start against the Chargers.

Others of note: Lamar Jackson (illness), Aaron Rodgers (toe), Justin Herbert (oblique), Tua Tagovailoa (finger), and Baker Mayfield (shoulder, foot) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Jared Goff (oblique) and Zach Wilson (knee) are doubtful and unlikely to be active. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

*Saquon Barkley | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

*Devontae Booker | Hip | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Barkley was likely close to returning in Week 9 but COVID protocols prevented him from the early and midweek practices he needed to prove he was fit to return. The Giants did not clear him for a full practice on Thursday or Friday but observers did not see any limitation in his movement during drills.

Expect Barkley to be listed questionable whether he returns to a full Saturday workout or not. But all indications are Barkley will return this week and should be ready for close to his usual workload. Expect 15+ touches unless we get a pessimistic overnight report.

Booker was reportedly cleared to return in Week 9 but did not. Beat writers expect him to be available in a supporting role.

Saturday update: Barkley is listed questionable. Joe Judge told reporters the "next 48 hours will be big" to "see how [Barkley's] body responds" and determine whether he'll be ready for Monday night. Barkley continues to trend probable to play.

Elijah Mitchell | Rib / Finger | Doubtful | Likely inactive

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

The Niners were publicly optimistic Mitchell would be able to play after surgery on Monday to fixate a broken finger. Inside the building, they've likely known Mitchell would need at least a week to recover. Mitchell is listed doubtful but won't be cleared to play on Sunday. With JaMycal Hasty still out with an ankle injury, expect Jeff Wilson to be the lead back with Trey Sermon in a minor supporting role.

James Robinson | Heel / Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Robinson practiced on Thursday and Friday after adding a knee condition to the heel bruise that kept him out in Week 9. Robinson was considered a game-time decision last week but was active, had twice as many snaps as Carlos Hyde, and had 16 productive touches.

Urban Meyer told reporters Robinson was feeling "pretty good" after Friday's practice. That's similar to the tone Meyer had last week when Robinson was active and played. Though Robinson's knee injury is not clear, he looks likely to play and capable of 12-15+ touches again this week.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reported overnight Robinson is expected to play.

Miles Sanders | Ankle | Activated from injured reserve | Expected to play

Nick Sirianni told reporters on Friday the Eagles were still deciding whether Sanders was ready to return from his ankle injury. It didn't feel like coach-speak.

Sanders was seen practicing all week. Some beat writers report Sanders looked healthy enough to return from injured reserve. Others feel the team is likely to give Sanders an extra week to recover. We'll know whether Sanders will be active on Saturday; the Eagles have to add him to the active roster by 400pm.

If Sanders is active, he's unlikely to see more than 8-10 touches. Jordan Howard and Boston Scott have been effective with Sanders out. Siranni said Sanders was the team's starting running back but expects a committee approach until Sanders proves he's in game condition.

Monday update: Sanders was activated on Saturday. Chris Mortensen reports that Sanders "looked great" in practice. 8-10 touches is the most likely usage but there is upside if Sanders proves he's in condition for more.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Knee | Activated from injured reserve | Expected to play

Andy Reid said Edwards-Helaire "had a good week of practice" but wouldn't confirm whether the Chiefs will activate him.

With Darrel Williams playing well, it's unlikely Edwards-Helaire would see more than 25-30 snaps. The Chiefs have a Week 12 bye and Reid admitted the team will factor the extra two weeks of rehab and recovery to Edwards-Helaire's timeline.

The improvement in Edwards-Helaire's practice this week has him trending toward being active in a supporting role. We'll know his status by Saturday afternoon.

Monday update: Edwards-Helaire was activated on Saturday and will play.

Latavius Murray | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Murray returned to a full week of limited practice. He's now five weeks from his Week 6 high ankle sprain and should be nearing his return. The Ravens did not specifically address Murray's status and local writers aren't speculating on his status. However, the release of LeVeon Bell earlier this week could be a sign Murray is ready to return in a rotational role with only Devonta Freeman and TySon Williams remaining on the depth chart.

Sunday update: Murray is expected to play.

Jamaal Williams | Thigh | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Williams is expected to return after missing two games with a leg injury. He was cleared for media sessions this week and told writers he was excited to return. DeAndre Swift has established himself as the lead back over the past month but Williams could see 5-8 touches in a supporting role.

Tony Jones | Ankle | Activated from injured reserve | Likely to play

Alvin Kamara and Ty Montgomery have been declared out. The Saints have Mark Ingram in the lead role currently but are likely to active Tony Jones to support Dwayne Washington on the game day depth chart.

Saturday update: Damien Williams was added back to the Bears' injury report on Saturday with a new calf condition. He is doubtful and now likely inactive.

Others of note: Ezekiel Elliott (knee), Nick Chubb (COVID+), Antonio Gibson (shin), DAndre Swift (shoulder), Alex Collins (groin), Josh Jacobs (knee), Carlos Hyde (shoulder), and Jordan Howard (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Alvin Kamara (knee), Ty Montgomery (hand), Aaron Jones (knee), JaMycal Hasty (ankle), and Jeremy McNichols (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.

WIDE RECEIVER

Marquise Brown | Thigh | Declared out | Inactive

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

Brown is listed with a thigh injury. On Thursday, one Baltimore writer speculated Brown's injury was a hamstring strain.

The Ravens tend to be cautious when Brown has soft-tissue injuries, making this week's practice line difficult to read. Brown was on the field for 75% of Baltimore's snaps last week, a slight decrease in his usual workload. There are no reports Brown was injured before Wednesday's practice. That leaves open the possibility this week's missed practices were more caution than concern, with Brown able to see his usual targets with a limited risk of aggravation.

I'll update with any overnight news.

Saturday update: The Ravens ruled Brown out.

*Chris Godwin | Foot | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Godwin was considered a game-time decision after not practicing last week but played 46 of 48 snaps and led the team with seven catches. The Buccaneers have limited Godwin's practice this week and won't release their final game status report until Saturday afternoon. There are no indications Godwin aggravated his injury or is in danger of a limited snap count.

Expect Godwin to be cleared to play and ready for his usual workload.

Saturday update: Godwin practiced fully and was not listed on the game status report.

Chase Claypool | Toe | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Shortly after his toe injury in Week 9, there were reports Claypool had a season-threatening injury. This week, Claypool was back to a full practice and is not on the game status report.

The quick recovery and full practice should mean Claypool is nearly full strength, at low risk of limitation and aggravation, and ready for a full snap count immediately.

Donovan Peoples-Jones | Groin | Questionable | Game-time decision

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

Peoples-Jones played through a groin injury last week and was on the field for 50 of the team's 59 offensive snaps. Unfortunately, he aggravated his injury during Wednesday's practice and was not cleared to return until Friday.

It's possible Thursday's absence was a precaution and Peoples-Jones has already been cleared to return. More likely, Friday's workout was an evaluation day. Consider him a game-time decision and at risk of being declared inactive unless we get a reassuring overnight report.

Sunday update: Peoples-Jones did not look as good as hoped on Friday and Ian Rapoport reports he is unlikely to play.

Curtis Samuel | Groin | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Samuel surprisingly returned to practice for the first time since aggravating his groin injury in Week 5. Even more surprisingly, Washington listed him questionable after a single limited workout.

Ron Rivera said Samuel "looked good" but noted Samuel would need to "get comfortable again" and "get his wind under him." If Washington somehow clears him to play after 4-5 months of aggravations with just one official practice, Samuel is unlikely to see more than 10-15 snaps.

Others of note: Davante Adams (shoulder), Tyreek Hill (ankle), Deebo Samuel (shin), CeeDee Lamb (ankle), DK Metcalf (foot), Keenan Allen (knee), Adam Thielen (heel, Achilles), Terry McLaurin (shoulder), Jarvis Landry (knee), DeVonta Smith (elbow), and Cole Beasley (ribs) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. DeAndre Hopkins (hamstring), Amari Cooper (COVID+), Antonio Brown (ankle), Sterling Shepard (quad), Allen Robinson (hamstring), and Allen Lazard (shoulder) 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 | Back | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Gronkowski is likely to return on Monday night. He's had consecutive full practices and Bruce Arians said the "arrow was pointing up" on his return. Gronkowski spoke to the media on Friday and was his usual quirky self. That's a great sign after a back condition limited him over the past 2-3 weeks.

In his Friday interview, Gronkowski implied that the back spasms he felt on his initial return were likely related to conditioning and returning while still in pain from the rib injury, which he described as feeling like he was shot. A full Saturday practice would put Gronkowski in line for a significant workload on Monday night.

Saturday update: Gronkowski did not practice on Saturday and is a game-time decision according to Bruce Arians. It's not clear why Gronkowski did not practice but there are no indications of a setback. Tom Brady told reporters Gronkowski is excited about getting back on the field and continued to make progress toward returning Monday night.

The missed Saturday practice raises some concern. Hopefully, there will be actionable overnight updates.

Others of note: Travis Kelce (neck), Dallas Goedert (concussion), Gerald Everett (groin), Austin Hooper (shin), and Jack Doyle (knee) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Ricky Seals-Jones (hip) 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.