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:
Sunday Decision
- WR Corey Davis
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- QB Jalen Hurts
- QB Justin Fields
- RB Darrell Henderson
- WR Sterling Shepard
- WR Kadarius Toney
- RB David Johnson
- RB Phillip Lindsay
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- QB Kyler Murray
- WR DeAndre Hopkins
- RB James Robinson
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- WR Curtis Samuel
- WR Odell Beckham
- RB Josh Jacobs
- RB Alex Collins
- WR Brandin Cooks
- RB Boston Scott
- TE Kyle Rudolph
- TE Jack Doyle
Expected to return from injured reserve / PUP
- WR DeVante Parker (activated Saturday)
Ruled Out
- RB Dalvin Cook
- WR Deebo Samuel
- TE Darren Waller
- RB DAndre Swift
- WR Antonio Brown
- QB Daniel Jones
- RB Melvin Gordon
- RB J.D. McKissic
- WR Allen Robinson
- WR Marquise Goodwin
- RB Jordan Howard
Remains on injured reserve / PUP
COVID-reserve | Inactive
- WR Denzel Mims
- QB Mike White
QUARTERBACK
Kyler Murray | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Murray participated in drills all week after taking the additional two weeks to rehab through the Cardinals' bye week. Local and national media reports are optimistic he'll play.
Kliff Kingsbury continues to say Murray is a game-time decision. And the team has remained cautious with Murray since the injury, refusing to clear him for game action until he proves he's able to protect himself inside and outside the pocket. While media reports are optimistic, there's still some concern Murray may be inactive.
If Murray does play, he's likely to be capable of scrambling and running but don't expect the team to include many designed runs in the game plan.
I'll have more through the weekend and follow up on the usual national media Saturday night reporting.
Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Murray is expected to start.
Jalen Hurts | Ankle | Questionable | Likely inactive
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Hurts struggled to finish the game last week on an injured ankle and was limited in practice this week. Video of the injury didn't appear significant but ankle injuries can be tricky to gauge by video alone.
Nick Siranni told reporters the team prepared Gardner Minshew to play this week in case Hurts isn't ready. Siranni said Hurts "still has 48 hours to heal" but the team "won't put a guy out there that isn't ready to go." Ian Rapoport reported it's still up in the air whether Hurts will go.
If Hurts isn't able to threaten defenses in the rushing game, the Eagles may give him another week to recover. His four interceptions last week may have the Eagles wondering whether Minshew is a better option from the pocket this weekend.
Expect additional reporting on Hurts through the weekend.
Sunday update: A report from local beat writer Derrick Gunn confidently stated Hurts would not play. Follow up from Adam Schefter added some doubt to Gunn's certainty, but it's clear Hurts isn't fully healthy and unlikely to play. Prepare for him to be inactive.
Sunday update: Hurts will be inactive today. Multiple media outlets now report Minshew as the starter.
Others of note: Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral, shoulder), Teddy Bridgewater (tibia), and Zach Wilson (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Justin Fields (ribs) and Daniel Jones (neck) 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.
RUNNING BACK
Darrell Henderson | Thigh | Questionable | Sunday decision
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited
Sean McVay seemed convinced Henderson would be available for most of the week. He told reporters before practice both Wednesday and Thursday he expected Henderson to play.
Henderson did not practice on Thursday, however, and the tone changed considerably in Friday's media session. McVay said the Rams were waiting to see how Henderson looked at practice on Friday. The need for a late-week evaluation period for a soft-tissue injury that occurred five days early is almost always a poor prognostic sign.
McVay also discussed the need to remove Sony Michel from special-teams duty, suggesting the team has already begun game-planning for Henderson being limited or absent.
Henderson is trending doubtful and it will take a very optimistic weekend note to expect him to see his usual workload if active.
Sunday update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport say the Rams will look at Henderson during pregame. Rapoport suggests Henderson is "hopeful to play" but "may not have a full workload." Schefter tweeted the team is "not optimistic" Henderson can play. Schefter's lean will likely prove accurate. Expect Henderson to be inactive.
James Robinson | Heel / Knee | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Robinson returned from a heel injury in Week 10 and has been listed with both heel and knee injuries since that game. He's been increasingly limited in practice over that time frame. On Thursday, beat writers didn't see Robinson on the field for the portion of practice they were allowed to observe. He would be listed as limited by the team on Thursday but the missed portion of practice is notable.
Since his return, Robinson has yet to see more than 65% of the Jaguars' offensive snaps -- a threshold he'd cleared often in the six weeks before the injury. Urban Meyer was unable to answer questions about why Robinson missed crucial second-half snaps last week.
Robinson has been effective in the three weeks since his return and hasn't seen his usage dip significantly despite the snaps lost to Carlos Hyde.
Expect him to play and see 12-20 touches but monitor weekend news for any new concerns.
Sunday update: The change in practice participation and drop in usage did prove important. Ian Rapoport reported overnight the Jaguars were leaning toward resting Robinson for much of the week but now gives him a "realistic chance" to play. Adam Schefter reported Robinson "felt better on Saturday" and "plans to try to play." If Robinson is active, temper expectations. He's now unlikely to see more than 10-12 touches.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Illness | Questionable | Expected to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Not listed | Thurs - Not listed | Fri - DNP
Edwards-Helaire missed Friday's practice with what Andy Reid termed a "stomach flu" but is expected to play.
It's reasonable to expect Edwards-Helaire to be recovered from the illness within 72 hours. Unless he's downgraded to doubtful during the weekend, expect him to be in condition and capable of handling a full workload.
Sunday update: Ian Rapoport reports Edwards-Helaire participated in Saturday's walkthrough and should play.
Josh Jacobs | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Not listed | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
The Raiders rest Jacobs routinely when he's less than full strength. The return to a second limited practice on Friday is reassuring and there are no local indications Jacobs is at risk of missing the game.
Alex Collins | Abdomen | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Rashaad Penny | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full
Travis Homer | Calf | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full
The Seattle backfield is beginning to resemble New England's. Multiple backs with different skill sets in varying stages of injury recovery and unclear usage patterns.
I remain suspicious Collins is playing through a core abdominal muscle injury. It was surprising to see Penny and Homer fully practicing a week after both were unable to practice and inactive. And Pete Carroll is now speaking glowingly of recent addition Adrian Peterson and told reporters Peterson could begin seeing playing time immediately.
All four players have a chance to be active. Collins remains likely to play but Carroll seemed less assured of Collins' status than usual this Friday. The addition of Peterson also raises concern. It's also possible Penny or Homer may be a healthy scratch.
Boston Scott | Illness | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP
Scott was unable to practice with a non-COVID illness this week. On Friday, Nick Siranni was still unsure whether Scott would be cleared to play. He said, "We're still seeing how [Scott] continues to recover."
Even if active, it's unlikely Scott will be in-game condition. With Miles Sanders dealing with a chronic ankle injury and Jordan Howard likely inactive with a knee injury, the Eagles may have Scott active in case of emergency with only Kenneth Gainwell and probable practice squad elevation Jason Huntley available behind Sanders.
Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Scott will play.
David Johnson | Thigh / Illness | Questionable | Likely inactive
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP
Johnson could not practice this week due to illness. It's unclear whether the thigh injury is also a limiting factor. If the team has any concern about the thigh injury, the inability to evaluate Johnson in practice will likely keep him inactive. Johnson only managed 22 or 57 snaps last week, which raises concern about the thigh condition.
Consider Johnson doubtful unless there's an overnight report confirming he's ready to return.
Sunday update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport report Johnson will not play.
*Brandon Bolden | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited | Sat - Limited
The Patriots play Monday night and won't release their final injury status until Saturday afternoon. You can expect Bolden to be listed questionable after another limited practice, per the usual New England path.
New England has been using all four backs in recent weeks. Whether Bolden is limited or not, he's unlikely to see more than 15-25 snaps and a handful of touches. His availability is a bigger issue for Rhamondre Stevenson's outlook. For now, the local media isn't reporting Bolden is at risk of missing the game.
Saturday update: Bolden was limited as expected, listed questionable, but remains likely to play.
Others of note: Antonio Gibson (shin), Elijah Mitchell (rib, finger), Miles Sanders (ankle), and JaMycal Hasty (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Dalvin Cook (shoulder), DAndre Swift (shoulder), Melvin Gordon (shoulder, hip), J.D. McKissic (concussion), Jordan Howard (knee), and Phillip Lindsay (ankle) 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 | Expected to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - DNP
Consecutive limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday seemed to have Hopkins on track to play this week. Ian Rapoport and others continue to report Hopkins is trending toward playing.
However, Friday's DNP is notable. Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Arizona was "being smart" with Hopkins rather than putting him through another limited practice. There's a strong argument another period of football-related activity and conditioning is an important and necessary step in Hopkins successfully rehabbing his injury.
Hopkins told reporters he would "give it a go before the game" to see if he was comfortable playing. That's not reassuring when the Cardinals have chosen to be very careful with their two critical offensive players thus far.
And Hopkins referenced a conversation with Kingsbury about how important a healthy Hopkins stressing opposing defenses is to the Cardinals' chances in the playoffs.
If Hopkins is active, it's a good sign he's been cleared for a full workload. But the totality of evidence currently suggests the Cardinals plan to hold Hopkins out one more week.
Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Hopkins is "likely to play...but could be used more sparingly than usual due to injury and weather conditions." That doesn't fit with what the Cardinals have done with Hopkins thus far. Hopkins can be productive in limited snaps but his status remains questionable.
Sunday update: Kliff Kingsbury has confirmed Hopkins will play. If the Cardinals have cleared him to be active, it strongly implies they feel he's healthy enough to target -- even if the snap count is less than his pre-injury usage.
Odell Beckham | Hip | Questionable | Expected to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited
Beckham is recovering from a bruise on the back of his pelvic bone. It's being called a hip injury but the location of the injury may also cause some difficulty with the range of motion in his back.
The Rams limited Beckham's practice reps and expect him to play. There's risk of in-game stiffening and pain issues but Beckham should be able to work through the game.
Projecting his target count is difficult. With Robert Woods out, Beckham played 98% of the offensive snaps and saw 10 targets last week. That usage is possible again this week but 4-8 targets are more likely.
Curtis Samuel | Groin | Questionable | Expected to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Samuel played 20 snaps last week and told reporters he's confident a steroid injection solved lingering issues from his preseason core abdominal strain and surgical repair.
Samuel said, "I'm able to run fast, able to cut, able to play without thinking about my injury." Washington remains likely to limit Samuel's snap count as he returns to game condition. Don't expect 50-60 snaps yet. However, with J.D. McKissic out with a concussion, expect Samuel's target count and usage to increase.
Brandin Cooks | Illness | Questionable | Expected to play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited
Chris Conley | Illness | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited
Local reporters expect Cooks to play after missing much of the week with illness. While there are no specific notes on Conley, his practice participation followed the same path as Cooks. Both look likely to play.
Corey Davis | Groin | Questionable | Sunday decision
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited
Davis only managed a limited Friday workout as the Jets chose to wait until the final practice of the week for his evaluation. Robert Saleh said the Jets were "more optimistic" about Davis playing this week than last week but Friday's evaluation will be the primary determining factor.
After practice, the Jets listed Davis questionable and some local reporters said the listing was "encouraging." Don't count on Davis seeing full usage. His status won't be confirmed until pregame inactives are released.
DeSean Jackson | Calf | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited
Jackson returned to practice on Friday after a midweek DNP. That pattern is usually a reassuring indicator and Jackson was cleared to talk to the media on Friday. He's trending probable.
DeVante Parker | Hamstring | Activated from injured reserve
Parker returned to practice on Wednesday. It's still unclear whether this week was part of a staged reconditioning plan to have Parker back in a future week or if he's recovered and prepared to return immediately. The Dolphins will need to add Parker to the active roster on Saturday to have him available this week.
Saturday update: Parker was returned to the active roster and will play. Expect him to see rotational snaps in his first week back.
Others of note: Jaylen Waddle (glute), DK Metcalf (foot), Chase Claypool (toe), and DeVonta Smith (illness) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Deebo Samuel (groin), Antonio Brown (ankle - suspended), Sterling Shepard (quad), Kadarius Toney (quad, oblique), Allen Robinson (hamstring), Marquise Goodwin (foot, ribs), Danny Amendola (knee), and Denzel Mims (COVID) 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
Kyle Rudolph | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Rudolph practiced on Thursday and Friday. Beat writers expect him to return from his ankle injury this week.
Jack Doyle | Knee | Questionable | Expected to play
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full
Doyle routinely rests a chronic knee condition during the week, returns to full practice, and is active on gameday.
Ricky Seals-Jones | Hip | Questionable | Sunday decision
Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited
Seals-Jones continues to recover from a mid-season hip injury. After a full week of practice, Seals-Jones moved from doubtful last week to questionable this week. With Logan Thomas returned to full strength, Seals-Jones will have a minor supporting role only if he's active.
Nick Boyle | Knee | Questionable | Likely inactive
Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP
Boyle is still working to recover football conditioning after last season's knee injury. The Ravens held him out of practice this week and he's likely inactive.
Others of note: Logan Thomas (hamstring), Cole Kmet (groin), and Pat Freiermuth (concussion) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Darren Waller (back, knee), and Adam Shaheen (knee) 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.
PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS
Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
