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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:

Sunday Decision

• RB James Conner
• TE Kyle Pitts
• QB Jimmy Garoppolo
• TE Darren Waller
• RB Kareem Hunt
• RB Mark Ingram

>>> See positional breakdowns for COVID+ tracking (critical players include Justin Fields, Joe Mixon, Diontae Johnson, James Washington, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, DErnest Johnson)

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• WR Robby Anderson
• TE C.J. Uzomah
• WR Chris Conley
• TE Sammis Reyes

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• RB Aaron Jones
• RB Damien Harris
• WR Jakobi Meyers
• RB Josh Jacobs
• RB Cam Akers
• QB Jared Goff
• WR Josh Reynolds
• TE David Njoku

Saturday decision: Designated to return from injured reserve / PUP

• WR Parris Campbell
• TE Blake Jarwin -- ACTIVATED

Ruled Out

• QB Joe Burrow
• QB Lamar Jackson
• RB Derrick Henry -- remains on IR
• RB Chase Edmonds
• RB Miles Sanders
• RB Ronald Jones II
• RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
• RB Tony Pollard
• WR Kadarius Toney
• WR Rondale Moore
• WR Emmanuel Sanders
• TE Ricky Seals-Jones
• WR Curtis Samuel

QUARTERBACK

Joe Burrow | Knee | Questionable | Inactive

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

The Bengals announced early in the week that Burrow will rest this week. Burrow's knee injury is not expected to limit him during the playoffs.

Jimmy Garoppolo | Thumb | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Kyle Shanahan refused to reveal whether Garoppolo or Trey Lance would start at quarterback on Friday saying, "I know what we’re doing. I just don’t feel like telling you right now."

However, it would appear the Niners are likely to start Garoppolo despite an torn ligament in his throwing thumb. Garoppolo reportedly made progress during the week and video shows him throwing the ball with more velocity on Friday than he did on Wednesday. The Niners gave Garoppolo half the first-team practice reps during the week and he was the first quarterback to take reps on Friday. Most beat writers currently expect Garoppolo to start.

Expect the Niners' medical staff to support Garoppolo's unstable thumb joint with tape and a glove. They'll attempt to manage pain before and throughout the game. However, practice reps are not equivalent to live game action. If Garoppolo is named the starter, pain or inaccuracy while throwing or any contact to the throwing hand may end his day early.

Jared Goff | Knee | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Dan Campbell said Goff was "probable" on Friday and Goff is expected to be the starting quarterback.

Still, watch for any changes to Goff's status. Campbell suggested DAndre Swift would be heavily involved after a full week of practice last week. While Swift saw 57% of the team's snaps, he had just six touches while Jamaal Williams had eleven carries and three receptions.

Currently on COVID-reserve

• Justin Fields - CHI

Others of note: Aaron Rodgers (toe), Jalen Hurts (ankle), Taysom Hill (finger), Tyler Huntley (illness), Drew Lock (shoulder), Andy Dalton (groin), and Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral, shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Lamar Jackson (ankle) and Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) 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

Derrick Henry | Foot | Designated to return | Remains on injured reserve

The Titans returned Henry to practice this week and started the final stages of his recovery and return.

Mike Vrabel said Henry "looked good" but the team wanted to see how he responded to practicing on turf before clearing him for game action. Though the Titans have clinched a playoff spot, a win on Sunday guarantees them the top overall seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. That's likely not enough to risk returning Henry after just one week of practice.

Expect Henry to be inactive. If he is cleared to return, he's unlikely to see more than a handful of snaps.

Saturday update: Henry was not returned to the active roster and is ineligible to play.

Nick Chubb | Chest / Ribs | Not listed | Likely to play

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

Kareem Hunt | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Kevin Stefanski told reporters the Browns had a number of players with relatively minor injuries who were "pushing to play." Stefanski said those players who could play will play. Chubb was not listed on the team's game status report. If Stefanski's comments are accurate, Chubb will see his usual workload.

Hunt's status is less clear. Stefanski was non-committal on Thursday and the team listed him questionable. Hunt was reportedly close to playing last week but remained inactive.

Aaron Jones | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Green Bay has clinched the top overall seed. Despite early-week speculation the Packers would rest starters with injury, it appears both Jones and Aaron Rodgers are preparing to play. However, the team listed Jones questionable for the first time in weeks. If Jones is active, it's unlikely he'll see more than 10-12 touches. Expect him to support A.J. Dillon this week.

Damien Harris | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to play

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

There are no indications Harris' status is in doubt. Expect the Patriots to continue rotating Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson during early series. Should the game script allow, Harris could see fewer second-half carries again this week.

James Conner | Heel | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

The Cardinals can earn a home playoff game with a win and a Los Angeles loss to San Francisco. But they've remained adamant they'll err on the side of rest with critical talent in preparation for the playoffs and have already ruled Chase Edmonds and Rondale Moore out.

Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Conner would play if he was cleared to go. Conner did manage a full week of limited practice. Expect to see Eno Benjamin and Jonathan Ward often if Conner is active.

Cam Akers | Achilles | Not listed | Expected to play

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

The Rams will use their Week 18 game to finish Akers' rehab by returning him to live game action. It's an inspiring and unprecedented recovery just six months from Achilles surgery.

Sean McVay told reporters Akers would see a small number of snaps but wouldn't confirm the number. The Rams earn a home playoff game with a win and Sony Michel has been a productive workhorse in the backfield for weeks. He will still be the primary ballcarrier. It's highly unlikely Akers will see more than 10-15 snaps and 4-6 touches.

Josh Jacobs | Ribs | Questionable | Likely to play

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

The Raiders listed Jacobs questionable after he battled through 16 carries last week. Rich Bisaccia told reporters Jacobs would be re-evaluated through the weekend.

Jacobs routinely plays through injury and did participate in drills this week. He looks likely to play with Peyton Barber remaining in a supporting role.

Mark Ingram | Knee | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Ingram continues to work through chronic knee soreness and is again questionable after returning to a limited role in Weeks 16 and 17.

The back-to-back missed practices to end the week are clearly concerning but the questionable listing gives him a small chance to return to his supporting role this week.

Qadree Ollison | Quadricep | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Ollison returned to consecutive limited practices after missing Wednesday's workout. It's generally rare for a supporting player who wasn't cleared to return after the injury and then misses Wednesday practice to play the following week. The Falcons have Cordarrelle Patterson and Mike Davis ahead of Ollison on the depth chart.

Currently on COVID-reserve

• Joe Mixon - CIN
• Jordan Howard - PHI -- not activated on Saturday, OUT
• Boston Scott - PHI -- not activated on Saturday, OUT
• DErnest Johnson - CLE

Others of note: Elijah Mitchell (knee), Antonio Gibson (hip), Ezekiel Elliott (knee), Saquon Barkley (ankle), Rashaad Penny (groin), DeeJay Dallas (quad), Melvin Gordon (thumb, hip), Javonte Williams (knee), Michael Carter (concussion), and KeShawn Vaughn (ribs), have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Chase Edmonds (ribs, toe), Miles Sanders (hand), Ronald Jones II (ankle), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (shoulder), and Tony Pollard (foot) 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

Mike Evans | Hamstring | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Bruce Arians confirmed Evans was on a snap count last week despite playing 56 of the team's 74 offensive snaps. After fully practicing on Thursday and Friday, Evans was not included on the team's game status report.

Game script could affect Evans' final snap count this week but expect him to see a sizable workload. 8+ targets is a reasonable expectation.

Jakobi Meyers | Thigh | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Meyers has been listed questionable in each of the last three weeks with a thigh condition. He played ~75% of the Patriots' offensive snaps in Week 16 and 17. There are no indications Meyers is in danger of missing this week's game. Expect him to be active.

Robby Anderson | Quadricep | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Matt Rhule said Anderson would do everything he could to play but the inability to practice is not reassuring. Anderson has a history of playing through soft-tissue injuries and the Panthers have not ruled him out yet. If he travels with the team to Tampa Bay on Saturday, his chances of playing greatly increase.

Josh Reynolds | Thigh | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Reynolds was added to the injury report with a thigh condition on Friday. He missed portions of practice with the same designation in recent weeks and played. There are no local reports of concern. Expect Reynolds to play unless there's an overnight report of concern.

Randall Cobb | Core abdomen | Designated to return

Matt LaFleur told reporters Cobb will not play as the team gives him until the divisional round to rehab and recover.

Chris Conley | Knee | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Conley has played through knee soreness for weeks but did not practice this week. Previously, he returned to at least one limited workout before playing on Sunday. He's likely to be inactive.

Parris Campbell | Foot | Returned to active roster | Expected to play

Frank Reich said Campbell "had a good week of practice" and would be evaluated through the weekend. Beat writers believe the Colts will activate Campbell to see a limited workload in preparation for the playoffs.

Saturday update: Campbell was returned to the active roster on Saturday and will play.

Currently on COVID-reserve

• Diontae Johnson - PIT
• James Washington - PIT

Others of note: Michael Pittman (ribs), DK Metcalf (foot), Marquise Brown (ankle), Julio Jones (hamstring), Nelson Agholor (concussion), Jamison Crowder (calf), Darius Slayton (shoulder), and TreQuan Smith (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kadarius Toney (shoulder), Rondale Moore (ankle), Emmanuel Sanders (knee), and Curtis Samuel (hamstring) 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

Darren Waller | Knee | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Waller returned to practice for the first time since a Week 12 knee injury. His rehab was complicated by a stint on COVID-reserve last week.

The Raiders increased Waller's reps during the week and Rich Bisaccia said the team would see how Waller responded to the workouts before making a decision. There were reports last week Waller was close to returning before his positive COVID test. It seems unlikely Waller would go through a full week of limited practice after missing five weeks if he did not have a legitimate chance to play.

Kyle Pitts | Hamstring | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Pitts looked unlikely to play after a hamstring strain last week and a missed Wednesday practice. After limited workouts to end the week, Pitts told reporters he would play and the Falcons did not rule him out. If Atlanta clears one of their franchise offensive talents to play, it's likely he'll see enough targets to hold value. He's also firmly within the window of highest risk for aggravation.

C.J. Uzomah | Knee / Hip | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

The Bengals have said they'll rest players with injury this week. Uzomah does not have a significant injury but did not practice during the week. He's unlikely to play.

David Njoku | Shoulder | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Njoku managed a single limited Friday practice and is listed questionable. He's played through shoulder and knee injuries in previous weeks and Kevin Stefanski said he was comfortable with players working through injury in Week 18 if cleared.

Dan Arnold | Knee | Designated to return | Saturday decision

The Jaguars must activate Arnold on Saturday to be eligible to play Sunday.

Sammis Reyes | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Reyes was slated for significant snaps before a Thursday hamstring injury led to a Friday DNP. He is questionable and likely more doubtful than questionable.

Currently on COVID-reserve

• Dallas Goedert - PHI -- not activated on Saturday, OUT
• Hunter Bryant - DET

Others of note: Foster Moreau (abdomen), Noah Fant (quadricep), Kyle Rudolph (ankle), Jack Doyle (knee), Mo Alie-Cox (knee), and Austin Hooper (hand) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Ricky Seals-Jones (concussion) and James O'Shaughnessy (hip) 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