Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 4

Jene Bramel's Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 4 Jene Bramel Published 10/01/2022

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

Here's the latest on key injured players 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

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

Ruled Out

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.

Join Now

Playing Sunday at 9:30 am eastern

Dalvin Cook | Shoulder | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Cook re-injured his already unstable left shoulder last week. His Week 4 availability was dependent on how much swelling and stiffness occurred in the 24 hours after the injury. Reassuringly, Cook returned to full practices on Thursday and Friday and is not listed on the Vikings' final game status report.

This is an injury Cook has played through effectively in the past. Last season, 10 days after dislocating the shoulder, Cook rushed for over 200 yards and two scores.

Cook's shoulder is still unstable. Even with a harness adding stability, another recurrence of the shoulder is possible. Expect Minnesota to be careful with Cook and potentially give more snaps and touches to Alexander Mattison. But Cook is still capable of 15-20 touches and hitting his ceiling projection.

Alvin Kamara | Rib | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Kamara returned from a painful rib cartilage injury last week and immediately returned to his pre-injury role. Kamara played 70% of his team's offensive snaps and out-touched Mark Ingram 17 to 5.

A full week of limited practice without setback puts Kamara in line for a full workload this week. The Saints are forced to start Andy Dalton for the injured Jameis Winston and will also be without Michael Thomas. That may mean a higher target count for Kamara.

Sunday update: The Saints promoted Latavius Murray to the active roster yesterday afternoon. Despite the positive signs during the week, morning reporting is now unanimous Kamara will be inactive this morning.

Jarvis Landry | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Ian Rapoport reported Landry's ankle condition as "soreness" earlier this week. The Saints allowed Landry to return to workouts on Thursday and Friday. The tone of local reports is positive, and Landry is likely more probable than questionable.

Video did not show evidence of a more concerning injury. Without more information, it's difficult to judge the risk of aggravation. If active, the absence of Michael Thomas will likely increase Landry's target expectation.

Sunday update: Stacey Dales reported Dennis Allen said Landry will play today.

Playing Sunday at 1:00 pm Eastern

J.K. Dobbins | Chest | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Dobbins played 26 snaps and had nine touches in his first game back from last season's complicated knee injury.

Although Dobbins was on the injury report again this week, he was listed with a chest injury. Full practices on Thursday and Friday suggest the chest injury is a non-issue. Dobbins will play.

With another week of conditioning and no setbacks in his first game action, Dobbins should be in line for double-digit touches in the primary running back role this week.

Cordarrelle Patterson | Knee | Questionable | Sunday decision

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP (rest) | Thurs - DNP (rest) | Fri - Limited

Patterson was added to Atlanta's injury report with a knee condition. The team listed him with a "resting player" designation, and there's been no local indication the injury is severe. He played his baseline 60% of offensive snaps last week.

Cleared to speak with reporters on Friday, Patterson said, "I plan on playing Sunday, and we all know that's the plan." Arthur Smith told the media Patterson "looked good." If Patterson responds well to Friday's limited workout, he should be available for his usual workload.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Patterson "plans to play..but will not know for sure until...pregame." Schefter's source says, "It's close." Ian Rapoport tweeted "Patterson is pushing to play and there is optimism he does." The Falcons elevated Caleb Huntley from the practice squad as a hedge.

Marquise Brown | Foot | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Brown was given a veteran rest day on Wednesday then fully practiced without treatment listing on Thursday before Friday's limited workout with a foot condition.

The Cardinals list Brown as questionable. There are no reports discussing the foot injury, and no local writer has expressed concern Brown won't play.

Gabe Davis | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Davis aggravated his ankle sprain midweek after slipping while running a route during drills. The Bills gave him Thursday off for treatment, then returned him to drills on Friday.

Sean McDermott said Davis was "on schedule to go" while Davis himself flatly told reporters, "I'm playing."

Despite appearing limited during practice late last week, Davis played 88 snaps in Week 3. While it's clear he's not full strength, Davis could see 5-7+ targets again this week.

Dalton Schultz | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Schultz is expected to return from a PCL sprain this week. He tested the stability of his knee during practice while wearing a brace. Three days of consecutive practice suggests he'll be active.

Stephen Jones told reporters Schultz is expected to play.

Michael Gallup | Knee | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Gallup is expected to return from last week's ACL injury. Many local writers expected Gallup to play last week, but he later said he wasn't fully conditioned mentally and physically.

Expect a limited role in his first week back.

D.J. Chark | Ankle | Questionable | Declared out

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

Chark missed practice on Thursday. Team writers are not concerned about Chark's condition, and his absence was likely precautionary with the team already aware Amon-Ra St. Brown would be inactive this week.

A full workload is likely.

Saturday update: The Lions declared Chark out.

Playing Sunday at 4:05 pm Eastern

Christian McCaffrey | Thigh | Questionable | Likely to play

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

McCaffrey was a surprise addition to Carolina's Wednesday injury report with a quad injury. Matt Rhule said McCaffrey's injury wasn't apparent until after last week's game. He didn't appear limited in Week 3 in a 27-touch effort in which he played over 80% of the Panthers' offensive snaps.

Local writers and Ian Rapoport have posted optimistic reports throughout the week. Teammates told reporters they expect McCaffrey to play. On Friday, Rhule told reporters he was "very hopeful" McCaffrey would play "unless something comes up" before game time. McCaffrey himself said he "feels great." Officially, the Panthers list him as questionable.

It's possible all these optimistic notes are misleading, or McCaffrey tightens up in pregame. While it's unreasonable to expect another 25+ touch workload, McCaffrey should see his usual 15-20+ touches.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter tweeted McCaffrey is likely to play but "might not be at full strength" after missing practices during the week.

Playing Sunday at 4:25 pm Eastern

Jakobi Meyers | Knee | Questionable | Declared out

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

Meyers did not play last week despite a full week of limited practice. Most local writers express optimism this week, and Meyers said he was hoping to get the "green light" to play.

Saturday update: Meyers has been declared out.

Playing Sunday at 8:20 pm Eastern

Chris Godwin | Hamstring | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Godwin continues his recovery from a hamstring strain. He returned to a limited practice on Friday after a Thursday rest day. The Buccaneers list Godwin as questionable, but the combination of midweek missed practice and the expectation that Tampa Bay will not clear him to play until reconditioned likely means he's more doubtful than questionable.

If Godwin is active, expect a limited role until he proves he's game ready. Three to five targets would be his likely ceiling. We may get an overnight report about his availability, but the Sunday night game time further complicates his status.

Sunday update: Overnight reports expect Godwin to play if a pre-game workout goes well.

Julio Jones | Knee | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Jones was held out of practice on Friday after limited midweek workouts. Recovery from a PCL sprain is difficult as stiffness or looseness in the joint is hard to rehab.

The Friday DNP looks concerning after Jones' inability to play the past two weeks.

Todd Bowles didn't sound optimistic on Friday. He said Jones "could possibly still play this week. It's all about how he feels the next two days, as to whether he's going to play on Sunday. Sometimes he has setbacks, sometimes he doesn't." The Buccaneers play Sunday night. Jones' status may not be known until after the afternoon games start.

If Jones plays, he cannot be counted on for a full snap count or more than 2-4 targets.

Sunday update: Overnight reports expect Jones to play if a pre-game workout goes well.

Footballguys injury coverage will return Monday with a review of the most important Week 4 injuries.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article