Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 5

Jene Bramel's Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 5 Jene Bramel Published 10/08/2022

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)

Eligible to return from Injured Reserve | NFI | PUP

  • RB Brian Robinson -- expected to play

Ruled Out

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Playing Sunday at 1:00 pm Eastern

Tyreek Hill | Quadricep | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Hill was added to the injury report with a quad condition after Wednesday's practice. He was limited on Thursday and Friday. Mike McDaniel told reporters the Dolphins were "hopeful" Hill can play. However, the tone of the press conference was light, and McDaniel was clearly having fun with the idea of keeping his friend and opposing head coach Robert Saleh in the dark on the status of both Hill and Jaylen Waddle (also questionable with a groin injury).

Hill routinely played through low-grade soft tissue injuries in Kansas City, and there's no indication in the local media his status is in doubt. Watch for updates through the weekend, but Hill should be able to see his usual snap count this week.

Sunday update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are reporting Hill is expected to play.

Jaylen Waddle | Groin | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Waddle returned to limited practices on Thursday and Friday after what was likely a rest day on Wednesday. He played a season-high 86% of Miami's offensive snaps last week.

As noted in the Tyreek Hill note above, Mike McDaniel seemed to be more interested in teasing his friend and opposing coach Robert Saleh than discussing the true status of his injured wide receivers in Friday's press conference. McDaniel told reporters, "Saleh will be pumped to hear I’m hoping for the best with Jaylen Waddle.”

No local writers appear concerned about Waddle's availability this week.

Sunday update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are reporting Waddle is expected to play.

Amon-Ra St. Brown | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

St. Brown was at practice on Friday, testing the ankle injury that kept him out in Week 4. The Lions would only say the limited workout gives St. Brown a chance to play.

Longtime local reporter Dave Birkett tweeted St. Brown was "moving fine on his ankle" in the locker room after practice but noted St. Brown refused interviews on his way to receive treatment. Video of St. Brown's injury was not clear enough to speculate on a possible diagnosis.

Expect Adam Schefter and others to comment on St. Brown's status overnight. Unless there's a strongly positive tone to the reports, St. Brown will likely be limited if active.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter tweeted St. Brown is "considered a game-time decision." Schefter also noted Detroit has a bye next week, possibly implying the team will continue to be cautious if there's any concern.

Sunday update: St. Brown will be active per Schefter. If the Lions are comfortable with St. Brown playing with the following two weeks open for further recovery, he may be available for close to his usual snap count and target expectation.

Alvin Kamara | Rib | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Kamara told reporters he was playing this week during a Wednesday interview. Beat writers saw no reason to doubt Kamara's optimism after he continued to participate in drills on Thursday and Friday.

Although Kamara's practice line looks similar to last week when he was unexpectedly inactive in London, there's no indication this week is in jeopardy. Kamara told reporters his rib cartilage injury kept him guessing over the past two weeks. He said he'd wake up one morning feeling great and wake up the next morning struggling.

This week, Kamara said he was "feeling great" and "eager" to return. Aggravations during the game will be possible, but Kamara should be available for 12-15+ touches.

David Montgomery | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Montgomery returned to practice on Thursday. Now listed only with an ankle designation, Montgomery's primary limitation is the high ankle sprain. His low-grade MCL sprain does not appear to be a concern.

Do not expect Montgomery to be fully recovered less than two weeks after a high ankle sprain. Running backs struggle to return to form after even lower-grade high ankle sprains, and two late-week limited practices are not likely to be enough to get Montgomery back into condition for a full workload.

Montgomery is considered a game-time decision and will be in a rotational role with Khalil Herbert if active.

Sunday update: All overnight reports are optimistic Montgomery will play.

Josh Palmer | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Palmer left last week's game briefly with an ankle injury before returning. The full Friday practice is reassuring, and there are no local reports of concern. He should be available with minimal limitations.

Josh Reynolds | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Reynolds did not practice Wednesday. That's not unusual for the Lions, especially when multiple offensive players are nursing injury. Reynolds participated in over 80% of Detroit's offensive snaps, returned to practice by the end of the week, and there are no local reports of concern.

He should be available on Sunday.

Brian Robinson | Eligible to Return | Expected to play

Multiple reports expect Robinson to be activated during Saturday's transaction window. He returns this week after suffering two gunshot wounds during an August robbery.

While Robinson's wounds required surgery, his recovery has been smooth and his conditioning should be only a minor concern. Robinson was threatening to be the primary running back prior to his injuries. While Washington will want to see Robinson in live game action, expect a limited role in his first week back. Anything more than 6-10 touches would be a surprise.

Sunday update: Robinson was added to the active roster on Saturday. Ian Rapoport is reporting Robinson could see around 20 snaps today.

Jarvis Landry | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Landry played through his ankle injury last week and managed just two targets in 38 snaps. He did not practice Friday after limited workouts earlier in the week.

Dennis Allen told reporters he felt good about Landry's chances to play. However, the Friday DNP looks worrisome and local reporters are hinting Landry will again be limited if active. Even with Michael Thomas out last week, Landry's target share looked to be affected by the injury. Don't expect more than 3-5 targets if Landry is active.

Sunday update: Landry is inactive.

Julio Jones | Knee | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Jones continues to work through a PCL sprain. It's a difficult injury, and every player faces a different combination of joint limitations -- some feel the joint is loose, others report stiffness -- but all players struggle to recover smoothly.

In his first game back last week, Jones played just 28% of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps. While the practice trend suggests Jones may be active again this week, his snap count and target share aren't likely to improve.

Sunday update: Jones is reportedly inactive today.

Zay Jones | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Doug Pederson told reporters Jones was "fine" during Friday's press conference. Local reporters expect Jones to play after missing last week's game.

Ken Walker | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Pete Carroll told reporters Walker practiced well on Friday and looked ready to play. Walker had a season-high 25 snaps last week after Travis Homer moved to injured reserve with a rib injury.

Isaiah McKenzie | Concussion | Questionable | Likely to play

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

McKenzie was not in a no-contact jersey during Friday's practice, suggesting Buffalo's medical staff is comfortable with his progress through the return-to-play protocol. McKenzie cannot be cleared to play until an independent neurologist exam is complete. That commonly happens on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Unless his symptoms recurred after Friday's workout, McKenzie is likely to play this week.

Sunday update: Despite the progress in practice, McKenzie has not been cleared to play and is inactive.

Jakobi Meyers | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Meyers had missed the last two games with a knee injury. Local reporters expect him to return this week.

Logan Thomas | Calf | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Thomas was added to the injury report on Friday after not practicing with a calf injury. Ron Rivera told reporters Thomas would be a game-time decision. Players added to the injury report with late-week soft-tissue injuries rarely play.

Sunday update: Thomas was ruled out after a pregame workout.

Playing Sunday at 4:25 pm Eastern

CeeDee Lamb | Groin | Questionable | Likely to play

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

On Thursday morning, Lamb said he "felt something" following a routine Wednesday workout. He did not practice on Thursday as a precaution, and sources told reporters an MRI was reassuring. Lamb was back to drills on Friday and is expected to play.

There's some risk with Lamb this week while he remains in the window of possible aggravations. But all indications are Lamb will play and can see his usual snap count and targets.

Tony Pollard | Illness | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

The Cowboys have not updated Pollard's condition since a missed Friday practice for illness.

Sunday update: Pollard is expected to play.

Rondale Moore | Knee | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Moore was added to the injury report with a knee injury after Thursday's practice. Kliff Kingsbury seemed hopeful after Friday's workout but wouldn't commit to Moore's gameday availability. Watch for weekend updates.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Moore is expected to play.

Playing Sunday at 8:20 pm Eastern

Tee Higgins | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Higgins was limited in practice all week but is expected to play. Zac Taylor told reporters the team intentionally limited Higgins' practice time to preserve his gameday status. Higgins should be available for his usual snaps and targets.

Sunday update: All overnight reports expect Higgins to play.

Hayden Hurst | Groin | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Hurst missed practice on Friday but Zac Taylor told reporters the decision was to rest rather than practice. Hurst is still considered a game-time decision but he's trending toward playing.

Playing Monday at 8:15 PM Eastern

Darren Waller | Shoulder | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Waller returned to a full Friday practice and was no longer in a no-contact jersey. Barring setbacks, he will play Monday night.

Sunday update: Waller practiced on Saturday and is not listed on the game status report. He will play Monday night.

Footballguys injury coverage will return Monday with a review of the most important Week 5 injuries.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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