Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 6

Jene Bramel's Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 6 Jene Bramel Published 10/15/2022

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

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Playing Sunday at 1:00 pm Eastern

Jonathan Taylor | Ankle | Questionable | Declared out

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

Taylor returned to consecutive practices this week after missing last week's game with an ankle sprain. The Colts told reporters Taylor's MRI was "clean" last week, but the short turnaround to Thursday night's game proved too much for Taylor to overcome.

On Friday, nearly every local reporter suggested Taylor's back-to-back practices were "a good sign" for his Sunday availability. If Taylor's ankle injury was low-grade and he did not lose much conditioning over the past week, a 15+ touch projection is possible. Taylor's projection could be higher if he's active and Nyheim Hines is not cleared from concussion protocol in time to play.

Saturday update: The Colts declared Taylor out well before game time on Sunday.

Tee Higgins | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Higgins aggravated his ankle sprain last week and played only ten snaps in a key early-season division matchup against Baltimore. Higgins was only able to manage a limited Friday practice this week.

While he was specifically optimistic about a handful of other Bengals listed questionable, Zac Taylor told reporters Higgins would be a game-time decision. If Higgins is active, expect a limited, rotational role.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted "there is optimism" Higgins will play today but the team plans a pre-game workout. A limited role remains likely if active.

Raheem Mostert | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Mostert is listed as questionable with a knee injury but has consistently told reporters he will play. The back-to-back limited practices to end the week look reassuring. With rookie Skylar Thompson starting at quarterback, Miami will likely try to lean on the running game.

Expect 15+ touches for Mostert.

Kyle Pitts | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Pitts is trending toward playing after missing last week's game with a hamstring strain. Pitts told reporters on Wednesday he expected to return this week, but the Falcons have listed him questionable.

When healthy, Pitts' usage has been disappointing. Playing at less than full strength, it's difficult to project more than five targets.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport reports Pitts is expected to play.

Chris Olave | Concussion | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

The practice participation line looks reassuring for Olave after his return to a full practice on Friday. However, multiple local writers -- including plugged-in beat reporters Mike Triplett and Nick Underhill -- are expressing uncertainty about Olave's status. That sounds suspiciously like the Saints have decided not to send Olave for independent clearance and intend to continue his recovery process next week.

Watch Olave's pregame status carefully.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reports Olave is unlikely to play today

Damien Harris | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Early this week, every report suggested Harris would need multiple weeks to recover from a higher-grade hamstring strain. Limited practice participation means very little in New England. Some limited players are essentially fully practicing, others are barely present. Harris' situation is almost certainly the latter.

The Patriots promoted a running back from the practice squad earlier in the week, another indication Harris won't play this week.

Saturday update: The Patriots did not downgrade Harris on Saturday. That means Harris traveled to Cleveland with the team and still has a chance to play.

Sunday update: Ian Rapoport tweeted it "would be a surprise but not impossible" for Harris to play.

Nyheim Hines | Concussion | Questionable | Declared out

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

Hines progressed to a full Friday practice, and Frank Reich told reporters Hines had just one more hurdle before clearing the concussion protocol. Watch for confirmation of independent neurologic clearance this weekend.

Saturday update: The Colts declared Hines out Saturday afternoon.

Mac Jones | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Jones was listed as doubtful last week and had little chance to play while he continued to recover from a Week 3 high ankle sprain. This week, the Patriots list him as questionable. It's unclear whether New England believes Jones is ready to return.

The Patriots travel to Cleveland on Saturday. If Jones makes the trip, he's likely to be New England's starting quarterback.

Saturday update: Jones traveled to Cleveland and has not been downgraded. However, the Patriots also chose to elevate Garrett Gilbert to the active roster. Jones remains a gameday decision.

Jameis Winston | Back / Ankle | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

The Saints announced Andy Dalton as the Week 6 starter after Friday's practice. Winston continues to improve from back and ankle injuries. The Saints will be without Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry and have a quick turnaround to a Thursday night matchup in Arizona. Both factors may be playing a role in Winston's return to the field.

Teddy Bridgewater | Concussion / Pectoral | Questionable | Backup if active

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

There's a strong chance Bridgewater will be cleared to play this week. The Dolphins have already named Skylar Thompson their Week 6 starting quarterback. If active, Bridgewater will be Thompson's backup.

Jakobi Meyers | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Meyers returned to play 48 snaps in Week 5 after missing two games with a knee injury. Though it's difficult to read New England's injury reports, and Meyers was an unexpected inactive in Week 3, expect Meyers to play this week.

Nelson Agholor | Hamstring | Questionable | Declared out

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

There are no local reports on Agholor's status one week after playing just seven snaps. Watch for more information through the weekend.

Saturday update: Agholor was declared out on Saturday.

Hayden Hurst | Groin | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Hurst has played the past two weeks despite limited practices and questionable designations. He is expected to be active this week.

Marvin Jones | Hamstring | Questionable | Declared out

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

Jones was added to the injury report after a Friday hamstring injury. Late-week soft tissue injuries nearly always result in a player missing that week's game. Unless there is a very favorable weekend report, Jones will likely be inactive.

Saturday update: Jones was declared out on Saturday.

Zay Jones | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Jones returned to play 60 snaps last week after missing a week with an ankle injury. With a full week of limited practices, he should play again this week.

Alexander Mattison | Shoulder | Expected to play

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

Kevin O'Connell told reporters the Vikings expect to have Mattison on Sunday. He'll continue in a supporting role to Dalvin Cook.

Playing Sunday at 4:05 pm Eastern

Cooper Kupp | Foot | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Kupp was added to the injury report on Wednesday after not practicing with a foot injury. The injury occurred before his 75-yard touchdown catch and run last week, and he was able to finish the game. He missed only one snap.

After his Wednesday DNP, Kupp told reporters he was okay and would continue to manage the injury through the week. The limited workouts on Thursday and Friday are reassuring and Sean McVay said he expected Kupp to play in a Friday press conference.

Kupp's snap count and usage last week are reassuring he can see his usual workload this week.

Tyler Higbee | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Sean McVay told reporters he expected Higbee to play after missing Wednesday's practice.

Robbie Anderson | Illness | Questionable | Awaiting information

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

Anderson missed Friday's practice with an illness and is questionable. There are no local reports speculating on Anderson's availability. The Panthers travel to Los Angeles on Saturday. If Anderson joins the team, expect him to see his usual snap count and targets.

Playing Sunday at 8:20 pm Eastern

CeeDee Lamb | Hip | Questionable | Likely to play

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

The Cowboys had a very short workout on Friday, and Lamb was listed as not practicing with a hip condition. Late-week additions to the injury report are usually worrisome, but Lamb is expected to play. Stephen Jones told reporters Lamb was "working through a couple things" but expected "to get all that sorted out for the game."

Lamb should be available for his usual snap count this week.

Dak Prescott | Thumb | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

There's little chance Prescott will be available Sunday night. There are no reports suggesting his grip strength has improved enough to return and all local reports suggest the Cowboys have prepared Cooper Rush for another start.

Stephen Jones hinted Prescott's goal is to return in Week 8 against Chicago. Expect Prescott to be inactive this week.

Playing Monday at 8:15 PM Eastern

Keenan Allen | Hamstring | Doubtful | Likely inactive

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

While it's not been specifically reported, it's now clear Allen aggravated his early-season hamstring strain in practice. Local writers reported Thursday and Friday practices looked the same for Allen as they did in previous weeks -- participation in limited individual drills then off to a side field for rehab when the receivers began running routes at full speed.

Allen is likely still at least one week from returning. Expect him to be inactive. I'll update after Saturday's practice.

Saturday update: Allen was limited in Saturday's practice and listed doubtful. He will be inactive Monday night.

Melvin Gordon | Neck / Ribs | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Gordon played through a rib injury last week and has been speaking to the media confidently this week. I'll update after Saturday's game status report is released but expect Gordon to play.

Saturday update: Gordon was limited in practice Saturday and is listed questionable. He's likely to the probable side of questionable but watch for weekend updates.

Footballguys injury coverage will return Monday with a review of the most important Week 6 injuries.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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