Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 14

Jene Bramel's Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 14 Jene Bramel Published 12/10/2022

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

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

Sunday Decision

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

Eligible to return from injured reserve

Ruled Out

Playing Sunday at 1:00 pm Eastern

Saquon Barkley | Neck | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Barkley was added to the injury report on Thursday with what the Giants describe as "soreness" in his neck.

There's no indication this is a new or concerning injury. While Brian Daboll said the team planned to wait and see how Barkley felt through the weekend, observers noted Barkley fully participating in drills without a no-contact jersey on Friday.

Expect Barkley to play and see his usual workload.

Sunday update: Despite optimism from local reporters and a reassuring Friday workout, Barkley is reportedly "50-50 to play" per Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport. According to Rapoport, the Giants do not want "to risk further injury if he's not ready." That suggests there's a concern about Barkley protecting himself through contact -- something that did not appear to be a worry after he was cleared for Friday's limited practice. Watch the inactive list for the team's final determination.

Sunday update: Brian Daboll told Sal Paolantonio that Barkley will play.

Trevor Lawrence | Toe | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Lawrence was unable to practice until Friday with a toe injury. Doug Pederson told reporters the team wanted to see how Lawrence responded to Friday's workout before deciding on his status. Local reports believe the Friday practice was enough to reassure the team Lawrence can play on Sunday.

Limited video showed Lawrence to be moving reasonably well. The Jaguars may limit Lawrence's rushing opportunities, and some inaccuracy is possible with the injury to his left (lead) foot but expect Lawrence to play.

Amari Cooper | Hip | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Cooper was listed as a resting veteran on Wednesday but left practice on Thursday with a hip injury and was unable to practice on Friday.

Local writers briefly saw Cooper move through the locker room on Friday. When asked about his gameday status, Cooper said he "should be okay." Kevin Stefanski said the Browns planned to re-evaluate Cooper through the weekend. Beat reporters believe he's likely to play.

Watch for overnight reports for guidance on Cooper's injury and availability.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport both tweeted Cooper is expected to play.

Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.

Join Now

J.K. Dobbins | Knee | Activated from injured reserve

The Ravens activated Dobbins on Saturday. Expect him to be eased back into game action. Double-digit touches are possible against the Steelers today but it will be at least one week until he's ready for a full-time workload.

Diontae Johnson | Hip | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Johnson told reporters he was "confident" he would play. His media availability and return to a limited Friday are both reassuring signs he's fit to play. Watch for any movement in his status overnight.

Zay Jones | Chest | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Jones was able to play through a chest injury last week and managed a full week of limited practice. He's likely to play on Sunday.

Playing Sunday at 4:05 pm Eastern

Kadarius Toney | Hamstring | Questionable | Declared out

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

Toney's midweek DNP does not bode well for his return from ongoing hamstring soreness. When asked about Toney's status, Andy Reid would only offer a lukewarm "We'll see." Local writers believe Toney will miss another week. Consider him doubtful to play. If active, expect only limited snaps and targets.

Sunday update: Toney was declared out Saturday afternoon.

Playing Sunday at 4:25 pm Eastern

Ken Walker | Ankle | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

The Seahawks have described Walker's ankle condition as a soft-tissue injury to the inside of his foot. Pete Carroll has said Walker has been "rehabbing all day long, every day...to get right" but wouldn't commit to Walker playing.

Walker was not cleared to practice this week and looks unlikely to play. The Friday DNP is not always concerning in Seattle but the looming Thursday night game against San Francisco will likely impact the team's decision-making.

Watch for multiple backs to be promoted from the practice squad on Saturday. That will indicate Seattle's intentions.

Sunday update: The Seahawks promoted one running back and Saturday reports suggested Walker still had a chance to play. Overnight tweets from Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport both report Walker is unlikely to play. Expect the Seahawks to hold Walker out until Thursday night's game.

DK Metcalf | Hip | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Metcalf is expected to play. Pete Carroll told reporters Metcalf had "a little hip thing he felt during the week," and the Seahawks "took advantage of the chance to shut him down" to get him "fresh legs." Metcalf has played effectively through injury during his career and should see his usual targets.

Leonard Fournette | Foot | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Fournette was added to the injury report with what Todd Bowles described as foot soreness on Thursday. The Buccaneers routinely rest veterans, and Fournette traveled with the team to San Francisco on Friday evening. Bowles said he hoped Fournette would feel better by Sunday morning.

Last week, with Fournette returning from a Week 10 hip pointer, Tampa Bay returned to the 60-40 usage split in Fournette's favor. That's the ceiling expectation this week, but Fournette could have a much lower floor.

Sunday update: Overnight reports expect Fournette to be active and play.

DeeJay Dallas | Ankle | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Dallas suffered a high ankle sprain last week but returned to the game with the Seahawks out of options due to other injuries at the position. He was unable to practice this week and is unlikely to play.

Playing Sunday at 8:25 PM Eastern

Mike Williams | Ankle | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Williams lasted six snaps in Week 11 in his first attempt to return from a high ankle sprain. After an additional two weeks to recover, Williams returned to back-to-back practices to end the week and is not listed on the team's status report.

The practice line is reassuring, but without seeing Williams move in a game situation, it's difficult to project a full and productive workload. Watch for context in overnight reports before fully trusting Williams.

Playing Monday at 8:15 PM Eastern

Damien Harris | Thigh | Doubtful | Likely inactive

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

Harris has yet to return to practice after missing last week's game with a thigh injury. A return to Saturday practice and a limited role on Monday night is possible but very unlikely. Expect Harris to be inactive.

Sunday update: Harris is listed doubtful after missing practice on Saturday. Expect him to be inactive.

Rondale Moore | Groin | Declared out

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

Moore has not practiced since a groin strain in Week 11. Expect him to be ruled out on Saturday.

Jakobi Meyers | Concussion | Declared out

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

Meyers suffered a concussion last Thursday and has yet to be cleared for drills. He's unlikely to progress through the concussion protocol in time to play Monday night.

Footballguys injury coverage will return Monday with a review of the most important Week 14 injuries.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article