Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 16

Jene Bramel's Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 16 Jene Bramel Published 12/23/2022

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

Gameday Decision

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

Eligible to return from injured reserve

Ruled Out

Playing Saturday at 1:00 pm Eastern

Nick Chubb | Foot | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Chubb did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday with what was described as a sore foot. The Browns did not list Chubb on the game status report after he was cleared to return to practice Thursday. He spoke with the media and is expected to play.

There are no indications the team plans to limit his touches.

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Rhamondre Stevenson | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Stevenson managed very little practice last week but played 43 of 65 snaps and had 21 effective touches. His injury is not expected to limit him this week. Expect him to see the majority of the Patriots' workload against a strong Cincinnati front seven -- even if Damien Harris is cleared to return.

Ken Walker | Ankle / Back | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Walker did not practice this week, but Pete Carroll told reporters he expects Walker to play. Carroll said Walker showed enough on Wednesday to be cleared to practice but suffered back spasms on Thursday and was held out.

Watch for early Saturday morning news on Walker but expect him to see his usual workload unless there's a concerning report.

Saturday morning: Ian Rapoport tweeted Walker is still on track to play today.

Tyler Huntley | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to play

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

John Harbaugh said Huntley will start on Saturday. The shoulder injury isn't expected to limit him. Anthony Brown was again elevated from the practice squad and will be available if needed.

Damien Harris | Thigh | Questionable | Saturday decision

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

There is no local speculation on Harris' status this week. He was healthy enough to travel to Las Vegas last week and went through a full week of drills -- which suggests he's trending toward playing. It's unlikely he'll see more than a handful of touches with Rhamondre Stevenson running effectively through an ankle injury.

Saturday update: Harris is "more of a game-time decision" per Ian Rapoport overnight. With Rhamondre Stevenson expected to play, Harris may be inactive today.

Treylon Burks | Concussion | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Mike Vrabel told reporters he was optimistic about Burks returning after a full week of practice. It's not clear whether the Titans have sent Burks for an independent exam for clearance or not. Tennessee lists him questionable. Even if active, Burks' upside is severely limited by Malik Willis -- who completed 11 passes on 26 attempts in two starts earlier this season.

Khalil Herbert | Hip | Returned to active roster | Expected to play

Herbert was added to the 53-man roster on Friday afternoon and will return. In his first week back from a hip injury, Herbert is unlikely to see more than 5-10 touches as a complementary back to David Montgomery.

DeeJay Dallas | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Pete Carroll anticipates Dallas returning from a recent high ankle sprain. With two limited practices this week -- his first since the Week 13 injury -- Dallas will be at risk of an in-game aggravation. He'll likely fill a small role behind Ken Walker.

Brandin Cooks | Calf | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Cooks told reporters he was looking forward to returning after a calf injury and disagreement with the Texans kept him off the field since Week 12. The consecutive full practices to end the week suggest he could immediately be ready for 40+ snaps and 5+ targets.

Chris Moore | Foot | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Moore was limited all week with a foot condition. There are no local concerns about his availability after he played 87% of Houston's offensive snaps last week. Brandin Cooks is back, but Moore should continue to see a starter's workload with Nico Collins out.

Jakobi Meyers | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Meyers was again limited, with ongoing shoulder soreness this week. He played 40 snaps after missing the Patriots' Week 14 game with the shoulder injury. Expect Meyers to play.

Mecole Hardman | Illness | Unlikely to play

Hardman has yet to be returned to the active roster after two weeks of practice. Andy Reid said the Chiefs aren't sure Hardman "is where he needs to be yet." Do not expect Hardman to return until Week 16.

Noah Fant | Knee | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Pete Carroll told reporters Fant was expected to play despite only one limited practice this week.

Playing Saturday at 4:05 pm Eastern

No notable players on the injury report

Playing Saturday at 4:25 pm Eastern

Dallas Goedert | Shoulder | Expected to play

The Eagles elected to give Goedert another week to recondition and recover last week after it appeared he was trending toward playing. Philadelphia added him to the active roster early this week and he has not been listed on the injury report. He should be involved in the passing game immediately.

Playing Saturday at 8:15 PM Eastern

Diontae Johnson | Toe | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Johnson told reporters he expected to play through his toe sprain despite missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Local writers saw Johnson participating in Pittsburgh's Friday pregame walkthrough session.

Playing Sunday at 1:00 pm Eastern

Jeff Wilson | Hip | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Wilson did not play last week after a hip injury in Week 14. He managed a full week of limited practice and is listed questionable. Wilson told reporters he was "feeling a lot better," but his status "could go either way."

Playing Sunday at 4:30 pm Eastern

Courtland Sutton | Hamstring | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Sutton participated in a full week of drills and is trending toward returning after missing two games with a hamstring strain. The Broncos have not discussed Sutton's status. Watch for weekend details, but it's difficult to project Sutton for his pre-injury usage immediately.

Latavius Murray | Foot | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Nathaniel Hackett said Murray did not practice on Thursday because the team elected not to stress Murray's sore foot on indoor turf. Hackett is hopeful Murray will play, and the return to drills on Friday is reassuring.

Chase Edmonds | Ankle | Designated to return | Saturday decision

Edmonds returned to practice this week and is expected to be activated. Watch the Saturday transactions for confirmation. He'll have a limited role behind Latavius Murray when activated.

Playing Sunday at 8:20 pm Eastern

Julio Jones | Knee | Pending | Sunday decision

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

Jones wasn't able to play last week after a questionable listing. His Friday practice report may be helpful but don't count on Jones playing a significant role this week.

Playing Monday at 8:15 PM Eastern

No notable players on the injury report.

Footballguys injury coverage will return Monday with a review of the most important Week 16 injuries.

Photos provided by Imagn Images
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