Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 18

Photo: USA Today Sports

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

• RB Josh Jacobs
• RB DOnta Foreman

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• RB Travis Homer

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• QB Jalen Hurts
• QB Trevor Lawrence
• RB Derrick Henry
• RB Christian McCaffrey
• RB Tony Pollard
• RB Aaron Jones
• WR Deebo Samuel
• WR Tyler Lockett
• WR Treylon Burks
• WR Jakobi Meyers
• TE Taysom Hill

Returning from injured reserve

• RB Elijah Mitchell
• WR Mecole Hardman

Ruled Out

• QB Justin Fields
• QB Lamar Jackson
• QB Tua Tagovailoa
• QB Colt McCoy
• QB Nick Foles
• QB Jimmy Garoppolo
• RB James Conner
• RB Brian Robinson Jr
• WR DeAndre Hopkins
• WR Ben Skowronek
• WR Skyy Moore
• WR Phillip Dorsett
• TE Kylen Granson

Playing Saturday at 4:30 pm Eastern

Josh Jacobs | Hip / Oblique / Personal | Questionable | Saturday decision

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

Now dealing with an oblique injury in addition to a chronic hip condition, Jacobs played 67% of the team's offensive snaps last week after averaging ~80% of the Raiders' offensive snaps since Week 10.

Jacobs was limited on Tuesday but then missed both Wednesday and Thursday practices with a personal issue. On Thursday, Josh McDaniels told reporters he was "hoping" Jacobs would be available, but the team would be mindful of his "health, safety, and overall well-being." Most sportsbooks have yet to post a prop bet for Jacobs' rushing yards, prompting some to speculate that Jacobs may be in danger of missing this week's game.

Watch for overnight and Saturday morning reports on Jacobs' status.

Saturday update: There were no updates on Jacobs' status overnight. That may be reassuring for his playing status but do not expect 20+ touches. If there are no further updates throughout the day, watch the pregame inactive for confirmation.

Saturday update: Jacobs will play today after spending much of the week visiting his father who had emergency heart surgery. Jacobs -- who has a history of playing effectively through injury -- could be in line for his usual workload.

Mecole Hardman | Pelvis | Questionable | Saturday decision

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

The Chiefs were forced to move Hardman to the active roster earlier this week before his practice window closed, and he became ineligible to return this season. Andy Reid remains skeptical about Hardman's availability. Reid told reporters he expected Hardman to want to play but that the team would hold Hardman back and give him limited snaps if he's active.

Playing Saturday at 8:15 pm Eastern

Derrick Henry | Hip | Not listed | Expected to play

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

The Titans held Henry out in anticipation of this week's must-win game against Jacksonville. He is expected to see a full workload.

Trevor Lawrence | Toe | Questionable | Expected to play

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

The Jaguars rested Lawrence after getting out to a large lead last week. Lawrence has played effectively for weeks through his toe sprain and will have no limitations in Week 18.

Treylon Burks | Groin | Questionable | Likely to play

Practice Participation: Tues - Not Listed | Wed - Limited | Thurs - DNP

Burks did not practice Thursday after leaving practice early with a groin injury on Wednesday. Mike Vrabel told reporters Burks was held out for precautionary reasons, and the team feels Burks "should be okay" to play.

Midweek soft tissue injuries are always concerning, and Burks has just 72 hours to recover for a Saturday night game. Expect Burks to be active in a must-win situation, but he will be at high risk of aggravation.

Saturday update: There were no updates on Burks overnight.

Playing Sunday at 1:00 pm Eastern

DOnta Foreman | Knee | Questionable | Sunday decision

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

Foreman was added to the injury report with a knee injury on Friday. It's the first time Foreman has been on the injury report since Week 14 but the Panthers have given Chuba Hubbard more snaps over the past three weeks.

Steve Wilks said Foreman was a game-time decision and could be cleared to play on Sunday. If active, 10-12 touches is his likely ceiling.

Taysom Hill | Back | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Hill was limited by a back condition all week, but there are no concerns in the local media. Expect him to continue to see 20+ snaps in his hybrid passing/rushing/receiving role.

Jakobi Meyers | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Meyers remains limited by a shoulder sprain. Although his snap count has been variable over the past three weeks (62% / 100% / 82%), Meyers has continued to play through his injury and is again expected to play.

Playing Sunday at 4:25 pm Eastern

Jalen Hurts | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Hurts was reportedly throwing comfortably last week and close to returning. The Eagles' medical staff elected to avoid contact for another week to allow for additional healing and stability in the high-risk SC joint.

Nick Sirianni told reporters Hurts was "trending in the right direction," and Gardner Minshew said Hurts is "right back where he needs to be." Philadelphia lists Hurts questionable. With the top overall seed and a playoff bye on the line Sunday, Hurts will play. He should not be limited by the injury.

Christian McCaffrey | Ankle / Knee | Not listed | Expected to play

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

McCaffrey has continued to extensive workloads -- 74 touches over the past three games -- despite dealing with patellar tendinitis and ankle soreness. John Lynch said McCaffrey would not play if was "wasn't right" as the Niners "want him right for the playoffs." The return to a full Friday practice was reassuring, and McCaffrey is not listed on the game status report.

Expect McCaffrey to be active, but he's unlikely to see 20+ touches unless the Eagles lose their early afternoon game and the Niners can earn a playoff bye with a win.

Deebo Samuel | Ankle / Knee | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Samuel has been cleared to play and will likely be active. Expect the Niners to limit his snap count and give him enough touches to recondition himself at game speed. Samuel is unlikely to see more than 3-5 touches unless he's feeling comfortable, and the Niners are in a close game with playoff bye implications.

Tony Pollard | Thigh | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Pollard will return this week. He's likely to see his pre-injury rotational role.

Tyler Lockett | Shin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Lockett was hit on the lower leg, where a plate from a previous surgery stabilized a broken leg and suffered a painful bruise. He told reporters he continued to improve during the week and doesn't expect to be limited on gameday. The Seahawks list him questionable after just one limited Friday practice. That's not unusual for Seattle veterans and Pete Carroll told reporters Lockett was expected to play.

The Seahawks must win and then hope for a Green Bay loss on Sunday night to earn the final NFC playoff slot. Expect Lockett to see a full workload.

Elijah Mitchell | Knee | Likely to play

Mitchell will reportedly be returned to the active roster on Saturday. The plan is to give Mitchell a handful of touches in relief of Christian McCaffrey to get him ready for playoff duty as needed. 10+ touches are possible if Philadelphia wins in the early game window and knocks San Francisco out of contention for a playoff bye -- which would likely prompt the Niners to severely limit McCaffrey's workload.

Playing Sunday at 8:20 pm Eastern

Aaron Jones | Knee / Ankle | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Jones will be active after another week of limited practices as he continues to play through ankle and knee conditions. After just eight touches in Week 16, the Packers increased Jones' workload in Week 17. However, his snap percentage was unchanged. He'll again share touches with A.J. Dillon in a must-win game for Green Bay.