Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel)
The injury report released by the NFL is two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. 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 and my expectations of their likelihood of playing.
If you are reading this article on Saturday, make sure you circle back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours
Key:
Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Footballguys Expectation
Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players
Gameday Decision
- WR Tyreek Hill
- RB De'Von Achane
- WR Noah Brown
- RB AJ Dillon
- RB Aaron Jones
- WR Chris Godwin
- WR Chris Olave
- RB Jamall Williams
- WR Michael Wilson
- WR Tutu Atwell
- WR Brandin Cooks
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- QB C.J. Stroud
- WR Nico Collins
- WR Christian Watson
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- WR Justin Jefferson
- WR DJ Moore
Eligible to return from injured reserve
Ruled Out
- RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder)
- RB Brian Robinson Jr (hamstring)
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle)
- RB Alexander Mattison (ankle)
- RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb)
- RB Elijah Mitchell (knee)
- RB Kendre Miller (knee)
Saturday 1:00 PM EST Game
WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings | Chest | Questionable | Likely Active
For a while, Justin Jefferson's situation after Week 14 was not good. He sustained a chest injury that kept him out of the game, and the Vikings' medical staff reportedly worried about internal bleeding, so he needed to go to the hospital.
After all was said and done, Jefferson's injury turned out to be relatively minor, and he was able to practice in full on Friday. Expect him back on the field and in fantasy lineups in Week 15.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins | Ankle | Questionable | 50/50
The Tyreek Hill injury situation is a difficult one. Hill sustained an ankle injury Monday night from a drop hip tackle. By video, the injury did fit that of a high ankle sprain. Although Hill was able to return later in the game, he was clearly limited, playing on 46% of the Dolphin's offensive snaps.
Hill has not practiced all week, and although he is the caliber of a player who does not have to practice to be ready/effective, it does suggest that his ankle is limiting him. If Hill is active, it would be really difficult to leave him out of lineups. Understandable. However, I lean towards him missing Week 15. High ankle sprains are difficult injuries to play through regardless of taping/bracing and pain management that a player is given pregame. Since 2017, 92% of NFL WRs have missed at least one game with a high ankle sprain. The numbers are not in Hill's favor this week.
RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins | Toe | Questionable | 50/50
Another Miami player dealing with injury is rookie RB De'Von Achane. Achane missed Wednesday and Thursday's practice with a toe injury before getting a limited practice (LP) on Friday. The Friday LP sort of suggests that Achane's toe injury is not turf toe, as that injury typically does not heal in two days, and playing on it in any capacity could make it much worse.
Achane is not a stranger to injury, and as a result of many of them piling up this season, I would expect Raheem Mostert to be the lead back in Miami even if Achane is active. But if we get confirmation that Achane is not dealing with turf toe, then I think he becomes a solid flex option, especially if Tyreek Hill sits as more touches will become available in the Dolphins' high-powered offense.
QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans | Concussion | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
The Houston Texans have officially listed Stroud as doubtful heading into Week 15, meaning the likelihood of him playing is slim to none. The overwhelming data from this season and years past suggests that players with a concussion typically miss at least one week.
WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans | Calf | Questionable | Likely Inactive
The Texans have not listed Nico Collins as doubtful like C.J. Stroud, but it sounds like Collins is not expected to play either due to a calf injury. Calf injuries usually net at least two weeks missed, so it would be surprising if Collins were able to dress on Sunday.
Sunday Update: As expected Nico Collins is not expected to play. The Houston offense as a whole is worth avoiding this week.
WR Noah Brown, Houston Texans | Knee | Questionable | Likely Active
Houston has been listing Noah Brown as questionable for the last two weeks with a knee injury. However, Brown has been able to play in both Week 13 + 14, and I expect the same this week. Without C.J. Stroud, the offensive could be ugly, but Brown would figure to be the #1 passing option with Tank Dell out of the rest of the year and Nico Collins likely sitting.
Sunday Update: Noah Brown feels like the only healthy Texans this week. He is expected to play.
RB AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers | Thumb |Questionable | 50/50
AJ Dillon broke his thumb in Week 14, but the Packers have not officially ruled him out. This is a different situation/injury than Jonathan Taylor's thumb injury, and without surgery, Dillon could still play in Week 15. Green Bay had Dillon test out his thumb with a brace on his hand during this week's practices, but it is unclear if they will trust him to handle the ball come Sunday.
I think Dillon could play with this injury. Ball security could be an issue, but players have played through this injury before with a hand brace. I would expect Dillon to be a 0 in the passing game if he does play, but there is very much a chance he will be active come Sunday.
Sunday Update: Dillon is trending towards not playing in Week 15 due to his thumb injury.
RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Aaron Jones' MCL sprain has kept him limited in practices the last two weeks, but he still has not been able to play despite being able to participate during the week. From an injury timeline perspective, Jones should be able to return in Week 15. When/if Jones returns, I would expect him to return to form, and with Dillon dealing with a hand injury, Jones should get a bump in PPR leagues.
Sunday Update: Aaron Jones is expected to play. Jones has battled injuries all season and honestly has not looked right since Week 1. From an injury data perspective, RBs returning from MCL sprains have returned to form with minimal negative impact on their fantasy performance. With AJ Dillon trending towards out, Jones could have a nice floor.
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers | Hamstring | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
After missing Week 14 with a hamstring injury, Christian Watson is doubtful to play Sunday. Since re-injuring his hamstring strain in Week 13, I projected Watson to miss another 3 games. This means that Week 16 is far from a lock at this point. If Watson managers have not made backup plans for the playoffs, they should do so now.
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles is calling Chris Godwin a game-time decision heading into Sunday, but the fact that Godwin was able to practice in full on Friday hints he will be ready to go. Without word about a serious injury, it's likely Godwin will be active and able to perform to his normal level.
Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reporting the Godwin is expected to play Sunday.
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints | Ankle | Questionable | 50/50
Chris Olave has not practiced all week with an ankle injury, and it sounds like he is on the wrong side of questionable heading into Week 15. WRs that play through ankle injuries can, on average, suffer a 15% decrease in fantasy production, making Olave a risky option even if he does suit up. Olave is a player I would be trying to avoid where possible.
Sunday Update: Olave is going to be a true game-time decision. Based on the information the public has and the indecision on whether or not Olave is going to play, I think he is likely dealing with an inversion (low) ankle sprain and not just soreness. Because of that, Olave could be a dangerous player to leave in lineups. WRs dealing with ankle sprains have a moderate re-injury risk combined with the decreased fantasy production decline discussed above (-15%).
RB Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints | Groin | Questionable | Likely Active
Jamaal Williams was a late addition to the injury report with a groin injury but he is expected to be active Sunday. He will serve as the backup to Alvin Kamara.
TE Darren Waller, New York Giants | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Active
Darren Waller is eligible to return from IR following his hamstring injury, and all signs point to him playing. Waller told reporters that he was eyeing Week 15 as his return to play data and he has had "no issues" while practicing this week.
Starting Waller comes with a bit of risk. Upon return, TEs, on average, have a 22% decrease in fantasy points following a hamstring injury. However, looking at a three-game sample post-injury, there do not appear to be long-term/lingering effects. The fact that Waller has spent time on IR and taken six weeks to fully recover likely means he is 100%. He is startable, depending on your options.
Sunday Update: Per Tom Pelissero, Waller is set to return from IR today. He will start.
WR DJ Moore, Chicago Bears | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active
Chicago has DJ Moore listed as questionable with an ankle injury, but this seems like merely a formality, as Moore was able to practice in full on Friday. The Bears' WR1 should be active on Sunday with minimal limitations.
Sunday Update: Reports out of Chicago indicate that DJ Moore is expected to be active.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Games
WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals | Neck | Questionable | 50/50
After missing the past few weeks due to his re-injured shoulder, Michael Wilson has been able to practice this week and is trending towards being active in Week 15. Wilson was an intriguing fantasy option before this injury stint, but until he proves he has returned to form, I would avoid putting him in lineups.
Sunday Update: Per Adam Schefter, Wilson is expected to play today.
WR Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams | Concussion | Questionable | Active
Unlike C.J. Stroud, it would appear that Tutu Atwell has been able to clear the concussion protocol. Atwell practiced in full on Friday and is in line to start in Week 15.
Sunday Update: Per Adam Schefter, Atwell is unlikely to play.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
WR Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys | Illness | Questionable | 50/50
Brandin Cooks is dealing with an illness that has the Cowboys listing him as questionable heading into Week 15. Reports out of Dallas do not make it sound like Cooks is dealing with anything too serious. Illnesses are always tough to predict, but I lean toward Cooks being active on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday Update: Cooks is expected to be ready Sunday.