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
- RB Raheem Mostert
- WR Zay Flowers
- TE Hunter Henry
- TE Cole Kmet
- WR Michael Pittman Jr
- QB Jacoby Brissett
- RB Ken Walker III
- WR Ja'Marr Chase
- RB Isiah Pacheco
- WR Jordan Addison
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- RB Josh Jacobs
- WR Christian Watson
- TE Luke Musgrave
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- WR Puka Nacua
Ruled Out
- WR Courtland Sutton (concussion)
- WR Marquise Brown (heel)
- WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle)
- RB Zack Moss (arm)
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle)
- QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder)
- WR Keenan Allen (heel)
- WR Joshua Palmer (concussion)
- WR Kadarius Toney (hip)
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
RB Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins | Knee/Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active
Raheem Mostert gave fantasy managers a bit of a scare last week when he exited the game in Week 16 with a knee injury. Mostert was able to return to the game but then did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday leading up to Week 17. However, Mostert was limited on Friday and reports out of Miami suggest that he is in line to start this Sunday.
Mostert may be slightly limited by the injuries, which could leave more touches for De'Von Achane and Jeff Wilson Jr., but it is clear that this is Mostert's backfield. He is an auto-start in all formats.
Sunday Update: Raheem Mostert will not play. It appears his ankle and knee injuries were more serious than expected.
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens | Calf | Questionable | 50/50
Another player who did not practice for the first half of the week is rookie WR Zay Flowers. Flowers is dealing with a calf injury, and despite missing most of the team practices, he was listed as "limited" on Friday.
Calf strains/injuries can be limited for NFL WRs, with 70% of players listed with calf injuries missing at least one game. Additionally, there are significant performance declines following a calf injury. Taking this into consideration, Zay Flowers should probably stay on your bench in the fantasy football playoffs.
Sunday Update: Per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Flowers is slated to play Sunday. Personally I would still avoid Flowers where possible due to the reasons listed above.
TE Hunter Henry, New England Patriots | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Hunter Henry missed last week with a knee injury and is still questionable heading into Week 17. On average, TEs miss two weeks with knee injuries, and their performance is impacted upon return. It's possible Henry will miss another game.
TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Cole Kmet is currently riding a 65-game playing streak but is at risk of missing Week 17. Kmet returned to practice Friday but was limited. Considering that Kmet was dealing with a quadriceps injury last week and now a knee injury, Chicago might play it safe with their TE and sit him.
Sunday Update: Follow the Cole Kmet situation closely. He is going to be a game-time decision. I would avoid where possible as this indicates his not close to 100%.
WR Michael Pittman Jr, Indianapolis Colts | Concussion | Questionable | Likely Active
After clearing the concussion protocol, then going back into the protocol and missing Week 16, all signs point to Michael Pittman Jr being active in Week 17.
QB Jacoby Brissett, Washington Commanders | Hamstring | Questionable | 50/50
After Sam Howell was benched by the Washington Commanders, Jacoby Brissett was listed as the starter. However, Brissett could not even make it through the week without avoiding injury. Brissett popped up late in the week with a hamstring strain and is a game-time decision. Washington squares off against the San Francisco 49ers defense this week. Combining the touch match-up with his injury makes Brissett a volatile option this week. I recommend avoiding where you can.
Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reported Saturday night that Brissett will test out his hamstring before the game but is unlikely to play. Sam Howell you're up...again.
RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders | Quadriceps | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
After missing the last two weeks with a quadriceps strain, Josh Jacobs is listed as doubtful for Week 17. Jacobs likely misses another week as only 5% of players since 2017 with the doubtful tag have actually ended up playing.
WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams | Hip | Questionable | Likely Active
Puka Nacua did not practice Friday, but it does not appear that his status for Sunday is in doubt. Both Rams head coach Sean McVay and the Rams media have indicated that Nacua will start Sunday. Per ESPN's Sarah Barshop, Nacua is dealing with some "hip tightness" but will play through the injury.
Sunday Update: Nacua will be active today.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Game
RB Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks | Shoulder | Questionable | 50/50
Ken Walker III is set to be a true game-time decision due to his shoulder injury. This is a preexisting issue that has limited Walker in practice before, but he has played through the injury. Pete Carroll did not seem overly optimistic that Walker would be able to do the same in Week 17. This is a slight cause for concern, and it may be better to start a player who has an earlier game than to wait on Walker's status.
Sunday Update: Ken Walker III is expected to play but according to Adam Schefter, the team "has some concerns about his shoulder." This could mean Walker sees a smaller snap share and is at a higher injury risk. Proceed with caution.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Game
WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals | Shoulder | Questionable | 50/50
There is a glimmer of hope that Ja'Marr Chase can play this week after missing the past two games with an AC joint sprain. Typically this injury can result in 3-5 weeks of missed, but after missing all practices last week, Chase was able to participate in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday. Would we have liked to see a full practice for Chase? Of course, most of Chase's injury is related to managing pain so it not surprising to see Cincinnati limit the chances of Chase's shoulder pain increasing.
Chase has almost been vocal this week about the lack of competition in Kansas City's secondary. The smack talk seems to hint that Chase will be back in Week 17.
Ooo 😆 things just got interesting for Sundays match up with the Bengals and Kansas City
— Just Cece 🈠(@JustCeceSports) December 28, 2023
WR Ja'Marr Chase on what stands out with the Chiefs defense:
"If I'm being honest, nothing. ... It’s not really like they got a Jalen Ramsey on their squad.”
pic.twitter.com/mVd9714Olk
Sunday Update: According to Adam Schefter Ja'Marr Chase is going to test his shoulder out during pregame warm-ups. But there is optimism that he will be playing. It is risky due to Chase playing in the afternoon slate but I think he plays.
RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs | Concussion | Questionable | 50/50
Isiah Pacheco was able to return to practice Friday, although in a limited fashion following his concussion. Returning to practice is a good step in his post-concussion rehab, but it does not mean he has cleared the protocol yet. Most NFL RBs miss at least one game, so it is possible that the Chief backfield is left solely to Clyde Edwards-Helaire since Kansas City placed Jerick McKinnon on IR earlier this week.
Sunday Update: Pacheco has cleared the concussion protocol. He will be active Sunday.
Sunday Night 8:20 PM EST Game
WR Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings | Ankle | Questionable | 50/50
Originally, Jordan Addison seemed like a long shot to play in Week 17 after he was unable to finish the game in Week 16 due to an ankle injury. Typically, ankle sprains that remove WRs from the game net time missed. It would be surprising to see Addison suit up this Sunday night, and it might not be worth the risk of waiting. If you are planning on having Addison, make sure you stash K.J. Osborn on your bench, Addison's likely replacement.
Sunday Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Addison will likely be available Sunday. If you elect to start Addison know that on average WR production dips by 16% when playing through ankle injuries.
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers | Hamstring | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Christian Watson has not played since Week 13 after re-aggravating his hamstring injury. Green Bay has Watson listed as doubtful, and given this injury designation and Watson's injury history, it's pretty much a guarantee that Watson will not play in Week 17. I would not get cute and wait till Sunday night for Watson's official game status. It's best to move on at this point.
TE Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers | Abdomen/Kidney | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Luke Musgrave remains on the Packers' IR, and there does not appear to be any sign of him being active this week. Tucker Kraft remains the Packers' TE1 for another week.