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 Zack Moss
- QB Baker Mayfield
- WR Christian Kirk
- RB Alvin Kamara
- WR Christian Watson
- WR Jayden Reed
- RB Isiah Pacheco
- WR Jaylen Waddle
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- WR Zay Flowers
- WR Tee Higgins
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
Eligible to Return from IR
Ruled Out
- RB Christian McCaffrey (calf)
- WR Keenan Allen (heel)
- WR DeVonta Smith (ankle)
- QB Zach Wilson (concussion)
- WR Noah Brown (back)
Saturday 4:30 PM EST Game
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens | Calf | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Last week, I made a bad call about Zay Flowers. I thought his calf injury would limit him, but the rookie WR busted off a long TD that led to him being a top-12 WR in Week 12. However, Flowers appeared to be hampered by the calf injury. Flowers' 55% snap share in Week 17 was the lowest of his season, and heading into Week 18, he is listed as "Doubtful."
It is clear Flowers is not 100%, and I would not expect him to play Saturday.
Saturday 8:15 PM EST Game
RB Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts | Forearm| Questionable | Likely Active
After missing the past two games due to an arm injury, Zack Moss is on track to return on Saturday as he has logged two consecutive full practices. The Colts' backfield clearly belongs to Jonathan Taylor, so I am not sure that Moss offers much fantasy appeal, but his presence could cap the upside of the aforementioned Taylor. Indianapolis needs a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, and their running game has been the focal part of their offense. Moss should not be limited by his arm injury, so if you're in a bind, he could have some flex appeal but try to avoid him where possible.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars | Groin | Questionable | 50/50
Christian Kirk, who has been on IR for the past four weeks due to a groin injury, is on track to play Sunday. During practice this week, Kirk was limited, suggesting that he has not fully recovered just yet, but with Jacksonville in a must-win situation, it is all hands on deck. Historically, WRs are limited by following groin strains so I expect Kirk's ceiling to be lower than what is typical for him. Week 18 has limited fantasy options, so should Kirk suit up, you can start him. But manage your expectations.
Sunday Update: Christian Kirk is officially out.
WR Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars | Knee/Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Active
Zay Jones will play Sunday despite being listed as "Questionable." Jones has been dealing with both a knee and hamstring issue all season. He remains a boom/bust option as he has been for all of 2023.
Sunday Update: Reports Sunday morning suggest that Zay Jones is likely to play.
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints | Ankle | Questionable | 50/50
Alvin Kamara is set to be a game-time decision Sunday. The good news is the Saints are in the early slate of games, so fantasy managers should know whether or not Kamara is active before finalizing their lineups.
I originally projected Kamara to miss Week 18, as the video of his injury suggested a high ankle sprain. Since 2017, very few RBs have been able to play through high ankle sprains without missing any time (8%). However, those RBs who did play through the injury actually played well, suggesting that the injury may not have been that serious.
If Kamara starts in Week 18, I am still putting him in lineups.
Sunday Update: Kamara is not expected to play today.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals | Hamstring | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Tee Higgins is on track to miss Week 18. He played sparingly in Week 17 due to a hamstring injury that has limited him in spurts for part of the 2023 season. Higgins is listed as "Doubtful", and most players with this injury designation end up not playing (95%).
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers | Hamstring | Questionable | 50/50
Christian Watson has missed the standard amount of time due to his hamstring injury. Watson missed the start of the 2023 season with the same injury, returned, and aggravated it again, so it is understandable why Green Bay has been cautious with the second-year wideout.
Should Watson start, I would expect him to be 100%, as the Packers likely would not be playing him if that was the case.
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers | Chest | Questionable | Likely Active
Despite missing half of the game in Week 17 due to a chest injury, I expect Jayden Reed to play again in Week 18. Most of the playability with this injury comes down to pain tolerance, so his limited practice reps do not really factor into my projection. Reed has had an excellent rookie campaign, so should he start in Week 18, he should be in most fantasy lineups.
TE Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears | Knee | Questionable | Likely Active
After barely playing in Week 17, Cole Kmet got in a full practice on Friday and is in line to start in Week 18. Based on injury data for TEs, I expect minimal negative impact on Kmet's fantasy production despite his disappointing performance last week.
Sunday Update: Kmet is expected to play.
RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs | Quadriceps/Shoulder | Questionable | 50/50
Isiah Pacheco is dealing with a pair of injuries, but Kansas City is likely giving the sophomore RB some rest this week. Pacheco had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago but appears to have recovered and played in Week 17 despite the injury designation. The quadriceps injury is new, but reports out of Kansas City do not seem like the injury is serious.
Sunday Update: Pacheco is not expected to play.
Sunday Night 8:20 PM EST Game
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins | High Ankle Sprain | Questionable | 50/50
Jaylen Waddle was able to return to practice Friday but was not a full participant. Waddle is still dealing with a high ankle sprain that kept him out in Week 17. Typically, WRs miss 2-3 weeks with this injury, so it would be surprising to see Waddle active in Week 18. Waddle's teammate Tyreek Hill was able to return in just one week with a similar injury but has clearly not been the same.
It would be risky to leave Waddle in line-ups, given the late game, but if you do, make sure to grab Cedrick Wilson, who has had more of a role when Waddle has missed time.
Sunday Update: Per Tom Pelissero, Waddle is not expected to play.
RB Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins | Ankle/Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Raheem Mostert is another Dolphins player slated to be a game-time decision. After missing last week, I would try to avoid Mostert, as the injuries appear to have taken a toll on the veteran RB. This is another situation I would try to avoid given the late game.
Miami has already clinched a playoff berth but can secure the AFC East with a win, but if the game gets away from the team, I could see the Dolphins resting Mostert if he is active.
Sunday Update: Per Tom Pelissero, Mostert is not expected to play.