Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)
"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] 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 to come back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours.
Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players
Gameday Decision
- WR Tee Higgins
- RB Travis Etienne Jr.
- QB Will Levis
- RB Tyjae Spears
- WR Tyreek Hill
- WR Zay Flowers
- QB Jayden Daniels
- WR Ladd McConkey
- WR Deebo Samuel Sr.
- TE George Kittle
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- QB Derek Carr
- WR DK Metcalf
- QB Andy Dalton (thumb)
- RB Jonathon Brooks
- WR Jauan Jennings (groin)
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- RB Bucky Irving
- WR Jakobi Meyers
Ruled Out
- WR Diontae Johnson (ribs)
- WR Adam Thielen (hamstring)
- TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring)
- WR Quentin Johnston (ankle)
- RB Jerome Ford (hamstring)
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring)
* Key:
Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Tee Higgins, Cinncinati | Quadriceps | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Tee Higgins was a late addition to the injury report, popping up for the first time on Friday with a quadriceps injury. As I write this, it is still unclear if Higgins suffered a quadriceps strain or contusion (the two most common injuries).
Quadriceps strains can be more limiting and often result in more games missed – on average, 2.1. Contusions, however, are painful but can be played through.
If Higgins sustained a soft tissue strain, his chances of playing Sunday at full strength, if at all, are low. Add in the fact that Higgins got injured two days before gameday, and those odds are even lower. Unless we learn more before kickoff, I am not optimistic Higgins will play.
Update: Per ESPN's Dan Draziano, there is "a real chance" Tee Higgins sits Sunday.
RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville | Hamstring | Questionable | 50/50
Travis Etienne Jr. was limited all week with the same hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 7. Since he seemed close to playing last week, one could assume he should be on track to play in Week 8. As it stands, Etienne is a true game-time decision.
Even if Etienne does suit up, I have little confidence in starting him this week. He has been rather disappointing when healthy, and historically, RBs suffer a 20% decline in fantasy production. Tank Bigsby is surging and figures to eat into Etienne's workload regardless. It all points to a murky outcome that I would feel more comfortable leaving on my bench.
Update: Travis Etienne Jr. is a long-shot to play in Week 8 according to Ian Rapoport.
QB Will Levis, Tennesee | Shoulder | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Will Levis remains limited with a shoulder injury – the same pattern as last week when he sat out. Until Levis is able to practice as a full participant, I do not have a lot of confidence that he will play. It's still unclear if Levis will even be the starter when unhealthy.
RB Tyjae Spears, Tennesee | Hamstring | Questionable | 50/50
Tyjae Spears was limited all week with a hamstring strain, an improvement from last week when he did not practice at all. Spears is truly 50/50 this week, considering since 2017, 46% of NFL RBs with a hamstring strain miss <2 weeks, and 50% of those who were limited in their practices ended up playing. The Titans play in the early slate of games, so fantasy managers should be able to pivot with enough time if Spears sits.
Update: Tyjae Spears was downgraded to out by the Titans.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay | Toe | Questionable | Likely Active
The Bucky Irving situation was off to a confusing start. Originally, the report out of Tampa Bay was that Irving would miss Week 8. After not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, Bucky Irving returned to practice on Friday. HC Todd Bowles told reporters that Irving would play on Sunday.
Historically, foot injuries can be mildly limiting for NFL RBs (mean decline 17%). Even in the midst of a three-man committee with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, if Irving is active, I am starting him in most formats. He has proven to be a reliable fantasy asset this year.
WR Tyreek Hill, Miami | Foot | Questionable | Likely Active
Tyreek Hill popped up on the injury report Thursday with a foot injury. Hill was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and then ended up missing practice altogether on Friday. Typically, this practice pattern suggests that a player will miss the upcoming game. However, Dolphins' coach Mike McDaniel told reporters he was optimistic Hill would play Sunday. It's possible that Friday's lack of practice was a veteran rest day. I lean towards Hill being active.
Update: As expected, Tyreek Hill plans to be active Sunday.
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Zay Flowers (ankle) did not practice to start the week but was able to participate in a limited fashion Friday. Earlier in the week I was unsure if Flowers was dealing with a high ankle sprain or an eversion ankle sprain, but the fact that Flowers was able to practice at all this week suggests the latter – a good sign.
Most WRs with an ankle sprain miss at least one game, although it is typically not long-term. I am projecting Flowers to miss Week 8.
Update: Zay Flowers ankle injury is not deamed overly serious. He is expected to be active Sunday.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Games
QB Derek Carr, New Orleans | Oblique | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Derek Carr is listed as "Doubtful" for Week 8, meaning he is unlikely to play. This timeline still tracks based on Carr's oblique injury. Spencer Rattler figures to be under center.
WR DK Metcalf, Seattle | Knee | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
DK Metcalf is dealing with a mild MCL sprain but typically MCL sprains still result in time missed. As a result, Metcalf is "Doubtful" for Week 8. More than 95% of players listed as Doubtful end up sitting out. We should expect the same for Metcalf.
WR Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers | Hip | Questionable | Likely Active
Ladd McConkey missed most of the week with a hip injury but was able to return to practice Friday. This is similar to last week where McConkey ended up playing. I expect the same this week.
Update: Ladd McConkey should be active.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington | Ribs | Questionable | 50/50
Jayden Daniels was tracking towards sitting Week 8, but he was able to practice in a limited fashion Friday, leaving the door open for him to start in Week 8. Earlier this week, it was reported that Daniels managed to avoid a rib fracture, so his injury mostly comes down to pain management. It's possible that Daniels is able to get a pre-game injection and play through the discomfort, but he is likely a true game-time decision.
QB Andy Dalton, Carolina | Thumb | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Earlier this week, Andy Dalton was in a motor vehicle accident, injuring his thumb. Panthers' head coach Dave Canales has called Dalton a "long shot" to play.
Panthers QB Andy Dalton is a ‘’long shot’’ to be Bryce Young’s backup at Denver, per Dave Canales.Jack Plummer will be next in line. pic.twitter.com/sGfYyPEWUe
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 25, 2024
Bryce Young should resume his role as the starting QB.
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive
The Panthers are still not ready to activate Jonathon Brooks from the PUP. The rookie RB is not projected to play in Week 8. This was my concern with drafting him earlier this preseason.
Update: Jonathon Brooks is out for Sunday. He will not play.
WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active
After missing the past two games due to an ankle injury, Jakobi Meyers is on track to return to action in Week 8. Meyers practiced fully on Friday. He figures to be the Raiders' #1 passing option now that Davante Adams was traded to New York.
Update: Meyers is expected to be active.
Sunday Night 8:20 PM EST Game
WR Deebo Samuel Sr., San Francisco | Pneumonia | Questionable | 50/50
Deebo Samuel Sr.. was hospitalized earlier this week with pneumonia, but he returned to practice this week in a limited fashion.
This is a really tricky situation. I don't have any historical data on players dealing with pneumonia, and the return-to-play timelines are variable. It's difficult to project where Samuel's stamina will be following his illness. With Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings likely out and a favorable matchup with Dallas, fantasy managers would like to play Sameul if active, but it's a risk due to the late kickoff.
Update: Deebo Samuel Sr. is expected to play Sunday night.
TE George Kittle, San Francisco | Foot | Questionable | Projecting Active
George Kittle has been on the 49ers' injury report all week with a foot injury, but most reports out of San Francisco indicate that Kittle will play. With all the injuries the 49ers have sustained, it seems like there would be more panic around the Kittle situation if he was in danger of missing.
Update: Adam Schefter reporting that George Kittle is expected to play.
WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco | Groin | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Jauan Jennings is another player listed as Doubtful and is tracking to miss Week 8 with a groin injury. The 49ers don't play until Sunday night, so I would not hold out hope for Jennings this week.
Update: Jauan Jennings is out.