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
- RB Jonathon Brooks
- WR Amari Cooper
- WR Brian Thomas Jr.
- WR Drake London
- WR Jalen McMillan
- WR Deebo Samuel Sr.
- WR Nico Collins
- WR Tank Dell
- WR Tyreek Hill
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
Ruled Out
- WR Chris Olave (concussion - likely heading to IR)
- QB Dak Prescott (hamstring - placed on IR)
- RB Brian Robinson Jr (hamstring)
- WR Mike Evans (hamstring)
- WR Michael Pittman Jr (back)
- WR Keon Coleman (wrist)
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring)
* Key:
Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Sunday Morning 9:30 AM EST Game (Munich)
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina | Knee | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
The Panthers finally activated Jonathon Brooks off the PUP, meaning that he can play in 2024. Despite the good news, Caronlina was still non-committal on Brooks' status in Week 10. He is still listed as questionable and heading into Sunday.
The Panthers play the Giants in Germany this week, and although there is no reason Brooks would not be able to play overseas, it seems like Carolina would want to make things simple for the rookie. The Panthers have a bye next week (Week 11) and then are at home vs. Kansas City. This seems like a more ideal spot to let Brooks dip his toes back in the water.
Update: Brooks is inactive for Sunday.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Amari Cooper, Buffalo | Wrist | Questionable | 50/50
Amari Cooper is likely a true game-time decision heading into Sunday. Reading into practice reports might not help much this week. Cooper was limited all week – exactly the same as Week 9 when he ended up sitting out.
It's not abnormal for NFL WRs to miss 2 weeks with wrist injuries – Since 2017 this is the average time missed. Luckily Cooper managers will know soon whether or not he is available as Buffalo kicks off in the early slate of games.
Update: Amari Cooper is inactive in Week 10.
QB Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely Inactive
Although Trevor Lawrence is officially listed as questionable, it seems he is unlikely to play this Sunday. On Friday Jaguars' coach Doug Peterson told reporters Lawrence "is trending in the wrong direction."
Expect Lawrence to sit in Week 10 and Mac Jones to be under center.
Regarding Lawrence's rest-of-season outlook, I do think there is a chance he could return. Lawrence's injury is on his non-throwing shoulder. Reports earlier in the week revealed that the Jaguars and Lawrence were considering surgery. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Lawrence could be dealing with a labral tear. The only way to fix a labral tear is surgery, but because it is not to his right shoulder, it can be managed until the end of the year. Baker Mayfield dealt with a similar injury in 2021. Mayfield only missed two weeks, but for what it is worth, his production did dip significantly when he returned.
Update: Lawrence will not active Sunday according to Adam Schefter. There is a strong possibility that Lawrence has season-ending shoulder surgery due to an AC joint sprain/seperation in his non-throwning shoulder (left).
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville | Ribs/Chest | Questionable | Likely Active
Brian Thomas Jr. is still questionable coming off the rib/chest injury. Thomas was also questionable last week but ended up starting. Thomas was disappointing in Week 9 and although there are many variables that contribute to fantasy points, injury data suggests that rib injuries can be mildly limiting for NFL WRs. However, moving forward WR data tends to normalize.
Brian Thomas Jr. has been a nice fantasy asset and offers a high ceiling each week. He is firmly in the WR3/flex category, regardless of who is under center in Week 10.
Update: Brian Thomas Jr.. plans to be active.
WR Drake London, Atlanta | Hip Pointer | Questionable | Projecting Active
Ideally, Drake London would have been able to log at least one full practice this week to feel great about his chances to play Sunday. With that in mind, hip pointers come down to pain management. Atlanta likely wants to avoid a flare-up to give London the best chance to play.
I expect London to be able to start when Sunday comes around. Hip pointers do not typically result in a lot of time missed.
Update: ESPN reporting Drake London will play in Week 10.
WR Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Jalen McMillan was primed for a breakout with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans injured but alas the rookie WR is struggling with an injury of his own.
McMillian was a game-time decision last Monday but ended up sitting. He has a hamstring strain, an injury he struggled with earlier in the season. WRs who re-injure their hamstrings, on average, end up missing 3.4 weeks. This data suggests that when a player re-injures the same body part, teams will be more conservative with their return timeline to allow the player to fully recover. Tampa Bay has a bye in Week 11. It would make sense for the Buccaneers to give McMillan extra time to heal.
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco | Achilles Tendinitis | Questionable | Likely Active
Finally, after nine weeks of patiently waiting, Christian McCaffrey is set to make his season debut on Sunday.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said RB Christian McCaffrey is “good to go” for Sunday’s game vs. Tampa despite the team listing him as questionable due to his calf and Achilles injuries.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 8, 2024
In terms of fantasy advice, there is nothing much to say. If McCaffrey is active – you play him.
Update: As expected, McCaffrey will play Sunday.
WR Deebo Samuel Sr., San Francisco | Ribs/Oblique | Questionable | Projecting Active
Even following the bye, Deebo Samuel Sr.. is still questionable heading into Week 10 with a rib injury that limited him in Week 8. Deebo Samuel Sr. did not log a full practice this week, but he was able to participate in a limited fashion.
Samuel's practice participation is not surprising to see as most of it comes down to pain management. I project Samuel to start in Week 10 but it's worth noting that historically Samuel does not play well coming off injury. With Christian McCaffrey slated to return and Jordan Mason off the injury report, it's unlikely Samuel sees any of the RB work that elevated his floor.
Currently, at Footballguys, Samuel is ranked as the WR23, likely due to some uncertainty around his availability. I think this is a fair spot, and I would not push Samuel higher if he is officially listed as active.
Update: Per Adam Schefter, Deebo is expected to be active.
Sunday Night 8:20 PM EST Game
WR Nico Collins, Houston | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
The Texans have activated Nico Collins from IR, meaning he can play on Sunday should the team decide he is ready.
Collins has missed the last four weeks, and for WRs who re-injure hamstring strains, this is a normal timeline. Houston's activation of Collins bodes well for his availability this week, but he was only able to practice once. Typically, for hamstring injuries, teams like to see a player practice (even if in a limited fashion) 2-3 times before making him available for gameplay.
Houston plays late, but it's possible they provide more information on Saturday night.
WR Tank Dell, Houston | Back | Questionable | 50/50
Tank Dell was added to the Texan's injury report on Friday with a back injury. Dell was able to practice but was listed as a limited participant. Typically when players are limited with a back injury they end up playing that week. 38% of NFL WRs since 2017 miss 0 games with a back injury.
There is a lot of uncertainty around the Texans' wideouts. Hopefully, we get some clarity so managers do not have to wait until the late Sunday night kickoff when there are fewer options to pivot to.
Update: Tank Dell expects to be active.
Monday Night 8:15 PM EST Game
WR Tyreek Hill, Miami | Wrist | Questionable | Projecting Active
Tyreek Hill popped up on the Dolphins' injury report late this week with a wrist injury. Hill is known to get a veteran rest day and most of the time these situations should not be over-analyzed. However, there have been some recent examples of WRs missing time with wrist injuries.
Miami plays on Monday night so Saturday could clarify Hill's availability. For now, I think Hill was getting a day off and will be active come Monday night.
