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 Mike Evans
- WR Adam Thielen
- WR Jalen Coker
- RB D'Andre Swift
- WR Keenan Allen
- TE Noah Fant
- WR Ladd McConkey
- WR Rashod Bateman
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- WR Malik Nabers
- RB Jonathon Brooks
- WR Tyler Lockett
Ruled Out
- QB Brock Purdy (shoulder)
- TE Jake Ferguson (concussion)
- WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)
- RB Isiah Pacheco (ankle)
- Tyjae Spears (concussion)
- RB Miles Sanders (ankle – placed on IR)
- WR Josh Reynolds (finger)
- TE Josh Oliver (ankle)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Active
Mike Evans returned to practice this week after missing Tampa Bay's previous three games. However, with the Buccaneer's bye week coming last week, Evans has had an extra week to recover.
Evans finally returned to practice this week, but his progression was odd. He was limited (LP) on Wednesday, practiced in full on Thursday (FP), and logged another LP on Friday.
Given the recovery timeline and the fact that Evans was able to practice all week, I have him projected to return this week. Tampa Bay plays in the early slate of games, so most fantasy teams should know before it's too late.
Update: Mike Evans is expected to play Sunday.
WR Malik Nabers, NY Giants | Groin | Questionable | Expected to Play
Malik Nabers popped up on the injury report on Friday with a groin injury. We never like to see late additions to the injury report – especially when it is a soft tissue injury.
Before panic ensues, apparently, Nabers has been dealing with this groin injury all season. The Giants may be giving the rookie some extra rest.
WR Malik Nabers is one of five players listed as questionable for #Bucs with a groin injury. Told me in locker room he intends to play.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 22, 2024
WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (Achilles_
LB Micah McFadden (heel)
LB Darius Muasau (hamstring)
WR Malik Nabers (groin)
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist)
Nabers has indicated that is going to play in Week 12. For now, I'll take his word for it.
Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Malik Nabers is expected to play.
RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play
Jonathon Brooks being listed on the injury report seems like merely a formality at this point. The former Longhorn is expected to make his 2024 season debut this Sunday.
Chuba Hubbard is the Panthers' primary RB, and my concerns about Brooks' fantasy production this year are well-documented (link). I don't think Brooks is worth adding to lineups until we see what his role looks like.
WR Adam Thielen, Carolina | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Active
Adam Thielen was activated from IR last week but ended up sitting out Week 11. When NFL teams open the 21-day practice windows, players tend to return closer to the beginning of that window rather than the end. Thielen practiced all this week albeit in a limited fashion.
Given what we know, it would appear that Thielen is on track to start Sunday.
WR Jalen Coker, Carolina | Quadriceps | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Jalen Coker did not practice at all on Friday with a quadriceps injury. When a player, especially a rookie, is added to the injury and does not practice, it typically means they do not play. I would expect the same for Coker.
WR Brandin Cooks, Dallas | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive
Brandin Cooks remains on Injured Reserve (IR), but he was able to return to practice this week, hinting at a possible return. Dallas would have to activate Cooks from IR by Saturday if he was going to play. The fact that the Cowboys haven't activated Cooks just yet means he is likely 1-2 weeks away from a return.
RB D'Andre Swift, Chicago | Groin | Questionable | Projecting Active
D'Andre Swift's practice reports this week have been a linear progression. Swift did not practice on Wednesday, was limited on Thursday, and finally logged a full practice on Friday. The full participation designation on Friday suggests Swift will be active in Week 12.
Examining the injury data for RBs with groin injuries, we see that, on average, production remains the same, so Swift should be safe to leave in lineups.
Swift's presence caps Roschon Johnson's ceiling, who saw a season-high snap share in Week 11. It's possible Johnson stays involved should Chicago choose to manage Swift's workload.
Update: According to Ian Rapoport, the Bears expect Swift to be active.
WR Keenan Allen, Chicago | Ankle | Questionable | 50/50
Keenan Allen rolled his ankle during Friday's practice. The Bears' staff told reporters that Allen's ankle sprain was not overly serious and that removing him was merely precautionary.
It sounds like Allen is a true game-time decision, as he likely tests his ankle in pregame warmups. Allen has been disappointing this season, so whether he is active or not should not impact fantasy lineups. At less than 100%, I am less interested in Allen and think Rome Odunze could see an uptick in opportunity.
Update: Adam Schefter has reported that Keenan Allen should be active.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Game
RB Zamir White, Las Vegas | Quadriceps | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Zamir White is doubtful heading into Week 12 with a quadriceps injury. Regardless of the injury, most players who do not practice in their team's final practice end up sitting out. An even larger number of players listed as Doubtful miss that week's game (95%). White is on track to miss Sunday's game.
RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas | | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Similar to Zamir White, Alexander Mattison did not practice all week and is also listed as Doubtful. Mattison is also slated to miss this week. Ameer Abdullah figures to be the Raiders's main RB in Week 12.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle | Foot | Questionable | 50/50
Tyler Lockett was added to Seattle's injury report due to "foot issues." Reading between the lines, this would appear to be a small issue, and Lockett should play Sunday. I could go either way with this one, but I lean towards Lockett playing in Week 12.
TE Noah Fant, Seattle | Groin | Questionable | Projecting Active
Noah Fant has been out since Week 8 with a groin injury but returned to practice this week. Fant was able to fully participate in Friday's practice which points to him being active Sunday.
Monday Night 8:15 PM EST Game
WR Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers | Shoulder | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Ladd McConkey did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday due to a shoulder injury. If you read the Week 12 Injury Roundup, I mentioned how this could be possible for Ladd McConkey since he appeared to suffer an AC joint sprain. McConkey carries a lot of risk this week since the Chargers do not play until Monday.
The Chargers could clarify McConkey's situation on Saturday, but I would be nervous about leaving him in lineups with a late game.
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore | Knee | Questionable | 50/50
Rashod Bateman was added to the Ravens' injury report on Friday with a knee injury. If Bateman is not a full participant on Saturday, I would be skeptical he will play come Monday. Bateman's absence could mean an expanded role for Diontate Johnson.
Update: Bateman was removed from the Ravens' injury report on Saturday. He will play Monday night.
