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UNDERSTANDING THE NFL'S INJURY REPORT

The injury report released by the NFL is actually two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players were able to practice and how much. 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, my expectation of their likelihood to play, and the player's practice participation throughout the week.

Key:

PLAYER | INJURY | GAME STATUS LISTING | FOOTBALLGUYS EXPECTATION

Practice Participation Listing by Day

* = playing on Monday night

I'll also include a table at the bottom of the article for easy reference.

Here's the latest on every relevant injured player on the practice participation and game status report this week:

QUARTERBACK

cam newton | shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Newton was listed on the injury report last week for the first time with a shoulder condition. There was no indication he had suffered a new injury and the Panthers told reporters they would plan to limit Newton's throwing reps during the second half of the season. After another accurate day throwing the football and a ten carry rushing effort in Week 8, it's clear there's no restriction on Newton's game day abilities.

derek anderson | concussion | questionable > declared out | inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP

Buffalo has yet to rule Anderson out despite a week without practice while in the concussion return-to-play protocol. It's very difficult to see Anderson cleared to play on Sunday if he had yet to be cleared for any football-related activity by Friday. Expect Anderson to be inactive.

Saturday Update: Anderson has been declared out and will be inactive.

Others of note: Aaron Rodgers (knee), Deshaun Watson (chest), and Ben Roethlisberger (finger) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report and will play without limitation. Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) and Josh Allen (elbow) have been declared out. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Melvin Gordon | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Gordon missed the Chargers' Week 7 matchup with a hamstring strain and took until Friday to return to a full practice. Anthony Lynn told reporters Gordon had made progress during the week but wouldn't commit to Gordon playing on Sunday. Lynn said, "I don't want to speak for Melvin, but if he's feeling well I know he wants to play." That's not a rousing endorsement but the full Friday practice seems reassuring. I think it's reasonable to expect Gordon to play. However, there's a good chance Austin Ekeler to see more rush attempts than usual. I'll update with overnight reports from Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport.

Sunday Update: Both Schefter and Rapoport tweeted overnight that Gordon will play.

Dalvin Cook | Hamstring | Questionable | limited if active

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Cook did more in practice this week than the team expected but has yet to fully practice. Reports about Cook's potential workload this week are weirdly specific. Courtney Cronin reported she was told Cook could be available for 8-12 plays earlier in the week, then told 15-20 plays after his progress in practice. The detail makes her reporting feel more accurate.

Cook himself has been much more confident this week than in past weeks. He said, "I feel great, confident at myself right now. They've got me back where I needed to be." That's more telling than Cronin's specifics. It's still reasonable to question whether Cook is truly ready to return if his ceiling is just 20 snaps. It's possible the limited snap count is more of a conditioning concern than worry over aggravation. However, a lack of full conditioning within the window of aggravation is notable. And it raises the strong possibility the Vikings will choose to shut Cook down during pregame warmups if he's not fully confident and will further limit his snap count if there's any hint of tightness during the game.

Should Cook play -- and the trend is clear the Vikings are hoping he will -- it's impossible to project his total touches. If he plays 20 snaps, he could easily have double-digit touches. Still, the best case scenario is Cook enters the bye week without aggravation. His statistical production is secondary.

Sony Michel | Knee | questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

It's a throwback weekend in New England. The Patriots were once well known for listing half of their roster as questionable. That practice had softened a bit in recent years and it was generally easy to project who would play and who would not. That's not the case this week. Sony Michel is one of a handful of players who are true game-time decisions.

What do we know about Bill Belichick's injury planning?

The Patriots will rest players -- no matter how critical they are to their offensive or defensive game plan -- if they can't be counted on to fill their usual role. Also, the Patriots rarely allow players who aren't expected to dress to address the media. We know Michel isn't fully healthy, so he's clearly at risk of missing this week's game. But Michel talked with the media on Friday and sounded confident despite deferring his status to his coach, saying "It all depends on coach's decision. Whatever that is."

What do we know about Michel's health?

New England's medical staff felt good enough about Michel's knee to allow him to test his knee at the end of last week's practice sessions. And Michel responded well enough to return to a full week of limited practice this week. The tone of beat writer reports through the week was uniformly positive, with a clear trend toward Michel being likely to return.

Nothing is certain in New England but I think the totality of evidence points to Michel playing on Sunday night. I doubt we'll see Michel approach his season highs in workload -- 50% of the team's snaps and 15-20 touches -- but a limited workload with the potential for more if his conditioning allows is reasonable.

I'll have more after Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport post their overnight thoughts.

Sunday Update: There are no updates on Michel this morning. It's a Sunday night game and Rapoport was burned by a report on Josh Gordon last week, so that's not too surprising. You'll need a hedge if you plan to use Michel tonight. While Michel may well play, there's no reason to assume this is a "no news is good news" situation.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter now reporting concern whether Michel can play tonight. The Patriots are planning to test Michel during warmups before deciding. It's an ominous note. At minimum, it makes anything close to a full workload doubtful tonight.

Chris Carson | Hip | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Many see Pete Carroll as frequently overly optimistic and rosy about his players. I've never agreed. Carroll may not always be an easy read -- but he's not always optimistic. When he is, it's a very strong sign a player is ready. When he hedges, he's not sure and a clear reason for concern. And he's not sure about Carson this week. Carroll told reporters Carson has "a little groin thing he's feeling. He got through the day...We've just got to make sure on game day he's okay. If not, we'll go with other guys and move forward. We'll see."

Earlier this season, Carroll said essentially the same thing about Carson. And the Seahawks chose to rest their running back with a hip condition. Carson looks like a clear game-time decision and I expect to see Adam Schefter or Ian Rapoport tweet that the Seahawks are leaning one way or the other on Sunday morning but want to test Carson in warmups to be sure.

I'll update here when we get the report detailing the early lean -- but prepare for Carson to be inactive.

Sunday Update: The early lean per Ian Rapoport is optimistic -- but both Schefter and Rapoport are reporting the team will work Carson out pre-game before making a decision.

Royce Freeman | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Freeman continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain that has prevented him from all but one limited practice over the past two weeks. Vance Joseph said "sitting him one more week may help" then left the door open with "He's getting better really fast, so if he's ready to go, he will go." The Broncos have a Week 10 bye. Freeman may be improving but he's not ready yet, an upcoming bye to complete his recovery, and the Broncos have multiple capable options on their running back depth chart. It would be a shock if Freeman was active and had any significant workload. Look for him to return against a divisional opponent (the Chargers) in Week 11.

Alex Collins | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Full

The Ravens commonly use the questionable tag as a surrogate for the former probable designation. After a full Friday practice, expect Collins to see his usual workload this week.

Others of note: Alvin Kamara (knee), Kareem Hunt (knee), Adrian Peterson (ankle / shoulder), Peyton Barber (ankle), Kenyan Drake (shoulder), Duke Johnson Jr (thigh), and Theo Riddick (knee) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Chris Thompson (knee) and Ronald Jones II (hamstring) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Cooper Kupp | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Kupp responded well to conditioning drills at the end of last week, transitioned to individual drills without any difficulty early this week, then returned to a full Friday practice. Sean McVay told reporters Kupp could've played last week if they had pushed him and the Rams didn't list Kupp on the game status report. He's good to go. Kupp's ligament may not have fully healed yet but he's cleared both important hurdles necessary to return. First, the medical staff felt his knee was stable enough to return to football-related drills and stress the knee. Second, Kupp himself reported his knee to be stable with those stresses. Expect him to see his pre-injury workload. More importantly, his pre-injury production is also easily within reach.

Tyreek Hill | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Soft tissue injuries are always of high concern for skill position players who rely on quick-twitch athleticism and top-end speed for success. The limited Thursday practice suggests the team understands Hill is still at some risk of aggravation. But the full Friday practice and decision not to include Hill on the game status report means the Chiefs are ready to use Hill in his usual role.

I'll update with any weekend notes but expect Hill to see his usual workload on Sunday.

Stefon Diggs | Rib | Questionable | Likely Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP

Diggs was unable to practice this week. While Mike Zimmer said Diggs didn't need to practice to play and Diggs told the media the same, the Vikings promoted a wide receiver from the practice squad on Saturday. There's no other wide receiver with an injury concern, which means the practice squad move is ominous for Diggs' availability. Minnesota has a bye next week. Diggs should return in Week 11.

Sunday Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are reporting Diggs will not play today.

Julian Edelman | Ankle / Illness | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Josh Gordon | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Edelman's week was a little odd. The official NFL release listed him as a Thursday DNP but there are multiple videos of him participating in individual drills. He did the same on Friday and every local writer expects Edelman to play. Gordon played more than 60 snaps for the third consecutive week without a setback. He will also play.

Keke Coutee | Hamstring | Questionable > Declared Out | Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

As the week progressed, Coutee's hamstring strain grew more "annoying" and it became clear he'd be a game-time decision at best. That's not surprising. Aggravated hamstring strains do not resolve quickly. The Texans did not allow Coutee to travel, choosing continued intensive rehab instead. The risk of aggravation was arguably higher in the thin Denver air, which increases muscle fatigue. And the Texans' Week 10 bye likely also factored into the team's decision.

Kenny Stills | Groin | Questionable | Active

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

The Dolphins allowed Stills to test his health in individual drills on Friday but Adam Gase hinted the team would not risk a setback on game day. It's not yet clear how Stills responded to the Friday workout. But consider him to the doubtful side of questionable until we get a clearly optimistic weekend report.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Stills is a long shot to play today.

Sunday Update: Stills is active today.

Randall Cobb | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Geronimo Allison | Groin / Hamstring | Doubtful > declared out | Inactive

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - DNP

Allison strained a groin in his limited workouts this week. The Packers declared him out on Saturday afternoon. With multiple soft tissue injuries to his lower body, Allison is likely doubtful next week. Cobb fully practiced on Friday and should play. Last week, the Packers rotated their five top receivers. That included Cobb, who finished the week with a full practice. Equanimeous St. Brown was also on the injury report this week but is not listed on the game status report. If the Packers feel St. Brown can handle Allison's role, we may see another heavy rotation between Cobb and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Allen Robinson | Groin | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

The Bears approached Robinson's status as they did last week. No practice until individual drills on Friday, then reassess until game time. Last week, Robinson never got close to making the active roster and there's little to suggest otherwise this week either. If Robinson is active, his conditioning isn't likely to support a full workload.

Quincy Enunwa | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Robby Anderson | Ankle | Questionable | game-time decision

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Both Anderson and Enunwa returned to limited practices on Friday. That was seen as a sign of optimism in the local media. But neither receiver has practiced for some time -- Enunwa hasn't worked in three weeks, Anderson did not practice last week. Conditioning and risk of aggravation is an issue for both. Neither is likely ready for anything close to a full workload. Though the local media correctly notes that Jets' players listed questionable often play, that doesn't mean that Enunwa and Anderson should be considered probable.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting the Jets are optimistic both Anderson and Enunwa will play -- assuming no pregame concerns.

Paul Richardson Jr | Shoulder / Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Richardson has established that he's going to play through shoulder and knee injuries that will likely require off-season procedures. His limited practices this week suggest he'll again be on the field this week.

Others of note: DeAndre Hopkins (foot), Michael Thomas (shoulder), Mike Evans (knee), Doug Baldwin (knee), Corey Davis (hamstring), Taylor Gabriel (knee), Cameron Meredith (knee), and Mohamed Sanu (hip) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Jamison Crowder (ankle), Tavon Austin (groin), and Torrey Smith (knee) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Rob Gronkowski | back / ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Despite taking the previous week off, Gronkowski did not look close to full strength last week. He's struggling to get to top speed and separate and was clearly having difficulty getting lift to catch balls over his head. That's not a great sign for his immediate future, as both ankle and back conditions may linger. The Patriots get a Week 11 bye but that won't help Gronkowski this week. New England listed Gronkowski questionable and there's a chance he'll sit on Saturday night. But the 68 snaps he struggled through last week suggest he'll continue to do the best he can. Against a relatively weak Green Bay linebacker group, it's possible Gronkowski can still be productive despite his limitations. I'll update as needed through the weekend.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter now reporting concern whether Gronkowski can play tonight. The Patriots are planning to test him during warmups before deciding. It's another indication that Gronkowski just isn't close to full strength.

Others of note: Travis Kelce (shoulder), David Njoku (knee), Greg Olsen (foot), Jimmy Graham (knee), Jordan Reed (neck), and Ryan Griffin (illness) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Geoff Swaim (knee) has been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.