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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

^ = playing on Saturday

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

Aaron Rodgers | Groin / Knee | Not LIsted | Expected to Play

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

Rodgers quickly quelled the early week speculation that he may rest for the remainder of the season, adamantly telling reporters he would play. The groin strain is not significant and did not limit him in practice this week. While an aggravation is always possible, Rodgers has always played effectively through lower-body injuries. He'll also get pass-protecting anchor Bryan Bulaga back at tackle.

Matthew Stafford | Back | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Lions offense continues to struggle with the loss of multiple skill position players and Stafford's limited practice. It's now been nearly a month since Stafford attempted more than 35 passes or threw for more than 250 yards. The Lions list him questionable but Stafford will play. His effectiveness remains a concern, even at home, against a strong Minnesota front four and secondary.

Others of note: Marcus Mariota (foot), Sam Darnold (foot), Josh Johnson (ankle), and Ryan Tannehill (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report and will play without limitation. Cam Newton (shoulder) and Carson Wentz (back) have been declared out. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Todd Gurley | Knee | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Gurley is listed questionable and Sean McVay told reporters the team would work Gurley out before the game before making a decision on his availability. However, nothing about Gurley's progress this week suggests he'll play.

Gurley's knee condition doesn't appear to be significant. There are no reports of a single event causing the injury. The Rams cleared him to return after he spent time on the sideline with a wrap on his knee last week. Ian Rapoport reported that Gurley was dealing with "inflammation" in the knee. And nothing the team has described is consistent with a multiple-week concern.

Yet, Gurley was unable to practice this week. The team -- already without back up Malcolm Brown -- added veteran C.J. Anderson to the roster early this week. Most notably, McVay told reporters the Rams were "not going to do anything that isn't smart for Todd." The Rams have clinched their division title but not a bye yet. And it's possible Gurley's injury is so minor that they're resting him in practice with the full knowledge he'll be playing this week. But that's very unlikely.

Expect Gurley to be inactive this week. If he is active, he'll be at risk of leaving the game and missing extended snaps with any game script that allows the Rams to rest him.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reports Gurley "wants to play but the Rams want to be smart about it" and the team "would like to get him rest if there are any concerns." That leaves room for Gurley to be active. However, not practicing all week suggests there are "concerns" with Gurley and every update through the week suggests the Rams will choose to be cautious with him today.

Ian Rapoport tweets the same, noting the team "won't do anything to put him at further risk of injury."

Sunday Update: Schefter now reporting -- four hours before game time -- the Rams are planning for Gurley to play today and believe he's improved enough during the week to play. Schefter's track record is impeccable and a report this far in advance of warmups suggests the team has already decided Gurley will play. Given the current depth chart and the previous comments from the Rams saying they'd rest Gurley with any concerns, this strongly suggests a sizable workload. While a pregame setback, an in-game setback, and game scripts allowing the Rams to rest him are all possibilities, an 15+ touch expectation for Gurley is now well within the range of expectation.

^Melvin Gordon | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Tues - Full | Wed - Full | Thurs - Full

Gordon was close to playing last Thursday night and multiple reports suggested he probably would have played had the Chargers had a Sunday game last week. Gordon fully practiced and is not on the game status report. With Austin Ekeler out, a full workload is available and likely for Gordon.

Reports from those around the team have been uniformly positive. The only potential note of concern with Gordon is Anthony Lynn's Thursday comment, "I don't know that he's himself but he's going to play." The Chargers would not have cleared Gordon to play if his knee was at risk or Gordon told them he felt his knee wasn't stable. And they've already proven last week they'll rest Gordon if he's not recovered. It's likely Lynn's concern is more conditioning-related than a sign Gordon is still recovering from his injury.

Expect Gordon to see his pre-injury workload.

Leonard Fournette | Foot | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Jaguars' season turned rotten a few weeks ago and doesn't seem to be improving. Fournette saw few snaps in the second half last week as the coaching staff elected to play an undrafted free agent pickup. That decision wasn't injury-related. Fournette returned kicks in the second half. This week, Fournette told reporters he "could be in better shape." Despite the full practices and no concern he'll be inactive due to injury, Fournette's snap count and workload remain in question and at the mercy of the coaching staff.

Spencer Ware | Hamstring | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

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

A full week of limited practice sparked optimism Ware could return after missing last week's game on a short turnaround to Thursday night. The Chiefs, however, did not clear him for more than individual work and listed him doubtful on the game status report. It will be very surprising if he's on the active roster on Sunday.

Jamaal Williams | Toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Williams was limited in practice this week but was never in danger of missing this week's game. Toe injuries are difficult for running backs to play effectively through and are frequently aggravated. However, the team knew Aaron Jones was out for the season and the depth chart is much thinner now than earlier in the year -- giving the Packers multiple reasons to be cautious with Williams through the week. Joe Philbin told reporters Williams will continue to be "a big part of the game plan." With no other experienced backs on the roster, expect Williams to see a full workload.

Lamar Miller | Ankle | Questionable > declared out | inactive

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

Miller is often a tough injury read. There are times where he has very effectively played through what appeared to be significant soft tissue or ankle injuries. And there have been times where he's practiced and looked likely to play only to be put on the Texans' inactive list. Miller's ankle injury was not a simple low ankle sprain but it didn't appear to be a violent injury either. After a week of limited individual work, Bill O'Brien would not confirm Miller would play during a Friday press conference. Officially, Miller has "a chance" to play. Expect Miller to be to the probable side of questionable. Miller's game day roster status is important but your trigger for concern should be the status of D'Onta Foreman. If Foreman is active for the first time this season, it's likely Miller will see a limited workload even if he's active.

Saturday Update: The Texans made this analysis considerably easier. Miller did not travel with the team on Saturday and has been declared out.

Rashaad Penny | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Seahawks cleared Penny for limited Friday reps to see whether his knee and conditioning would respond well enough to allow him to dress. Pete Carroll didn't sound optimistic, however. Penny is likely at least one more week from returning.

Legarrette Blount | Calf | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Blount was added to the injury report after a Thursday groin injury. He returned to a limited Friday workout and most beat writers expect him to play. The Lions didn't address Blount's status. If active, Blount will see his usual limited role.

Chris Ivory | Shoulder | Questionable | inactive

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

Ivory has a shoulder injury that will require extended rehab and possibly surgery this offseason. Though he's played with the injury at times this season, the Bills continue to keep him in a non-contact jersey during the week. Ivory was inactive after fully practicing despite a very limited depth chart last week. With LeSean McCoy recovered from a hamstring strain and planning to play, the Bills may again choose to keep Ivory on the sideline.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Ivory is not expected to play.

Others of note: Joe Mixon (wrist / thigh), Adrian Peterson (shoulder), Matt Breida (ankle), Kenyan Drake (shoulder), Kalen Ballage (hip), LeSean McCoy (hamstring), and Elijah McGuire (ankle / quad) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. James Conner (ankle) and Austin Ekeler (neck) and have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Julio Jones | Hip / Ribs | questionable | Active

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

Over the years, the game day status of Atlanta's top wide receivers has become a fairly straight-forward read. When Roddy White or Julio Jones either fully practice by the end of the week or are removed from the game status report, there are minimal injury or conditioning concerns and a full workload is likely. When White or Jones don't return to a full practice, are listed questionable, and referred to as a game-time decision, their health and availability are in much greater question.

Unfortunately, it's the latter with Jones this week.

In previous weeks, Jones has been listed with minor ailments, rested through the end of the week, then taken off the injury report. He's addressed reporters confidently and seen a full workload. That's not been the case this week. Jones was less confident early this week, never returned to a full practice, and Quinn told reporters Jones was a game-time decision on Friday.

Quinn also said he usually sees any Friday work from Jones as a good sign and labeled his wide receiver a "true competitor." That suggests Jones wants to play and the Falcons are comfortable letting him play even if he's limited. If Jones is active, he could be limited and will be at risk of aggravation.

I'll update overnight with media notes and any guidance on how healthy Jones may be.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter tweeted overnight Jones is "trending up" but the Falcons are still planning to wait until after a pregame warmup to "determine whether he can play."

Sunday Update: Jones tested his hip in pregame warmups and will be active.

JuJu Smith-Schuster | Groin | Questionable | Game-time decision

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

While they will stretch their rules in rare situations, Pittsburgh players who do not practice during the week do not play on Sunday. Smith-Schuster's midweek injury is a unique situation -- it's possible the team rested him late in the week with the intention of returning him to play on Sunday -- but that's a stretch. More likely, Smith-Schuster sat because he was not close to being healthy enough to practice. Though two of his teammates told reporters they felt Smith-Schuster would play, Smith-Schuster declined to talk to reporters on Friday.

Prepare for him to be inactive on Sunday. Hopefully, his injury is not a multiple-week condition.

Saturday Update: Smith-Schuster tweeted "Of course, I'm playing Sunday." It's still unclear whether his groin injury may limit him but he looks much more likely to play than he did on Friday. Hopefully, we'll see more positive notes and tweets overnight through Sunday morning.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter didn't add any context of his own but made note of Smith-Schuster's Saturday tweet "proclaiming himself good to go" today. There will be risk for Smith-Schuster today but the Saturday tweet is a significant change from his refusal to speak on Friday. It likely means his Saturday evaluation by the team's medical staff was more favorable than expected. Look for him to be active today.

T.Y. Hilton | Ankle | Questionable | active

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

Hilton had another productive game despite playing through injury last week. After the game, Hilton told reporters he made his ankle "mad" and then missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. His Friday limited practice is the only time Hilton has practiced in three weeks, Strangely, that's an optimistic sign. Hilton is at risk of an in-game aggravation but has played through pain for weeks. Expect him to see his usual workload.

Sunday Update: According to Ian Rapoport, there is hope Hilton will be able to "gut it out and play."

^Keenan Allen | Hip | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Allen seems to have progressed more rapidly than expected. Hip pointer injuries -- a bruise on the top of the pelvic bone that causes muscle spasm and pain -- often recover slowly. And they're tough for receivers who must rely on muscles in that area for separation at the snap and throughout their routes. Allen's limited practices are reassuring and Adam Schefter has already reported Allen is expected to play. Aggravation is possible but the Chargers will use padding and injections to limit Allen's pain. It's difficult to handicap Allen's risk of missed snaps due to minor aggravations but reasonable to expect him to see at least 80% of his usual workload.

DeAndre Hopkins | Ankle | Questionable | active

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

Keke Coutee | Hamstring | Questionable > Declared Out | Inactive

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

Hopkins' injury status isn't his usual "limited with a foot injury, not on the game status report" situation but there are no concerns with his availability this week. Expect him to play and be effective.

Coutee's status remains in doubt. He's been limited in practice for a month since his most recent hamstring strain aggravation. Until the team says Coutee is likely to play or you see him fully practice, expect him to be inactive.

Saturday Update: Coutee did not travel with the team and has been declared out.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted overnight that Hopkins is "adamant about playing" but the Texans' medical staff will need to be "convinced" during pre-game warmups. There were no hints of concern this week until the questionable tag on Friday's game status report so this is a change in tone. Interestingly, Adam Schefter has yet to comment on Hopkins. It's also notable that Rapoport's track record has been sketchier than usual this season when he's the only reporter with an unexpected take. I'll update again with any additional reports.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter tweets the Texans will test Hopkins during warmups but "believe he will play." I'm inclined to trust Schefter's take over Rapoport's -- but it's clear Hopkins isn't fully healthy. His track record while playing through injury is reassuring and the matchup against a depleted Philadelphia secondary is favorable.

Sunday Update: James Palmer of NFL Network posted a pregame video of Hopkins moving comfortably. While it can be misleading to rely on pregame workouts, Hopkins told Palmer he was playing and felt good. Rapoport has since walked back his overnight tweet, calling Hopkins a "gamer" and confirming he's playing. Expect Hopkins to be active. There may be some risk of aggravation but Hopkins has his usual upside today.

Kenny Golladay | Chest | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Lions' coaching staff never discusses injuries, it's rare for players to update their status during the week, and the team routinely lists players questionable -- whether they're actually doubtful or probable. There are no reports of concern on Golladay in the local media but you should watch the inactive list and overnight reports for updates.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Golladay is expected to play.

*Courtland Sutton | Quad | nOT lISTED | eXPECTED TO pLAY

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

I'll update Sutton's status after the Broncos release their Saturday injury report. For now, expect him to see his usual snap count.

Others of note: Tyreek Hill (heel), Doug Baldwin (hip), Alshon Jeffery (illness), Cordarrelle Patterson (illness), DeVante Parker (shoulder), Danny Amendola (knee), John Ross (knee), Robby Anderson (ankle), and Jordy Nelson (foot) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Odell Beckham (quad), Randall Cobb (concussion), Tyler Boyd (knee), Quincy Enunwa (ankle), Sammy Watkins (heel), and Bruce Ellington (hamstring) 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 | Ankle / Back | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Gronkowski's practice pattern has remained the same over the past month. He's cleared to fully participate in walkthroughs but is listed limited during the Patriots' Thursday practice. Gronkowski continues to play nearly every snap but his target count, red zone usage, and effectiveness remain variable. His matchup this week isn't particularly favorable. His upside remains elite on any given play but unfortunately his target count and effectiveness are limited enough to cause significant statistical variance.

^Vernon Davis | Concussion | Questionable > Declared Out | Inactive

Practice Participation: Tue - Not Listed | Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - DNP

Washington listed Davis questionable but he won't play. After reporting symptoms and entering the concussion protocol on Thursday, there's very little chance Davis can be cleared to play by Saturday.

Saturday Update: Washington declared Davis out.

Others of note: Eric Ebron (quadricep), Zach Ertz (ankle), David Njoku (knee), Austin Hooper (knee), and Jimmy Graham (thumb/knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Jordan Reed (foot) and Geoff Swaim (wrist) are doubtful or have 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
^Note: Saturday players practice Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday