UNDERSTANDING THE NFL'S INJURY REPORT

The injury report released by the NFL is 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:

Fast Track NEWS AND NOTES

Scroll down for full details, extensive updates, and the full table of projected availability. Here are the most important notes for this week's games:

***Joe Mixon is active but his workload will likely be limited.

***Mike Williams is active but will only be used in high-leverage and red zone situations.

***Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes II practiced through injury this week and should play with minimal limitation.

***Le'Veon Bell and Tyler Lockett had soreness during the week but should be close to full health in Week 2

QUARTERBACK

Deshaun Watson | back | Not Listed | expected to Play

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

Watson was in the medical tent for treatment multiple times last Monday night but did not miss a snap. He continues to take a number of hard hits each game. Some are attributable to average offensive line play, others are on Watson's decision-making process. The Texans recognize the risks of Watson's playing style. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly told reporters the team has had many conversations with Watson about taking more calculated risks and making smarter decisions. There's no indication Watson's injury is more than a contusion after a full week of practice on a short week. There's also no indication the Texans plan to force better decisions from Watson by limiting his rushing attempts or curbing the number of shots they'll take downfield.

Patrick Mahomes II | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Mahomes has fully practiced all week despite video evidence of a low grade high ankle sprain last Sunday. It's possible we'll see periods of limited movement in the pocket this week but Mahomes' ceiling projections remain well within expectation.

Others of note: Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

todd Gurley | not injury related | not Listed | expected to play

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

After a first half in which Gurley managed just eight yards on five carries while Malcolm Brown had five carries for 29 yards, Gurley exploded for 89 yards rushing in the second half on nine carries. Gurley also out-snapped Brown 53-21, playing 70% of the Rams' total offensive snaps. Expect more of the same in future weeks with Gurley worked into the flow of the game during the first few series then taking a larger portion of the workload later in close games when needed.

For now, Gurley looks to be in good condition and moving well. The Rams gave him Friday off, continuing their previously acknowledged "veteran plan." 12-18 touches looks like his baseline weekly expectation.

*Le'Veon Bell | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

It's odd when players need a mid-week MRI to evaluate an injury. That's what happened with Bell on Wednesday. Adam Gase told reporters Bell was "a little too aggressive" in practice on Wednesday and was sent for further evaluation. After the MRI, Bell tweeted reassuring news. Despite limited practice -- which despite the normal imaging study isn't surprising -- Bell is likely to see his usual workload this week.

Joe Mixon | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Television replays did not show any evidence of a high ankle sprain for Mixon and Tom Pelissero tweeted that Mixon's MRI was "all good." Unfortunately, the Bengals did not test Mixon in practice until a limited Friday walkthrough session. Zac Taylor told reporters Mixon responded well as the week progressed and multiple local writers believe Mixon is likely to be active this weekend. During Marvin Lewis' tenure, players who did not practice until Friday rarely did much on gameday. But Taylor's game planning could be different. I'm listing Mixon as a game-time decision but expecting him to be active. I'm also expecting Gio Bernard to see a larger percentage of the team's offensive snaps and touches. Without a confident and reassuring overnight tweet from Adam Schefter, Mixon's workload will likely be capped at 12-15 touches. The risk of aggravation and possibility of a game script allowing the Bengals to limit Mixon further puts a 5-10 touch floor in the range of possible expectation.

Sunday Update: Mixon will reportedly test his ankle in pregame warmups, per Adam Schefter, but plans to play.

Mark Ingram | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Ravens are one of a handful of teams who list the majority of the players who spent time as limited on the practice report during the week as questionable on the game status report. Ingram did not miss a practice this week and took every expected repetition on Thursday and Friday. John Harbaugh told reporters that the group of players listed as questionable would play this week. Shoulder injuries are always of concern for running backs but Ingram is expected to see a full workload this week.

Others of note: James Conner (illness) and Jamaal Williams (shoulder), have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Derrius Guice (knee), Tevin Coleman (ankle), and Brandon Bolden (hamstring) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Juju smith-schuster | toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Smith-Schuster limped off the field late in Sunday night's game against New England but was later reported to be fine after a reassuring x-ray. The Steelers limited Smith-Schuster's practice reps on Wednesday but cleared him for full participation the rest of the week. He's not listed on the game status report and there are no local reports of concern. Expect Smith-Schuster to play with minimal limitation this week.

Tyler Lockett | Back | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Lockett was limited by back spasms earlier this week but responded to rest and treatment well. After a limited Thursday practice and a full Friday walkthrough, the Seahawks did not include Lockett on the final game status report. Barring a recurrence through pre-game warmups, Lockett should play his usual number of snaps on Sunday.

Mike Williams | Knee | Questionable | Limited if active

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

Aside from a limited Friday workout, there's been nothing positive on Williams this week. Though local reporting tends to be sparse on the Chargers, the tone of all beat writer reports through Thursday was pessimistic and it was a surprise to see Williams avoid another DNP listing on Friday. After practice, Anthony Lynn told reporters Williams was a game-time decision and needed to prove he could play without hurting himself. On Friday, Lynn said Williams had "a couple more days" to further define his status. On Saturday, the Chargers promoted a receiver off the practice squad. Williams is well to the doubtful side of questionable.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter tweeted overnight that Williams improved as the week progressed and could be active and used in red-zone situations.

Marquise Brown | Hip | Questionable | Expected to play

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

As noted in the Mark Ingram discussion above, the Ravens are among the teams still using the questionable tag liberally. The majority of their questionable players suit up on game day and play without limitation. However, Brown's practice participation line -- Limited/Limited/DNP -- after a new injury raises red flags. John Harbaugh told reporters every player listed as questionable would play this week, saying there were "no concerns" in each instance. And Harbaugh's comments specifically included Brown.

Brown's stat line and performance last week were eye-popping -- four catches for 147 yards -- but his productive day came on just 14 snaps. Most likely, the Ravens are working Brown into game day condition slowly after a concerning offseason surgery but watch for any evidence of limited participation during this week's game.

Keke Coutee | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Coutee is healthy enough to play this week. Bill O'Brien said "Coutee's arrow is trending toward being able to play." But O'Brien also told reporters his decision about which players to include on the active roster would be "interesting" as the Texans have "a lot of guys playing well." With a deep wide receiver group, there's a chance Coutee will be inactive or see a limited snap count.

*Rashard Higgins | Knee | Questionable | game-time decision

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

Higgins was limited throughout the week but was able to do more in practice each day. On Friday, Freddie Kitchens would not commit to Higgins playing after watching him practice. Higgins told reporters he was "most definitely" playing when asked earlier in the week.

Cody Latimer | Calf | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Latimer was added to the practice participation report on Thursday after a mid-week calf injury. Those are always concerning. However, a return to a limited Friday practice was reassuring. And the Giants did not promote Reggie White from the practice squad on Saturday. Already without Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, an inactive Latimer would now leave the Giants with only four wide receivers. Latimer may not be healthy enough for a full complement of snaps but he's likely to be active Sunday.

Others of note: DeAndre Hopkins (ribs), Odell Beckham (hip), Amari Cooper (foot), Tyrell Williams (illness), Robby Anderson (calf), Randall Cobb (rib), and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Tyreek Hill (shoulder), A.J. Green (ankle), Sterling Shepard (concussion), Albert Wilson (calf), Marqise Lee (knee), and David Moore (shoulder) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Mark Andrews | Foot | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Despite the late-week add to the practice participation report, John Harbaugh told reporters there were "no concerns" with Andrews. Count Andrews alongside Mark Ingram and Marquise Brown as Baltimore players listed questionable but expected to play.

Trey Burton | Groin | Questionable | game-time Decision

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

Burton says he's ready to play but the Bears have yet to express confidence in his health. This Friday, Matt Nagy told reporters he "felt better [about Burton playing] than I did last week at this time" but still wouldn't commit to Burton making the active roster and contributing. Nagy said he was looking for pregame feedback and would make a decision after warmups. I'll update with news through Sunday morning.

Tyler Kroft | Foot | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

The Bills continue to increase Kroft's practice participation. Kroft believes he's ready to play and has been preparing with the second team in practice. McDermott wouldn't commit to Kroft's status this week, which suggests he may still be a week away.

Others of note: Jimmy Graham (finger) and Blake Jarwin (foot) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Hunter Henry (knee) and Jordan Reed (concussion) are listed doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS

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