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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 complete table of projected availability. Here are the most important notes for this week's games:

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• George Kittle
• Jordan Howard

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• LeVeon Bell
• Emmanuel Sanders
• Gerald Everett

Game-time Decisions

• David Montgomery

QUARTERBACK

Jacoby Brissett | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Frank Reich said Brissett would play this week if he was able to practice on Wednesday. Brissett was likely close to playing last week after a full week of limited practice and easily met Reich's goal.

Reich told reporters he wouldn't "put a percentage on [Brissett's health]" but said Brissett was "good enough to play" after watching him move in practice. Brissett should have minimal difficulty within the pocket and the Colts are not likely to limit their playbook.

Others of note: Patrick Mahomes II (knee), Matt Ryan (ankle), Ryan Fitzpatrick (shoulder), and Sam Darnold (thumb) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Matthew Stafford (hip/back) has been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

LeVeon Bell | Illness / Ribs / Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Bell has had multiple MRI studies of his knee, left last week's game with a rib injury, then missed practice early this week with an illness. He's listed questionable but expected to play. Even if Bell were full strength, his road to success continues to be limited by a decimated offensive line. The Jets are now without both starting guards and their starting center -- and tackle Kelvin Beachum is still recovering from a significant ankle injury.

David Montgomery | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Matt Nagy told reporters Montgomery "slightly rolled" his ankle during Wednesday's practice. Montgomery did not practice on Thursday and was limited on Friday. Nagy said Montgomery would be a game-time decision after Friday's practice. A "rolled" ankle would suggest a minor low ankle sprain in most cases. Without video, however, it's impossible to know how truthful Nagy has been. The limited Friday practice looks reassuring but an optimistic overnight report would make projecting a full workload more realistic.

Sunday Update: There were no updates on Montgomery's status overnight. Ian Rapoport tweeted this morning that Montgomery remains a game-time decision.

Jordan Howard | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Eagles list Howard questionable but there is little optimism from local writers he'll be available. There have been hints Howard hasn't been cleared for contact and continues to deal with lingering symptoms from a recent stinger. If that's accurate, Howard may be at least a week from playing. The Eagles brought Jay Ajayi back this week and signed him to the 53-man roster. Darren Sproles was placed on injured reserve with a torn hip flexor this week but Ajayi is a better fit for Howard's role. Expect Howard to be inactive.

Jordan Wilkins | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Colts list Wilkins questionable but he's yet to return to practice after leaving last week's game with an ankle injury. Though Indianapolis will sometimes clear players to play despite not practicing, that's unlikely to be the case with Wilkins.

Others of note: Christian McCaffrey (foot), Josh Jacobs (shoulder), Phillip Lindsay (wrist), Adrian Peterson (toe), and Kalen Ballage (neck, illness) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Matt Breida (ankle), Devonta Freeman (foot), Chase Edmonds (hamstring), Chris Thompson (toe), and Darren Sproles (quad) 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

Emmanuel Sanders | Ribs | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Sanders did not practice this week but the tone from local media has been positive since early in the week. Sanders told reporters he was planning to "battle it out" as he has done in the past. Rib injuries can sometimes be managed effectively with padding and injections. Unfortunately, it's also an easily aggravated injury for a receiver and likely to limit his catch radius. I'll update if the news trends poorly on Sanders overnight.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Sanders will play tonight. His floor is much lower than baseline today.

Will Fuller | Hamstring | Questionable >> Declared Out | Inactive

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

Fuller is close to returning but the Texans ruled him out on Saturday.

Marquise Brown | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Brown saw his snap count decrease to 19 last week but remained statistically effective with a 4-80-1 performance. The Ravens' blowout win likely limited Brown's playing time more than the injury and he's expected to play again this week in another favorable matchup.

Dante Pettis | Back | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Niners have not discussed Pettis' status. Back injuries can be tricky and Pettis' playing time has already been limited to the 20-30 snap range for weeks. If he plays, it's unlikely he'll see more than 2-3 targets.

Demaryius Thomas | Knee / Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Thomas has played effectively through his nagging injuries since joining the Jets and is likely to see a sizable workload again this week.

Others of note: Amari Cooper (knee, ankle), Michael Gallup (knee), Dede Westbrook (neck, shoulder), Sammy Watkins (groin), Robby Anderson (back, shoulder), Jamison Crowder (knee), Alex Erickson (back), and Devante Parker (calf) are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Adam Thielen (hamstring), Alshon Jeffery (ankle), T.Y. Hilton (calf), Parris Campbell (hand), A.J. Green (ankle), Brandin Cooks (concussion), and Paul Richardson Jr (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.

TIGHT END

George Kittle | Knee / Ankle | Doubtful | Inactive

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

I think Kyle Shanahan revealed the Niners' plans for Kittle this week on Wednesday when he told Arizona beat writers the team "would not" have Kittle available. The team and Shanahan have tried to walk those statements back multiple times and listed Kittle doubtful after not practicing all week.

While Shanahan told reporters Kittle was moving better this week than last week, there's little chance Kittle will be active and effective this week. Expect Kittle to be inactive.

Gerald Everett | Wrist | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Tyler Higbee | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Sean McVay has consistently told local reporters both Everett and Higbee would play. Everett practiced every day and looks healthier than Higbee, who was unable to work until Friday. Everett should be able to manage his usual workload and target counts. I'll update the status of both overnight.

Others of note: Jack Doyle (shoulder) and Ryan Griffin (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Austin Hooper (knee), Trey Burton (calf), Adam Shaheen (foot), Vernon Davis (concussion), and Jeff Heuerman (knee) 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.