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After months of scant and vague injury reporting, we're now seeing a deluge of information. Unfortunately, while all that information is welcome, it's still vague.

What should you make of Joe Burrow being so skittish in the pocket he is struggling to complete downfield passes? Is Amari Cooper really close to 100% if he's still on the PUP list two weeks after reporting? Why does a day-to-day timetable frequently become a week-to-week situation in camp? Why did initial reports say Dak Prescott would miss just a practice or two only to have the Cowboys extend his absence? How does Courtland Sutton look so slow and uncomfortable in one practice, then strong and productive the next? Is there anything to be gleaned from the countless number of "undisclosed" injuries that cost veteran players an undetermined number of practices?

My advice: Take a breath and recognize these four anchoring principles.

Cardiovascular condition does not equal football condition

The NFL is a year-round league now. Most players understand the importance of remaining in shape throughout the offseason. But stellar cardiovascular conditioning and the ability to smoothly complete individual drills does not guarantee a player is ready for competitive football-specific activities. Teams are careful with all players during early camp practices. A player on the roster bubble may play through a minor injury in early August while a player counted on for high regular-season usage may be shut down for multiple practices by a cautious team.

Mental recovery lags physical recovery

This principle cannot be stressed highly enough.

Players recovering from serious injury or surgical procedures have the best sports medicine care in the world. With most injuries, it's very likely a player will return to physical form and conditioning within the expected return timetable. But that doesn't mean a player is ready to return.

A reconstructed knee ligament may be structurally intact but not yet recovered enough to give accurate feedback to the brain about where the knee joint is in space (i.e. proprioception). A high-grade muscle strain may contain some scar tissue that will cause soreness that must be worked through carefully. Every recovering player must learn to trust their body to react at full speed when evading tacklers and taking hits.

Mental recovery is the last stage in recovery but often the most difficult and unpredictable.

Players have more time to recover from early preseason injuries

During the regular season, a player has 2-5 days to recover from a new injury. The coaching staff needs to know about player availability early in the week to install the game plan. Roster moves must be made by late week. Players will often return from an injury, days -- or even weeks -- sooner than optimal.

That's not the case in August. Teams have the luxury of giving a player time to fully recover from minor injuries and slowly recondition. And they smartly take advantage of the extra time.

Reconditioning after an injury requires 7-10+ days of football-related activity

Players who miss more than a practice or two need a measured and careful return to activity. An aggravated muscle strain usually takes as long -- or longer -- to recover from as the initial injury. Medical and training staffs know players often need at least a week to recondition their bodies for full-speed contact work.

With these principles in mind, you can remain cautiously optimistic on most new preseason injuries and have realistic expectations for those recovering from an offseason injury. The variable and extended recovery time in the preseason is a good thing.

But you should also recognize the importance of the final week of the preseason. For a player to be confidently ready for a full workload in Week 1, they need to be practicing -- and nearing game-readiness -- 7-10 days before that Week 1 game.

That doesn't mean Joe Burrow or Dak Prescott or Kenny Golladay or Amari Cooper need to play in the final preseason game. But if they aren't practicing effectively as we approach the final preseason weekend, their early season productivity and workload will be a much bigger concern than they are today.

What You Need to Know

• Carson Wentz did not require extensive surgery and should be back in 5-8 weeks rather than 10-12 weeks.
• Saquon Barkley remains questionable for Week 1 and may not be ready for 12-15 touches until early October.
• Justin Jefferson reportedly has a low-grade AC sprain and should be recovered for Week 1.
• Joe Burrow has been inconsistent in early camp practices but still has time to regain confidence in his surgically-repaired plant leg before Week 1.
• Dak Prescott is cleared for light throwing and will continue to be monitored carefully.
• Kenny Golladay has a 2-3 week recovery timetable but that's likely too optimistic.

Follow Up Appointments

Carson Wentz | Left metatarsal avulsion fracture | August 2 | 5-12 Weeks | Doubtful Week 1

Wentz elected to have surgery to remove a fragment of bone on the outside of his foot early last week. Frank Reich told reporters the procedure was not complicated. Presumably, that means there were no ligament, tendon, or muscle issues to be addressed. Though the Colts didn't publicly adjust his recovery timetable, the less complicated surgery means Wentz should be back closer to six weeks than twelve.

The medical staff will rest Wentz and allow his incision to heal, then re-evaluate him over the next 2-4 weeks. If rehab goes smoothly, Wentz has an outside chance to be ready for Week 1. More likely, we'll see him return in mid-late September.

Dak Prescott | Right latissimus muscle strain | July 28 | Day-to-Day | Probable Week 1

It is not concerning that Prescott was not cleared to throw last week. As I wrote last week, there is no incentive for Prescott and the Cowboys to return to throwing drills until he has no limitation in his throwing motion. Aggravation of the injury would lead to extra weeks of rehab. In contrast to the tight timetables of a regular-season week, Prescott has plenty of time to fully recover now.

Prescott was cleared for light throwing on Saturday, ten days after the strain occurred. That's a reasonable expectation for a low-grade muscle strain. If he's shut down again for any period of time, it's concerning. All signs indicate he'll be ready for Week 1.

Saquon Barkley | Right ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair | Active-PUP | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

Ian Rapoport attempted to clarify Barkley's status last week, reporting the Giants have not ruled Barkley for Week 1 -- but hinted Week 3 may be the real target.

That's oddly specific for an early August report. It tells us two things. First, Barkley is not ready to return to football drills and has no chance at a full Week 1 workload. This shouldn't be surprising. Second, it likely means the Giants are not planning to keep Barkley on the PUP list to start the regular season.

Unfortunately, until we see Barkley cleared to return to practice, it's difficult to project when he'll be in form and ready for 20+ game touches. Currently, it's best to expect Barkley to be limited until early October.

Joe Burrow | Left ACL reconstruction | Dec 2020

Burrow is a clear example of one of the principles I outlined above: Mental recovery lags physical recovery after a serious injury.

The physical recovery of Burrow's knee is not in question. The Bengals -- somewhat surprisingly -- cleared Burrow for football-related activity in May and June and he's been fully participating in camp. Burrow admits he's frustrated with how he's handling live drills. He's skittish in the pocket and not yet confident enough in his knee to step up in the pocket and deliver the ball downfield.

The confidence should come with more repetitions. Burrow has four more weeks to get game ready. We may not see Burrow run as much as he did last season. The Bengals hope their offensive line is improved this year -- though training camp reports of the reserves currently filling in for early camp injuries are frighteningly bad -- and can use a tight end and running back to help protect Burrow while sending three talented receivers into pass patterns.

If the reports on Burrow remain concerning into late August, we'll need to temper expectations. For now, it's reasonable to remain optimistic on Burrow and the Cincinnati offense.

Injury Rounds

Justin Jefferson | Left AC sprain | Aug 6 | Week-to-Week | Probable Week 1

Jefferson landed hard on his left shoulder and suffered an AC sprain in practice last week. The injury is reportedly low grade and Jefferson isn't expected to miss Week 1.

Expect Jefferson to miss 2-3 weeks of practice. If he returns within three weeks, it's a good indication the injury will not limit him much during the regular season. If the Vikings hold him out of all drills until early September, it should raise concern for a higher-grade injury -- and the possibility of in-season aggravations and limited range of motion that might hinder him when reaching for balls away from his frame.

Kenny Golladay | Left hamstring strain | Aug 3 | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 1

Golladay pulled up and grabbed at the back of his left leg at the end of a short route last week. It was an odd reaction after a short in-breaking route. Generally, hamstring injury occur as an athlete approaches top speed. Giants' beat reporter Jordan Raanan tweeted he saw Golladay stretching the same leg multiple times earlier in practice. That provides needed context but unfortunately raises concern.

Joe Judge told reporters Golladay avoided the "worst-case scenario" and believe the injury is minor. The currently reported 2-3 week timetable sounds reassuring.

But it's likely too optimistic.

Based on Raanan's reporting, it appears Golladay tried to work through a low-grade hamstring strain then had a larger event on a shorter route. That suggests more than the lowest-grade strain. There are also reports Golladay visited an orthopedic doctor the day after the injury. That's not too unusual -- team doctors aren't always on-site every day of training camp. But the in-person visit says the team didn't want to wait. Also, 2-3 weeks is an odd timetable. Low-grade strains are generally considered 10-14 day injuries. Mid-grade injuries are closer to the 3-4+ week range. And there's no reason for the "worst-case scenario" to be in the range of outcomes for a low-grade injury.

Hopefully, it becomes clear Golladay is dealing with a low-grade strain and the Giants are taking extra caution with him early in camp. But don't be surprised if 2-3 weeks becomes 3-4 weeks and Golladay is limited in practice during Week 1 preparations and is listed questionable.

Fast Track News and Notes

Will Fuller reportedly has a "foot issue." He left the first practice of training camp and hasn't been seen in ten days. Brian Flores told reporters Fuller is day-to-day. Add Fuller to your list of players who must meet that Opening-Weekend-minus-10-day deadline to be ready for a full Week 1 workload.

Julio Jones has not practiced since last Monday. Ian Rapoport noted the Titans are expected to manage Jones' practice workload this season. But missing six days of practice is not the same as giving a veteran day off once or twice a week. There is no specific injury report but it would not be reassuring if Jones is already dealing with a soft-tissue injury.

Tyreek Hill returned to practice after resting with patellar tendinitis for two days. It's not likely to affect his regular-season production.

Marquise Brown suffered a hamstring strain in late July. John Harbaugh told reporters it was worse than expected. Reassuringly, Brown was seen moving well during reconditioning drills last weekend and should be ready for Week 1 if he avoids an aggravated injury.

Injured Players on Active Roster

Injured Players Not on Active Roster

DECIPHERING THE ALPHABET SOUP OF INJURY LISTS

Players not ready for camp practices are placed on one of two lists – Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury/Illness (NFI).

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)

Active/PUP – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. This list is commonly used for veterans still recovering from injury and those who fail conditioning tests before camp begins.

Reserve/PUP – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.

Non-Football Injury / Illness (NFI)

Active/NFI – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. Only veterans with a non-football related injury or rookies injured before the NFL draft are eligible for this list.

Reserve/NFI – Regular season only list. Players converted from the Active/NFI list to the Reserve/NFI list are out for the entire season.

Injured Reserve – Return Designation

Each NFL team can return two players to the active roster from injured reserve. Teams are not forced to designate this player at the time of the move to injured reserve. Players designated to return can begin practicing six weeks after being placed on injured reserve and are eligible to return to the active roster eight games after being placed on injured reserve. This rule allows a team to continually evaluate the rehab and recovery of their injured players and provides roster flexibility should teams have multiple key injuries early in the season.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.