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Understanding the NFL's Injury Report

(per Dr. Bramel)

The injury report released by the NFL is two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. 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 and my expectations of their likelihood of playing.

If you are reading this article on Saturday, make sure you circle back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours

Key:

Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Footballguys Expectation

Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players

Gameday Decision

• WR Demario Douglas
• WR Ja'Marr Chase
• WR K.J. Osborn
• RB Keaton Mitchell
• WR Michael Wilson
• WR Stefon Diggs

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• NA

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• TE T.J. Hockenson

Eligible to return from injured reserve

• WR Justin Jefferson
• RB James Conner

Ruled Out

• WR Nico Collins
• WR Tee Higgins
• RB Dameon Pierce
• WR Treylon Burks
• RB Emari Demercado
• WR Zay Jones
• RB Kendre Miller
• WR David Bell

Sunday 9:30 AM EST Game

Demario Douglas, New England Patriots | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active

Demario Douglas has been limited with an ankle injury all week, but I still lean towards him playing in Week 10. It obviously depends on the severity of the injury, but given the current state of the Patriots' WR room, they need Douglas to play even if he is not 100%. Preliminary reports from New England do not seem too concerned about Douglas' injury, but the good news is that with the Patriots facing off with the Colts in Germany, you will have early word on his availability.

Sunday Update: Douglas is active.

Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals | Back | Questionable | 50/50

After not practicing Wednesday, Ja'Marr Chase was able to log two limited practices due to a back injury. If you read my Week 10 Monday Injury Report, I warned fantasy managers that Chase would likely be hampered by his back injury all week but that I was optimistic he would be ready to go this Sunday. Examining the average time missed for WRs with back injuries, typically, the next minimal time missed is 1.1 games, and ~30% of them miss no time. The fact that Chase was able to practice in some fashion this week bodes well for him playing in Week 10.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Inactive

Justin Jefferson is eligible to return from IR this week, and the Vikings opened up his 21-day window to return by having him practice this week. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell did not seem optimistic that Jefferson would be ready, and as a result, neither should fantasy managers. If Jefferson is not back this week, I like his chances to play in Week 11. Very few NFL WRs miss >5 weeks (14%).]

Sunday Update: Jefferson is not expected to be active.

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings | Ribs | Questionable | Likely Active

Although T.J. Hockenson was limited all week with a rib injury, the Minnesota TE told reporters this week that he "expects to play." It does not sound like Hockenson is dealing with a rib fracture and the Vikings likely limited his practice reps to help manage his pain. Barring a major setback, expect Hockenson to be in fantasy lineups.

Sunday Update: Per Ed Werner of ESPN, Hockenson will play but on a snap count.

K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings | Concussion | Questionable | 50/50

K.J. Osborn appears to have cleared the concussion protocol this week as he was able to log a full practice Friday. Despite that the Vikings still have him listed as questionable. It sounds like Osborn will play based on the practice reports, but his injury designation is a bit puzzling. I've left Osborn as a game-time decision because very few players this season have been able to return in one week after a concussion.

Sunday Update: K.J. Osborn is not expected to be active.

Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens | Hamstring | Questionable | 50/50

After his first 100-yard performance on the ground, rookie RB Keaton Mitchell appeared to tweak his hamstring this week. Mitchell was limited on Thursday but a full participant on Friday. Mitchell's participation level on Friday points to him being active in Week 10.

Sunday Update: Reports suggest Mitchell is going to be active.

Sunday 4:05 PM EST Games

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals | Knee | Questionable | Likely Active

James Conner is eligible to return from IR this week, and reports out of Arizona suggest he will be ready. Ideally, Conner would have logged a full practice this week, but instead, he was limited, leaving some doubt that he will be ready. Arizona has made some other roster moves that hint towards them having Conner, and Emari Demercado has already been ruled out.

Sunday Update: Per Ian Rapoport, the Cardinals have activated James Conner and he will play Sunday.

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely Active

Another Cardinal was limited all week with a shoulder injury. Despite not being a full participant this week, Michael Wilson did not practice at all last week, so any participation is a sign of improvement. We still have not learned the specific injury that Wilson is dealing with, but assuming it is not an AC joint sprain, I think he could play in Week 10.

Sunday Update: All signs point to Wilson being active.

Monday Night 8:15 PM EST Game

Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills | Back | Questionable | Likely Active

Stefon Diggs was a late addition to the injury report as he popped up on Thursday with a back injury. Similar to Ja'Marr Chase (above), I expect Diggs to be ready. The Bills may be giving their veteran a rest day. Saturday should provide more clarity on the situation, but right now, Diggs' managers should not panic.

Sunday Update: Diggs is off the injury report. He is expected to play Monday.