Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)
"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] 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 to come back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours.
Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players
Gameday Decision
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- WR Tee Higgins
- RB Austin Ekeler
- WR Tyreek Hill
Trending Doubtful (Not Expected to Play)
- TE Chig Okonkwo
- TE Cade Otton
- WR Chris Olave
- RB Alvin Kamara
- QB Kenny Pickett
- QB Tua Tagovailoa
- QB Brock Purdy
Ruled Out
- WR Deebo Samuel Sr. (wrist)
- QB Jalen Hurts (concussion)
- RB Isiah Pacheco (ribs)
- Tyjae Spears (concussion)
- QB Derek Carr (hand)
- RB Kendre Miller (concussion)
- WR Joshua Palmer (foot)
- RB Gus Edwards (ankle)
- K Matt Prater (knee)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Saturday Games
RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Although initial reports out of Cincinnati were that Chase Brown's ankle injury was minor, he appears to be trending in the wrong direction and is unlikely to play this Saturday. If you read this week's Footballguys Injury Roundup, I predicted this could be the case. Brown's ankle injury looked like a high ankle sprain. Most NFL RBs miss at least one game with this type of injury.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active
Tee Higgins continues to deal with the same nagging ankle injury that presumably left him as Questionable prior to Week 17's game. Higgins started and managed to score three times. Although I cannot guarantee the same fantasy performance, I expect Higgins to be active on Saturday.