Chance to Play: Questionable vs. Doubtful

Our Injury Analyst Adam Hutchison examines how the injury report designation affects a player's chance to play each week.

Adam Hutchison's Chance to Play: Questionable vs. Doubtful Adam Hutchison Published 09/13/2025

© Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Injury

I have spent time studying injury timelines and fantasy performance outcomes specifically for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends from 2017 to 2024. Altogether, there are over 2,000 injuries in my database. However, to avoid any confusion, it is important to lay some ground rules.

I am not saying that this is exactly what will happen. I do not have a crystal ball, nor should this report be used as one. Like most things in life, context is important. Every injury is unique.

Enjoy.

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Questionable vs. Doubtful

Per the NFL rules, when a player is listed as Questionable (Q), there is uncertainty if that player will play that week, while the Doubtful (D) tag means a player is unlikely to be available. In short, "questionable" should mean that a player is truly 50/50 that week, and "doubtful" implies the chances are slim.

The numbers do not necessarily reflect that, as some NFL teams do not use the Questionable tag correctly. Doubtful was more straightforward.

Listed as Questionable on the Final Injury Report

  • 70.7% of players ended up playing
  • 29.3% of players did not play

Listed as Doubtful on the Final Injury Report

  • 6.9% of players ended up playing
  • 93.1% of players did not play

Team Tendencies

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