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
- TE Michael Mayer
- WR Calvin Ridley
- TE Juwan Johnson
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- RB Miles Sanders
- RB Bucky Irving
- RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- TE Brock Bowers
- WR Deebo Samuel Sr.
Ruled Out
- QB Lamar Jackson (hamstring)
- RB Bucky Irving (foot)
- WR CeeDee Lamb (high ankle sprain)
- RB Chuba Hubbard (calf)
- WR Terry McLaurin (quadriceps/groin)
- WR Mike Evans (hamstring)
- RB Trey Benson (placed on IR - knee)
- QB J.J. McCarthy (high ankle sprain)
- RB Braelon Allen (placed on IR - knee)
- WR Cedric Tillman (hamstring)
- WR KaVontae Turpin (foot)
- WR Alec Pierce (concussion)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play
Brock Bowers is still working his way back from the injury he suffered in Week 1, which by all accounts appears to be a PCL sprain. It's unclear whether he experienced some discomfort this week or if the Raiders were simply being cautious and giving their star tight end extra rest. Either way, all reports suggest that Bowers intends to suit up this week.
It's a tough situation for fantasy managers because if you drafted Brock Bowers, you really can't afford to bench him. When he's active, he's an automatic start. That said, the ceiling we saw last season may not return right away. Examining historical TE knee injury data reveals that most players experience a moderate decline in production, which typically lasts for approximately three games post-injury.
PCL sprains are relatively rare among fantasy-relevant players, but there are a few recent examples. In 2024, both Puka Nacua and Dalton Kincaid dealt with the injury. Examining their three-game averages post-return, Nacua's fantasy points dropped by 30% compared to his healthy baseline, while Kincaid experienced a 17% decline. Nacua still managed four top-12 WR finishes between Weeks 10–17 but failed to crack the top-15 in any other week. Kincaid, meanwhile, never posted a top-12 TE finish after his injury.
Bowers is not in uniform observing practice. pic.twitter.com/PvAAMSQxdz
— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) October 3, 2025
In the long run, Bowers should be fine, but his 2025 season could come with flare-ups and missed practices along the way. Compared to preseason expectations, however, there's a real chance he ends up being a disappointment.
Update: Depsite some early reports that Bowers would be active in Week 5, Saturday we learned that Bowers was instead expected to sit out Sunday. This is point to what I was discussing earlier regarding Bowers' fantasy production. It might be awhile until he is 100% and instead of playing through it, it's possible Bowers and the Raiders elect to shut him down for