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
- QB Aaron Rodgers
- RB Josh Jacobs
- WR Matthew Golden
- WR Xavier Worthy
- WR Isaac TeSlaa
- TE Brenton Strange
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- NA
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson
- RB Ken Walker III
- RB Alvin Kamara
- WR Chris Godwin
Ruled Out
- WR Drake London (knee)
- TE Sam LaPorta (back - season-ending)
- QB Jaxson Dart (concussion)
- RB Bucky Irving (shoulder/foot)
- QB Joe Burrow (toe)
- TE Dalton Kincaid (hamstring)
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis)
- QB Michael Penix Jr. (knee - on IR)
- RB Trey Benson (knee)
- WR Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle)
- WR Tory Horton (shin)
- WR Jayden Reed (shoulder)
- RB Isiah Pacheco (knee)
- WR Rashod Bateman (ankle)
- WR Elic Ayomanor (hamstring)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh | Wrist | Questionable | Projecting Active
Aaron Rodgers was unable to finish Week 11’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a wrist injury. Early concern centered around the possibility of a fracture, and subsequent reports confirmed that Rodgers did, in fact, suffer one. However, the specifics of the injury suggest it’s not severe enough to automatically rule him out for Sunday.
Rodgers’ wrist fracture is on his left, non-throwing arm. Even so, injuries to a quarterback’s non-throwing hand can still lead to missed time due to ball-security concerns. Early indications suggest that Rodgers’ fracture is not located near the wrist joint or hand bones, as an injury in those areas would make gripping the football difficult, especially this soon after the incident. While I cannot confirm the exact location of the fracture, everything currently available points toward Rodgers being able to start in Week 12.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England | Toe | Questionable | Expected to Play
Rhamondre Stevenson has missed the last three weeks with a toe injury, but after practicing all week, including a full session on Friday, he appears on track to return on Sunday.
While Stevenson managers likely have another running back option, Treyveon Henderson managers are wondering how much work will remain for him. Historical data on toe injuries in NFL running backs is limited, but what we do know suggests players often need a ramp-up period before returning to their previous level of production.
Stevenson was averaging nearly 16 touches per game with a 67% snap share prior to the injury, but there is evidence that snap share can decline significantly in a player’s first game back from a toe issue. I expect Henderson to remain heavily involved, and I’d be cautious about starting Stevenson in his first week back.
RB Ken Walker III, Seattle | Glute | Questionable | Expected to Play
Ken Walker III was a late addition to the injury report this week after being limited on Friday with a glute injury. The team did not clarify whether it was a muscle strain or a more common glute contusion, though I lean toward the latter given that head coach Mike MacDonald told reporters on Friday that Walker “should be fine.”
I expect Walker to play and continue operating in a timeshare with Zach Charbonnet.