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
- RB Kimani Vidal
- RB Bhayshul Tuten
- TE Harold Fannin Jr.
- RB Dylan Sampson
- RB TreVeyon Henderson
- WR Chris Olave
- TE Dalton Kincaid
- TE Dawson Knox
- WR Ricky Pearsall
- TE George Kittle
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- QB Lamar Jackson
- WR Davante Adams
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- WR Christian Watson
- QB Malik Willis
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
- TE Kyle Pitts Sr.
- WR Drake London
Ruled Out
- QB Jordan Love (concussion)
- WR Rashee Rice (concussion)
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee)
- TE Brock Bowers (knee)
- WR Rome Odunze (foot)
- WR Calvin Austin III (hamstring)
- WR Mack Hollins (abdomen)
- WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion)
- TE David Njoku (knee)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Saturday 4:30 PM EST Game
RB Kimani Vidal, LA Chargers | Neck | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Kimani Vidal sustained a neck injury in Week 16 and was forced to miss most of the action. While Vidal was able to log a limited practice late in the week, the nature of neck injuries makes this a situation to monitor closely. A full practice (FP) would provide far more confidence in his availability and ability to handle contact.
Saturday Night 8:00 PM EST Game
QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore | Back | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful for Week 17 after failing to practice all week due to a back injury. Historically, when a player carries the doubtful designation, it almost always results in an inactive status (upwards of 90% of the time), making it highly unlikely Jackson takes the field this week.
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay | Shoulder | Questionable | Projecting Active
Christian Watson was limited for most of the week heading into Saturday with a chest injury. This is the same injury Watson sustained in Week 15, which left him questionable for Week 16. He ultimately played last week, though he turned in a relatively modest fantasy performance.
The underlying metrics do not suggest the chest injury significantly impacted Watson’s availability or usage, as he logged snaps and routes run in line with his season averages. I expect Watson to be active on Saturday and view him as a viable flex option.
QB Malik Willis, Green Bay | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely Active
While the Packers have already ruled out Jordan Love, Malik Willis remains questionable heading into Saturday with a shoulder injury.
If Willis were truly unlikely to play, Green Bay likely would have ruled him out alongside Love. Willis looked competent in relief against Chicago and, if active, is a viable option in deep leagues and Superflex formats as a short-term backup.