Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 8

Photo: Imagn Images

UNDERSTANDING THE NFL'S INJURY REPORT

The injury report released by the NFL is actually two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players were able to practice and how much. 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, my expectation of their likelihood to play, and the player's practice participation throughout the week.

Key:

PLAYER | INJURY | GAME STATUS LISTING | FOOTBALLGUYS EXPECTATION

Practice Participation Listing by Day

* = playing on Monday night

I'll also include a table at the bottom of the article for easy reference.

Here's the latest on every relevant injured player on the practice participation and game status report this week:

QUARTERBACK

JAMEIS WINSTON | SHOULDER | QUESTIONABLE | EXPECTED TO PLAY

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

The Buccaneers again rested Winston's shoulder this week, limiting his throwing until Friday. There were no limitations on him in last week's game, with the Tampa Bay passing game plan looking very similar to what it had been prior to Winston's injury. In the two games prior to his AC sprain, Winston threw the ball 38 and 46 times. Last week, he had 44 passing attempts -- including a number of downfield throws -- on his way to a season-high 384 yards. Though he's listed questionable, there was no indication Winston's rest this week was related to soreness after his big workload in Week 7. He's expected to play and should not have any game plan limitations.

Others of note: Cam Newton (shoulder), Jacoby Brissett (thumb), Josh McCown (back), and Case Keenum (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Sam Bradford (knee) and Andrew Luck (shoulder) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Melvin Gordon | Foot | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

There has been no reporting on Gordon's foot injury this week in the local or national media. While the lack of reporting -- and a full week of limited practice -- means Gordon isn't likely to be dealing with a long-term injury, it's not clear whether Gordon will be limited on game day or the team is continuing its previous pattern of veteran rest. Previously, the team minimized concerns with Gordon when he was listed with a knee contusion and shoulder injury. Though there's no official word this week, I think it's reasonable to assume the same and expect Gordon to take his usual share of the team's workload this week. Check back Sunday morning for an update. 

***Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reported overnight Gordon will play but his foot is an "issue." Without additional information, it's difficult to predict how much the Chargers will limit his workload. The Patriots' front seven has struggled without Dont'a Hightower, who's now on injured reserve. Even if Gordon's usage drops, he may still be productive.

Tevin Coleman | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri -Full

The Falcons didn't share specifics on Coleman's knee injury. Dan Quinn told reporters Coleman was "fine" on Friday and the team allowed him to fully practice. Not listed on the game status report, Coleman is expected to play. Atlanta continues to take heat over the offensive game plan and erratic usage pattern of their offensive weapons. While Coleman's health looks to be a non-issue, deducing this week's workload remains difficult.

Others of note: Rob Kelley (ankle), Chris Thompson (toe), Jonathan Stewart (toe), Christian McCaffrey (wrist), Matt Forte (knee), and Wendell Smallwood (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. C.J. Prosise (ankle) is doubtful and likely to be declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Stefon Diggs | Groin | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Diggs traveled with the Vikings to London then fully practiced on both Thursday and Friday. He told reporters early this week he felt ready to play last week but the medical staff opted to rest him for another week. Minnesota listed him questionable but Diggs is expected to play. The clearance for long travel, consecutive full practices, and preparation to play with a bye week ahead strongly suggest the Vikings are ready to have Diggs fully participate in this week's game plan. And with Jason McCourty likely out with injury, Diggs' workload could be a productive one. Watch for any surprising notes during pregame warmups but, while there's always a risk of an in-game setback in a player's first game after a multiple-week soft tissue injury, Diggs has a good chance to see his usual 6+ targets.

Michael Thomas | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

After a concerning Wednesday DNP, Thomas increased his practice participation all week and fully practiced on Friday. He is not listed on the New Orleans game status report and told reporters on Friday his early-week rest was "just being smart" and said he's ready to play. Expect no limitation on Sunday.

Golden Tate | Shoulder | Questionable | Likely to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

The early reports on Tate's injury suggested he would miss multiple games and Tate was seen wearing a sling last week during the Lions' bye. It was surprising to see him practice on Wednesday and then continue to practice throughout the week. Mid-grade AC sprains can be difficult to project in the early stages. Predicting how quickly stiffness and swelling resolve and when full range of motion returns is key. Some players struggle with both or have a playing style that risks aggravation. Others heal more quickly than expected. Tate seems to be in the latter category. 

Still, it's unlikely Tate's injury has fully healed. He will be at risk of aggravation if he plays. This week's practice participation and media discussions are reassuring but be aware Tate's floor is lower than usual this week.

*Emmanuel Sanders | Ankle | Questionable | Unlikely to Play

Practice Participation: Thurs - DNP | Fri - DNP | Sat - DNP

The Broncos have yet to release Saturday's game status report but Sanders was still limping and only doing rehab work on a side field through the end of the week. Sanders has a low ankle sprain but the injury is of higher grade. While the Broncos would prefer to have Sanders available for Monday night's road divisional matchup in Kansas City, it's unlikely he'll have recovered enough to play.

***Sunday Update: Sanders did not practice on Saturday. When asked if Sanders was a game-time decision, Vance Joseph replied, "We'll see." Expect Sanders to be inactive.

Danny Amendola | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Limited

Amendola hyperextended his knee last week and was limited in practice this week. It's not clear whether Amendola's injury is a low-grade ligament sprain, meniscus damage, or contusion but he told reporters he was playing this week. He addressed possible weather concerns and said the team had considered the impact of a wet field. It's possible Amendola would be limited in any scenario but a wet field is more likely to limit his workload.

Willie Snead | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Snead was inactive last Sunday. It was a surprise after he had returned to play the previous week. However, Snead's role remained minimal and the Saints expected a wet field and uncertain footing in Green Bay. A full week of practice also suggests last week's rest was primarily precautionary. Snead is not listed on the game status report and expected to be active. The Saints' wide receiver depth chart is healthy, however, and there's no guarantee Snead will see a spike in targets yet.

JuJu Smith-Schuster | Concussion | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Smith-Schuster was fully practicing on Wednesday after a recent concussion and had no setbacks. After getting clearance by an independent neurologist, Smith-Schuster was not listed on the game status report and will play.

John Ross | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Ross injured his knee late in the preseason and returned in Week 2. He managed only five offensive snaps, fumbled on his one rushing attempt, and was not seen again. It's unclear when Ross re-injured his knee or if he just wasn't comfortable at game speed. After another 4-6 weeks of deliberate rehab, Ross has made it through football-related practice over the past two weeks without issue. He's not listed on the game status report and is expected to be active. He'll likely see a limited role in situations where the Cincinnati offense can make best use of his speed -- multiple wide receiver sets, jet sweeps, etc.

Kamar Aiken | Shoulder | Questionable | Game-time Decision

Practice Participation: Wed - Not Listed | Thurs - Not Listed | Fri - DNP

Aiken was added to the injury report after not practicing on Friday with a shoulder injury. The primary beat reporters in Indianapolis had no information on Aiken's status. He's listed questionable. I'll have updates through the weekend as they are reported.

Others of note:  Alshon Jeffery (groin), Kelvin Benjamin (knee), Devin Funchess (hamstring), Kenny Britt (knee/groin), and Robby Anderson (knee) and have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kenny Golladay (hamstring) and Markus Wheaton (groin) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Antonio Gates | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - Limited | Thurs - Limited | Fri - Full

Gates was limited with a knee injury this week but is expected to play. His snap count, target share, and red zone usage have all sharply trended downward over the past three games. While the injury doesn't appear to be significant, the larger trend of fewer snaps and targets is likely to continue.

Ed Dickson | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

Practice Participation: Wed - DNP | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

The Panthers routinely use the questionable tab as a surrogate for probable. Dickson did not practice on Wednesday but fully practiced on Thursday and Friday and gave no indication he would be unable to play when talking to reporters about the Carolina offensive struggles early in the week.

Others of note: Charles Clay (knee) and Vance McDonald (knee) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.