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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 - Full | Thurs - Full | Fri - Full

Ignore the questionable tag. Tampa Bay is among the handful of teams who list players questionable after full practices. After two weeks of inconsistent play and frequent in-game aggravations, the Buccaneers chose to shut Winston down and allow him to recover enough to limit the chance or re-injury and regain enough arm strength and range of motion to improve his play on the field. Immediately after his injury, the medical staff did not clear Winston to throw until late in the week. This week, Winston took all the quarterback reps and has been throwing without limitation since Monday. While an aggravation is less likely now than before, Winston will be playing behind an offensive line who lost two starters to injured reserve this week. Whether a suspect Green Bay front seven can take advantage at home and hit Winston often enough is questionable. Even if the Packers' pass rush is not successful, expect some rust for Winston early.

Cam Newton | Thumb / Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Pain in a quarterback's throwing thumb is always a concern. The Panthers, however, do not seem too concerned. They cleared Newton to throw all week long and -- despite often listing him questionable with shoulder and ankle injuries this year -- did not list him on this week's game status report. Barring an in-game aggravation, Newton should play with minimal limitation.

Matthew Stafford | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Stafford plays through everything. While he was seen limping on Thanksgiving, he's had ten days to recover from a low ankle sprain, fully practiced all week, and the Lions did not list him on the game status report. The injury should be a non-issue.

Others of note: Tom Brady (Achilles), Josh McCown (wrist), and Blake Bortles (wrist) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Paxton Lynch (ankle) has been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

LeSean McCoy | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Bills limited McCoy's practice reps on Friday due to knee soreness. There were multiple plays over the past two weeks where McCoy appeared to hit the top of his knee on the turf. He only briefly left the field and finished both games. After the Bills rested him during the second half of their blowout Week 10 loss, McCoy has seen close to his usual workload with 68% and 72% of the team's offensive snaps in the past two weeks. That's less than the 75%+ he'd been seeing earlier in the season but still a sizable workload. Sean McDermott told reporters McCoy would play. Expect McCoy to be closer to the 70% threshold than 80% again, but the knee injury isn't likely to affect his effectiveness.

Devonta Freeman | Concussion | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

I frequently get questions asking whether players returning from a concussion will be limited by their coaches or medical staff. The answer -- assuming there have been no unexpected breakthrough performances from other players -- is always no. Recovery from a concussion isn't the same as soft tissue injury. Players with sprains and strains are often cleared to return at less than full strength. That's not the case with a concussion. The return to play protocol does not allow for clearance until a player shows resolution of symptoms and is examined by an independent neurologist. When those thresholds are met, players are returned to contact.

The Falcons deliberately and carefully advanced Freeman through the protocol over multiple weeks. They took care to reassure all involved that Freeman has recovered before returning him to practice this week. Tevin Coleman's recent effectiveness may shift the market share of the team's backfield but the Falcons knew Freeman would be available while putting together a game plan earlier this week. If they're comfortable returning to their former distribution of touches, Freeman can immediately return to those levels.

Christian McCaffrey | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

After Ron Rivera said the Panthers were watching him closely after a hard hit last week, McCaffrey told reporters his Wednesday DNP was precautionary. He returned to limited practices on Thursday and Friday and said he'd be "ready to roll" on Sunday. Late Saturday night, Adam Schefter tweeted McCaffrey was expected to play. It's possible McCaffrey may see a slightly lower usage rate this week. However, this week's matchup in New Orleans is a key divisional matchup and McCaffrey's skill set fits the most likely game script -- a higher scoring game in which the Panthers will seek to avoid the New Orleans corners and attack between the numbers. Expect McCaffrey to see his pre-injury workload.

Lamar Miller | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Texans did not share specifics on Miller's injury and there were no coaching comments on Miller this week either. This looks like a no news is good news situation, however. Miller returned to last week's game after missing a few snaps while his knee was evaluated. He returned to consecutive limited practices. And the Texans did not list him on the game status report. Miller is clearly the most accomplished back on the roster and should see the vast majority of snaps. The matchup on the road against Tennessee is a bigger concern than his injury.

Alex Collins | Calf | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Ravens usually list every player who received treatment at some point during the week as questionable. There was no indication Collins suffered a serious injury last week and he fully practiced on Thursday and Friday. Those factors, along with a late Saturday night tweet from Adam Schefter confirming the Ravens expect Collins to play, strongly suggest he'll be able to manage his usual workload.

Adrian Peterson | Back | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Cardinals will put Peterson on the game day roster if he's healthy enough to play. Bruce Arians told reporters Peterson "has played long enough he doesn't need to practice." However, it's not certain Peterson will be cleared to go. Peterson told reporters he was feeling "pretty good" despite not practicing but Arians wasn't certain whether Peterson could play. All signs are the team will give Peterson up to game time to prove himself ready to play. I would usually lean to the doubtful side of questionable, but the Cardinals did not add a running back to the active roster on Saturday and backup Kerwynn Williams is said to be battling a cracked rib. There's a chance Peterson plays.

***Sunday Update: Though Peterson will reportedly be tested in warmups, Ian Rapoport tweeted Peterson is a "longshot to play."

Aaron Jones | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Packers now expect to get Aaron Rodgers back in Week 15 and continue to show a clear sense of urgency in anticipation of Rodgers' return. Jones was originally given a 4-6 week timetable after a Week 10 MCL sprain. Three weeks into his recovery -- one in which Jones did not practice until three days ago and has only returned to individual drills thus far -- there are indications the Packers will clear him to play in Week 13. Adam Schefter tweeted late Saturday night that the Packers expect Jones to be available for a limited role this week. However, with Ty Montgomery now on injured reserve, Green Bay could be forced to accelerate Jones' timetable and usage if Jamaal Williams struggles or suffers an injury.

Matt Forte | Knee | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Todd Bowles has said Forte will be a game-time decision this week. However, Forte practiced even less last week after an extended absence and took the highest percentage of snaps in the Jets' three-headed running back rotation. If Forte is active, the Jets have given him around 50% of the offensive snaps in most weeks.

Ameer Abdullah | Neck | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Abdullah did not practice until Friday and is considered a game-time decision. Abdullah said his neck felt "pretty good" on Friday -- not exactly a ringing endorsement -- and told reporters they should ask Jim Caldwell about his gameday status. While there was little detail written about Abdullah, Lions' offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter praised Abdullah's backfield mate Theo Riddick and strongly suggested Riddick would be used more this week. If Abdullah is active, he's very likely to see fewer snaps and touches than usual.

***Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Abdullah is unlikely to play.

Others of note: Leonard Fournette (ankle), DeMarco Murray (illness), Isaiah Crowell (shoulder) has practiced, is not listed on the game status report, and is expected to play without limitation. Doug Martin (concussion), Ty Montgomery (ribs), Damien Williams (shoulder), and Mike Tolbert (hamstring) are doubtful and likely inactive or have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Antonio Brown | Toe | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Many teams will give veteran players late week practice off and still put them on the active game day roster and trust them with their usual workload. The Steelers are very rarely one of those teams. Generally, a player must participate in at least one late week practice -- and usually two -- to earn clearance for game day. Brown was added to the injury report on Friday with a toe injury and did not return to practice on Saturday. Most Pittsburgh beat writers are concerned about Brown's availability. If any player on the Pittsburgh roster would be cleared to play without practice it would be Brown. But you shouldn't count on it. The Steelers play Monday night and there are no guarantees we'll get an update on his condition on Sunday. Try to get a hedge on your roster.

Julio Jones | Ankle | Not LIsted | Expected to Play

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

Jones continues to be limited in practice but he's not left the game limping in three weeks. Last week, Jones had another of his monster games, putting up well over 200 yards receiving on just 46 offensive snaps. Jones is again not listed on the game status report. While repeating his ceiling performance is obviously unlikely a much stronger Minnesota secondary, it's clear Jones is healthy enough to continue elite production.

Rishard Matthews | Hamstring | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Matthews was able to run sprints on Thursday and return for individual workouts on Friday. However, Matthews has yet to be cleared for a full practice since injuring his hamstring last week. Making cuts in practice is nothing like exploding off the line against press coverage or decelerating and changing direction at game speed. Matthews is expected to be monitored during pregame warmup. If he has no soreness, he'll play. If active, Matthews will be at risk of aggravation and it's possible the Titans will limit his snap count until they're certain he's ready for a full workload.

Sterling Shepard | Illness | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Shepard continued to have recurrent migraine symptoms each time he tried to increase his activity level and the Giants kept him off the field through Thanksgiving weekend. There has been no concern this week, with Shepard fully participating in practice and reassuring reporters he'd be ready to play. The Giants did not list Shepard on the game status report and he should be ready for a full workload.

*JuJu Smith-Schuster | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Smith-Schuster returned a full week of practice after missing last week's game. There are no concerns about his availability. However, Martavis Bryant may have earned a higher percentage of snaps this week, limiting Smith-Schuster's usage. If Antonio Brown isn't able to play through his toe injury, Bryant's role will be a moot point and Smith-Schuster would play nearly every snap. Though we're unlikely to know the status of Brown until Monday, I think it's safe to project Smith-Schuster to approach his post-Week 8 workload -- 6-10+ targets.

Cordarrelle Patterson | Hip | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Raiders limited Patterson's practice reps this week and list him questionable. Patterson played through hip pain last week, however, and there are no beat writer concerns about his availability this week. Expect Patterson to play. He should be in line for season-high targets with Michael Crabtree suspended and Amari Cooper out with a concussion and high ankle sprain. His matchup is also strong. The Giants will be without Janoris Jenkins (injured reserve after ankle surgery) and possibly Eli Apple (questionable with late week hip injury).

DeSean Jackson | Foot | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Tampa Bay expects Jackson to play with a foot injury that limited his practice this week. There were no specifics on his injury this week.

Jordan Matthews | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Matthews returned to play last week after missing the Week 11 game with knee soreness. He is expected to be available.

Others of note: A.J. Green (illness), DeAndre Hopkins (foot), Alshon Jeffery (foot), Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), Jarvis Landry (knee), Marqise Lee (knee), Robby Anderson (ankle), Devin Funchess (toe), Danny Amendola (knee), Bruce Ellington (knee), Josh Reynolds (ankle), and Donte Moncrief (groin) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Robert Woods (shoulder), Chris Hogan (shoulder), Kelvin Benjamin (knee), Amari Cooper (ankle / concussion), Will Fuller (ribs), Allen Hurns (ankle), John Brown (toe), and Mike Williams (knee) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Greg Olsen | Foot | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Olsen did not finish last week's game after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired foot. Despite reassuring imaging studies and examinations showing no structural issues, Olsen remained sore this week and is unlikely to play. Ian Rapoport tweeted late Saturday night that Carolina's caution may be related to the turf in New Orleans and reports Olsen isn't likely to miss future games. More on Olsen in Monday's column.

Jimmy Graham | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Graham did not practice until Friday. Though the Seahawks have listed Graham questionable, he fully practiced on Friday and Pete Carroll expressed no concern about Graham's availability. Expect Graham to see his usual workload.

Charles Clay | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Clay routinely plays when the Bills list him questionable and is expected to play this week. Clay has yet to return to his pre-injury workloads, however, taking 55-65% of the offensive snaps compared to 80-90% before his knee injury. That could change this week, however, as Nick O'Leary was limited with a back injury and Clay looked more comfortable in his four targets last week than in Weeks 10 and 11.

Cameron Brate | Hip | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Buccaneers provided no information on Brate's injury this week but Adam Schefter tweeted the team expects Brate to play.

Others of note: Tyler Kroft (wrist), Trey Burton (back), Tyler Higbee (illness), and George Kittle (ankle) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Vance McDonald (ankle) and Coby Fleener (concussion) 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.