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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

Andrew Luck | Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Nine months ago, it wasn't clear whether Luck would avoid a second surgery on his throwing shoulder and there was growing concern whether he would ever start another NFL game. But the tendinitis in Luck's shoulder calmed and he was finally able to successfully progress through the final throwing phases of rehab. He participated in nearly every preseason practice and completed 20 of 32 passes in three preseason games. Luck practiced without limitation this week and is not listed on the Colts' game status report.

The question now: Can Luck return to his pre-injury form?

I believe Luck can return to form -- but it's going to take time. While it's possible Luck had some typical wear-and-tear in his throwing shoulder earlier in his career, the first hint of trouble came after a partial dislocation of his shoulder in September 2015. It's been three full years of rehab, then surgery, then more rehab. Luck has reportedly rebuilt his throwing motion to limit the risk of recurrent soreness. Although he was cleared to play in preseason games, those 32 passing attempts at game speed are not enough to expect Luck to be able to approach his pre-injury velocity and accuracy. It's also too soon to say he won't return to form in time.

This tremendous feature by Matt Miller at Bleacher Report details the varying opinions of observers around the league.

Unfortunately, the Colts still haven't fully addressed the offensive line issues that likely contributed to Luck's injury in 2015 and left him scrambling in 2016. The Cincinnati defensive line presents a stiff first challenge. With left tackle Anthony Castonzo questionable after only recently returning to practice after an aggravated hamstring strain in early August and Denzelle Good already ruled out.

Expect Luck to miss passes he wouldn't have missed before 2015 and a possible change in how the Colts approach their passing game plan in the early weeks.

Others of note: There were no quarterbacks listed on this week's practice participation or game status reports. Carson Wentz (knee) was inactive on Thursday night. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Saquon Barkley | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Barkley returned to individual drills three weeks ago and has fully participated in practice for two weeks. The Giants did not limit him this week. Now through the critical 7-10 day window when players returning to practice are at highest risk of aggravation, Barkley is ready to assume a full workload. The Jaguars' defense isn't a welcoming spot to begin his career.

Rex Burkhead | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Burkhead has been fully practicing for weeks after a report of a "tear in the knee" that likely made his injury sound more concerning than it actually was. The Patriots routinely rest veteran players with any injury at risk of aggravation. They chose not to limit Burkhead this week.

That doesn't mean Burkhead is a lock for 40+ snaps, unfortunately. New England always has a variety of game plan possibilities and sometimes shifts gears mid-game. Trustworthy and measured beat writer Mike Reiss sees Burkhead as part of a committee this week, estimating Burkhead to see around one-third of the team's snaps. He projects Burkhead to "be part of some early-down work and a two-RB pony grouping with [James] White." Reiss recognizes, however, that game flow could push Burkhead into a bigger role.

*Marshawn Lynch | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Raiders have not yet published their Saturday practice report and game status expectation for Monday night's game. There's been no indicated Lynch will not be available but he's remained limited in practice this week. I'll update Lynch's condition after Saturday's injury report is released.

Saturday Update: Lynch was again limited in practice on Saturday. The Raiders did not list him on their game status report and he will play.

Marlon Mack | Hamstring | Questionable | inactive

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

Mack, somewhat surprisingly, returned to two limited practices at the end of the week. These are his first practices in nearly a month, however, and it's unlikely the team risks an aggravation by returning him to live game action so quickly. Consider Mack well to the doubtful side of questionable. If Mack does find his way to the active roster, he will not see anything close to a full workload.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport reports Mack will workout pregame but "needs to show significant improvement to play." He remains doubtful.

Matt Breida | Shoulder | Not listed | Expected to Play

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

The Niners cleared Breida to return to practice after an early preseason AC sprain and fully practiced this week. It's not yet clear how San Francisco will divide touches among Breida and Alfred Morris, but injury should not limit Breida's workload nor should he be considered a high risk for aggravation.

Chris thompson | Leg | Not listed | Expected to Play

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

After some preseason overreaction over Thompson's comment about not being recovered until midseason -- which had more to do with continuing his mental recovery than physical limitation -- Washington did not limit Thompson's practice participation this week. He has told reporters his confidence is returning. However, Thompson did not participate in any preseason games and Washington has now added Adrian Peterson to handle base offensive duties. Thompson is ready to reprise his passing game role but isn't likely to see more than 5-8 carries.

rashaad penny | Hand | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Pete Carroll told reporters Penny is "good to go" after a full and unlimited week of practice. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said he intended to get all of his running backs involved without any set plan of touches for anyone. Penny's injury did not affect his conditioning this preseason. While it prevented him from seizing a clear majority of the Seattle backfield workload, his snap count and touches will be a coach's decision rather than determined by injury concern.

Sony Michel | Knee | Questionable | Inactive

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

Michel continues to recover from a preseason procedure to drain fluid from a chronic knee condition. He has been practicing and is expected to have a role in New England's backfield in time. But Bill Belichick strongly hinted this week Michel was not yet game ready and New England has Rex Burkhead, James White, and Jeremy Hill healthy and ready to play. Expect Michel to be inactive this week.

Others of note: Frank Gore (Achilles) has practiced, is not listed on the game status report, and is expected to play without limitation. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Antonio Brown | quad | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

After a few days of discussion about a possible aggravation midway through the preseason, Brown had continued to dance and reassure everyone of his full health. He was not limited in practice this week. Although there seems to be no concern currently, the horrible weather forecast in Cleveland may hurt his expectation.

Odell Beckham jr | ankle | not listed | Expected to Play

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

Like many other veterans critical to the success of their team's offense, Beckham practiced during the preseason but did not play a single snap in a preseason game. Beckham was cleared for contact in advance of training camp and has been fully practicing. He is ready for his usual workload.

Doug Baldwin | Knee | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Baldwin's practice participation line was among the most anticipated of the week. After telling reporters he was 80-85% healthy two weeks ago, Baldwin fully practiced. That's especially notable as Seattle routinely rests any veteran with a chance of aggravation. Though we don't know precisely what's ailing Baldwin, it's likely a cartilage issue. Those are tough to predict from week-to-week. While he's at risk of aggravation, he's entering Week 1 without any obvious restrictions and it can be assumed Seattle will not limit his snap count.

Tyrell Williams | Groin | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Late-week additions to the practice report due to soft-tissue injury are never good. However, Williams was listed as fully practicing and was not included on the team's game status report. There are no beat writer reports of concern. Watch for any notes in the early Sunday morning Adam Schefter / Ian Rapoport tweet storm.

Sunday Update: Neither Schefter nor Rapoport had updates on Williams overnight. Williams should be able to play without limitation.

JOsh Gordon | Hamstring | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

After a gradual return to practice two weeks after suffering soreness in his hamstrings, Gordon fully practiced on Friday and is not listed on the game status report. The Browns initially said Gordon will not play in all offensive packages but offensive coordinator Todd Haley suggested Gordon will have a significant role. Those two comments aren't mutually exclusive. The Browns may plan to limit his snap count but not decrease the number of routes he runs he's asked to run. However, the forecast calls for significant rain and wind in Cleveland and field conditions are projected to be terrible. Poor weather and field condition will increase the risk of aggravation and could prompt the Browns to further limit Gordon's play.

Sunday Update: The weather reports have significantly improved overnight. The field conditions will still not be ideal but will be better than initially expected.

Sunday Update: Chris Mortensen is reporting the Browns plan to give Gordon around 20 snaps today.

Will Fuller | Hamstring | Questionable | Inactive

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

Fuller continues to recover from a hamstring strain. Bill O'Brien wouldn't commit to Fuller's availability, telling reporters the team wanted to continue to monitor through the weekend. Fuller did travel with the team to New England this weekend and continues to trend toward the active gameday roster. Look for further updates detailing Fuller's potential workload on Sunday morning.

Sunday Update: According to Adam Schefter, Fuller is unlikely to play today. The Texans did allow Fuller to travel with the team and will work him out pregame but are not expected to have him on the gameday active roster.

Sunday Update: Fuller is officially inactive.

Jermaine Kearse | Abdomen | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

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

Last week, multiple sources reported Kearse would miss this week's game after a procedure to address an abdominal injury. After a return to limited practice on Friday, there's now a chance Kearse will play on Monday night.

Saturday Update: Kearse is listed doubtful by the Jets. As initially reported, he'll need another week to recover.

Keke Coutee | Hamstring | Questionable | game-time Decision

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

Coutee returned to practice over the past two weeks but has yet to return to a full workout. The Texans cleared him to talk to the media on Friday but have not provided an actionable update on his condition. The practice trend would be more reassuring for a veteran. It's likely Coutee will see very limited snaps, if he's active at all.

Others of note: Quincy Enunwa (thumb), Terrelle Pryor (ankle), and Jakeem Grant (concussion) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. DeVante Parker (finger) and Curtis Samuel (illness) are doubtful to play or have been declared out. Alshon Jeffery (shoulder) was inactive Thursday night. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Greg Olsen | Back | Questionable | Added to injury report Saturday | Expected to Play

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

Olsen practiced this week without limitation but Carolina added him to their injury report on Saturday with a back issue of unknown severity. I'll have more as Olsen's condition is updated this weekend.

Sunday Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are reporting Olsen's addition to the injury report was precautionary. Schefter's source says Olsen's back was "a little sore early in the week." If that's accurate, Olsen fully practiced through the soreness and can be expected to see his usual workload. Continue to track Olsen through pregame warmups, but he should be ready to go.

Delanie Walker | toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

The Titans frequently rest Walker when he's dealing with a nagging injury. And Walker routinely plays through very limited weeks of practice. After a toe injury limited him through the end of the preseason, Walker fully practiced this week and was never listed on the practice participation report as needing treatment. He should see his usual workload.

JordaN Reed | toe | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Reed tried to play through a toe injury with a shoe insert last year and struggled with toe soreness and multiple soft-tissue compensatory injuries before finally landing on injured reserve. Washington carefully managed his practice reps through minicamp and the preseason. While that didn't help quell concerns about Reed's recovery and risk of injury, he was not listed on the practice participation report this week and is as healthy as he's been in over a year. He should see his usual workload.

Evan Engram | Concussion | Not listed | Expected to Play

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

Engram quickly returned to individual drills after a concussion two weeks ago and has been cleared to play.

George Kittle | Shoulder | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Like teammate Matt Breida, Kittle was cleared to return to practice after an early preseason AC sprain. He's fully practiced and was not included on San Francisco's injury report this week.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins | abdomen | Not Listed | expected to play

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

Worries about a potentially significant aggravation of Seferian-Jenkins' core muscle strain on Wednesday were allayed by a continual increase in practice participation as the week progressed. He was not listed on the game status report and will play.

Jermaine Gresham | Achilles | Questionable | Limited if Active

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

The Cardinals activated Gresham off the PUP list but will not rush his return to game action. His practice participation suggests the team is preparing him to play but expect him to see limited snaps.

Others of note: Tyler Eifert (back) and Seth DeValve (quad) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Vance McDonald (foot) and Hayden Hurst (foot) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS

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