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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

Aaron Rodgers | Knee | questionable | Likely to play | Limited if Active

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

Rodgers isn't close to full strength. He's undoubtedly been dealing with even more swelling, soreness, and stiffness this week than he was in the second half of last Sunday night's comeback. He was unable to practice at all this week. And Mike McCarthy told reporters it was "no layup" that Rodgers would play this week.

However, Rodgers has been adamant all week he would play. The Packers' medical staff has already cleared him once. McCarthy has played Rodgers without practice participation in the past. And Rodgers isn't shy about playing through serious injury, hobbling through very limiting calf and hamstring strains in the past.

While I'd lean toward the probable side of questionable for Rodgers, he will have to convince the medical staff he can protect himself in the pocket. If Rodgers does play, expect him to be limited to shotgun and pistol looks and be generally unable to maneuver outside the pocket. Despite the medical staff believing Rodgers is at low risk of a worse injury, he'll also be at risk of aggravating the injury and leaving the game.

Sunday Update: Rodgers was able to participate in a limited practice Saturday. The medical staff will continue to evaluate Rodgers through pregame warmups. Assuming no overnight increase in swelling, stiffness, and limitation, Rodgers will be cleared to play.

Adam Schefter is reporting this morning Rodgers does not have a ligament injury. I was skeptical about the ligament injury after Rodgers' post-game comments and Monday press conferences. I speculated Rodgers could have aggravated a cartilage condition he's known about for some time. Schefter says Rodgers' current injury could take 6-8 weeks to heal. It's now fair to wonder if Rodgers has a bone bruise / cartilage condition similar to Sam Bradford last year. While Rodgers will undoubtedly try to play, he will be limited. Expect the Packers to do whatever they can in pass protection and game plan to prevent Rodgers from hits and scrambling situations. Rodgers is one of the very few quarterbacks you should consider starting when limited, but don't expect a repeat of Sunday night's performance.

bEN rOETHLISBERGER | eLBOW | questionable | Expected to play

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

The Steelers have listed Roethlisberger questionable but beat writers couldn't find a single teammate who felt their quarterback would not play. Roethlisberger didn't throw with his usual velocity at practice on Friday but was confident the bruise he sustained last week would not limit him much. I'll be watching for hints of more concern than expected Saturday night and Sunday morning. But expect Roethlisberger to be effective in his return to Hines Field this week.

marcus Mariota | Elbow | Questionable | Active but possibly limited

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

Mariota essentially confirmed his injury was a nerve contusion causing a loss of feeling and difficulty gripping the football last week. Like many nerve-related injuries, the longer the symptoms last, the longer the expected recovery. Mariota's limited practices suggest he's not fully healed. Most concerningly, Mike Vrabel told reporters both Mariota and Blaine Gabbert could get playing time this week.

It's hard to understand why the Titans would be planning to split time.

If Mariota hasn't fully healed, it's unlikely he'd be cleared to play though ongoing numbness and weakness. But he's practicing and looks likely to start. If he is fully healed, there's no reason to think the Titans are planning to bench a healthy Mariota despite his inconsistent play.

The most logical explanation is that Mariota is nearly fully healed but Vrabel knows there's a risk his quarterback could continue struggle to grip the ball. Until it's evident Mariota has recovered, it's difficult to trust he'll be effective -- or finish a game.

Sunday Update: Overnight reports confirm the nerve contusion for Mariota and incomplete recovery. It was implied Mariota was continuing to struggle with grip strength when Vrabel suggested Gabbert would see time today. Grip strength is the key factor here. If Mariota does not have the strength to grip the ball a full week after the injury, he cannot be effective -- and may not be for weeks. Avoid him today. And more on his long -term outlook in Monday's article.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter is reporting Mariota did little in pregame warmups. It's unlikely he'll be active. The concern now will be for next week's game.

Others of note: Matthew Stafford (shin) and Dak Prescott (groin) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report and will play without limitation. Carson Wentz (knee) has been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

David Johnson | back | Not listed | expected to play

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

Johnson was limited by an unspecified back injury until Friday. His full end-of-the-week practice and declaration that he was full strength in the locker room on Friday are reassuring. The Cardinals did not list him on the injury report. Back conditions are always prone to aggravation but Johnson looks capable of assuming his usual workload.

Leonard Fournette | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

T.J. Yeldon | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to play

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

Doug Marrone said he remains confident Fournette can prove himself game-ready by Sunday. However, nothing about Fournette's practice participation suggests that's a realistic possibility. The Jaguars allowed Fournette to rehab during the week and he was apparently cleared to run at speed on Friday. But Fournette did not do any scheduled football-related activity and the medical staff did not clear him to play when he did not practice last season.

If Fournette responds much better than expected, the Jaguars may allow him to continue to test his health through the weekend and into pregame warmups. But expect him to be inactive. He'll then be questionable (but hopeful) for Week 3.

Yeldon's limited Friday practice is also notable. He was not listed on the game status report which suggests his injury isn't a big concern. But the team likely knew to risk any kind of aggravation with Yeldon with Fournette doubtful was silly.

Expect Fournette to be inactive.

Sunday Update: The Jaguars promoted a back to the active roster, yet another pessimistic sign for Fournette's availability.

rex burkhead | concussion | questionable | Likely to Play

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

Burkhead returned to two limited practices at the end of the week. It's still unknown when Burkhead reported symptoms and started the return-to-play protocol, but there's a good chance he progressed well enough to visit the independent neurologist this weekend. Watch for news on whether he was granted clearance.

Sunday Update: Burkhead was cleared to travel to Jacksonville with the Patriots. He's likely to be active.

Marlon Mack | Knee | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Mack has now practiced in six consecutive sessions over the past ten days. Frank Reich had only positive things to say about Mack's recovery on Friday. Reich told reporters, “He’s got that explosiveness, that quickness. He’s really made good progress. Feel confident for the game that if Marlon is up, ready to go, we will use him accordingly.”

Reich's comments do not guarantee Mack will immediately return to a role as the primary committee back. It's unlikely Mack will see more than 10-12 touches.

Sony Michel | Knee | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Last week, Bill Belichick told reporters Michel was not yet game ready. With a healthy stable of running back options, Michel was inactive. This week, Belichick said Michel was getting better every day and was reacting more quickly on the field. And the Patriots lost Jeremy Hill to an ACL injury and were missing Rex Burkhead much of the week as he recovered from a concussion. All signs suggest Michel will be active. As always, the division of labor in the New England backfield will depend on many factors. The Jaguars aren't an attractive first matchup for Michel.

Legarrette blount | shoulder | questionable | Likely to play

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

Blount had a limited Friday practice but there were no local reports of concern. He's likely to see his expected limited role this week.

Others of note: Marshawn Lynch (shoulder), C.J. Anderson (illness), Phillip Lindsay (knee), and Wayne Gallman (knee) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Devonta Freeman (knee) and Darren Sproles (hamstring) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

DeAndre Hopkins | Foot | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Hopkins was frequently on the injury report when given veteran rest days last year. That's likely the case this week. The Texans listed eight players questionable after a week of limited practice. All are expected to be healthy enough to play. Barring a surprise note from Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter, expect Hopkins to see his usual market share this week.

davante adams | Shoulder | Questionable | expected to play

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

Adams returned to practice on Thursday and said he "felt great" after the workout. He practiced again on Friday and is expected to play. Shoulder injuries are stressful for receivers and Adams may be at increased risk of an in-game setback. The health of Aaron Rodgers will also limit Adams' upside this week.

corey davis | hamstring | Not Listed | expected to play

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

Davis spent most of last season on the injury report -- and, oftentimes, the sideline -- with hamstring strains last season. His appearance on this week's injury reports is a concern but his return to a full Friday practice is reassuring. Davis is expected to play. Hopefully, he'll make it through the week wihout aggravation.

desean jackson | concussion / shoulder | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Jackson steadily increased his practice participation through the week. He was seen running routes at speed in pads on Thursday before Friday's full practice. That progress usually ends in the independent neurologist clearing a player for contact before game time. Expect Jackson to play in a revenge setup against Philadelphia on Sunday.

Josh Gordon | Hamstring | Declared Out | Inactive

Gordon reported to the team facility and told the medical staff he aggravated a hamstring injury, reportedly in a promotional shoot. He had not been listed on the injury report this week. Quickly ruled out by the Browns' medical staff, Gordon will not be active today.

will fuller | hamstring | questionable | Likely to play

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

The Texans listed eight players questionable after a week of limited practice. Fuller was close to returning last week and the additional week of full practice puts him further away from the risk of aggravation. He'll likely be on the active 53-man roster this week.

paul richardson | shoulder | questionable | game-time decision

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

Jay Gruden told reporters he wasn't "overly concerned" with the shoulder sprain Richardson suffered last week. But the downgrade to a DNP on Friday should raise some concern Richardson isn't as healthy as Gruden suggests. Although the local reports suggest Richardson will play, watch for late-breaking weekend news.

travis benjamin | foot | Questionable | Game-time decision

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

Chargers' beat writer Eric Williams tweeted Benjamin has "a lingering foot issue, but says if all goes well during pre-game warm-ups he will play on Sunday."

Sunday update: Benjamin's pregame workout reporteldy went better than expected. He may be active today.

devante parker | finger | questionable | game-time decision

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

Parker returned to full practices this week and reportedly had no issues catching the ball. The coaching staff may not be ready for Parker to return yet, however. The Dolphins routinely activate players they've listed questionable but there seems a little more caution from team observers than usual. Tentatively expect Parker to return but see a limited workload.

Others of note: Michael Thomas (illness), Jarvis Landry (knee), Quincy Enunwa (thumb), Sterling Shepard (back), Tyrell Williams (groin), Ted Ginn Jr (knee), Jermaine Kearse (abdomen), Terrelle Pryor (ankle), and Ryan Grant (chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Doug Baldwin (knee), Alshon Jeffery (shoulder), Marquise Goodwin (quad), and Curtis Samuel (illness) are doubtful to play or have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

vance mcdonald | foot | Questionable | Expected to play

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

McDonald fully practiced this week and is finally ready to return to game action. All three Pittsburgh tight ends are healthy now and likely to rotate.

Others of note: Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle) and Austin Hooper (knee) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Greg Olsen (foot) has 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.