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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 | expected to Play

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

Last week's performance provided a strong baseline for what to expect from Rodgers and the Packers' offense as he continues to recover from his left knee injury. After looking tentative in the first quarter, Rodgers grew progressively more comfortable and mobile in the pocket. The Packers also made a concerted effort to protect Rodgers with formations, routes, and protections. Most importantly, although Rodgers has acknowledged he's still nervous about aggravating his injury, he finished last week's game with only expected post-game soreness and his rehab, preparation, and practice participation was the same this week as last.

The blueprint for the Green Bay offense should be similar on the road against Washington this week. While only a slim chance at his usual ceiling expectation, Rodgers should again be effective with a modified approach and game plan.

Carson wentz | knee | not listed | expected to Play

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

Wentz practiced fully and is back this week. The Eagles have been monitoring Wentz's movement in practice for weeks and it's notable that Doug Pederson named Wentz the starter before he had been cleared for a practice with contact. While his rehab has gone smoothly, Wentz is likely not in pre-injury form. Pederson told reporters the Eagles would max protect -- which will be even more necessary with Jason Peters still fighting a quad strain that limited him last week -- and you can expect the offensive game plan to be structured such that Wentz will not be asked to leave the pocket on designed plays. The team has been adamant they wouldn't clear Wentz until he was without any limitations but it would be shocking to see him match his 2017 average of between four and six rush attempts per game on Sunday.

All reports on Wentz's arm strength and accuracy have been positive, however, and it's likely Wentz can be effective and productive as a pocket passer. Unfortunately, the running back and wide receiver depth charts are decimated right now with Darren Sproles, Jay Ajayi, and Alshon Jeffery likely out this week and Corey Clement questionable. If Clement is not available, the Eagles will line up with Josh Adams, Wendell Smallwood, Nelson Agholor, and a host of replacement level receivers. If the team does plan to max protect, it may have a tough decision as tight ends Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert will be needed every bit as much as targets as blockers.

Expect Wentz to have some struggles this week but he should improve as the season progresses.

Marcus mariota | elbow | questionable | likely active as backup

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

Although Mariota threw more in practice this week and took the bulk of first-team reps in a limited Thursday practice, Mike Vrabel told reporters Mariota's condition had made only "a little bit of improvement" since last week. That's not surprising, unfortunately. Nerve injuries heal at a deliberate pace and rehab will not accelerate the process. Grip strength has continued to be a problem for Mariota, limiting his accuracy and feel. There's also a risk of aggravation and further delayed recovery should Mariota take another hit to the same area.

Vrabel wouldn't commit to a starting quarterback on Friday, saying it would "take the next 24 hours to make a decision." That sounds hopeful at best. Since the Titans chose to bench a not-yet-fully-recovered Mariota in favor of Gabbert in Week 2, it seems likely Mariota will continue to rest until his grip strength returns.

Sunday Update: Overnight reports are that Gabbert will start today. While the Titans remain hopeful for progress and are likely to have Mariota active as a backup, he's not yet ready to play.

Others of note: Russell Wilson (hamstring), Ryan Fitzpatrick (knee), Ryan Tannehill (knee, ankle), and Case Keenum (knee) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report and will play without limitation. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Leonard Fournette | hamstring | questionable | likely inactive

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

The Jaguars list Fournette questionable after a week of limited practice. On Friday, Doug Marrone wouldn't commit to Fournette playing. However, reports have been optimistic. Fournette officially did not practice last week but was cleared to aggressively rehab by Friday. After a week of consecutive drills and practice, Fournette would seemingly be on the probable side of questionable. It's not clear how the Jaguars will divide touches in the backfield. Last year, Fournette was not eased back after injury. This year, with T.J. Yeldon also working through injury, it's likely Fournette would again be capable of seeing 15+ touches in his first week back. I'll have updates on Fournette's expectation after the overnight Adam Schefter / Ian Rapoport tweet storm.

Sunday Update: There are mixed reports on Fournette this morning. Adam Schefter tweeted Fournette is likely to play. Ian Rapoport later tweeted Fournette "has an uphill battle to play" and "will have to prove a lot pregame to get on the field." If Rapoport's source is accurate, expect Fournette to be inactive. In two seasons, the Jaguars have yet to put Fournette on the active roster unless he's healthy enough for close to a full workload.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter now reporting Fournette is not expected to play as the Jaguars continue to "play it safe."

Corey clement | quad | questionable | likely to play

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

Clement was added to the injury report on Friday afternoon. He left without talking to reporters and the team did not provide any additional updates about his condition. Beat writers weren't confident about Clement's Sunday availability. Les Bowen wrote "indications are Clement intends to play." Doug Pederson suggested the team preferred not to overuse Clement on offense, noting his importance on special teams. However, with Darren Sproles and Jay Ajayi out, Clement should be in line for 12-15+ touches if active. The Eagles made no roster moves on Saturday, which would suggest Clement will play. Watch pregame reports to be certain there are no concerns with Clement.

Sunday Update: According to a source, Clement "should be fine" per Ian Rapoport overnight.

T.J. yeldon | ankle | questionable | Likely to Play

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

Yeldon was added to last week's injury report on Friday with an ankle injury. He was able to take the majority of the team's running back snaps in Week 2 but Corey Grant had a larger role than many expected. Yeldon did not participate in drills that involved cutting late in the week after a missed practice on Wednesday. Leonard Fournette is considered a game-time decision but tentatively expected to play. There is not a clear path to a large workload for Yeldon and if Fournette is cleared for his usual duty, it's possible Yeldon may be inactive. We'll know more overnight.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport was told Yeldon would be fine and is expected to play today. As noted above, Fournette's status is much more tenuous. If the Jaguars have Yeldon active and Fournette out, expect a similar distribution of touches this week and it's possible the snaps skew further in Grant's favor.

LeSean mccoy | ribs | questionable | game-time decision

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

McCoy has a painful rib cartilage injury. However, he tends to play through pain and has been effective with soft-tissue strains and rib injuries in the past. While there's no guarantee he'll play, he did travel with the team to Minnesota. McCoy will go through pregame warmups but is likely to play. The matchup against the Vikings' front seven is difficult and McCoy has only been playing 50% of his team's offensive snaps. It's a situation to avoid even if McCoy is active.

Sunday Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport tweeted McCoy wants to play but will likely be inactive as he's continuing to deal with significant pain.

spencer ware | knee | questionable | Awaiting information

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

Ware was added to the injury report Friday with a knee injury and listed questionable. There have been no actionable reports. It's not known how Ware suffered the injury, if it's maintenance or related to last season's knee surgery, or whether Ware's availability is in question.

Others of note: Melvin Gordon (neck), Alex Collins (illness), Kenyan Drake (abdomen), Sony Michel (knee), Marshawn Lynch (shoulder), Derrick Henry (back), and Giovani Bernard (knee) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Dalvin Cook (hamstring), Devonta Freeman (knee), Joe Mixon (knee), Jay Ajayi (back), Darren Sproles (hamstring), and Marlon Mack (foot, hamstring) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Julio Jones | calf | Not Listed | Expected to play

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

Jones told reporters the team was being cautious with his practice time early in the week, noting that the calf injury was little more than tightness. Dan Quinn said Jones was running routes at full speed on Friday. It would have been most reassuring had Jones been listed as a full Friday participant. But when the team takes Jones off the game status report, it has always been a sign they're planning to use him without limitation.

DeAndre Hopkins | Thumb / ankle | Not Listed | Expected to play

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

Hopkins was on the injury report with a foot injury last week and listed questionable after a week of limited practice. This week, Hopkins was listed with thumb and ankle injuries. After a full week of limited practices, the Texans did not include Hopkins on the game status report. Hopkins played every snap in Week 2 and should be in line to do the same this week.

t.y. hilton | quad | not listed | expected to play

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

Hilton told reporters he would be fine early in the week but two consecutive missed practices were worrisome. Fortunately, not only did Hilton fully practice on Friday he was not included on the game status report. An established veteran who doesn't need to practice to play effectively with Andrew Luck, Hilton is set for his usual workload this week.

larry fitzgerald | hamstring | questionable | expected to play

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

Fitzgerald nursed himself through a hamstring strain last week and his availability this week was never in doubt. His hamstring responded well to Thursday's limited practice and Steve Wilks told reporters Fitzgerald would play despite being listed questionable. Watch for any overnight or pregame reports of concern.

Marvin Jones | ankle | questionable | game-time decision

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

Jones is yet another in a long list of players added to the injury report as questionable after a limited Friday practice. It's a knee injury for Jones and, like the other late additions, nothing more about his status is known. I'll update with any actionable reports overnight.

Sunday Update: First report on Jones' injury comes mid-morning from Ian Rapoport, who tweeted "optimism" Jones plays tonight but he will be "monitored throughout the day."

marquise goodwin | quad | questionable | game-time decision

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

Goodwin was unable to play through his thigh bruise last week and is considered a game-time decision this week. Goodwin was adamant he was healthy enough to practice this week but Kyle Shanahan wouldn't commit to Goodwin playing on Sunday. Officially, Shanahan told reporters Goodwin would be monitored up to game time. That's an indication Goodwin isn't yet fully recovered and may be limited by his injury if active.

alshon jeffery | shoulder | questionable | Likely inactive

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

Doug Pederson said Jeffery had not been cleared for contact early this week and wouldn't commit to any kind of timetable for his wide receiver's return. It's surprising, then, to see Jeffery listed questionable on this week's game status report. It suggests the Eagles -- possibly because of the glut of other running back and wide receiver injuries -- may be considering clearing Jeffery for a limited role this week. Still, it's more likely Jeffery will return next week.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reports Jeffery is not expected to play today.

Josh Gordon | hamstring | questionable | limited role if active

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

Gordon's hamstring was healthy enough to allow him a full week of limited practice typical of the New England injury report. Jeff Howe tweeted he was told the Patriots wanted to prepare Gordon to dress and participate in this week's game. Both Tom Brady and Bill Belichick were asked about the team's addition of Gordon this week but neither addressed whether Gordon would play. If active, expect Gordon to be a limited part of the team's game plan.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Gordon is "no sure thing to play" tonight but the team won't know for sure until pregame warmups.

*chris godwin | toe | Not Listed | expected to play

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

Godwin was limited in practice earlier in the week but there were reports he was moving well in practice. He was upgraded to a full Saturday practice, not included on the game status report, and is expected to play Monday night.

cole beasley | ankle | questionable | Expected to play

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

Beasley was added to the injury report on Thursday with an ankle injury but returned to another limited practice on Friday. On Friday, Stephen Jones told a radio host Beasley would play.

travis benjamin | foot | questionable | game-time decision

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

Benjamin was reportedly close to playing last week but held out after pregame warmups. The Thursday missed practice can be read two ways. Either Benjamin required additional treatment after the early week practice or the team felt good about his availability and chose to limit his reps to minimize the risk of aggravation. We'll know more overnight, but I'd tentatively lean toward Benjamin not playing again this week.

paul richardson | shoulder / knee | questionable | Likely to play

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

Richardson played 68 of 72 snaps last week despite missing Friday's practice. After an early week MRI didn't reveal anything significant enough to hold him out of practice, it's likely Richardson will be active again in Week 3.

Others of note: Ted Ginn Jr (knee), Kelvin Benjamin (hip), Christian Kirk (back), and DeVante Parker (finger) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Doug Baldwin (knee) 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

Rob Gronkowski | Ankle | not listed | expected to play

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

Gronkowski was limited Thursday with an ankle injury. In what is a best-case injury report scenario in New England, Gronkowski fully practiced Friday and was not included on the game status report. Beat writers also suggested Gronkowski's ankle condition was not a concern. He can be expected to see his usual workload this week.

Others of note: Evan Engram (ankle), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (core muscle), Tyler Eifert (back), Ryan Griffin (hip), and Luke Stocker (calf) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Greg Olsen (foot) and Jack Doyle (hip) 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.