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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

Josh Allen | Elbow | Questionable | inactive

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

The Bills have yet to commit to a Week 10 staring quarterback. Allen participated in individual reps all week and was able to do some work in full team drills by the end of the week. It's not clear whether Allen has regained enough strength in his sprained throwing elbow to return and Sean McDermott said Allen's status was a "medical decision." Allen hasn't played since Week 6 but his three-week layoff hasn't been long enough to assure full healing in his injured elbow ligament.

While it's clear the Bills have no viable backup with Derek Anderson still in the early stages of the return-to-play concussion protocol and Nathan Peterman continue to severely struggle, Allen is their quarterback of the future. Risking the health of his throwing arm seems short-sighted. There are local writers who believe the Bills are preparing to start Allen this week but I'm not convinced yet. I'll update further as weekend reports are released.

Saturday Update: Allen has been declared out. The Bills will start Matt Barkley with Peterman as the backup.

Others of note: Aaron Rodgers (knee) and Blake Bortles (shoulder) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report and will play without limitation. Ryan Tannehill (shoulder), Sam Darnold (foot), and Derek Anderson (concussion) are doubtful and will not play or have been declared out. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Leonard Fournette | Hamstring | Not Listed | active

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

It's likely the Jaguars targeted Week 10 for Fournette's return weeks ago. The successful week of full practices confirms the Jaguars' medical staff has no ongoing concerns with the health of Fournette's hamstring and Doug Marrone has said Fournette would be trusted with his pre-injury workload since Monday. This is consistent with how the Jaguars have previously handled Fournette's past recoveries from multiple-week soft tissue injuries. While there's no way to guarantee Fournette can avoid setbacks, the team will give him as many touches as the game script allows.

Sony Michel | Knee | Questionable | active

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

Michel looked likely to return last week but the Patriots kept him inactive. Local writers were relatively optimistic on Friday after three consecutive limited practices. None were willing to guarantee Michel's return to the lineup. Michel traveled to Tennessee with the team on Saturday. It's a very strong sign the Patriots plan to activate and use him on Sunday. The Patriots routinely rest players if they cannot handle their usual role -- e.g. Rob Gronkowski over the past two weeks -- and Michel would be no exception. Expect Michel to be active and capable of 10-15 touches if asked.

Sunday Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport are reporting Michel is likely to play.

Kerryon Johnson | Ankle | Questionable | active

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

The Lions are on the tightest teams in the league with injury information. Generally, players who manage a limited practice by the end of the week are likely to play even if listed questionable. It's not clear whether Johnson's current ankle injury is related to the rolled ankle he suffered earlier in the season. If it is, there's little reason for concern. If there's more to this injury, it's possible Johnson is closer to a game-time decision than suspected. Unless we hear otherwise, expect Johnson to be active and ready for his usual workload.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted Johnson is expected to play.

Chris Carson | Hip | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Carson convinced the medical staff and coaches he was ready to play last week after limited practice time -- then managed just ten first half snaps before the team shut him down. This week, Pete Carroll has been even less optimistic about Carson's health than last week. According to one reporter, Carroll shruggingly called Carson a game-time decision after not practicing at all. The Seahawks listed Carson questionable but he's doubtful at best to go.

Sunday Update: A late morning report from Adam Schefter notes Seattle will ask Carson to go through pre-game warmups but he is not expected to play.

Giovani Bernard | Knee | Questionable | Limited if active

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

The Bengals ruled six players out and listed one doubtful, essentially confirming the seven who will be listed inactive on Sunday. So, Bernard will be on the active roster. Marvin Lewis told reporters Bernard had a good week of practice, including a robust Monday workout coming out of last week's bye. However, none of this means Bernard is ready for more than a very limited workload. Expect Bernard to see a handful of snaps as he reconditions but his ceiling is likely 5-8 touches.

Chris Ivory | Shoulder | Questionable | inactive

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

Ivory was evaluated for internal injuries after a hard hit on Sunday but thankfully only suffered a shoulder sprain. The Bills allowed Ivory to participate in individual drills by the end of the week but kept him in a non-contact jersey through Friday. Though listed questionable and possibly able to play, it looks more likely Ivory will need another week to recover.

Others of note: Adrian Peterson (ankle / shoulder), Marlon Mack (foot), Isaiah Crowell (ankle), Elijah McGuire (foot), Peyton Barber (ankle), Kenyan Drake (shoulder), Doug Martin (hip), Corey Clement (illness), LeGarrette Blount (knee), and Kapri Bibbs (shoulder) have fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Darren Sproles (hamstring), Chris Thompson (rib), and Ronald Jones II II (hamstring) have been declared out. I'll update return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Sammy Watkins | Foot | Questionable | inactive

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

Kansas City did not update Watkins' status after an unexpected Friday limited practice. Earlier in the week, Ian Rapoport described Watkins' foot injury as minor, but hinted the Chiefs were likely to rest Watkins to ensure his health for the remainder of the season. Watkins is likely closer to doubtful than questionable.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport continues to report Watkins as unlikely to play. On Sunday morning, Rapoport tweeted Watkins' absence is considered "mostly a precaution and Watkins should be fine next week."

Randall Cobb | Hamstring | Questionable | game-time decision

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

Cobb may have suffered a setback with his ongoing and troublesome hamstring strain this week. The Packers wouldn't confirm a re-injury but Cobb was unable to return to a full practice by the end of the week. Last week, with Geronimo Allison out, both Cobb and Marquez Valdes-Scantling played over 75% of Green Bay's offensive snaps. It's possible Equanimeous St. Brown sees a larger role this week if the Packers need to limit Cobb's snaps.

Ryan Grant | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Grant should return from a month-long absence with a high ankle sprain. He's listed questionable but increased to a full practice on Friday and every local writer expects him to return. The full practice suggests he'll get a chance to return to his pre-injury workload.

Others of note: Tyreek Hill (groin), Mike Evans (knee), Julian Edelman (ankle), Cordarrelle Patterson (neck), Doug Baldwin (groin), Jarvis Landry (wrist), DeVante Parker (knee), Quincy Enunwa (ankle), Taylor Gabriel (knee), Allen Robinson (groin), Kelvin Benjamin (knee), and Mohamed Sanu (hip) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. A.J. Green (toe), Robby Anderson (ankle), Pierre Garcon (knee), Jamison Crowder (ankle), Tavon Austin (groin), and Torrey Smith (knee) 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 | back / ankle | Questionable | Inactive

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

The Patriots ruled Gronkowski out on Saturday. He'll continue to rehab through New England's Week 11 bye.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport suggested the Patriots would rule Gronkowski out. More correctly, Rapoport's sources suggested this but the Patriots did not make it official on Saturday and Gronkowski traveled with New England to Tennessee. He's still doubtful to play but this has become interesting -- particularly for Rapoport, who missed on a report on potential discipline for Josh Gordon recently and who's sources should be no longer be considered trustworthy if Gronkowski is active and plays.

Sunday Update: Gronkowski is inactive.

David Njoku | Knee / Ribs | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Njoku has been playing through a knee injury for weeks. The Browns have limited his practice participation but removed him from the game status report. This week, Njoku is also dealing with a rib condition and he's listed questionable. Reporting around the team has been much different with Gregg Williams as head coach rather than the leaking sieve that was Hue Jackson. Williams surprisingly inactivated Damarious Randall last week, so Njoku's status should be considered in question until we see him on the active roster. Expect Njoku to be available for his usual workload but check the inactives before finalizing your lineup.

Geoff Swaim | Knee | Questionable | Limited if active

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

The Cowboys have declared seven players out -- their inactive list is set. Swaim was able to participate in both Thursday and Friday practices and will be active. He's not likely to see many snaps, however, and will be limited at best.

Others of note: George Kittle (chest), Jimmy Graham (knee), Jordan Reed (back), and Ryan Griffin (illness) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Erik Swoope (knee) and Charles Clay (hamstring) 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.