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UNDERSTANDING THE NFL'S INJURY REPORT

The injury report released by the NFL is 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:

Fast Track News and Notes

Scroll down for full details, extensive updates, and the complete table of projected availability. Here are the most important notes for this week's games:

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• Patrick Mahomes II
• James Conner

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• Davante Adams (possibly limited role)
• DeSean Jackson (likely limited role)

Game-time Decisions

• Adam Thielen (cold weather concern)

QUARTERBACK

Patrick Mahomes II | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

The Chiefs continue to list Mahomes as questionable, seemingly leaving open the possibility he will return to play.

While his MRI studies may have been a best-case scenario, he may have variations in his knee anatomy that allow for a less severe injury and quicker recovery, and he may have already been cleared for physical activity, Mahomes is still less than three weeks from dislocating his kneecap. There will always be outliers -- see also Adrian Peterson and his blindly quick and successful recovery from ACL reconstruction -- but returning to play three weeks after a dislocated kneecap is a risk the Chiefs will not take.

It's likely the decision to rest Mahomes until next week -- and possibly longer -- was made easier by the absence of two key offensive line pieces. The Chiefs will have Andrew Wylie back this week but Eric Fisher is still not ready after an early-season core abdominal muscle repair and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is out with an ankle injury.

A Week 10 return is possible but will depend on whether Mahomes has game-ready strength and stability in the knee. It may also depend on the status of the Kansas City offensive line.

Saturday Update: The Chiefs activated Chad Henne from injured reserve, giving them two experienced options for the active roster this week. Kansas City did not formally rule Mahomes out, but it's another strong indication he won't play.

Sunday Update: On Saturday night, Ed Werder reported "sources tell me there's a chance Patrick Mahomes II will play." There were no additional confirmations overnight and both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport believe the Chiefs will rest Mahomes again this week.

Others of note: DeShaun Watson (eye), Aaron Rodgers (knee), Russell Wilson (knee), Tom Brady (shoulder), Matthew Stafford (hip), Gardner Minshew (shoulder), and Sam Darnold (thumb) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Cam Newton (foot) and Case Keenum (concussion) have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

James Conner | Shoulder | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

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

Prior to this season, Pittsburgh players who did not practice through the week did not play. This season, multiple Steelers have missed early-week practices and still played effectively on game day. However, those players -- including Conner -- spoke to the press, were optimistic about their availability, and were frequently not listed on the injury report at week's end. In contrast, Conner was not available for practice or media sessions and is listed doubtful.

It will be shocking if he plays this week.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reports Conner will not play against Indianapolis today and may not be ready next week either.

James White | Toe | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

White was added to the injury report with a toe injury on Friday. It's difficult to read the Patriots' plans with a week of information to parse. It's even more difficult with a Friday status change. White traveled with New England to Baltimore on Saturday. While that suggests he'll play, watch for overnight and Sunday morning news on White.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport says White's injury "was described as very minor." The implication is that White will play but Rapoport didn't specifically include a comment about playing status.

Others of note: Christian McCaffrey (knee), Aaron Jones (shoulder), Josh Jacobs (shoulder), Jaylen Samuels (knee), Phillip Lindsay (wrist), Adrian Peterson (ankle), Miles Sanders (shoulder), and Darren Sproles (quad) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Benny Snell (knee) is doubtful or has been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

WIDE RECEIVER

Davante Adams | Toe | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

The consensus among those following the Packers is that Adams will return to play. But Matt LaFleur would not address Adams' status in his Friday press conference saying only, "Everybody will know 90 minutes before kickoff."

Video of Adams leapfrogging staff members late in the week bodes well for his comfort level in new shoes and a supportive orthopedic insert. The full week of limited practice without observed setbacks is also reassuring.

If Adams is active, it's not clear whether the Packers will allow him to run enough routes to see more than a limited workload. The optimistic take would argue the Packers are generally conservative and would not activate Adams after a multiple week absence if he wasn't ready and the Green Bay offense could clearly use a more consistent outside receiving option. The pessimistic take would argue Adams has had only one limited week of practice, has not proven himself in football condition, and remains at risk of aggravation.

I lean slightly toward the pessimistic side here and expect the Packers to limit Adams' snaps and routes. I'll update with overnight news.

Adam Thielen | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Vikings were optimistic last week that Thielen would be able to play this week. The optimism from the team and the local writers waned about as the week progressed. On Friday, Mike Zimmer told reporters he was concerned about how Thielen would respond to colder temperatures at game time and said the team would re-evaluate Thielen after warmups.

If Thielen is active, there will be a risk of aggravation but a strong chance he'll see his typical workload.

Sunday Update: Both Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport believe Thielen will play after a pregame workout.

Julian Edelman | Chest / Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Patriots continue to list Edelman questionable after limited practice time. And Edelman continues to play nearly every offensive snap. Expect the trend to continue.

Dede Westbrook | Neck / Shoulder | Questionable | Inactive

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

Westbrook managed his usual workload two weeks ago after missing practice time with a shoulder. Westbrook saw even fewer practice reps as Week 8 approached and unfortunately was unable to finish last week's game. Again listed questionable after a limited week of practice, it's unclear whether Westbrook is closer to doubtful than questionable.

The Jaguars promoted a wide receiver from the practice squad on Saturday. That's usually a poor prognostic sign for the availability of a team's game-time decision. However, D.J. Chark missed practice time this week (he's expected to play) and Marqise Lee was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Lean toward Westbrook resting this week but I'll update with overnight news.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport is reporting Westbrook is unlikely to play today.

Sunday Update: Westbrook is inactive.

Marquise Brown | Ankle | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Brown returned to practice on Wednesday, which John Harbaugh has repeatedly said was a prerequisite to Brown returning to play. The Friday DNP is notable. However, Brown has been active and productive in weeks in which the team elected to rest him on Friday. And Harbaugh told reporters Brown would play.

Watch for any updates through the release of inactives but expect Brown to play a limited 15-20 snap role.

DeSean Jackson | Abdomen | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Doug Pederson told reporters Jackson had a "great week of practice" and was optimistic Jackson would return this week. Jackson said he expected to play but didn't sound certain about his fitness saying, "I'm just making the movements and adjusting, trying to get back in the flow of things."

Jackson is likely more probable than questionable but he's unlikely to see his pre-injury snap count or number of routes. The Eagles may also decide to keep Jackson inactive and continue to recondition him through their Week 10 bye.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reports Jackson is expected to play but did not provide an opinion on his potential usage.

Curtis Samuel | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Ron Rivera told reporters Samuel's missed practice time was "precautionary" and the Panthers expect him to play.

Demaryius Thomas | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Jets list Thomas questionable this week. That's a downgrade from the past two weeks when he's been off the game status report. There are no indications Thomas won't be able to play but the questionable designation suggests he may not be as healthy as previous weeks.

Others of note: Odell Beckham (groin), DeAndre Hopkins (thumb), Amari Cooper (ankle), Michael Gallup (knee), D.J. Chark (quadricep), Keenan Allen (hamstring), Tyrell Williams (foot), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (ankle/knee), Sterling Shepard (concussion), Jamison Crowder (knee), Kenny Stills (hamstring), and Jarvis Landry (shoulder) are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. T.Y. Hilton (calf) and Will Fuller (hamstring) are doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

TIGHT END

Chris Herndon | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Inactive

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

Herndon is still not recovered from a hamstring strain he suffered while under suspension. No local beat writer believes Herndon will play and Adam Gase did not sound optimistic about Herndon's readiness earlier this week. Expect him to be inactive again.

Cameron Brate | Ribs | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Brate increased practice participation throughout the week and fully practiced Friday. He's more probable than questionable and is expected to play.

Others of note: Jimmy Graham (ankle), Eric Ebron (ankle), and Trey Burton (groin) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Delanie Walker (ankle), O.J. Howard (hamstring), Vernon Davis (concussion), Jeff Heuerman (knee), and Robert Tonyan Jr (hip) are listed doubtful or have been declared out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

Practice Participation, Game Status Report, and Playing Expectations

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