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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
^ = playing on Tuesday 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 High Impact News and Notes

Please scroll down for full details, extensive updates, and the complete table of projected availability.

Game-time Decision

• QB Teddy Bridgewater - Active

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• WR Calvin Ridley
• QB Matthew Stafford
• QB Drew Lock
• WR Allen Lazard
• TE Noah Fant

COVID reserve

• WR Brandon Aiyuk (bye week)

Activated from Injured Reserve

• WR Allen Lazard -- Questionable
• QB Andy Dalton (COVID) -- Expected to play
• RB Sony Michel -- Inactive

Ruled Out

• RB Christian McCaffrey
• QB Drew Brees
• WR Kenny Golladay
• RB Joe Mixon
• RB DAndre Swift
• WR Sammy Watkins
• WR Danny Amendola
• WR Laviska Shenault
• WR Adam Humphries

QUARTERBACK

Matthew Stafford | Shoulder / Ribs | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Stafford returned to play through what was later reported to be a partially torn ligament in his throwing thumb. After a brief period of concern after Wednesday's missed practice, Stafford was able to throw on Thursday and Friday.

Quarterback coach Sean Ryan told reporters Stafford did "everything we've asked him to do this week." The Lions don't believe Stafford has been impaired by the thumb and expect him to play. Stafford was 14 of 17 in the second half last week and did not appear to be affected significantly. He'll be without Kenny Golladay, DAndre Swift, and Danny Amendola this week.

Teddy Bridgewater | Knee | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Bridgewater has been limited in practice all week with a knee sprain. An MRI showed a low-grade injury but Bridgewater has reportedly been stiff throughout the week. Matt Rhule said he felt better about Bridgewater's chances of playing on Friday than he did earlier in the week but continues to say Bridgewater will have to prove he's mobile enough to protect himself in the pocket. It's doubtful Bridgewater will clear that hurdle in time to play this week.

The Panthers will conduct a walkthrough on Saturday and make a final decision.

Sunday Update: Bridgewater continues to push to play and reportedly made progress Saturday. He's still to the doubtful side of questionable but the Panthers will continue their evaluation until game time.

Sunday Update: Bridgewater convinced the Panthers he was healthy enough to dress and is on the active roster. Local reporters are not convinced he'll play or finish the game.

Sunday Update: Jay Glazer is reporting Bridgewater will not play. The Panthers have all three quarterbacks active. Glazer is suggesting it would take a catastrophe of multiple injuries for Bridgewater to see time.

Drew Lock | Ribs | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Broncos did not rule Lock out on Friday and he appears to be trending toward playing.

Last week, Lock did not look comfortable throwing through what's been described as rib contusions and a strained oblique muscle. It's a difficult combination to manage without aggravation and changes in throwing accuracy. Jerry Jeudy told reporters Lock "looked fine to me" after Friday's practice. While reassuring, individual drills are much less stressful than a full-speed, changing throwing pocket -- especially against an ascending defense like the Dolphins.

Vic Fangio said a Saturday morning walkthrough would help the team decide whether Lock would be cleared to play. The late-week trend suggests the Broncos will clear Lock to play.

Saturday Update: Lock performed well in the morning walkthrough. Mike Klis is reporting Lock will start.

Others of note: Tua Tagovailoa (foot) and Andy Dalton (concussion) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Drew Brees (shoulder/ribs) has been ruled out and will not play. Return to play expectations on all inactive and injured players will be updated in Monday's column.

RUNNING BACK

Alvin Kamara | Foot | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Kamara's missed Thursday practice raised suspicion that a nagging foot injury was bothering him more than in previous weeks. Kamara told reporters he was fine in a media session, however, and returned to a full Friday practice. He's not listed on the game status report and should see a heavy workload again this week.

Damien Harris | Ankle / Chest | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

The Patriots continue to list Harris questionable. There continues to be no concern about his playing status. Expect him to continue to see his usual 25-30 snap and 15-20 touch usage this week.

Others of note: Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring), Mike Davis (thumb), James Robinson (shoulder), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), Darrel Williams (illness), and Matt Breida (hamstring) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Christian McCaffrey (shoulder), Joe Mixon (foot), and DAndre Swift (concussion) have been ruled 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 | Ankle | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Adams was not listed on the Packers' game status report after Matt LaFleur said Adams had "made good progress and should be good to go."

The Green Bay medical staff is unlikely to clear players with any significant risk of aggravation and Adams was effective after returning to play last week. Expect him to see his usual workload and target count.

Allen Lazard | Core | Questionable | Game-time Decision

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

Lazard was moved to the active roster -- a necessary formality as the three-week practice exemption was to expire -- early this week and remained limited in practice. Lazard was reportedly limited by soreness after core abdominal surgery last week and the Packers slowed his rehab and reconditioning down.

Though Lazard returned to individual drills this week, the always conservative Green Bay medical staff may ask for one more week to recondition before clearing him to play. Matt LaFleur said Lazard was "making progress" but wouldn't commit to him playing, saying the team would "figure it out" on Sunday morning.

If active, expect Lazard to see time in limited packages only.

Sunday Update: Ian Rapoport tweets Lazard will play in a limited role.

Calvin Ridley | Foot | Not Listed | Expected to Play

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

Ridley was limited in practice all week and is not listed on the game status report. He's expected to play.

However, while I strongly believe practice and workout video can be confusing and an easily taken out of context data point, the limited video from this week's individual drills posted by beat writers this week strongly suggests Ridley is not full strength. Falcons' head coach Raheem Morris seemed less optimistic on Friday. Prior to Atlanta's bye, Morris sounded like the Falcons had to hold Ridley back from playing. On Friday, Morris told reporters Ridley was "moving around a little better than he was" last week.

Midfoot sprains -- see also Joe Mixon and Chris Carson this month -- are tricky recoveries. It's a small and complicated joint complex that often bears the full weight of a player. I may be over-reading the true level of concern on Ridley and I'm not advocating keeping him out of your lineup in favor of a clearly lesser option. But there's reason to be concerned he'll not be productive at game speed.

Sammy Watkins | Hamstring / Calf | Questionable | Inactive

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

Local observers have been consistently optimistic about Watkins returning to play this week after missing four games and five weeks with a hamstring strain. It's reasonable to argue Watkins showed the team he was full strength during Wednesday's practice and then was managed through the rest of the week. And the Chiefs will liberally list players questionable when they have little concern about their game day availability.

But the back-to-back limited practices to end the week and the questionable tag suggest Watkins may be cleared to play but not yet ready for a healthy workload.

Saturday Update: Unfortunately, there was more to Watkins' questionable tag. The combination of a resolving hamstring and new calf injury was too much to overcome. Watkins has been ruled out.

Others of note: Chris Godwin (finger), A.J. Brown (knee), Marvin Jones (knee), Jerry Jeudy (ankle), Jarvis Landry (hip), Tee Higgins (illness), and Breshad Perriman (shoulder) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kenny Golladay (toe), Danny Amendola (hip), Laviska Shenault (hamstring), and Adam Humphries (concussion) 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

Noah Fant | Ribs | Questionable | Expected to Play

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

Fant is dealing with a rib injury but returned to a full practice on Friday. Vic Fangio is "confident" Fant will play. Expect him to see his usual workload. A limited Drew Lock could affect Fant's upside.

Jack Doyle | Concussion | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

Doyle had not been evaluated and cleared by an independent neurologist before the Colts published their game status report but consecutive full practices suggest that's a formality. Expect Doyle to return this week.

Irv Smith | Groin | Questionable | Likely to Play

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

The Vikings did not discuss Smith's availability or condition this week. The limited practices are reassuring but not a definitive indication he's ready to return. Unfortunately, the Minnesota-Dallas game is a late afternoon start. Don't expect to learn Smith's status until inactives are released.

Sunday Update: Adam Schefter reports Smith is expected to play.

***Zach Ertz was designated to return to practice but is unlikely to be activated. I'll update with expectations if the Eagles add him to the active roster on Saturday.

Others of note: Darren Waller (back), T.J. Hockenson (toe), Robert Tonyan Jr (ankle), and Marcedes Lewis (knee) practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to 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.
^Note: Tuesday night players with carat practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.