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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:

Current Status on High Impact Injured Players

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:

Game-time Decision

• TE Darren Waller
• *WR TreQuan Smith (currently injured reserve)

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• WR Sterling Shepard
• WR DeVante Parker

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• WR Tyreek Hill
• RB Antonio Gibson
• *RB Alex Collins
• WR Allen Robinson
• WR Julio Jones
• RB Damien Williams
• WR Darius Slayton
• TE Evan Engram
• RB Sony Michel

Expected to return from injured reserve

• *RB Rashaad Penny
• RB JaMycal Hasty - activated Saturday

Ruled Out

• RB Saquon Barkley
• WR Antonio Brown
• TE Rob Gronkowski
• WR Curtis Samuel
• RB Latavius Murray
• WR Kenny Golladay
• WR Kadarius Toney
• WR T.Y. Hilton
• WR Sammy Watkins
• QB Taysom Hill

COVID-reserve

• TE Jimmy Graham

QUARTERBACK

Jimmy Garoppolo | Calf | Not listed | Expected to play

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

Garoppolo finished practice without difficulty and is cleared to return. He will start and should not have any significant limitations.

Others of note: Tom Brady (thumb), Joe Burrow (throat), Derek Carr (finger), and Tua Tagovailoa (ribs) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Trey Lance (knee) and Taysom Hill (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

Antonio Gibson | Shin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Gibson continues to play through a painful stress reaction in his shin bone. Through the first five weeks of the season, Gibson consistently played 55-65% of Washington's offensive snaps and managed 15 touches in four of those five weeks. Last week, Gibson struggled more than he had all year, leaving the game multiple times and handling only 12 touches.

Washington sent Gibson for an MRI on Monday and was reassured Gibson could continue to play. Gibson told reporters he's confident he can play and that last week's missed snaps were related to pain rather than limited function. This week's practice participation looks similar to Gibson's practice lines in previous weeks and he's expected to play.

Gibson's usage is difficult to project. He likely expects to see the 15-20 touch standard he set earlier in the season. Whether Ron Rivera and Washington will be comfortable with returning Gibson to that usage will depend on how Gibson manages the pain in his early series. Anticipate 10-15 touches at minimum. If Gibson struggles again this week, his season may be in jeopardy.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter and ESPN report that Gibson may be dealing with two separate shin injuries. Schefter reports the stress fracture that has limited Gibson thus far is showing improvement. However, a "shin-area bruise" won't prevent him from playing but is "still a factor."

DAndre Swift | Groin | Questionable | Expected to play

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

In previous weeks, the Lions were careful with Swift's midweek practice reps but show no concern about his condition on game day. On Friday, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn told reporters the team won't "put as much on the plate" of players who don't fully practice "regardless of who they are."

Swift was less effective running the ball last week -- 13 carries for 24 yards. Swift had played at least 50 snaps in each of the past three weeks and become the clear lead back in the committee with Jamaal Williams. There's no change in Swift's injury status but Lynn's comments about limited practice leave open the possibility of fewer touches this week.

Damien Williams | COVID+ | Activated from COVID-reserve

Saturday update: Williams was activated from COVID-reserve and is traveling with the team to Tampa Bay. He is likely to have a limited role.

*Alex Collins | Groin | Questionable | Likely to play

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

*Rashaad Penny | Calf | Designated to return | Expected to play

Pete Carroll told reporters Collins is dealing with "wear-and-tear" in his hip and gluteus muscle. The Seahawks officially list Collins with a groin condition. The Thursday and Friday DNPs have pushed Collins to the doubtful side of questionable. Saturday practice participation will confirm whether Collins will be available to play.

Penny will be added to the active roster prior to Monday night's game and is expected to play. If Collins is unavailable, Penny could immediately see 10+ touches alongside DeeJay Dallas.

Saturday update: Carroll said Collins would be "part of the rotation" Monday night after he participated in a limited Saturday workout.

Sony Michel | Shoulder | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Michel was in a no-contact jersey in practice and is listed questionable. However, Sean McVay has consistently told reporters Michel would be available to play this week. Expect him to continue in his limited role behind Darrell Henderson.

JaMycal Hasty | Ankle | Added to active roster | Expected to play

Kyle Shanahan told reporters Hasty will be added to the active roster and return to play after an early-season high ankle sprain. There are already indications he could be higher on the depth chart than Trey Sermon and immediately slot into a supporting role behind Elijah Mitchell.

Others of note: Chase Edmonds (shoulder), Khalil Herbert (shoulder), Malcolm Brown (ribs), and Giovani Bernard (knee, chest) have practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), Saquon Barkley (ankle), Latavius Murray (ankle), and Jordan Wilkins (illness) 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.

WIDE RECEIVER

Tyreek Hill | Quad | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Hill has battled a quad contusion for weeks. Last week, Hill's snap count dropped below 70% for the first time all season. The decreased playing time didn't affect Hill's targets (12) or production (nine catches, 76 yards, and a touchdown).

The Chiefs were more aggressive in limiting Hill's practice reps this week but Andy Reid told reporters Hill would "be fine" to play. Expect Hill to see a similar workload to last week and 7-10 targets.

Julio Jones | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely to play

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

Jones returned to play limited snaps last week after missing the previous two games with recurring hamstring issues. He told reporters he felt "great" after Friday's practice and was excited to play Sunday. The trend toward playing is reassuring but Jones has seen 23 targets over four games and has not been fully healthy since straining a hamstring in training camp. Don't expect more than 5-7 targets until he's off the injury report and fully practicing.

Allen Robinson | Ankle | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Robinson barely practiced last week with an ankle condition and played his usual 90+%. Unfortunately, issues with the Chicago passing offense have affected Robinson's talent despite the relatively minor injury. The offense will again be a more important limiting factor than his injury this week.

Sterling Shepard | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Darius Slayton | Hamstring | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Shepard was added back to the Giants' injury report on Thursday. After Joe Judge hinted Shepard may have suffered a setback during practice, Shepard was participating in individual drills on Friday. Judge then said Shepard was experiencing typical "nicks and bumps." For now, Shepard looks to be trending towards playing and likely seeing close to his usual snap count. I'll update with overnight news.

Slayton may have been close to playing last week but the Giants kept him inactive. With uncertainty throughout the depth chart, expect Slayton to be active after a week of limited practice.

Sunday update: The Giants want to evaluate Shepard during pregame before clearing him to play.

Sunday update: Adam Schefter reported Shepard's warmup "did not go well." Expect Shepar to be inactive.

*TreQuan Smith | Hamstring | Designated to return | Awaiting information

Smith was designated to return to practice this week. It's not clear whether he's reconditioned and practicing enough to return to play on Monday night or what his usage may be. Saturday's practice and press conference will provide a stronger indication of his potential.

T.Y. Hilton | Quadricep | Questionable | Inactive

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

Hilton tried to remain optimistic earlier this week but could not practice with a new quad strain. Frank Reich told reporters the team would not rule him out on Friday but considers Hilton unlikely to play. Expect him to be inactive.

Saturday update: Hilton was downgraded to out and will be inactive.

DeVante Parker | Shoulder / Hamstring | Questionable | Likely inactive

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

Parker was reportedly moving smoothly during practice this week. He has a strong chance to return after missing two weeks with a hamstring strain.

Sunday update: The Dolphins want to evaluate Parker during pregame before clearing him to play but Ian Rapoport says Parker "has an uphill battle" to go today.

Nico Collins | Foot | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Chris Conley | Neck | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Both Collins and Conley are questionable but considered likely to play. Collins told reporters he's excited to be back from his shoulder injury and ready to make a big impact. Though added to the injury report midweek with a foot condition, he will be available.

Others of note: DK Metcalf (foot), A.J. Brown (illness), Terry McLaurin (hamstring), Antonio Brown (ankle), Darnell Mooney (groin), Henry Ruggs (knee), and Bryan Edwards (hamstring) are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play without limitation. Kenny Golladay (knee), Curtis Samuel (groin), Cam Sims (hamstring), Sammy Watkins (thigh), and Terrace Marshall (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

Darren Waller | Ankle | Questionable | Game-time decision

Saturday update: The Raiders' injury report listed Waller in an unusual way this week. Although he was listed as "not injury related - resting player" throughout the week, the Raiders gave him an additional "knee" designation on Wednesday (DNP) and Thursday (full) before adding an ankle designation on Friday (limited).

No local beat writer expressed concern about Waller's injuries and the "not injury related - resting player" designation didn't suggest any team concern.

On Saturday, the Raiders amended the game status report to list Waller as questionable with an ankle designation. It appears something occurred during Friday's workout and Waller required treatment on Saturday. There are no indications Waller won't play but the injury and downgrade adds some intrigue to the overnight reports from ESPN and NFLN.

I'll update with any additional news.

Sunday update: According to a morning Adam Schefter report, Waller "doesn't feel great" after straining "his inner ankle and heel" and the Raiders will not know until pregame whether he can play. Schefter's report doesn't clarify whether Waller will be active or not but it indicates Waller is very unlikely to be full strength. Although Waller could be productive in limited high-leverage situations, expect limited snaps and targets.

T.J. Hockenson | Knee | Questionable | Expected to play

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

Hockenson has been limited in practice for multiple weeks with a knee condition. In Week 5, Hockenson played his usual number of snaps but saw his target count drop to just three against the Vikings. Last week, his usage returned to pre-injury levels with eleven targets and eight catches.

That would seemingly bode well for another strong week despite the limited practices. However, on Friday, offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn told reporters the team won't "put as much on the plate" of players who don't fully practice "regardless of who they are." It's difficult to fathom the Lions would limit the snaps and usage of their most talented receiving option if healthy but Lynn's comments are notable.

Evan Engram | Calf | Questionable | Game-time decision

Practice Participation: Wed - Not listed | Thurs - DNP | Fri - Limited

Engram was back on the injury report after a midweek aggravation of what's become a chronic calf condition. Joe Judge tried to minimize the report, saying the team has to "put every little thing" on the injury report even if things are aggravated at practice. Video of Friday's practice did not look reassuring, however, with Engram looking to be heavily favoring the calf injury.

Beat writers currently lean toward Engram playing but this is likely close to a game-time decision.

Sunday update: Both Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter expect Engram to be active today.

Others of note: Travis Kelce (neck), Dallas Goedert (COVID), Ricky Seals-Jones (quadricep), O.J. Howard(ankle), and Adam Shaheen (knee) fully practiced, are not listed on the game status report, and are expected to play. Rob Gronkowski (ribs), Darrell Daniels (hamstring), Tyler Kroft (back), and Jimmy Graham (COVID) 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.

PRACTICE PARTICIPATION, GAME STATUS REPORT, AND PLAYING EXPECTATIONS

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