Understanding the NFL's Injury Report

(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)

"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. 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 and my expectations of their likelihood of playing."

If you are reading this article on Saturday, make sure to come back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours.

Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players

Gameday Decision

• WR Amari Cooper
• RB Brian Robinson Jr 
• RB Tony Pollard
• WR Brian Thomas Jr.
• RB Travis Etienne Jr. 
• RB Tank Bigsby
• QB Jordan Love
• RB Josh Jacobs 
• WR Puka Nacua 

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• RB Jonathon Brooks
• WR Adam Thielen
• WR Tee Higgins 
• RB Zack Moss 
• WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• QB Lamar Jackson
• RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
• RB Zamir White 

Ruled Out

• WR DK Metcalf (knee/MCL sprain) 
• TE Noah Fant (groin)
• RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring)
• TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring)
• RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) 
• WR Mike Evans (hamstring) 

* Key:

Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation 

Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games

QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore | Knee/Back | Questionable | Likely Active 

Despite not being listed on the Baltimore Ravens' final injury report, most fantasy football sites still have Lamar Jackson listed as Questionable heading into Sunday. Jackson missed Wednesday and Thursday due to injury but was a full participant on Friday.

All signs point to the former MVP playing in Week 9. Regardless of injury specifics, if Jackson is active he should be in all lineups. 

WR Amari Cooper, Buffalo | Wrist | Questionable | Projecting Active 

Amari Cooper is officially Questionable heading into Week 9 with a wrist injury. Buffalo has said the decision about whether Cooper will play or not will be made prior to kickoff. 

If Cooper's wrist is not broken (which there is not indication it is) then he should be able to start this week. 

Update: Cooper is inactive.

RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive 

Jonathon Brooks has been practicing the past few weeks, but Carolina has still not activated the rookie RB from the PUP. Friday we leared that Brooks is unlikley to play in Week 9. 

In late August I expressed concerns about drafting Brooks as ACL tears can be difficult for NFL RBs, not to mention those who are rookies. Towards the start of the season, this risk was baked into Brooks' ADP but thus far he has been a roster clogger. 

The Panthers have already opened Brooks' 21-day practice window, meaning they have until Tuesday, November 5 to activate him. If Brooks is not removed from the PUP, he will be placed on season-ending IR and ineligible to play in 2024. Managers who drafted Brooks will know one way or the other if he will play this year. 

WR Adam Thielen, Carolina | Hamstring | Doubtful | Likely Inactive 

Adam Thielen was limited in practice to start the week, but on Friday the veteran wideout did not practice at all. The Panthers had officially listed Thielen as doubtful, meaning he is unlikely to play. Missing Week 9 would be Thielen’s 6th consecutive game missed – the higher end of the timeline, but still not unusual. Carolina has a bye in Week 11. It’s possible Thielen returns after that.

Update: Thielen won't play in Week 9.

Xavier Legette, Carolina | Toe | Questionable | 50/50

Xavier Legette is Questionable with a toe injury. Nothing out of Carolina has clarified if the rookie has a case of turf toe – which would likely result in time missed. 

I expect Legette to be a true game-time decision unless more news surfaces on Saturday. With Diontae Johnson traded and Thielen likely out, Legette could be primed for a healthy target share if active.

Update: Legette is expected to play.