Understanding the NFL Injury Report

(by Dr. Bramel – Footballguys OG)

“The injury report released by the NFL consists of two reports. The first is the Training Attendance Report, which lists which injured players trained and their level of participation. It also includes players who took a break or missed training due to non-injury.” The second is the game status report, which indicates the probability that a player will play, i.e. is published with the Friday participation report (Wednesday for games on Thursday, Saturday for games on Monday).

If you read this article on Saturday, make sure that Check back Sunday morning for more updates over the next 24 hours.

Current status of seriously injured players

Game day decision

Tends to be doubtful (probably inactive)

Trend Likely (Expected to play)

Excluded

* Key:

Player | injury | Game status list | Play expectation

Sunday 1:00 pm EST games

WR T-shirt HigginsCinncinati | Quadriceps | Questionable | Projects inactive

Tee Higgins was a late addition to the injury report, making his first appearance on Friday with a quadriceps injury. As I write this, it is still unclear whether Higgins suffered a quadriceps strain or not Bruise (the two most common injuries).

Quadriceps strains can be more debilitating and often result in missing more games – an average of 2.1. bruises, Howeverare painful, but can be played through.

If Higgins has suffered a soft tissue strain, his chances of playing at full strength on Sunday, if at all, are slim. If you then factor in the fact that Higgins was injured two days before game day, the likelihood is even lower. Unless we find out more before kick-off, I think so not optimistic that Higgins will play.

Update: According to ESPN's Dan Draziano, there's “a real chance” Tee Higgins misses Sunday.

RB Travis Etienne Jr.Jacksonville | Hamstring | Questionable | 50/50

Travis Etienne Jr. was limited all week with the same hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 7. Since he seemed close to playing last week, One could assume he should be on track to play in Week 8. As it stands, Etienne is a real game-changer.

Even if Etienne gets fit, I have little confidence in bringing him into the squad this week. He's been somewhat disappointing when healthy, and historically RBs have suffered a 20% drop in fantasy production. Tank Bigsby is on the rise and figures he'll eat up Etienne's workload regardless. Everything points to a bleak outcome I would feel more comfortable lying on my bench.

Update: According to Ian Rapoport, Travis Etienne Jr. is unlikely to play in Week 8.

Photos provided by Imagn Images