NFL Injury Report

Reading a designation properly

Practice participation carries more information than the designation itself. A player listed as questionable who practised fully on Friday is a different proposition from one who did not practise at all, even though both carry the same label. The Friday report is the one worth waiting for.

The second-order effect is usually the bigger fantasy story. A starter ruled out creates a full workload for someone who was unrostered a week ago, and that player is frequently the more valuable roster move than anything involving the injured player himself.

What each status tends to mean

• Out: settled. Move on and look at who inherits the work.
• Doubtful: treat as out. The small number who play are rarely at full capacity.
• Questionable: genuinely uncertain, and the label most in need of a backup plan in your lineup.
• Returning from injury: expect a reduced role in the first week back more often than not, particularly for running backs.