As fans (and fantasy players) try to navigate the weekly injury reports, they should be aware how differently teams assign the injury designations.
In 2016, the “probable” designation was eliminated. That left “questionable,” “doubtful” and “out” as the categories in which teams could designate players.
What we have seen over the past two seasons is an evolution, or a coming to center.
The first seasons without the “probable” category, 78 percent of players listed as “questionable” were active.
Last season, that dipped down to 68 percent.
More significant to note, there was wide range between teams.
For example, almost all (96 percent) of the Bucaneers’ “questionable” players were active while only a little over a quarter (29 percent) of Steelers deemed “questionable” suited up.
Regarding doubtful, there is less disparity.
Essentially, it can be considered “out.”
Last year, just 2.5 percent (4 of 161) “doubtful” players ended up active. In 2016, it was 4 percent (eight of 207).
Of the four players who were active after being listed as “doubtful,” only one did not play at all. The other three played no more than half their typical number of snaps.
The system inherently allows for vagueness.
Besides the body part, the injury designation is all the team needs to say.
A team does not need to say right or left knee, nor identify the exact structure (i.e., MCL), just generically say "knee." Add to this nebulous injury report how teams differ in their listings and you have what can be a confusing picture.
However, the data from 2017 can help guide what “questionable” might mean for every team.
Of course, teams can change how they use the reporting, as there is very little policing, and it is rare that a team is fined for an injury reporting violation.
Keep in mind that a team with the same head coach and GM like the Bucs might stay consistent in how they report while the Colts, with a new head coach and general manager, may not stay at 85 percent of their “questionable” players being active.
Similarly, the stable Steelers organization may stay near 29%. But new head coach Matt Nagy of the Bears may not continue at the John Fox rate of 40% of “questionable” players being active.
The process by which teams arrive at their designation also varies, as far as how much input there is from the head coach, general manager and medical/training staff.
For your fandom or fantasy use, here is the full season ending 2017 statistics for all teams, with number of active players in parentheses:
Team Questionable Doubtful
1. Buccaneers 96% (53 of 55) 0% (0 of 11)
2. Ravens 87% (77 of 89) 0% (0 of 12)
3. Colts 85% (23 of 27) 0% (0 of 2)
4. Jets 84% (27 of 32) 0% (0 of 7)
5. Chiefs 81% (21 of 26) 0% (0 of 6)
6. Dolphins 80% (55 of 69) 0% (0 of 13)
7. Seahawks 78% (40 of 51) 0% (0 of 13)
8. Redskins 76% (82 of 106) 20% (1 of 5)
9. 49ers 75% (30 of 40) 0% (0 of 2)
10. Giants 73% (33 of 45) 20% (1 of 5)
11. Titans 72% (13 of 18) None
12. Cardinals 70% (45 of 64) None
t13. Broncos 69% (25 of 36) None
t13. Packers 69% (40 of 58) 5% (1 of 20)
t15. Panthers 67% (28 of 42) 0% (0 of 1)
t15. Bills 67% (29 of 43) None
t17. Raiders 66% (41 of 62) 0% (0 of 7)
t17. Chargers 66% (35 of 53) 0% (0 of 3)
t19. Lions 65% (37 of 57) 0% (0 of 3)
t19. Bengals 65% (17 of 26) 0% (0 of 5)
t21. Patriots 64% (65 of 101) 0% (0 of 3)
t21. Saints 64% (18 of 28) None
t23. Cowboys 61% (42 of 69) None
t23. Vikings 61% (19 of 31) 50% (1 of 2)
25. Texans 59% (11 of 19) None
t26. Jaguars 56% (24 of 43) None
t26. Browns 56% (19 of 34) 0% (0 of 10)
28. Falcons 44% (4 of 9) None
29. Rams 43% (9 of 21) 0% (0 of 5)
30. Eagles 42% (14 of 33) None
31. Bears 40% (23 of 58) 0% (0 of 23)
32. Steelers 29% (7 of 24) 0% (0 of 3)
