Injury concerns regarding players heading into the Sunday and Monday games can be critical. Each Saturday this entry will be dedicated to each player who appears on the official weekly NFL game status injury report and how his status may impact fantasy teams.

For those who may be new to this blog: Injury reports provide some insight to a player's status. The NFL requires teams to submit practice injury reports several times a week, identifying the body part that is involved in the injury. This year, there has been a change in the language of injury reporting, per the league office. The most notable change is the removal of the "probable" designation. For more detailed information on the changes and what they mean, click here.

Early in the week, the practice injury reports indicate whether a player did not practice, was limited in practice or was a full participant in practice. On Fridays, all teams file a game status injury report assigning one of the following designations: questionable, doubtful or out. The designations listed here reflect the injury reports filed with the league office on Friday evening. Teams playing on Monday night do not have to issue their designations until Saturday. The explanation for each designation is as follows:

Out: This is the easy one: The guy is not playing Sunday.

Questionable (Q): This remains the most dreaded player designation. By definition it means a player is “uncertain to play.” How uncertain is uncertain? There is no percentage or measurement scale, so this classification remains rather vague. Whether a player ends up active or inactive often comes down to a game-time decision based on how he feels on game-day morning or how he performs during warm-ups. Final inactives are due 90 minutes before kickoff.

Doubtful (D): The doubtful designation means a player is unlikely to play that week. Rarely does a player labeled as doubtful end up playing, unless he experiences a major turnaround before game time.

Each week in the Saturday blog, we run down a list of key fantasy players, by position, who appear in the Friday injury report, along with the injured body part as listed on the report, player status and any relevant developments or insight. The primary fantasy positions are covered (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end).

This year, at the end of each positional section, there is a subgroup of players: “Players off game status injury report.” The probable tag no longer exists, so players who would have been listed as probable in previous years are now simply removed from the report. This means there will be players who appear in the practice injury reports during the week but will not appear on the game status report Friday, since they are presumed active for game day. They are included in this blog, so that fantasy owners can see where players who were on the practice injury report during the week have been upgraded in advance of the games.

At the end, key fantasy players listed Friday as "out" for the week's games will appear as a group.

Good luck in Week 2, everyone!

Quarterbacks

Players off game status injury report:

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, ankle: This may be the biggest surprise of the week. Wilson’s ankle fell victim to the weight of Ndamukong Suh in the Week 1 contest, and the result was a forced rotation consistent with the mechanism of a high ankle sprain. Wilson was not his usually mobile self for the remainder of the contest, and despite his early declaration this week that he would be ready to play, there was reason to be skeptical.

Wilson began his rehab almost as soon as the game was over, however, and it appears to have paid off. He flew his personal physical therapist up to Seattle and soon began a rehab process which included, per Wilson’s own Instagram video post, blood-flow restriction training while biking. Not only was Wilson listed as a full participant in practice throughout the week, he doesn’t even appear on the game status injury report heading into the team’s matchup against the Rams.

There is no doubt Wilson will play, but there is still some concern that he won’t be his usual mobile, scrambling self. Expect Wilson to avoid exposure to further injury by limiting that movement to some degree, but the fact he’ll be under center is impressive in itself.

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts, shoulder: Last week coach Chuck Pagano said he was going to manage his players with injury histories accordingly during the week, and he appears to be doing just that with Luck again heading into Week 2. Luck was not on the injury report Wednesday but was added as a limited participant Thursday, then upgraded to full on Friday and did not appear on the game status injury report. This could be a pattern going forward for Luck.

Running Backs

Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs, knee, (D): This doesn’t come as a surprise after Charles was again limited in practice throughout the week after sitting out Week 1. It’s not clear when Charles will be ready, but until his practice involvement changes, his game status remains the same. It’s worth noting his teammate Spencer Ware (toe) is off the game status injury report [see below].

Arian Foster, Miami Dolphins, hamstring, (Q): Foster appears on the injury report this week with a hamstring issue, the same ailment that bothered him during the preseason. The Dolphins were smart about managing the veteran in the preseason, and it appears they are proactively managing his workload again this week. Although he did not practice Wednesday, Foster did participate in full practices Thursday and Friday. He is listed as questionable, but barring a surprise, Foster should play.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, ankle, (Q): Stewart appears on the injury report because of his ankle but was able to put in a full practice Friday after being limited Wednesday and Thursday. The Panthers certainly know how to manage their veteran, who is no stranger to lower extremity injuries, and proactive rest during the week is part of the equation. Coach Ron Rivera indicated this week that he expected Stewart to play, so barring a setback, we will too.

Players off game status injury report:

Adrian Peterson, ankle, and Jerick McKinnon, foot/fibula, Minnesota Vikings: This seems like a good place to remind people that even players who are full participants in practice throughout the week must appear on the injury report if they are receiving any treatment. Peterson is one of those players. Listed on the injury report because of his ankle, Peterson took a full share of reps Wednesday through Friday and does not appear on the game status injury report. His teammate McKinnon is also off the injury report after full practices Thursday and Friday, despite being limited on Wednesday. Both players should be ready to go Sunday night against the Packers.

Spencer Ware, Kansas City Chiefs, toe: When Ware was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday’s practice, fantasy owners who had scooped up Ware to replace a not-yet-ready Charles had reason to be nervous. Thankfully Ware was able to return to full work Thursday and, more importantly, again on Friday. He does not appear on the game status injury report, and with Charles listed as doubtful, Ware should again get the start this Sunday.

Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons, quadriceps: Freeman appeared on the practice injury report Wednesday as a limited participant due to a quad injury, but he was upgraded to full on Thursday. Another full practice Friday is reassuring, as is his removal from the game status injury report.

Matt Jones, Washington Redskins, shoulder: Despite being listed as questionable heading into Monday night’s game, Jones -- who had practiced fully all last week – played in Week 1 and emerged no worse for the wear. The AC sprain he sustained in the preseason keeps him on the practice injury report, but he is taking full reps in practice daily. It is no surprise, then, that he was upgraded this week to being removed from the game status injury report.

Wide Receivers

Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos, hip, (Q): Limited throughout the week with a hip injury sustained in the first quarter of his Week 1 game, Thomas “looks like he's heading towards playing," according to Broncos coach Gary Kubiak. However, how well he’ll be able to play remains to be seen; he is clearly not going to be 100 percent clear of what’s ailing him. Although the Broncos and Thomas have not offered much detail as to the nature of the injury, Thomas did indicate this is an issue he’s been dealing with for several years, which flares up at times. Following last Thursday’s game, the talk of second opinions and missing time painted a fairly dire picture, but treatment throughout the weekend had Thomas feeling much better as Monday rolled around. He took about one-third of the practice reps early in the week, per Kubiak, but those reps specifically focused around the game plan, according to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold.

Thomas, who hasn’t missed a game since 2011, should play, barring a pregame setback, but fantasy owners will have a decision to make, given his less-than-100 percent status.

Markus Wheaton, Pittsburgh Steelers, shoulder, (Q): Wheaton sat out Monday night’s game with a shoulder injury, which he had deemed minor, despite it keeping him out of practice the prior week. This week started out on a much better practice note for Wheaton with him practicing in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, however, he was held to a limited practice, and he enters the Week 2 contests as questionable. Fantasy owners will want to check his status on Sunday morning.

Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens, calf, (Q): Perriman made it into his first regular season NFL game in Week 1 and although it was a fairly quiet day (one 35-yard catch), it was certainly significant. Perriman had been forced out of his entire rookie season because of a slow-healing PCL injury. Then, in a cruel twist of fate, he sustained what initially appeared to be a season-threatening knee injury during training camp earlier this year. He underwent a scope with Dr.James Andrews, where it was determined he did not need an ACL reconstruction, though he did receive a stem-cell injection and orders to take it slowly for several weeks. His steady rehab allowed him to take the field last Sunday for the first meaningful time as an NFL player. It was a great sigh-of-relief moment for Perriman, but the relief didn’t last long, as he showed up on the injury report again this week.

Although the calf ailment he is currently dealing with was reported to be minor, it did force Perriman out of practice Wednesday. The good news is that he was upgraded to full participation Thursday and Friday and, listed as questionable, he has a chance to play in his second career game. Still, his contribution may be limited if he does take the field, given that he sits behind Mike Wallace, Steve Smith Sr. and Kamar Aiken on the depth chart. Fantasy owners waiting on Perriman should probably continue to wait a little longer.

Chris Hogan, shoulder, New England Patriots, (Q): It comes as a bit of a surprise that Hogan would be listed as questionable after practicing in full each day. Nevertheless, that is his designation. He played last week (55 of 71 offensive snaps) and is expected to play again when the Patriots host the Dolphins on Sunday.

DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins, hamstring, (Q): Parker did not play in Week 1 because of a balky hamstring. His practice status this week is an improvement over last week, as he participated on a limited basis all three days. Still, he comes into the game as questionable, and his status is uncertain, perhaps reflecting the combination of a player who is improving and wants to play with concerns about aggravating the problem. Fantasy owners will want to be sure to check Parker’s status before kickoff.

Josh Doctson, Washington Redskins, Achilles, (Q): Doctson was healthy enough to make his NFL debut in Week 1, but his activity was restricted to a dozen plays, including one reception for nine yards. He remains on the injury report this week, although he was listed as a full participant daily. Despite being listed as questionable, it seems Doctson is likely to play, but his workload is also likely to remain limited.

Players off game status injury report:

Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons, ankle: The two receivers appeared on the practice injury report because of ankle ailments, but coach Dan Quinn expressed confidence early in the week that both would be available. After limited work Wednesday and Thursday, they were upgraded to full participation Friday and were removed from the game status injury reports.

Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, knee: Given his productivity in Week 1, Fitzgerald’s limited reps throughout this week didn’t come as much of a surprise. He did have an MCL sprain in the preseason, and the secret to keeping him healthy enough to do what he did in the season opener is balance during the week. Fitzgerald was limited both Wednesday and Thursday but was upgraded to a full practice Friday. He is no longer on the injury report and is expected to play Sunday without limitation.

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, knee: Hilton gave fantasy owners a scare when he did not practice Thursday and was listed on the injury report with a knee issue. The concern was minor, however, as Hilton was upgraded to full practice Friday and coach Chuck Pagano said without hesitation that Hilton would play Sunday.

Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings, quadriceps: Johnson was a full practice participant throughout the week after playing in the Week 1 contest. He is off the injury report heading into the Sunday night game.

Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland Browns, shoulder: Pryor was listed on the injury practice report this week due to a shoulder ailment, but he practiced fully every day and does not appear on the injury report heading into the Week 2 contest.

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots, hamstring, (Q): Last week Gronkowski was ruled out early and didn’t travel with his teammates to Arizona. This week, he remained a limited participant in practice, and there haven’t been many encouraging signs out of New England to suggest he’s ready to return to game action. Given what has to be the team’s primary concern of risking an injury that could cost Gronkowski multiple weeks later in the season, it seems likely he will continue to rest until he demonstrates he can participate fully – at least for one day – in practice.

Jordan Cameron, Miami Dolphins, thigh, (Q): Despite appearing on the injury report with a thigh ailment, Cameron was a full participant in practice every day this week. He is expected to play.

Players off game status injury report:

Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks, knee: Graham returned to an NFL playing field in Week 1, his first game since sustaining a patellar tendon rupture last year. Although his activity was limited, the mere accomplishment of taking the field was impressive. This week, Graham has increased his activity to full participation in practice daily, and he no longer appears on the game status injury report. Couple that with head coach Pete Carroll saying Graham is “ready to play in all situations,” and Graham’s snap percentage is certainly expected to increase. Just how that translates to fantasy is unclear, but as far as Graham’s health goes, this is just more good news.

Julius Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars, ankle: Thomas made fantasy owners nervous when he appeared on the practice injury report with an ankle injury. He practiced in full each day, however, and was not on the game status injury report. Thomas should be a full go in Week 2.

OUT:

This space is intended for a list of key players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as "Out" for the upcoming game.

Chris Ivory, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, illness: Ivory was on the injury report last week with a calf ailment but that wasn’t what kept him off the field in Week 1. Shortly before kickoff, the Jaguars announced that Ivory had been admitted to the hospital with a “general medical condition.” Two days later, Ivory was released, but the details of the condition were not. The good news for Ivory’s health is that he is feeling better and is looking forward to a return to football. That won’t happen this week, however, and it is not clear when he will resume practice. Meanwhile T.J. Yeldon gets the start again.

Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles indicated early in the week that Ertz would miss this game and now the official “Out” designation has been filed with the league office. Ertz suffered a first rib injury last week and coach Doug Pedersen has already called it a “week-to-week” deal. This is the same type of injury Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered in 2012 and he missed two games. Ertz will miss Monday and is likely to miss more time, as well.

Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys, back: Romo remains out with a compression fracture in his low back. He is not yet practicing.

Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens, knee: Dixon remains out this week with a sprained MCL. He is not yet practicing with the team and is expected to miss several weeks.

Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinnati Bengals, ankle: Eifert remains out this week, as he continues to rehab his ankle. Although Eifert is not yet practicing with the team, ESPN’s Bob Holtzman reported earlier this week that the tight end, who has been doing some individual work outside with the medical staff, said he is feeling better and has added some extra muscle heading into the season. That is encouraging for his overall outlook, given Eifert’s injury history, but he told Holtzman he is still at least a couple weeks away from returning.

Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans, hamstring: Wright attempted a limited practice Wednesday but was out of practice Thursday and Friday and is now out for the Week 2 contest.

Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now, Sundays on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. ET for last-minute inactives, rankings, injury impact and more!