November 07, 2016 - Dr. David Chao
Monday Morning MD: Teams take different approaches to injury reporting
This season, the “probable” category for pregame injury reporting was removed. Now players need to be either eliminated entirely from the report and deemed ready to play, or placed in the “questionable” category.
With the help of followers, I have gathered new injury reporting statistics. This season, approximately three out of every four (~75%) players listed as “questionable” are active league-wide, compared to just over half (~55%) in the previous year.
At the halfway mark, it has become clear that teams take different approaches to injury reporting. I am not accusing any teams of manipulation or cheating; however, the numbers lead to stark contrasts. Over 90% of the “questionables” suit up for the Bengals, Panthers and Redskins. In contrast, under 50% of the same category are active for teams like the Titans, Jaguars and Seahawks.
Here is a full list of teams and the percentage of “questionable” players that are ultimately activated each week through the first half of this season.
RANK TEAM PERCENTAGE
- Bengals 100%
- Panthers 95%
- Redskins 91%
- Chargers 90%
- Bears 86%
- Buccaneers 84%
- Colts 84%
- Dolphins 80%
- Lions 79%
- Texans 79%
- Rams 77%
- Cardinals 76%
- Bills 76%
- Jets 75%
- Steelers 75%
- Raiders 72%
- Giants 71%
- Patriots 70%
- Cowboys 69%
- Ravens 66%
- Saints 65%
- Packers 64%
- Chiefs 64%
- Eagles 64%
- Falcons 60%
- Browns 59%
- 49ers 58%
- Broncos 54%
- Vikings 50%
- Seahawks 47%
- Jaguars 41%
- Titans 38%