On an NFL Game Status Report, Out means the player will not play in the specific game covered by that report. It describes anticipated availability—not the injury’s severity, a diagnosis, or when the player will return.
What does “Out” mean?
The NFL defines the Game Status Report designation as “Out – Will not play.” The report is meant to tell clubs and the public whether a player is expected to be available for the club’s next game. NFL injury-report policy
So if a player is listed as Out for this week’s game, the designation means he will not play in that game. It does not say whether he will miss later games, how serious his injury is, or when he might return.
How Out differs from Questionable and Doubtful
| Game status | NFL definition |
|---|---|
| Out | Will not play |
| Doubtful | Unlikely to play |
| Questionable | Uncertain if player will play |
These are availability descriptions, not numerical probability ranges in the NFL policy. Don’t read a status as a medical severity rating or a guarantee about future games.
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Game status is not practice participation
The practice report separately records whether a player did not participate, participated on a limited basis, or fully participated. The NFL eliminated “Out” as a practice-report category to avoid confusion with the Game Status Report. A player’s practice entry during the week and his final game status are therefore different pieces of information.
When reports are filed and updated
For 2026, the NFL’s weekly Game Status Report deadline is 4:00 p.m. New York time on a day determined by the game’s scheduled day. Clubs must report a changed player condition after the initial filing. Check the latest official club or league report for a particular matchup; the schedule varies by game day, and the 2026 deadlines should not be assumed to apply in later seasons. NFL 2026 important dates
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if the reason is not an injury?
The NFL policy requires a player who will not play to be reported whether the reason is injury-related or not. When availability is in question for a non-injury reason, the report identifies the circumstance as “Not Injury Related.”
Quick Recap
How to read a player’s listing
- Check the game-status category: Out, Doubtful, or Questionable.
- Confirm which game the report covers.
- Check the time of the latest report or update, since a player’s condition can change.
- Keep practice participation separate from the game-status designation.
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