The first final injury report of the season has been issued, complete with labels regarding a player’s anticipated availability (or lack thereof) for Sunday.
It can be boring, dry, repetitive reading. (That sums up 41.5 percent of the stories I post.) So we have read it for you, and here are the things you need to know as the teams that have yet to play prepare to go 1-0 or 0-1 or, in theory, 0-0-1. (Hopefully Donovan remembers that last one is possible when he starts his new TV gig.)
OK, now it’s time for the numbers.
1. The Texans initially shrugged off a sore knee that knocked running back Arian Foster out of practice on Thursday. He missed practice again on Friday, and he’s listed as questionable. (He says he’ll play, but the team says he’s a game-time decision.) Given the quality of the opponent (sorry, Miami fans), the Texans are better off resting Foster and leaning on Ben Tate.
2. Listed as questionable, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is expected to play, despite a torn ACL suffered on December 24. The team is expected to make a final decision by Saturday morning.
3. Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, listed as probable with a lingering knee problem, continues to insist that he’ll play -- even though he admits he’s not up to speed. He fully participated in practice on Friday after sitting out on Thursday.
4. Julio Jones and/or Roddy White could have a big day at Arrowhead. Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers is questionable with a foot injury; he’s been limited in practice all week. Also questionable is Flowers’ backup, Jalil Brown, who has a groin injury. And starting safety Kendrick Lewis is doubtful with a shoulder injury.
5. Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has said he’s 90 percent with a groin injury, but he’s officially questionable. Which will make it harder for him to get separation from Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis.
6. An ankle injury won’t keep Jaguars rookie receiver Justin Blackmon from making his NFL debut. He’s listed as probable.
7. Jets tight end Dustin Keller is questionable with a hamstring injury suffered in the preseason. Running back Joe McKnight is probable with the same injury, but he reportedly has lost his third-down job to Bilal Powell.
8. Panthers receiver Steve Smith will play, not long after being on crutches due to a foot infection. Running back Jonathan Stewart is questionable with an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice all week.
9. Despite being listed as questionable with a knee injury, Bucs receiver Arrelious Benn fully participated in practice all week.
10. Andrew Luck could be down a couple of targets. Colts receiver Austin Collie’s latest concussion has him listed as questionable. (He said Thursday there’s no timetable for his return.) Rookie wideout T.Y. Hilton is also questionable, with a bad shoulder.
11. With running back Shane Vereen scratched, it could be the Stevan Ridley Show for the Pats on Sunday in Nashville, especially with one Tennessee starting defensive tackle (Sen’Derrick Marks, knee) doubtful and the other starter (Jurrell Casey, elbow) questionable.
12. The most surprising name on the Eagles’ injury report is the name that isn’t. Mike Vick, after taking only 12 snaps in the preseason, is perfectly healthy.
13. The fact that Browns running back Trent Richardson (knee) is questionable may not matter if/when the Eagles establish a 14-point lead and Cleveland is forced to throw.
14. The Steelers want to run the ball more under offensive coordinator Todd Haley; it’ll be hard to do that with Rashard Mendenhall (knee, doubtful), Baron Batch (groin, questionable), and Isaac Redman (probable, ankle) all banged up. (Chris Rainey, are you ready?)
15. With Ted Ginn questionable due to an ankle injury, receiver Kyle Williams will be returning punts -- again -- on Sunday. (Just don’t ask about the last time he returned punts.)
16. Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson won’t have receiver Golden Tate to throw to; he’s out with a knee injury. Running back Marshawn Lynch is questionable with back spasms. Rookie Robert Turbin could get plenty of reps.
17. Cardinals running back Beanie Wells appeared on the injury report out of nowhere Friday with a hamstring injury. Which means that Ryan Williams should get plenty of chances to justify his round-two pedigree.
18. The Lions blamed poor performances from the secondary late last year on injuries. They can do it again on Sunday, with cornerback Chris Houston (ankle) and safety Louis Delmas (knee) doubtful. (If the Rams actually had some receivers, that would be a big deal.)
19. The Saints signed receiver Marques Colston to a big contract in the offseason, but a foot injury could keep him from earning it in Week One. He’s questionable.
20. I really don’t have anything else. I just felt like I shouldn’t end it with 19.