Status Definitions:

Probable: There is 75% (or greater) chance the player will participate in the game. The injury is likely small (a light ankle sprain) or insignificant (a sore elbow on a pitcher’s non-throwing arm). In most cases the performance of the player will not be affected by the injury.

Questionable: There is about a 50% chance the player will play in the game. If the injury in question merits a questionable rating it must be serious enough to sideline a player, for example a hyperextended knee or a badly sprained ankle. In all likelihood an athlete who plays with a questionable type of injury will have his effectiveness reduced;  a quarterback might not be as mobile in the pocket or a power forward might not have the usual spring in his jump. Some questionable injuries are listed as “gametime decision”. This means that the player will try his knee (or whatever) out right before the game to see how it feels. Then the team, after consultation with the trainer, will make a decision as to that player’s status.

Doubtful: There is 25% (or less) chance that the player will go. If the player’s team has a playoff spot locked up or is out of the race there is about a 0% chance that he will participate. Conversely, if the upcoming game is big the player will have a greater chance of playing.

Out: The athlete will not play due to a serious injury or contract dispute.

Suspended: The player will not play due to some boneheaded infraction of the sport’s hallowed code of honor (banned substances, fighting or physically abusing a ref etc).