Uplink clear channel assessment (CCA) status is disclosed as a new uplink control message for new radio (NR) unlicensed (NR-U) operations. When an opportunity for potential uplink transmissions arises for a user equipment (UE), the UE will perform a CCA procedure on available uplink resources. The UE reports the results of the CCA procedure to a serving base station via an uplink control message, such as an uplink control information (UCI), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or the like. The serving base station may then use the CCA results in scheduling uplink transmissions and reserving uplink resources.