While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offense around them. Here’s an update on some critical injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Make sure to check out our most up-to-date Week 5 NFL Injury Report to see who will be playing and who is out this week.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Denver’s starting quarterback was concussed in last week’s loss to the Ravens. Teddy Bridgewater is now making his way through the concussion protocol. Head coach Vic Fangio said Bridgewater might be able to practice Thursday. If Bridgewater cannot get clearance to play, Drew Lock will start in Week 5.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
The health of Andy Dalton is no longer fantasy-relevant as Justin Fields was named the starter for the remainder of the season.
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Jimmy Garoppolo didn’t practice Wednesday. It’s been all but confirmed that Trey Lance will make his first start on Sunday. It’s unlikely Garoppolo gets his job back if he can’t find a way to suit up this week.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s no actual concern over Ben Roethlisberger’s playing status for Sunday. Still, he was absent from Wednesday’s practice with a hip issue in addition to his pectoral injury. He’ll be out there this week, but you can leave him on waiver wires.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
Which running backs are dealing with injuries that may affect their game status?
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
The Giants listed Saquon Barkley as limited on Wednesday. Just like every week, they are simply managing his reps. He will play in Week 5.
Peyton Barber, Las Vegas Raiders
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that Peyton Barber is dealing with turf toe. At the moment, it is unclear how much time he will miss. Barber has no fantasy value with Josh Jacobs is healthy. Now that he is missing multiple weeks, Barber can be safely released from fantasy rosters.
Giovani Bernard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Giovani Bernard got in a limited practice on Wednesday after sitting out the Bucs’ win over the Patriots. That puts him on track to return this weekend. Leonard Fournette remains the lead back, but would likely cede a large chunk of the passing game work he saw last week to Bernard if the latter returns.
Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
Chris Carson is listed as questionable to play on Thursday Night Football with his neck injury and did not practice on Wednesday. If Carson can’t go, Alex Collins would assume primary RB duties against a tough Rams defense. Regardless, he would warrant RB3 status based on volume.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Dalvin Cook indicated he intends to play through his ankle injury, saying, “I don’t feel like I’m getting worse.” Cook playing at less than 100% is not ideal. Expect more Alexander Mattison than usual until Cook gets back to full strength.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
The best running back on the Cardinals, Chase Edmonds did not practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury. Edmonds played the entirety of Arizona’s win over the Rams so it is likely this is just Kliff Kingsbury being cautious. Unless Edmonds misses practice Thursday and Friday, he should be fine for Sunday.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott did not practice on Wednesday. He said after practice that he is dealing with some knee discomfort but intends to play through it. He will practice Thursday and play Sunday.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson did not practice Wednesday due to a shin issue. He looked fine last week, and there were no reports of an aggravation post-game. So, this is likely just veteran maintenance.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon didn’t practice Wednesday with a lower leg injury. It is the same injury he dealt with last week and ultimately played through. Expect Gordon to return to a limited practice on Thursday or Friday at the latest and play on Sunday.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs appears to be over his toe injury, but he picked up an ankle injury last week. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice, which suggests he will be fine to play this week.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones has been dealing with an ankle injury for two weeks now. He was limited at practices last week, but ultimately played. Expect the same routine this week.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Football fans around the league rejoice as Christian McCaffrey returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday. He seems poised to return after a one-week absence, but subsequent practices will be more telling.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
Gibson’s backup, J.D. McKissic, was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to an ankle injury. He’s fine and will play Sunday.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon did not practice Wednesday with a minor ankle sprain. Earlier in the week, Zac Taylor expressed optimism that Mixon would be able to practice on a limited basis. Although Wednesday practices are largely meaningless, the DNP suggests that Mixon is closer to doubtful than questionable for Week 5. Still, he has a good shot at returning in Week 6.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his shoulder injury. He was limited last week as well and did not play. Check back on his status Thursday and Friday for more clarity on whether he will play this week.
David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
David Montgomery is likely out until Week 11 with a knee injury. Damien Williams will be Chicago’s primary back in the interim.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Much like Barkley, D’Andre Swift is limited at practice every week because the Lions are managing his reps. His groin is fine, and he will play Sunday.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Jamaal Williams popped up on Wednesday’s injury report with a hip issue, but he still got in a limited practice. He will also play Sunday.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: WR update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries?
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
Ryan Tannehill may be getting at least one of his weapons back this week. A.J. Brown returned to practice Wednesday, which puts him on track to play this week after missing one game with a hamstring strain.
Dyami Brown, Washington Football Team
Dyami Brown did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury. He is likely going to miss this week’s game. Curtis Samuel should continue to see a ramp-up in snaps as long as he is healthy enough to go.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Claypool was back at practice Wednesday in a limited capacity after missing last week’s game with a hamstring strain. That tentatively puts him on track to return this week, but monitor his participation and Mike Tomlin’s comments the rest of the week to be sure.
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper did not practice Wednesday but was on the practice field off to the side, working on his right hamstring. Cooper pulled the hamstring in Sunday’s win over the Panthers but was able to return to and finish the game. At this point, I would expect him to go against the Giants.
Will Fuller, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins put Will Fuller on IR with a broken finger. He missed the first two weeks of the season, did nothing in Week 3, and then broke his finger in Week 4. Now, he’s gone until at least Week 8. You can drop him in fantasy football.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
Russell Gage missed last week’s game with an ankle injury and started off this week by missing practice. He will not be flying with the team to London this week.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
Kenny Golladay was limited on Wednesday with a groin injury. It’s a new issue for Golladay, but there’s no reason to expect him to miss Sunday’s game.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
After missing the last two weeks with a shoulder injury, Tee Higgins practiced Wednesday and is on track to play in Week 5.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
Tannehill’s other lethal weapon, Julio Jones, did not return to practice Wednesday with his leg injury, which is now officially being called a hamstring strain. Given Jones’ age and history of soft tissue injuries, I would not expect him to return this week.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Despite carrying this designation in all three practice reports in Week 5, Metcalf is not listed as questionable. Therefore, he should be a full participant in the Seahawks’ Week 5 matchup with the Rams.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Darnell Mooney was limited in Wednesday’s practice with his lingering groin injury. He played a full complement of snaps last week so this is just Matt Nagy being careful. Mooney will be fine.
Elijah Moore, New York Jets
The Jets rookie wide receiver cleared the concussion protocol on Wednesday. He is on track to travel to London and play at Tottenham stadium on Sunday morning.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Curtis Samuel did not practice Wednesday due to his ongoing groin issue. It sounds like Ron Rivera is just being cautious, given how long this injury has lingered. Thursday and Friday’s practices will be more informative.
Sterling Shepard & Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Both Giants receivers did not practice Wednesday due to their lingering hamstring strains. It’s only Wednesday, but it does appear unlikely that either return this week. Kadarius Toney will continue to operate as the team’s WR2 opposite Kenny Golladay.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers continue to be careful with JuJu Smith-Schuster’s ribs at practice. He was limited Wednesday but is fine. He will play Sunday.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE update
Are there tight end injuries we need to be concerned about?
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski was absent from the Buccaneers’ practice on Wednesday. The reports from last week of cracked ribs indicated Gronkowski would miss a couple of weeks at least. It seems unlikely Gronkowski will suit up in Week 5.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
According to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN, all of the Rams have a clean bill of health entering their Week 5 Thursday Night Football clash with the Seattle Seahawks. That is good news for Tyler Higbee, who was considered a potential risk to miss the game this week.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee issue. It’s probably nothing and he will likely return to practice Thursday or Friday. But if he doesn’t, that would jeopardize his availability for Sunday. For now, I wouldn’t worry.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle did not practice for the 49ers on Wednesday due to a calf injury. However, the majority of the focus was on Jimmy Garoppolo and Trent Williams during media availability. While Kittle is carrying an injury, it seems likely that this was a rest and maintenance day for him as opposed to a precautionary measure in advance of Week 5.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
David Njoku missed Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. He is not fantasy-relevant.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
Logan Thomas did not practice Wednesday due to a strained hamstring that he picked up in last week’s win over the Falcons. He is not going to play this week and is expected to miss a month of football. Ricky Seals-Jones will be Washington’s primary tight end until Thomas returns.