Injuries continued to pile up in Week 4. Read the NFL Week 5 Injury Report to find out which players are likely to bounce back in time for Week 5.
This marks the last week that all 32 NFL teams will play until Week 15. With bye weeks starting in Week 6, it's important to be prepared with depth on your roster. Which injuries will stretch on and which are likely to end up in the rearview mirror? Read the NFL Week 5 Injury Report to find out!
Be sure to check back for updates as more information comes in.
For a quick reference tool, check out the new injury tracker that I will be updating up until kickoff.
NFL Week 5 Injury Report for Offensive Players
No new injuries were reported.
Russell Gage, WR - Questionable Out
Gage has been inactive the past two weeks with an ankle injury. Keep an eye out for updates on his status throughout the week to see if he is able to make his return in Week 5.
Update: Gage is still not ready to play and will not be making the trip to London in Week 5.
Update
Calvin Ridley, WR - Out
Ridley will not make the trip to London with the Falcons due to a personal matter. For more of my thoughts on this development, please read my breaking news article on the subject.
Rashod Bateman, WR (groin), and Miles Boykin, WR (hamstring)
Still on injured reserve with previously reported injuries. Both of these players are eligible to return to the field at any time. Bateman was reported to have traveled with the team to Denver last week, so he seems to be close to making his NFL debut. Watch for updates later this week to see if they are trending toward being available.
No new injuries were reported.
Christian McCaffrey, RB - Questionable Doubtful
McCaffrey is already pushing to try to practice this week. I'm skeptical that he will be able to play in Week 5, but if he is able to get in some limited practice reps, I'll take it as a good sign. Hopefully, the team doesn't rush him back before he's ready.
Update:Â McCaffrey has been downgraded to doubtful. I thought he seemed like a long shot to play this week and it looks like he's trending toward being out.
Tarik Cohen, RB (knee - ACL)
David Montgomery, RB - Out
A knee injury led to an early exit for Mongomery in Week 4. The team has said they don't think it was an ACL tear, but we don't have the official word yet. Head coach Matt Nagy has a history of trying to avoid disclosing information unless absolutely necessary, so the reports from NFL insiders suggesting a four to five week absence are likely the only actionable information we will get for awhile.
Per source, tests showed Bears RB David Montgomery has a knee sprain that’s expected to keep him out 4-5 weeks. Not season-ending, but Bears will be without their starting RB for a while.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 5, 2021
Damien Williams, RB - Questionable
Williams bruised his thigh in Week 4 but has a good chance to still be available in Week 5. If teammate David Montgomery misses time, Williams is one of the largest beneficiaries.
Andy Dalton, QB – Questionable
Dalton was eventually ruled out of Week 4 due to a knee injury suffered in Week 2. Head coach Matt Nagy has shown a tendency to not give any information until he has to when it comes to the starter behind center. I expect it will be late in the week before we have a good feel for Dalton's status.
Tee Higgins, WR - Questionable
Higgins missed the Bengals' Week 4 win with a shoulder injury. Keep an eye on his practice participation, especially later in the week to see if he will be active on game-day.
Joe Mixon, RB - Questionable
Mixon suffered an ankle sprain in Week 4 and so far there have been some mixed signals on his prognosis. The team has suggested he's day-to-day and could return to action this week, but an early report was more pessimistic. I expect him to be limited or even absent early in the week, so keep a close eye on his status heading into the weekend.
Bengals’ RB Joe Mixon was diagnosed with a low-grade ankle sprain that will leave him week to week, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 4, 2021
Update: Mixon did not practice Wednesday. Prepare to be without Mixon in Week 5.
Jarvis Landry, WR - Injured Reserve
Remains on injured reserve, eligible to return in Week 6.
Michael Gallup, WR - IR
Gallup is on injured reserve with a previously reported injury. Eligible to return Week 5.
Amari Cooper, WR - Questionable
Cooper missed some plays due to a hamstring injury in Week 4 but was able to come back in the game. Watch his status closely to see if he plays Week 5 and be prepared for lower production even if he is active.
Update:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB - Questionable
Elliott has a knee issue that's come up. Keep an eye on his ability to practice Thursday and Friday.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott dealing with some knee discomfort, but he intends to return to practice Thursday and play through issue. pic.twitter.com/IM5zgWzpOF
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 6, 2021
Teddy Bridgewater, QB - Questionable
Bridgewater suffered a concussion in Week 4. It seems to be rare for a player to make it back to the field without missing at least one game so I would plan to be without Bridgewater for Week 5. If he is unable to clear the concussion protocol before Sunday, adjust expectations for the Broncos' fantasy options.
Jerry Jeudy, WR – IR (out 6-8 weeks)
Jeudy is currently on injured reserve with a previously reported injury.
Tyrell Williams, WR - IR
Currently on injured reserve with a previously reported concussion. Eligible to return Week 6.
Update
D'Andre Swift, RB and Jamaal Williams, RB - Questionable
Both Detroit running backs were limited on Friday and carry questionable designations for Sunday. I expect both to play but keep an eye on their game-day statuses.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR IR
Valdes-Scantling was placed on the injured reserve with a hamstring injury. He is expected back at some point this season but will miss a minimum of three weeks making his earliest return will be Week 7.
Tyrod Taylor, QB - IR
Taylor is on injured reserve with a previously reported hamstring injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6.
Nico Collins, WR - IR
Collins is on injured reserve with a previously reported shoulder injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6, but his initial timeline suggested that it could be later.
T.Y. Hilton, WR (neck) - IR
Still on IR with a previously reported injury. He is eligible to return this week, but it doesn't appear that he will be healthy just yet.
Update
Nyheim Hines, RB - Questionable
Hines showed up on the injury report late in the Week 5 preparation with a shoulder injury. Keep an eye on his status going into the weekend to see if he will be available.
DJ Chark, WR - IR
Chark's season was ended in Week 4 by an ankle injury. Chark was carted off the field and it was later reported that he fractured his ankle and will miss the remainder of the 2021 season.
Carlos Hyde, RB - Questionable
Hyde was inactive in Week 4 with a shoulder injury. He has a good chance to return this week, but keep an eye on his practice participation.
No new injuries were reported.
Josh Jacobs, RB
Jacobs was able to return to the field in Week 4 and there doesn't seem to be much question about him moving forward. Still, I would expect a limited practice or two as the Raiders prepare for Week 5.
Update: Jacobs practiced in full on Friday and should be active on game-day.
Peyton Barber, RB - Questionable
Barber sustained a foot injury in Week 4 and is questionable for Week 5. Barber saw significant opportunities when Jacobs was sidelined, so keep an eye on his status moving forward.
Update: It's now been reported that Barber has mild turf toe. I expect he will miss Week 5 and could be out for a few weeks but official word has not been released.
No new injuries were reported.
Darrell Henderson, RB - Questionable
Henderson returned to the field Sunday, but the Rams have a quick turnaround on Thursday night, so he's not guaranteed to be available. He was listed as limited on Monday's practice report with the same rib injury that previously sidelined him. Keep an eye on Wednesday's practice report to see if Henderson can take the field in Week 5.
Tyler Higbee, TE - Questionable
Higbee was listed as limited for Monday's practice with an ankle injury. There doesn't seem to be much doubt as to his status for Thursday, but I'll update after Wednesday's practice report.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB - IR
Tagovailoa is on injured reserve with a previously reported rib injury. He will be eligible to return in Week 6.
Will Fuller, WR - Out IR
Fuller fractured a finger in Week 4 and has been ruled out of Week 5 already. He may be able to make it back on the field for Week 6, but I won't be counting on it at this point.
Update:Â The Dolphins made things a little easier for Fuller's managers by placing him on IR. He will be eligible and likely to return in Week 8.
Update:
DeVante Parker, WR - Questionable
Parker was limited with a shoulder and hamstring injury for much of the week. He looks likely to be a game-time decision.
Dalvin Cook, RB - Questionable
Cook missed some time during Week 4's matchup with the Cleveland Browns but did finish the game. I have some concern that the Vikings may continue to take it easy on Cook both during this week's practice and during the game.
Update: Cook missed practice Wednesday and remains questionable.
Second Update: Cook did not practice Thursday, although he was present. Expect a game-time decision this week.
Final Update:Â Cook was a limited participant Friday and is listed as questionable. I won't be surprised if the Vikings decide to take it easy on Cook this week, even if he's active on game-day. It's hard not to start Cook, but you may have to reduce your expectations this week.
James White, RB - IR
White suffered a subluxation of the hip and was placed on the injured reserve. He is expected to miss the remainder of the 2021 season.
Tony Jones, RB - Out
Jones was carted off in Week 4 due to an ankle injury and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks, putting his return at around Week 8.
Sterling Shepard, WR - Questionable Out
Shepard missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury and is currently questionable for Week 5.
Darius Slayton, WR - Questionable Out
Slayton missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury as well and is currently questionable for Week 5.
Update: Both Giants wide receivers have been ruled out for Week 5.
Elijah Moore, WR - Questionable
Moore suffered a concussion in Week 3 and seems to be close to returning.
Update: Moore was listed as limited Wednesday but indications from the team suggest he is good to go.
The Jets play the Falcons in London, so their kickoff will be early Sunday morning.
No new injuries were reported.
Chase Claypool, WR - Questionable
Claypool missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury and his status will need to be watched carefully this week. Hamstrings are volatile injuries, so my confidence is low in Claypool even if he returns for Week 5.
Rashaad Penny, RB - IR
Penny has a lingering calf injury that has now landed him on injured reserve. His earliest return will be Week 7.
Gerald Everett, TE - Questionable
Everett is on the reserve/COVID-19 list and is questionable for Week 5.
Update:
Chris Carson, RB - Questionable
Carson missed practice with a neck injury and appears to be a game-time decision. Right now, I would assume that Carson will miss. Alex Collins looks to be the only healthy running back if Carson misses Thursday night.
Update: Reports are now suggesting Carson's injury is a chronic issue. Moving forward I would expect this to be a very volatile injury with a risk of flare-ups.
"Chris Carson has a chronic, long-term neck injury. ... He's probably not going to play [on Thursday]." @CorbinSmithNFL on Fantasy Dirt @SiriusXMFantasy
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) October 7, 2021
Jamycal Hasty, RB - IR
Hasty was placed on injured reserve this past weekend with a high ankle sprain and will be eligible to return in Week 6.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB - Questionable Out
Garoppolo exited Sunday early with a calf injury. I expect that Garoppolo will miss at least a couple of weeks, but keep an eye on practice reports to know for sure. If he misses time, rookie quarterback Trey Lance has a chance to prove himself and maybe even take the job for good.
Update:Â Garoppolo has been ruled out of Week 5 and Trey Lance has been named the starter.
Elijah Mitchell, RB - Questionable
Mitchell missed Week 4 with a shoulder injury that also kept him out of Week 3. Look for him to make progress this week, although it may only be in practice and not on game-day.
George Kittle, TE - Questionable IR
Kittle played through a calf injury in Week 4. Watch his practice participation this week to see if he will be active for Week 5.
Update: Kittle is officially doubtful for Sunday's game so if you don't have a backup plan already, be looking for one. San Francisco plays in the late afternoon slot, so you'll need to plan ahead since we won't know his status for sure until after the noon kickoff.
Second Update:Â Kittle has been placed on injured reserve and will not be be eligible to return until Week 8.
Rob Gronkowski, TE - Doubtful Out
Gronkowski missed Week 4 with multiple rib fractures and is unlikely to play this week. The team is hopeful he can return in Week 6, but I'm skeptical that he will be able to return to form by then.
Update: Gronk has been ruled out, as expected for Week 5.
A.J. Brown, WR - Questionable
Brown missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Week 5.
Update:Â Brown was able to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, so he is at least moving in the right direction.
Second update: Brown practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and appears to be on track to play Sunday.
Julio Jones, WR - Questionable
Jones also missed Week 4 with a hamstring injury. His status is also in question for Week 5.
Update: Jones has not practiced this week. I'm viewing him pessimistically but he has been able to play after limited to no practice in the past. Watch for a game-day decision in Week 5 for Julio Jones.
Second update:Â The Titans have ruled out Jones for Sunday's game. Fortunately, we have this information now instead of 90 minutes before kickoff.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB – IR
Fitzpatrick is on injured reserve with a previously reported injury.
Curtis Samuel, WR - Questionable
Samuel returned in Week 4 but appeared to be eased back into the offense. Keep an eye on his practice participation this week to see if he is capable of an increased role. At this point, Samuel is worth rostering, but I would avoid playing him until he has a full productive game under his belt.
Logan Thomas, TE - Questionable
Thomas left Week 4 with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Week 5. I don't expect him to play and consider him a high-risk play even if active.
Update
Antonio Gibson, RB - Questionable
Gibson was limited in practice Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 5. It seems like Gibson should be on track to play, but keep an eye out for game-day updates just in case.
For the NFL Week 5 IDP Injury report, click here
Thanks for reading the NFL Week 5 Injury Report for offensive players! If you want to read more of my work, you can do so on my IDP Guys Author Page! If you are ever looking for some fantasy feedback, hit me up on Twitter at @DynastyDVM and follow @IDPGuys for more great content.
