Fantasy Football Injury Report (Week 5)

Every Monday during the NFL season, the Injury Report goes through the injuries around the NFL position-by-position as they relate to your season-long fantasy football teams. 

Friday Update

The Patriots placed quarterback Brian Hoyer on injured reserve, so it’ll be rookie Bailey Zappe getting the start against the Lions this week. Detroit has allowed 25 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, which is the most in the league. 

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is out for Week 5. Tyler Conklin, Hayden Hurst and Robert Tonyan are available in most leagues and make sense as viable replacements. 

For the Lions, head coach Dan Campbell said that WR Amon-Ra St. Brown practiced Friday, while running back D’Andre Swift didn’t. Swift being out again this week was expected and Jamaal Williams will continue to have top five value at the position in his stead. While St. Brown is back, D.J. Chark missed practice Friday after practicing Thursday. If Chark is out, I think you can still feel pretty good about starting Josh Reynolds this week.

Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson is out for Week 5. This makes Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel better plays as the targets should be more condensed now. 

Bears running back David Montgomery is listed as questionable. It would be the end of Khalil Herbert SZN if he’s active. 

The Bills Isaiah McKenzie is listed as questionable, and you can’t use Khalil Shakir if McKenzie is active. 

Receivers Rashod Bateman and Michael Thomas are out while Jarvis Landry, Zay Jones, Julio Jones and Tee Higgins are all listed as questionable. We’ll have to stay on top of the status of those players leading up to kickoff. 

Monday Injury Run

Quarterback 

While the blame game plays out in the aftermath of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s head injury last Thursday night, it’s unclear when he’ll return to the field. That leaves Teddy Bridgewater as a waiver wire option in two-quarterback and superflex formats. 

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones suffered a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss Week 4, and his replacement Brian Hoyer left the game early with a head injury. Rookie Bailey Zappe was the next man up under center for New England. If Jones and Hoyer are out again, Zappe would be a streaming option in two-quarterback and superflex formats at home against the Lions in Week 5. 

Running Back

The Colts fear it could be a high ankle sprain for running back Jonathan Taylor, according to Zak Keefer of the Athletic. Nyheim Hines would be the biggest benefactor from a significant injury to Taylor, but overall it would be a crushing blow to a Colts offense that was already struggling. 

Broncos running back Javonte Williams is feared to have suffered a serious knee injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Williams was seen leaving the locker room on crutches after failing to be able to put any weight on his knee. Rapoport noted that there’s not a lot of optimism surrounding this injury. Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone are the other running backs in Denver. 

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill appeared to suffer a hamstring injury in Week 4. J.K. Dobbins scored two touchdowns without Hill in the game and figures to see increased opportunity while Hill is out. 

While you were sleeping Sunday morning, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was ruled out with a rib injury. Latavius Murray led Mark Ingram in carries 11 to 10, had more yards and scored a touchdown in Week 4. 

Wide Receiver

Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks was on crutches with a boot on his foot after the game, according to Titans Insider. This appears to be a significant injury that will keep Burks sidelined for at least a month. Derrick Henry led the Titans in targets, while Robert Woods led the team in receptions in Week 4. 

Bills wide receiver Jamison Crowder appeared to suffer a significant ankle injury and was carted off the field Sunday. Isaiah McKenzie left the game with a head injury. Perhaps Gabriel Davis will get going a little more if both Crowder and McKenzie miss Week 5. 

Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson left the game with a hamstring injury, but it doesn’t appear to be serious and he said as much after the game. 

Tight End

Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith left the game with an ankle injury. If Smith were to miss time, that would open up some opportunity for Hunter Henry, but not enough to make him usable without Mac Jones starting. 

Be sure to check back for the Friday update and hit us up in the FTN Fantasy Football Discord with any additional injury questions.