Navigating the Week 5 Injury Hayes

Another week of NFL football has come and gone.  This week was a little more forgiving in the injury department, seeing as we didn’t have any season ending injuries to report.  However, the injuries still stacked up.  Fantasy superstars like Lamar Jackson and Ja’Marr Chase had their days cut short, potentially costing managers a win.  On the flip side, we had guys like Nico Collins and Puka Nacua finally get back on the field and absolutely smash for fantasy teams.  Injuries are part of the game, and us managers just need to ride the waves as they come.

Last week's start/sit calls were a little better than Week 3 as both Nico and Puka lit it up for owners, and Zay Flowers had another fantastic day.  Chig Okonkwo was someone I have lost confidence in, and he justified my lack of confidence with another dud.  Hopefully he isn’t someone many managers are forced to start.  Unfortunately, Saquon Barkley left the game early, so his day was cut short. Though I don’t think he would’ve produced much this week in that atrocious Eagles’ offense. He was someone I recommended starting, but with tempered expectations. Re-injury wasn't in the forecast.

Before we begin navigating the haziness of the injury landscape, I’d like to once again state I am by no means an injury expert, and any injury opinions are just based on gut feeling and optics, and they are not backed by any medical background.  However, to help improve the content, I will be occasionally referencing some medical analysis from Dr. Ribu Thomas (@Ribu18 on X). He brings a medical insight that I can’t even pretend to be able to provide.  Be sure to drop him a follow to get some top notch injury analysis.  Now, into the Injury Hayes!

Green Light: Expected to Play

Jayden Daniels - Washington Commanders

Jayden is set to return in Week 5 after a gruesome elbow dislocation suffered in Week 2.  Per Ian Rapoport, Daniels isn’t “100 percent” healthy, but will suit up regardless.  He’ll wear a brace, though there is still a chance of reinjury.  For more insight on the injury, check out this tweet from Dr. Ribu Thomas:

If you’ve got him, start him. He gets to face a Giants’ defense that was just scorched by Jacoby Brissett and also conceded a touchdown to Marvin Harrison Jr.  The Commanders will be without Stefon Diggs but could see Terry McLaurin return to the lineup.  This defense is vulnerable; the only pause for concern is the potential for poor weather.  Despite this, I’m still comfortable starting him considering the defense he’s facing, as well as the rushing upside Jayden possesses. 

Bottom Line

Welcome back to lineups, Jayden! 

Chris Olave - New Orleans Saints

For those that are new to the Chris Olave experience: Welcome!  For those that have rostered Olave in the past, you understand the weekly ups and downs associated with having this stud on your team.  Every week, you watch Chris feast and rack up points in your lineup (currently WR4).  However, you’re also constantly holding your breath every time he’s so much as breathed upon by a defender.  The injury history is well documented, and when you sprinkle in the volume he sees, it’s no surprise he occasionally comes up lame after a play.  This week, he’s dealt with a foot injury.  However, he’s off the injury report and should be good to go for Sunday’s game, per Mike Triplett. 

He has a tough matchup against a vaunted Vikings’ defense, but he’s a lineup lock every week.  Don’t overthink this one: play your talented star receiver and live with the results.  Don’t get cute and try to play a lesser talent who has a better matchup.  When Olave plays, he’s in your lineup.

Bottom Line

Play him despite the unfavorable matchup.

Rachaad White - Washington Commanders

The Commanders’ pass catching back has no injury designation heading into Sunday’s game having fully recovered from a shoulder injury.  In White’s absence, we saw Austin Ekeler rejoin the backfield rotation, which makes me pause when considering White for my Week 5 lineup. 

If you can afford to keep White on the bench, I’d wait a week to see how touches are divvied up amongst the three Washington RBs (Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, and White).  Does White return to the pass-catching specialist role we’ve come to expect, or does he start to split some work with Austin Ekeler?  I need to see this situation play out before trusting Rachaad in lineups as a flex play.  

Bottom Line

Keep him on your bench until we see how the backfield rotation plays out if your roster construction allows for it.  If you’re hampered with injuries or bye weeks, throw him in and hope he gets a few catches.

Yellow Light: Questionable, Proceed with Caution

Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders

Terry has been dealing with a hamstring injury all week and is slated as a game-time decision, per Jeremy Fowler.  He missed last week’s game against the Colts, but was able to log a limited participation in Friday's practice.  I’m no medical expert, but this is a sign of positive progression.  

If Terry plays, plug your nose and throw him in your lineup.  With Jayden back, his ceiling improves, and as I said before, he’s facing a Giants’ defense that just gave up a touchdown to Marvin Harrison.  The weather is a concern as well, but unless your lineup is deep at the receiver position, he’s finding a way in your lineup.  Pay close attention to this one for any updates.  Should he miss, Antonio Williams and Dyami Brown project to be the top pass-catchers.

Bottom Line

Plug your nose and throw him into lineups if he’s playing.

Rico Dowdle - PIttsburgh Steelers

Rico is listed as questionable heading into Sunday’s game against the Colts as he recovers from a toe injury.  This injury has sidelined him since Week 3.  In his absence, Jaylen Warren has all but taken hold of this running back room, running for 127 yards and 93 yards in Weeks 3 and 4, respectively.  

If Rico is back and healthy, don’t rush him into lineups unless you’re extremely desperate.  I’d let this situation play out for a week or two to see how much Rico cuts into Warren’s workload.  As good as Jaylen has looked, I’d be shocked if this turns into anywhere close to a 50/50 split.  I expect Warren to remain the workhorse for the foreseeable future.  

Bottom Line: 

Bench unless desperate.

Keenan Allen - Indianapolis Colts

Keenan isn’t a major cog in the fantasy wheel, but he was mentioned in last week’s article, so it’s only fair to provide an update on him.  Keenan comes into the weekend with a questionable tag due to a groin injury.  He logged two limited practice sessions this week, which signals improvements, but still appears to be a game-time decision.  Managers will need to monitor his status as we get closer to kickoff.  

Should he miss, Laquon Treadwell and Ashton Dulin should be the beneficiaries, neither of which I’m excited to start.  

Bottom Line

Game-time decision and a flex play in deeper formats provided he’s on the field.

Zay Flowers - Baltimore Ravens

Zay popped up on the injury report again in the buildup to Week 5, this time due to a foot injury as opposed to the hamstring designation we had seen in the past few weeks.  Per Adam Caplan, he is questionable heading into Sunday night's game, but reports suggest he’s not in danger of missing any time. 

If you want to be super cautious, Rashod Bateman would take over WR1 duties should Zay miss time. Otherwise, I don't think there are any concerns to be had here.

Bottom Line

There doesn’t appear to be any real danger of Zay missing this game, so fire him up in lineups.  However, temper your expectations with Tyler Huntley tossing him the pigskin.

Justin Jefferson - Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson enters the weekend with a questionable tag but is planning to play Sunday against the Saints.  Reports from Jeremy Fowler suggest we’ll know by Saturday night if Jefferson will be able to suit up. 

If he returns, this is an outstanding matchup against a Saints team that has given up 30+ points in three of their four games this season.  The Saints have also had a high powered offense to go with a porous defense, so there is a chance for points galore in this game.  With that being said, start Jefferson with confidence if he returns this week.  Should he miss, Jordan Addison (ankle) and Jauan Jennings once again figure to be the top WRs in the offense.  Another Jefferson absence would also bear many fruits for TJ Hockenson, who is fresh off a 13 catch, 119 yard performance in Week 4

Bottom Line

Look for a report Saturday to confirm his status.  If Jefferson plays, start him with the utmost confidence.

Caleb Williams - Chicago Bears

Caleb’s injury saga has taken another surprising turn, as he has been upgraded to questionable heading into the weekend.  All previous reports suggested Tyson Bagent would be taking snaps once again, but that becomes unclear now.  This’ll be a situation to monitor heading into Sunday.  My non-medical-expert gut feeling tells me he’ll miss Week 5 but be ready to go for Week 6. For an actual medical experts advice, here's a tweet from Dr. Ribu Thomas:

As a Caleb owner, I’m expecting to be without him this week and will be pleasantly surprised should he suit up.  If he plays, he’s going in lineups. 

Bottom Line

I lean towards him missing, but I’m keeping my heart open to love.  Tyson Bagent remains a decent superflex option if Caleb is unable to go.  Keep tabs on this one heading into Sunday.

Ja’Marr Chase - Cincinnati Bengals

Chase left his Week 4 matchup against the Jags with a concussion, and he still remains in concussion protocol.  Though he practiced Friday, he still has a few more hurdles to clear to be ready for gametime.  I would guess we’ll have a verdict by the end of the day on Saturday, so keep an eye out for reports. 

If he’s out, rookie Dohnte Meyer becomes a startable option, especially in deeper formats.

Bottom Line

There seems to be optimism, but watch for a final report to confirm.  Have a backup plan ready.

Tee Higgins - Cincinnati Bengals

Tee is questionable with a groin/neck injury but was a full participant in practice Friday, according to Paul Dehner Jr.  A full practice signals to me he’ll be on the field for Week 5. 

If Tee does suit up, there’s no doubt he should be trusted in lineups.  He’s too talented to bench and has a solid matchup against the Dolphins.  If Ja’Marr Chase misses, Tee will be in for a big workload.  Once again, if Tee were to sit out, Dohnte Meyers is next in line for an increase in target share.

Bottom Line

I lean towards him playing, and he should be in lineups if he’s on the field.

DJ Moore - Buffalo Bills

DJ Moore remains questionable due to a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 2.  He left his Week 4 matchup against the Patriots early and opened the week with back-to-back DNPs, per Joe Buscaglia.  Joe reported Moore was on the field Saturday, but this isn’t enough for me to start him with confidence.  

This is a tricky situation to navigate as the Bills don’t play until Monday night.  Keep him in your flex slot to give you the most flexibility in finding a replacement should any news drop Monday.  If he misses, turn to Khalil Shakir or Keon Coleman as some last resort options.  Keon has received an uptick in targets in the game’s Moore has exited, seeing 6 targets in Week 2 and 7 targets in Week 4.  

Bottom Line

I don’t like having to rely on DJ Moore here.  His DNPs worry me, and with him coming off another early exit, I’m ensuring I have Keon Coleman or Khalil Shakir to slot into my lineups.  If there are other options on your bench available, I’d put them in if I can’t get a Monday night emergency substitution on my roster.

Ladd McConkey - Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd heads into the weekend with a questionable tag due to a foot injury.  He exited Week 4’s game early and hasn’t logged a practice session this week, per RotoBaller.  I fear he’ll miss this week, and even if he plays, it’s hard to trust him in this discombobulated Chargers’ offense.  The offense hasn’t been as advertised, and I don’t blame anyone for just avoiding it altogether. 

It is worth noting, however, that Quentin Johnston is set to miss this week with a chest injury.  Should both Ladd and Quentin miss, second year WR Tre’ Harris figures to slot in as the teams WR1 and could be in for a massive workload.

Bottom Line

I’m benching Ladd if I have the privilege of doing so.  If you need a replacement, even though this offense is horrendous, Tre’ Harris seems like a lock for a decent target share.  He’s likely the only WR left on waiver wires that has the potential for a WR1 workload.  

Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders

Jeanty is listed as questionable for Week 5 due to an ankle/foot injury.  He missed Friday’s practice, which to me isn’t a great sign. However, HC Klint Kubiak was quoted as saying that Jeanty will “do his best to go” in Week 5, as reported by Levi Edwards.  Monitor this situation heading into Sunday. 

If Ashton is out, rookie running back Mike Washington will step in and have a chance to showcase his skills as the team's RB1.  

Bottom Line

If Jeanty plays, he’s going in my lineup with tempered expectations.  

Red Light: Already Out, Seek Other Avenues

Saquon Barkley / Tank Bigsby - Philadelphia Eagles

Both Barkley and Bigsby are set to miss this week’s game against the Jags, though the outlook for one back is brighter than the other.  Saquon remains week-to-week with a hamstring injury, so owners need to continue to monitor his practicing habits as the weeks go on.  Bigsby, however, is on IR and will miss at least four weeks.  

While both backs are out, some combination of Will Shipley, Carson Steele, and Dameon Pierce figure to handle work in the backfield, though at what split I’m unsure.  Will Shipley was a hot waiver wire commodity this week, but if you’re in a deep league or super desperate for an RB, I’d lean towards Dameon Pierce being the team’s RB2.  

Bottom Line

Continue to monitor Barkley.  Even when he does return, I don’t like his chances to perform given how atrocious this Philly offense has looked.  While he’s out, I’d be looking to bolster my RB room via waivers or trade.  A possible trade candidate could be Chase Brown given his slow start.

Lamar Jackson - Baltimore Ravens

Lamar is set to miss Week 5 due to an ankle injury he sustained in the first half of his Week 4 matchup against the Titans.  According to reports from Ian Rapoport, there’s a chance he could miss Week 6 as well.  In the meantime, Tyler Huntley will take the helm and lead the Ravens’ offense into battle.  

In superflex formats, Huntley is a viable option because of his rushing abilities.  In 1-QB formats, I’m looking at Jacoby Brissett as my top target to replace Jackson in my lineup.  He gets the Lions this week in what projects to be a high scoring game.  If he’s gone, I’m looking at guys like Sam Darnold or Kirk Cousins to keep me afloat.  

Devonta Smith - Philadelphia Eagles

Devonta Smith is set to miss this week with a hamstring injury.  He’s been dealing with this since Week 3, and missed last week because of it.

I don’t trust this offense at all, so I’m just avoiding this WR room altogether.  If you’re desperate for a fill-in, Dontayvion Wicks projects to fulfill the WR1 role with support from Darius Cooper and Makai Lemon.  Wicks has dealt with a hamstring injury of his own, but he was able to stay off the injury report heading into Sunday.  

Bottom Line

Smith is out, so seek other options.  Wicks, Cooper, and Lemon will be the guys in Philly, though I’m avoiding this situation altogether.  Other possible streaming options are Dohnte Meyers (Cincinnati), Keon Coleman (Buffalo), and Tre’ Harris (LA Chargers), to name a few.  

Breece Hall - New York Jets

Breece will miss Week 5 due to a quadriceps injury he picked up in Week 3.  This injury held him out of Week 4 as well, and he remains week-to-week. 

Braelon Allen will once again get the bulk of the workload with a possibility that Isaiah Davis gets sprinkled in, though that wasn’t the case in Week 4.  Hopefully you were able to get Braelon or Emanuel Wilson if you are a Breece owner as replacement options in Breece’s absence.  If for some reason you are still searching for a back, look to Tyler Allgeier (Arizona) or Woody Marks (Houston) as a Week 5 dart throw.

Bottom Line

Breece is out again; monitor his practice participation next week and start preparing early in the week if the outlook for a return is looking grim.

Kyle Monangai - Chicago Bears

Monangai was a week-winner in Week 4, turning 30 carries into 146 yards and 2 TDs.  However, this hefty workload led to Monangai picking up a turf-toe injury.  According to Courtney Cronin, he is considered week-to-week, but isn’t considered to be an IR candidate.  That puts a possible time table for return around Week 7 or Week 8, at the latest. For more on Monangai (and others), checkout this tweet from Dr. Ribu Thomas:

In the meantime, D’Andre Swift (hip/knee) will look to take on the lion’s share of the workload, with Roschon Johnson set as the RB2.  It’s possible we see Roschon play in a short-yardage/goal line role, but he’s nothing more than a deeper league dart throw or a bench stash in case Swift were to go down.

Bottom Line

My guy, our guy, Monangai is set to miss a few weeks.  Plan accordingly, and be diligent on waivers to snag replacement options as they become available.

Final Thoughts

To summarize this week's report:

Start (if playing): Jayden Daniels, Chris Olave, Terry McLaurin, Zay Flowers, Justin Jefferson, Caleb Williams, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Ashton Jeanty

Sitting if I can help it (even if healthy): Rachaad White, Keenan Allen, Rico Dowdle, DJ Moore, Ladd McConkey

Already ruled out: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Lamar Jackson, Breece Hall, Kyle Monangai

Injuries to our star players can derail even the strongest of fantasy teams.  While we can’t prevent them, we can do our best to give ourselves multiple options to prepare for the worst case scenario.  In fantasy, it is better to be proactive and not reactive.  If you’re reacting after players are marked OUT, you’re likely going to be too late in acquiring the best possible replacements for your lineup.  Be diligent: roster your handcuffs so you’re prepared for any situation, collect depth pieces throughout the year, and stay in-the-know by taking in all the amazing content found on AngleRanks, and also by giving @Ribu18 a follow on X!

May your players stay healthy and be showered with touchdowns!  If you enjoyed this, be sure to follow @TheDynastyCafe on X for more fantasy related content.  Also, feel free to reach out for any roster related questions as the season goes on!