Thankfully, we saw a decrease in the number of fantasy football injuries in Week 4. However, there were some injuries to key players to both fantasy and NFL teams. There is also a number of injuries that we need to check in on from previous weeks. Have no fear, this Week 5 fantasy football injury report has you covered.
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Week 5 Late Inactives:
Sterling Shepard (WR) New York Giants
Darius Slayton (WR) New York Giants
Jimmy Garapplo (QB) San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle (TE) San Francisco 49ers
David Montgomery (RB) Chicago Bears
Justin Jackson (RB) Los Angeles Chargers
Peyton Barber (RB) Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5 1PM Inactives:
Dalvin Cook (RB) Minnesota Vikings
DeVante Parker (WR) Miami Dolphins
Rob Gronkowski (TE) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Julio Jones (WR) Tennessee Titans
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (WR) Tennessee Titans
Josh Lambo (K) Jacksonville Jaguars
Christian McCaffrey (RB) Carolina Panthers
Mike Thomas (WR) Cincinnati Bengals
Albert Okwuegbunam (TE) Denver Broncos
Danny Amendola (WR) Houston Texans
Dyami Brown (WR) Washington Football Team
Logan Thomas (TE) Washington Football Team
James Washington (WR) Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 5 London (9:30 AM) Inactives:
Calvin Ridley (WR) Atlanta Falcons
Russell Gage (WR) Atlanta Falcons
10/8/21 Update
Jimmy Garopplo (QB) San Francisco 49ers
Calf Contusion, Initial Injury:10/3/21
Jimmy G was playing doctor this past Sunday, saying he expected his injury to only have him miss a couple of weeks. He also says that the injury happened early in the first quarter and gradually worsened to the point he took himself out of the game. Maybe even Jimmy himself wants to see what the rookie QB Trey Lance can do? The injury is now being called a calf contusion after the initial fear was a calf strain which would have sidelined him for multiple weeks.
A calf contusion is essentially a bruise of the calf with no real structural damage. Once the swelling and pain go down, Garopplo should be able to assume his role as the starter. The injury will limit his mobility and ability to push off while throwing if the leg is still swollen and in pain.
The prognosis is much better for Jimmy G than originally thought and he had a chance to play in Week 5. However, after not practicing all week, the 49ers QB has been ruled out of the game this week. It’s time to see what rookie QB Trey Lance is all about as he will get his first start against division rival Arizona Cardinals.
Jimmy G received good news with a calf contusion but has been ruled OUT this week. – SIT
George Kittle (TE) San Francisco 49ers
Calf Injury, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
The 49ers star TE suffered a calf injury during his Week 3 matchup against the Packers. The nature of the calf injury has not been disclosed but it is likely a calf contusion or bruising. This injury comes down to pain tolerance and lowering swelling, like in Jimmy G’s case. Kittle was able to play last week despite only having one limited practice. He had 11 targets and was able to play the majority of San Francisco’s offensive snaps. Unfortunately, it does not seem like Kittle will be able to repeat this sequence this week. Kittle was unable to participate in any practice this week and is officially listed as doubtful against the Cardinals.
George Kittle is unlikely to play this week due to a calf injury from Week 3. – SIT
Teddy Bridgewater (QB) Denver Broncos
Concussion, Initial Injury: 10/3/21
The Broncos QB suffered a hard helmet-to-helmet hit late in the second quarter which forced him to leave the game. Bridgewater was unable to return coming out of halftime and has been entered in the league’s concussion protocol. A concussion refers to damage to the brain which disrupts its function. Bridgewater’s concussion provides some mystery to this Week 5 injury report. How long concussion symptoms last is very variable but research has shown most NFL players return in less than 7 days. It has also been shown that players are at an increased risk for a separate injury once they return to playing. Bridgewater’s injury will need to be monitored daily due to steps needing to be met in order for the concussion protocol.
The Broncos QB is reportedly “getting better” throughout the week according to head coach Vic Fangio. Teddy B was able to return to the weight room Wednesday and have a limited practice Thursday. After a full practice on Friday, Bridgewater just needs to cleared by an independent doctor on Saturday. The team is optimistic that Teddy Bridgewater will be their starter Sunday.
The Broncos are hopeful that Bridgewater will be their starting QB Sunday. – MONITOR
Rob Gronkowski (TE) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fractured Ribs, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
Gronk not being able to spike a TD on his old team is the heartbreaking story of this Week 5 injury report. The veteran TE briefly exited the game in Week 3 to get X-rays done on his ribs after a hard hit. The X-rays came back as negative and he was able to return to the game and record a catch. The fact that Gronk was able to come back to the game and his status was up in the air for Week 4 seems crazy now. Details have come out that the Bucs tight end is currently dealing with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. This is an extremely painful injury. It will likely have Gronk miss multiple weeks and may end up on the IR.
Gronk is likely headed to the IR with fractured ribs and a punctured lung – IR/SIT
Sterling Shepard (WR) New York Giants
Hamstring Strain, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
Just a brutal blow for a Giants team that has been a GIANT disappointment this season. Shepard has been the team’s leading pass catcher to begin the year and a very productive fantasy football WR. The Giants WR left his Week 3 game in the first quarter, and was unable to return which is not a good sign regarding his injury severity. Shepard has been unable to practice for two weeks in a row and will miss his second consecutive game this week.
The Giants are in more of a desperation mode than most teams at this point, but it would still be a big risk to play Shepard too early. Hamstring strains have a high reinjury risk and usually take multiple weeks to recover. The Giants WR’s lower body power would be compromised until his hamstring heals fully, limiting his ability. The Giants currently have two WRs (see Darius Slayton below) dealing with hamstring injuries. Giants WRs Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and Collin Johnson would find themselves as the team’s top pass catchers in Shepard and Slayton’s absence.
Shepard’s hamstring strain will keep him out for a second week in a row. – SIT
Julio Jones (WR) Tennessee Titans
Hamstring Strain, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
Add another WR and hamstring strain to the injury report. Julio Jones ended his Week 3 matchup on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring strain. This has quickly went from a minor injury to a multi-week absence which is common with these type of injuries. The Titans WR has missed two straight weeks of practices and will miss his second straight game as well.
Hamstring injuries have a high reinjury rate and can lead to more severe injuries if a player returns too soon. A hamstring strain also limits a players speed and jumping ability. Jones has not been able to practice at all this week, and he is looking more and more unlikely to play this week. Tennessee WRs Chester Rodgers and Josh Reynolds look to fill as the teams top pass catchers this week. Expect a busy day for RB Derrick Henry as well.
Jones has been ruled out for the second week in a row. – SIT
Darius Slayton (WR) New York Giants
Hamstring Strain, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
Wide receivers and hamstring injuries seem to be the leagues newest trend. Like his teammate Sterling Shepard, Slayton exited his Week 3 game early in the first quarter with a hamstring strain. The Giants WR has been unable to practice these past two weeks, essentially solidifying his status as out this week. Hamstring strains are not injuries that heal quickly and are likely to reinjure if the player returns too soon. WRs Kenny Golladay and Collin Johnson would look to take over Slayton’s deep threat role in the Giants offense.
Slayton relies on his hamstrings as a deep threat WR and is out this week. – SIT
Christian McCaffrey (RB) Carolina Panthers
Hamstring strain, Initial injury: 9/23/21
The Panthers star RB has found himself on the injury report again this year. McCaffrey was injured during the Week 3 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Texans. He was ruled out of the game quickly with a hamstring strain but the good news is that the Panthers have announced he will not be heading to the IR. This news means that his hamstring injury is minor.
However, even minor hamstring injuries usually take two to three weeks to heal. The Panthers will need to be careful with their stud RB as hamstring strains have a high reinjury likelihood. McCaffrey staying on the Week 5 injury report may be the best case for his season production. The second injury is also usually more severe and would cause him to miss the majority of the season. For now, it is going to be rookie RB Chubba Hubbard leading the Carolina backfield. The no IR is an encouraging sign that we should have McCaffrey back on the field within the next month, barring any setbacks.
McCaffrey has officially made his return to practice on Wednesday, October 6th. He was only a limited participant but this is a promising sign that he should be back soon. I think the risk outweighs the reward to play him in Week 5 against a bad Eagles team. Apparently the Panthers believe this as well, as McCaffrey is listed as doubtful against Philadelphia.
McCaffrey returned to practice and has a chance to play this week – SIT/MONITOR
Joe Mixon (RB) Cincinnati Bengals
Ankle Sprain, Initial Injury: 9/30/21
The Bengals star RB was injured in the fourth quarter of last week’s game and unable to return on the final drive. The injury is reported to be a low-grade ankle sprain which basically tells us there was mild damage to the ligaments. The big question here is whether the sprain is to the low or high ankle. There has not been a distinction made by the team yet, but Mixon’s practice status will tell the story.
A high ankle sprain is much more serious and would require at least three weeks to recover from. On the other hand, with a mild low ankle sprain, Mixon could play this week. This is definitely a situation to monitor throughout the week and grabbing RB Samaje Perine as a handcuff is a good idea for Mixon owners.
Mixon did not participate in any practices this week and according to his head coach he will need a full practice before being allowed to play. Mixon will test out his ankle on Saturday as a chance to prove to his coaches he can play Sunday. Looks like we will have to wait another day to see Mixon’s chances of suiting up against the Packers.
Mixon is dealing with an ankle injury that will need to be monitored as the diagnosis is unclear. – MONITOR
10/6/21 Update
Chris Carson (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Neck Injury, Initial Injury: Preseason? Week 5?
In a bit of surprise, Seattle’s starting running back made his was on to the injury report Tuesday ahead of their Thursday night game. Carson has not practiced at all this week as he sat out with a neck injury. Not much details have been released regarding the injury at this point. The Seahawks running back was on the Week 1 injury report with a neck injury. However, he fully practiced that week and started all four games so far. Carson is currently listed as questionable for Thursday but back up Alex Collins is a must add for Carson fantasy owners. Collins has provided a spark for this backfield and is seeing a large percentage of the snap share already.
Carson is questionable for Thursday night but his lack of practice is concerning. – MONITOR/SIT
David Montgomery (RB) Chicago Bears
Knee Injury, Initial Injury: 10/3/21
The best player on this unappealing Bear’s offense suffered a scary-looking injury late in the fourth quarter of a game already decided. Despite the obvious pain Montgomery was in, it appears the star RB has avoided a serious season-ending injury. The initial fear was an ACL tear due to him hyperextending his knee to cause the injury but it is being reported this is not the case. Montgomery has been officially diagnosed with a knee sprain and is expected to miss three to five weeks. It’s difficult to give a more accurate timeline because a “knee sprain” is about as specific as saying a “knee injury”. However, it does seem safe to say the productive fantasy RB will be back in starting lineups this season.
Montgomery suffered a knee injury that will have him miss multiple weeks but is not season-ending. – SIT/IR
Logan Thomas (TE) Washington Football Team
Hamstring Strain, Initial Injury: 10/3/21
Washington survived an offensive shootout in Atlanta last week without one of their top targets. The converted tight end Logan Thomas limped off the field on the team’s first possession of the game and was unable to return. Thomas injured his hamstring in a non-contact injury while running upfield. Hamstring strains are tricky injuries that require at least two weeks to recover from.
These injuries have a high reinjury rate which often causes a more severe injury than the original. Hamstring strains can linger throughout the season will limit a player’s running and jumping ability. Thomas has been placed on the IR and is expected to miss four weeks. This move means there has been some substantial damage to his hamstring and returning to play in four weeks seems optimistic.
Thomas is dealing with a hamstring strain and has been placed on IR – DROP/IR
D.J. Chark (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars
Ankle Fracture, Initial Injury: 9/30/21
Let’s kick off this Week 5 report with an added injury to the insult that is Jacksonville Jaguars football. Last Thursday night, their big-play WR D.J. Chark was rolled up on by a fellow teammate and had to be carted off the field. Unfortunately, Chark fractured his ankle, which will require surgery and likely end his 2021 season. With the Jags looking abysmal, there is no reason for them to risk bringing back their young WR this year. Fellow WRs Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault should see a boost in targets for the rest of the season.
Chark’s season is likely over with a fractured ankle. – DROP
Will Fuller (WR) Miami Dolphins
Broken Finger, Initial Injury:10/3/21
Fuller’s Miami career is off to a rocky start after missing the first two games for non-injury reasons and getting hurt early in Week 4. The Miami WR broke his finger while attempting to make a diving catch on an underthrown ball. He was immediately ruled out of the game and is now expected to miss “ a few weeks”. A broken bone is going to take about six weeks to fully heal normally but there is a possibility he returns closer to the four-week mark. His recovery timeline will be up to how much Fuller and the Dolphins want to risk a reinjury. The Dolphins are fairly healthy at WR otherwise, with DeVante Parker and Jaylen Waddle leading the way.
Fuller broke his finger and will likely be out four to six weeks. – IR/SIT
K.J. Hamler (WR) Denver Broncos
ACL Tear, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
The Denver WR room received another blow this week to another talented young WR. Hamler joins his teammate Jerry Jeudy on the IR after tearing his ACL in Week 3. Hamler will miss the rest of the season with this injury. ACL tears are serious knee injuries that can take a year or more to fully recover from. With the Broncos down both of their top slot WR options, look for TE Noah Fant to have an increased role in the offense. WRs Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick will also see an increased role.
Hamler is out for the rest of the season with an ACL Tear. – DROP/IR
Scotty Miller (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Turf Toe, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
The Bucs WR suffered a turf toe injury during his Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The injury is being reported as severe and that the WR will miss a substantial amount of time. Turf toe refers to damage to the ligaments of the big toe that happens with the toe is pushed too far back. This injury has a high reinjury likelihood and with this level of damage, the IR seems inevitable. Miller was filling in for WR Antonio Brown who was out with COVID so this shouldn’t have a major fantasy impact.
Miller is likely headed to the IR with a turf toe injury. -DROP/SIT
James White (RB) New England Patriots
Hip Subluxation, Initial Injury: 9/26/21
The Patriots RB was carted off in his Week 3 matchup with a leg injury. The injury is being called a hip subluxation, which is the same injury Washington QB Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered. The injury refers to the hip bone being forced partially out of the hip socket. This is a painful and serious injury that can sometimes require surgery to repair. After further testing, it was found that White’s injury is severe enough to likely end his 2021 season. Patriots RBs Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will see an increased workload in White’s absence.
The Patriots RB is expected to miss the rest of the season. – DROP
Tua Tagovailoa (QB) Miami Dolphins
Rib Injury, Initial Injury: 9/19/21
The Dolphins young QB was hit in the ribs and knocked out of the game in the first quarter in Week 2. It was a scary sight for Tua-believing Dolphins fans, as the QB was carted off the field and was unable to return to the game. After initial reports of no structural damage, it has been announced that after further testing, Tua does have fractured ribs.
Tua has officially been placed on IR and would likely miss multiple weeks with this injury. The recovery timeline is normally three to eight weeks with this injury, depending on the severity of the fracture. This is a painful injury, that will limit his mobility and will discourage him from taking hits. Dolphins backup Jacoby Brissett will be taking over the starting QB position during Tua’s absence.
Tua has fractured ribs and been put on IR. – SIT/DROP
Jarvis Landry (WR) Cleveland Browns
MCL Sprain, Initial injury: 9/19/21
Cleveland WR Jarvis Landry suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of his Week 2 game against the Texans. Landry was unable to return to the game but it appears a severe injury was avoided. An MRI revealed a mild MCL sprain that will limit him for a few weeks. Landry has been officially placed on the short-term IR and will miss at least three weeks. An MCL injury refers to damage to the inner part of your knee and is key in side-to-side knee stability.
This injury usually comes with a two to three-week recovery timeline. This injury would limit the WR’s route running and run after catch ability due to lack of knee stability until properly healed. Cleveland WR’s Donovan Peoples-Jones and Odell Beckham Jr., who is slated to return this week, would see a bump in value in Landry’s absence.
Landry will miss at least three weeks after being placed on the short-term IR. – SIT/IR
Tyrod Taylor (QB) Houston Texans
Hamstring Strain, Initial Injury: 9/19/21
Poor ATS legend Tyrod Taylor. His up and down career suffers another setback as he injured his hamstring during a TD run against the Browns in Week 2. The injury is being reported as significant after testing, leading to an extensive injury timeline. Taylor is looking at about a four to six-week recovery period with moderate damage to his hamstring. Hamstring injuries are troublesome as they also tend to linger and reinjure easily. This limits Tyrod’s ability to make plays with his legs and throw the ball efficiently due to reduced lower body power. With Tyrod out multiple weeks, it will be the rookie Davis Mills turn to be the starting QB for the mighty Houston Texans. Be careful what you wish for kid.
Tyrod Taylor will miss multiple weeks with moderate damage to his hamstring. – SIT/DROP
Nico Collins (WR) Houston Texans
Shoulder Injury, Initial Injury: 9/19/21
The Texans WR’s rookie campaign has hit a speed bump as he suffered a shoulder injury early in his Week 2 game. The specifics of the injury was not disclosed but it is being reported that he is expected to miss three to four weeks with this injury. Texans WRs Brandin Cooks, Anthony Miller, and Danny Amendola, who is questionable Thursday with a thigh injury, receive a mild target boost without Collins.
Collins has been placed on IR with an undisclosed shoulder injury and will miss at least three weeks. – SIT
Jerry Jeudy (WR) Denver Broncos
High Ankle Sprain, Initial Injury: 9/12/21
It was a scary sight in Week 1 when the Denver WR got tackled with his ankle pinned under him and was carted off the field. Thankfully, he did not break his ankle which was initially feared and the X-rays came back negative. Jeudy did still suffer a high ankle sprain, a significant injury, and the reason he is still on this Week 5 injury report. High ankle injuries are much worse than the common low ankle sprains that we more typically see.
These types of injuries lead to not only more playing time missed but also are more likely to lead to a chronic issue. The timetable currently being reported is four to six weeks, but I would expect closer to six weeks of missed time. This injury is going to affect Jeudy’s route running and cutting ability moving forward in the season. Denver WR’s Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick will look to fill in Jeudy’s big role in the offense.
Jeudy is going to miss significant time with a high ankle sprain and his fantasy production will be affected the majority of the season, especially the first eight to ten games- IR/DROP
Michael Gallup (WR) Dallas Cowboys
Calf Strain, Initial Injury: 9/9/21
The Cowboys potent offense received a significant blow as one of their top WRs suffered a calf injury in their game against the Bucs. Gallup has already been put on the short term IR and was given a timetable of three to five weeks to return to playing. A calf strain means that there has been damage to muscles in the back of a player’s lower leg. These injuries, like hamstring strains, have a tendency of lingering and can reinjure if not given enough time to properly heal. Gallup will have a difficult time accelerating and jumping with this injury due to the muscle not being as powerful. Fellow WRs Lamb and Cooper were already must starts but should see an increase in targets with Gallup sidelined.
Gallup is on the short-term IR with a calf strain. I would not expect solid fantasy football production until closer to Week 6 for the WR- SIT/IR
Tre’Quan Smith (WR) New Orleans Saints
Hamstring Injury, Initial Injury: 8/3/21, Short-term IR
One of the Saints’ projected top WRs coming into the season, Tre’Quan Smith has been placed on the short-term IR with a hamstring injury that he suffered at the beginning of August. Expect a bump in WR Marquez Callaway’s targets in the early part of the season with both Saint’s WRs Smith and Thomas on the IR.
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints
Ankle Surgery, Initial Injury: 8/13/20, Surgery: June 2021
Let’s finish this Week 5 injury report with the diva of the group. After a disappointing 2020 season due to an ankle injury, the general consensus was that Thomas was going to have offseason ankle surgery in the offseason and there would be no lingering effects going into the 2021 season. Of course, things didn’t go as planned and he had the surgery done in June, basically guaranteeing he would miss the start of the 2021 season.
The Saints will be without their number one receiver for at least the first six weeks of the regular season as Thomas was placed on the Injured Reserve (IR). On the injury front, the surgery should improve his route running and run after catch ability. Michael Thomas is not a WR you are going to be able to depend on to get you to your fantasy playoffs this year. However, he may help you win in the playoffs IF things go according to plan this time.
This injury report will be updated until Week 5 ends. Make sure to stay up to date on all the latest injuries this season over on Twitter @SGPNFootballDoc !
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