Week 5 NFL Injury Breakdown
Injuries can play a crucial role in your season long leagues and some of the same waiver wire concepts apply in DFS as well. RotoGrinders will have a weekly injury report highlighting the key injuries across the league and possible value plays that can pop up because of them.
Quarterback
Carson Palmer (Shoulder) Out
Palmer has been ruled out for Week 5 and that means Drew Stanton will be the Cardinals starter. We have seen the limitations it puts on the skill players from a fantasy perspective.
Jake Locker (Wrist) Probable
Tony Romo (Back) Probable
Running Back
Joique Bell (Concussion) Out
Bell has been ruled out for Week 5 and it should be a good time to fire away with Reggie Bush. Not only will Bush get the bulk of the RB duty, but he could see a few more targets with an injured Megatron.
DeAngelo Williams (Ankle) Out
Williams and Stewart are both out this week and that means Darrin Reaves will be first in line for the carries. The Panthers have said they will use a hot-hand approach to their backfield this week, which limits out optimism on any of the three. If you are going to take a shot, it makes the most sense to roster Reaves, as he gets first crack at being the hot hand.
Ryan Matthews (Knee) Out
Matthews looks to be a couple of weeks away from returning to the backfield and that means Donald Brown will get another shot at disappointing DFS players.
Jonathan Stewart (Knee) Doubtful
Although he is listed as doubtful on the injury report, Stewart will not play this week. The Panthers RB situation is a mess and can’t be trusted for DFS purposes.
Ben Tate (Knee) Probable
Tate is listed as probable for Week 5, but has shown some concern himself with the injured knee. Keep an eye on this one in the morning, as the Browns play in the early set, giving us plenty of time to adjust. Isaiah Crowell will likely get the bulk of the work if he is unable to go.
Arian Foster (Hamstring) Probable
Foster is listed as probable but did miss some practice this week and looks to be a game-time decision. The Texans play in the early slate, so we will know his status prior to roster lock.
Jamaal Charles (Ankle) Probable
Andre Ellington (Foot) Probable
Frank Gore (Back) Probable
Wide Receiver
Cecil Shorts & Marqise Lee (Hamstring) Out
Both Shorts and Lee will be out this week with hamstring injuries, giving Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson a solid bump this week in the Jags matchup with the Steelers.
Donnie Avery (Groin) Out
Avery is out this week and probably longer. He wasn’t seeing a ton of targets, but this could set up Kelce and other secondary/check down options for a slight bump.
Harry Douglas (Foot) Out
Douglas is out for Week 5, setting up Devin Hester as the #3 WR for the Falcons again this week. Hester had 5 catches for 70 yards and a touchdown last week in this role.
Mike Evans (Groin) Out
Evans has been ruled out for \Wweek 5. Louis Murphy saw 11 targets last week in his absence and ended the day with a 6 catches and 99 yards.
Marvin Jones (Ankle) Doubtful
Jones was set to return to the Bengals this week, but tweaked his ankle early in the week and has now been downgraded to doubtful. We will have to wait at least one more week to use Jones.
Calvin Johnson (Ankle) Questionable
Some conflicting information as to whether or not Megatron will play this week. The coach is saying there is a chance he sits but the beat writer is saying that he is a go. The good news is that we will likely have our answer prior to lock, as the Lions are playing in the early slate.
Eric Decker (Hamstring) Questionable
Decker did not practice Friday and is listed as questionable for Week 5. He played more than expected last week, and it is impossible to tell what is really going on with this injury. The Jets play in the late slate Sunday, so use him at your own risk.
Andre Johnson (Ankle) Questionable
He is listed as questionable but is expected to play this week. He did sit out of practice on Friday, so make sure to double check the Texans inactives prior to roster lock.
Brandon Marshall (Ankle) Probable
Marshall was able to practice in full this week and appears to be as healthy as he has been since the start of the year. This is good news for Jay Cutler, who has all of his weapons available to him.
Julio Jones (Ankle) Probable
Dez Bryant (Shoulder) Probable
Michael Crabtree (Foot) Probable
Sammy Watkins (Ribs) Probable
A.J. Green (Toe) Probable
Markus Wheaton (Groin) Probable
Tight End
Jordan Reed (Hamstring) & Niles Paul (Concussion) Questionable
Reed did not practice Saturday and is questionable for Week 5. Paul has practiced Friday and Saturday and looks to be headed toward the start on Monday night. This is a bit risky,considering we will not have clarity on the situation until well after roster lock.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (Foot) Questionable
He missed Wednesday and Thursday but was able to get a limited practice in on Friday. His role in the Buccaneers gameplan appears to be expanding, as he saw the field a lot last week and could be utilized more with Mike Evans out. Check back prior to roster lock to make sure he is active.
Vernon Davis (Back) & Vance McDonald (Knee) Questionable
It doesn’t look good for Davis this week, as he has not practiced. Vance McDonald will get the start despite his questionable tag if Davis is ruled out. We won’t have 100% confirmation with this situation until after roster lock.
Rob Gronkowski (Knee) Probable
Jordan Cameron (Shoulder) Probable
Delanie Walker (Shoulder) Probable