Week 5 NFL injury reports, picks, Fantasy: Will Titans' Mariota, Vikings' Bradford play?
Week 5 is a brutal week for quarterback injuries as Fantasy owners deal with their first non-weather byes of the season. With four teams getting the week off, the quarterback pickings in Fantasy leagues were already slim, but up to three more regular starters at the position could be on the sidelines in Week 5.
The Raiders already know they'll be without Derek Carr, and EJ Manuel is in line to make just his second start since 2015 (the Bills inexplicably benched a healthy Tyrod Taylor for Manuel in Week 17 last year). The Titans may or may not have Marcus Mariota under center, but they went out and signed Brandon Weeden during the week just in case. The Vikings have been playing without Sam Bradford for weeks, but he has a chance to return to action Monday after showing back up in practice this week.
Injuries must be accounted for when making Fantasy and picks pool/gambling decisions, and we've taken care of a lot of the legwork for you by collecting all the final injury reports in one place. Below you'll see the game status of every player on each team's injury report if they're ruled questionable or worse a few minutes after they're in. We'll also give quick thoughts on how those designations affect your decisions for Week 5.
Before we get to the injuries, here are some Week 5 Fantasy resources to give you even more help with setting your lineups:
And if you're undecided about who you should back in picks pools or at the sportsbook, here are our Week 5 picks:
On to the injuries as they develop. Check back throughout Friday (and check back Saturday for the Monday night game):
Cardinals at Eagles
Cardinals: TBA
Eagles: DT Fletcher Cox, CB Ronald Darby OUT; RB Wendell Smallwood, DT Destiny Vaeao, S Corey Graham, S Jaylen Watkins QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: Smallwood seems unlikely to play after missing practice this week, and that reduces the Eagles' rushing attack to LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement. The Eagles defense continues to deal with key injuries, and its top D-lineman and top cornerback remain out.
Bills at Bengals
Bills: WR Jordan Matthews, LB Ramon Humber OUT; OT Cordy Glenn, CB E.J. Gaines, CB Shareece Wright, S MIcah Hyde QUESTIONABLE
WR Jordan Matthews, LB Ramon Humber OUT; OT Cordy Glenn, CB E.J. Gaines, CB Shareece Wright, S MIcah Hyde QUESTIONABLE Bengals: WR John Ross, TE Tyler Eifert, TE Ryan Hewitt, S Derron Smith OUT; LB Jordan Evans QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: The Bills are down one of their starting receivers, putting even more strained on a mediocre passing game. They're also facing a cluster of injuries in the secondary and will definitely be down one of their top tacklers. Rookie Dion Dawkins has played well in place of Glenn in recent weeks. Ross and Eifert remain sidelined for the Bengals, lowering the ceiling of the passing attack as it tries to solve one of the best defenses in the league thus far.
Panthers at Lions
Panthers: C Ryan Kalil, S Kurt Coleman, S Demetrious Cox OUT; OT Matt Kalil, DE Mario Addison, DE Julius Peppers QUESTIONABLE
C Ryan Kalil, S Kurt Coleman, S Demetrious Cox OUT; OT Matt Kalil, DE Mario Addison, DE Julius Peppers QUESTIONABLE Lions: RB Dwayne Washington, WR Kenny Golladay, LB Paul Worrilow OUT; OT Rick Wagner, G T.J. Lang, C Travis Swanson, DT Haloti Ngata, LB Jarrad Davis, LB Tahir Whitehead, S Don Carey QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: The Panthers' key interior offensive lineman remains sidelined, and his brother at left tackle is in doubt as well. If both are down, the Panthers could have issue with the Lions' defensive front. The Panthers could also be facing issues deep in the secondary with two safeties out. Coach Ron Rivera is optimistic all three questionables will play. The Lions are ravaged by injuries, particularly on the offensive line and at linebacker. The Panthers could have a field day up front if Matthew Stafford isn't getting great protection.
Jaguars at Steelers
Jaguars: LB Lerentee McCray OUT; WR Marqise Lee, WR Jaelen Strong, C Brandon Linder, S Jarrod Wilson QUESTIONABLE
LB Lerentee McCray OUT; WR Marqise Lee, WR Jaelen Strong, C Brandon Linder, S Jarrod Wilson QUESTIONABLE Steelers: OT Marcus Gilbert DOUBTFUL
Analysis: The Jaguars could be shorthanded at receiver if Lee can't go, and maybe that brings Marcedes Lewis more into the picture after he's flashed this year. This matchup is less about who's hurt and more who's healthy, as Jalen Ramsey and Malik Jackson were upgraded to full practice on Friday and both are good to go. Several members of the Pittsburgh defense were limited or out for Wednesday's practice, but all returned Thursday. The Steelers are one of the league's healthiest teams.
Chargers at Giants
Chargers: RB Branden Oliver, WR Mike Williams OUT; WR Tyrell Williams, TE Sean McGrath, OT Joe Barksdale, LB Jatavis Brown QUESTIONABLE
RB Branden Oliver, WR Mike Williams OUT; WR Tyrell Williams, TE Sean McGrath, OT Joe Barksdale, LB Jatavis Brown QUESTIONABLE Giants: RB Paul Perkins, C Weston Richburg OUT; G John Jerry, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DE Olivier Vernon, DE Avery Moss QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: With Perkins sidelined, the Giants backfield gains a little clarity. Rookie Wayne Gallman Jr. impressed last week after Perkins suffered his injury, and he'll have a chance to gain a foothold on the RB1 job in this game. The Giants' pass rush would take a major hit if both Pierre-Paul and Vernon are out. The Chargers could be shorthanded at the skill positions if Oliver can't spell Melvin Gordon and both Williams receivers have to sit. If the Chargers offense isn't clicking, this could be a low-scoring game on both sides.
Jets at Browns
Jets: RB Matt Forte, DE Kony Ealy, LB Josh Martin, CB Daryl Roberts OUT; DE Muhammad Wilkerson, CB Juston Burris QUESTIONABLE
RB Matt Forte, DE Kony Ealy, LB Josh Martin, CB Daryl Roberts OUT; DE Muhammad Wilkerson, CB Juston Burris QUESTIONABLE Browns: WR Kenny Britt, LB Jamie Collins DOUBTFUL
Analysis: With Forte still sidelined, Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire will continue to handle the running back touches in the Jets backfield. Those two combined for 321 total yards of offense in last week's win over the Jaguars. Britt has caused concerns about his effort this year, but the big story for the Browns is No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett making his debut.
49ers at Colts
49ers: TBA
Colts: QB Andrew Luck, TE Jack Doyle, CB Nate Hairston OUT; RB Matt Jones DOUBTFUL; WR Chester Rogers, CB Rashaan Melvin QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: Luck remains sidelined, and now the team's top tight end joins him. That absence shouldn't have a big impact, as the 49ers have done a good job erasing tight ends this year.
Titans at Dolphins
Titans: WR Corey Davis, S Johnathan Cyprien OUT; QB Marcus Mariota QUESTIONABLE
WR Corey Davis, S Johnathan Cyprien OUT; QB Marcus Mariota QUESTIONABLE Dolphins: DE Terrence Fede, DT Jordan Phillips, LB Mike Hull, CB Byron Maxwell, CB Xavien Howard QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: The biggest potential absence of Week 5 for any team could be Mariota, as Matt Cassel looked awful filling in for the Titans starter after his injury last week. Mariota is dealing with a hamstring injury, and that should limit his mobility on scrambles and designed runs even if he's able to play. Jay Ajayi is off the injury report after getting two full practices in this week. The Dolphins' defensive injuries are a bit mitigated if Cassel is under center for the Titans.
Ravens at Raiders
Ravens: TE Maxx Williams, DT Brandon Williams OUT; CB Jaylen Hill DOUBTFUL; WR Jeremy Maclin, TE Benjamin Watson, LB Anthony Levine, CB Jimmy Smith, DB Lardarius Webb QUESTIONABLE
TE Maxx Williams, DT Brandon Williams OUT; CB Jaylen Hill DOUBTFUL; WR Jeremy Maclin, TE Benjamin Watson, LB Anthony Levine, CB Jimmy Smith, DB Lardarius Webb QUESTIONABLE Raiders: QB Derek Carr, RB DeAndre Washington, G Gabe Jackson, CB Gareon Conley, CB David Amerson QUESTIONABLE
Analysis: The Ravens are missing elite interior defender Brandon Williams another week, improving the outlook of the Raiders rushing attack. They could also be missing multiple passing attack weapons with both Maclin and Watson questionable, but both are expected to play on Sunday. All indications are that EJ Manuel will start this game after Carr suffered a back injury last week, but he was able to practice and surprisingly earns a questionable tag from the team.
Seahawks at Rams
Seahawks: TBA
Rams: TBA
Analysis to come.
Packers at Cowboys
Packers: TBA
Cowboys: TBA
Analysis to come.
Chiefs at Texans
Chiefs: G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, C Mitch Morse, LB Dee Ford OUT
G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, C Mitch Morse, LB Dee Ford OUT Texans: TBA
Analysis: The Chiefs are without two key interior linemen in this matchup, and that should be music to the ears of J.J. Watt, who has yet to fully get things going this year.
Vikings at Bears
Vikings: TBA
Bears: TBA
Analysis to come.