From game-time decisions to injuries so significant they affect the value of every single position, let's break down the Fantasy and DFS impact of injuries for every Week 5 matchup. Know when to pivot and how your fantasy roster will be affected.
Below, you'll find a game-by-game look at the injuries you need to know that will have the biggest impact for Fantasy leagues, as well as the implications for DFS players. This week's list of notable names includes quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jameis Winston; running backs Cordarrelle Patterson, David Montgomery, Alvin Kamara, and D'Andre Swift; receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Keenan Allen and Michael Thomas; tight ends Kyle Pitts and Dawson Knox; and many others, including key offensive line and defensive injuries to know.
Notable injuries
- QB Daniel Jones (ankle) - Cleared
- QB Tyrod Taylor (concussion) - Out
- WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) - Out
- WR Kenny Golladay (knee) - Out
- WR Wan'Dale Robinson (knee) - Out
- WR Richie James (ankle) - Cleared
- LB Azeez Ojulari (calf) - Out
- DE Leonard Williams (knee) - Questionable
- WR Allen Lazard (ankle) - Cleared
- OG Elgton Jenkins (knee) - Cleared
- C Josh Myers (foot) - Cleared
- OT David Bakhtiari (knee) - Cleared
- CB Jaire Alexander (groin) - Cleared
- SS Adrian Amos (concussion) - Questionable
Neither Wan'Dale Robinson or Kardarius Toney will return to action this week. Robinson remains out with his knee injury and Toney injured his other hamstring. The Giants' receiving corps had a total of three receptions in in Week 4, and there is no appealing Giants receiver in season-long play. Saquon Barkley will continue to be the dominating force in this offense.
Lazard has been cleared for Week 5, giving Aaron Rodgers one of his key targets.
DFS Impact
Due to lack of upside, I would avoid any low in cheap Giants pass catchers. Expect a continued increase in workload and opportunity for Barkley as he remains the primary focus of the offense. He's a must-play in a showdown lineup as the only viable Giants option in DFS.
Notable injuries
- WR Diontae Johnson (hip) - Cleared
- FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) - Cleared
- SS Terrell Edmunds (concussion) - Out
- CB Cameron Sutton (hamstring) - Questionable
- DT Cameron Heyward (elbow) - Cleared
- WR Isaiah McKenzie (concussion) - Questionable
- WR Jamison Crowder (ankle) - Out
- WR Jake Kumerow (ankle) - Out
- TE Dawson Knox (foot) - Out
- FS Jordan Poyer (ribs) - Out
- MLB Tremaine Edmunds (hamstring) - Questionable
- DT Ed Oliver (ankle) - Questionable
Diontae Johnson popped up on the injury report this week but he's good to go for Kenny Pickett's first start.
The Bills are dealing with injuries to the receiving corps that may seem insignificant but have Fantasy impact. With the loss of Crowder to a broken ankle, McKenzie is in line for increased usage as the Bills' main slot receiver if he's active. McKenzie will have significant upside in this role and can be a viable flex option if he clears concussion protocol. If McKenzie can't go, rookie Khalil Shakir could be in line for a bigger target share. Knox has been struggling throughout the season and with his Week 5 absence, Fantasy managers need to find a more permanent solution at tight end.
DFS Impact
If Johnson is declared out or limited, Pickens would be the major beneficiary. However, with a difficult matchup and rookie QB Kenny Pickett, Pickens would be a risky option. If active, Isaiah McKenzie is a solid value play priced at only $5K on DraftKings. If he's inactive, Khalil Shakir becomes a very interesting, low-priced option at $3,200. Overall upside for Stefon Diggs greatly increases as well in a positive matchup against a struggling Pittsburgh defense.
Notable injuries
- WR Josh Palmer (ankle) - Questionable
- WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) - Out
- TE Gerald Everett (hamstring) - Cleared
- K Dustin Hopkins (quadriceps) - Questionable
- DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) - Questionable
- DE Myles Garrett (shoulder) - Cleared
The Chargers are without Allen for the fourth week in a row. Typically, this would mean Palmer is a flex option but with Palmer dealing with an injury and Jaylen Guyton on IR, the Chargers will be short-handed in the receiving corps. DeAndre Carter is next in line but an unreliable Fantasy assert. Fantasy managers will need to seek replacements outside of the Chargers.
DFS Impact
Carter could be used as a value play if Palmer and Everett are out. I'd rather pivot to increasing usage of Austin Ekeler and Mike Williams. Both players are potential high-upside, slate-winning plays.
Notable injuries
- TE Brevin Jordan (ankle) - Out
- WR Zay Jones (ankle) - Questionable
While Jordan has yet to make a Fantasy impact, his absence is worth noting because the Texans released Pharaoh Brown, meaning O.J. Howard could be slated to get virtually all the targets at tight end.
We are still waiting on final confirmation but Jones is trending towards playing. Christian Kirk remains the unquestioned top option in the Jags offense but Jones could be a low-end flex in deep leagues in a positive matchup against Houston.
DFS Impact
If Howard is the only active tight end, he would be an extremely cheap punt option at $2,600 on DraftKings. Howard had two touchdowns in Week 1. It's possible he could see additional targets this week. If active, Jones is a solid low-value, high-upside play at only $4,100. Jones has had nine or more targets in two of his three games started this year.
Notable injuries
- RB David Montgomery (ankle) - Questionable
- OLB Za'Darius Smith (knee) - Cleared
- CB Andrew Booth Jr. (quadriceps) - Questionable
Montgomery's status is up in the air after being deemed questionable on Friday following back-to-back limited practice sessions. If Montgomery is unable to play, Khalil Herbert is a must-start against a struggling Vikings defense.
DFS Impact
Herbert's price tag on DraftKings is surprisingly reasonable at $5,900. If Montgomery is out, he's a fantastic option in DFS lineups.
Notable injuries
- RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder) - Out
- TE T.J. Hockenson (hip) - Cleared
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) - Questionable
- WR D.J. Chark (ankle) - Out
- WR Josh Reynolds (ankle) - Questionable
- C Frank Ragnow (foot) - Cleared
- QB Mac Jones (ankle) - Doubtful
- QB Brian Hoyer (concussion) - Out
- TE Jonnu Smith (ankle) - Doubtful
- WR Jakobi Meyers (knee) - Questionable
- DB Adrian Phillips (ribs) - Questionable
Swift will miss his second game in a row, making Jamaal Williams a must-start even in a difficult matchup. St. Brown is questionable but should start in all formats if active, even on a snap count limitation. Reynolds is also questionable. Both receivers' statuses will need to be monitored throughout the weekend. Reynolds is a solid start if he's active and St. Brown is out, but he would still be a low-end flex option if St. Brown is active, given the Lions' offensive volume.
For the Patriots, the potential absence of Mac Jones is significant. Players facing the Lions are typically must-starts but with Bailey Zappe at the helm, Patriots receivers are risky options. Meyers is a low-end flex option if active. Fantasy managers should avoid other receivers if Meyers is out. But in deep leagues, Devante Parker would be the most reliable pivot.
DFS Impact
While St. Brown is still worthy of a start in season-long leagues if active, playing St. Brown with potential limitations would be a risk. Hockenson is the second highest-priced tight end on the main slate this week and does come with potential high-ownership percentages. But given the lack of high-end options on the slate, Hockeson is still a solid option if St. Brown is unable to suit up.
Despite Zappe as the likely starter, Patriots receivers have excellent value pricing on DraftKings. If active, Meyers is a fine sub-$5k play. If Meyers is inactive, Parker would be a viable option. You could also avoid the receivers as a whole and play Rhamondre Stevenson, who is a low-priced, high-upside play this week.
Notable injuries
- RB Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) - Questionable
- QB Jameis Winston (back) - Doubtful
- RB Alvin Kamara (ribs) - Questionable
- WR Michael Thomas (foot) - Out
- SS Marcus Maye (ribs) - Questionable
- WR Jarvis Landry (ankle) - Questionable
While the potential absence of Walker would benefit Penny, this is a difficult matchup and Penny is an untrustworthy start in Week 5.
For the Saints, Fantasy managers are looking at a week very similar to Week 4. Andy Dalton will start at quarterback. While volume was down, Olave still produced a top-20 performance in PPR and is a solid WR2 start with Thomas out. Kamara's status needs to be monitored through the weekend. If active, Kamara remains a must-start. If inactive, Mark Ingram will likely have the majority of carries with Taysom Hill supplementing.
DFS Impact
Playing Kamara off a multi-week absence may feel risky but his pricing is excellent for his potential upside. Olave remains an excellent option priced at only $5,700 on DraftKings. Dalton should be avoided with multiple high-upside, moderately-priced quarterbacks available, such as Tom Brady and Jared Goff.
Notable injuries
- QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) - Out
- WR Tyreek Hill (quadriceps) - Questionable
- WR Jaylen Waddle (groin) - Questionable
- OT Terron Armstead (toe) - Questionable
- CB Xavien Howard (groin) - Questionable
- RB Breece Hall (knee) - Cleared
- OT Duane Brown (shoulder) - Cleared
Navigating the injuries for the Dolphins will be difficult this week. Teddy Bridgewater is a competent backup, but a downgrade from Tagovailoa. Both Waddle and Hill are dealing with injuries that will need to be monitored throughout the weekend. But both are must-start players if active.
Hall is cleared to play and an RB2 option in PPR leagues. Brown sounds like he's going to come off the IR and make his season debut in this game.
DFS Impact
Playing Hill or Waddle in DFS with injury issues and a quarterback downgrade feels like a risky move. Without the injury to Hill, a Bridgewater/Hill stack would be intriguing. But unless all players are cleared well before kick-off, they can be avoided.
Notable injuries
- TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring) - Out
- RB Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) - Out
Buccaneaers
- WR Russell Gage (back) - Questionable
- WR Chris Godwin (knee) - Cleared
- WR Julio Jones (knee) - Questionable
- WR Breshad Perriman (knee, hamstring) - Questionable
- TE Cameron Brate (concussion) - Out
- DE Akiem Hicks (foot) - Out
- DB Logan Ryan (foot) - Out
- CB Carlton Davis (shoulder) - Cleared
The Falcons will be without two of their biggest weapons on Sunday. There is no direct pivot from Pitts. Fantasy managers will need to hit the waivers for streaming options such as Tyler Conklin or Logan Thomas. While it's unlikely that Patterson's production will be matched, Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley will step in to significant roles. Allgeier will likely get the bulk of carries. With a tough matchup, expect Allgeier to perform as a low-end flex option. Huntley is only an option in very deep leagues.
The Bucs have a chance to have their full arsenal of receiving weapons, but Jones and Perriman were listed as questionable on Friday after a week of limited practices. On Saturday, Gage was downgraded to questionable with a back injury as well.
DFS Impact
Although Kyle Pitts has yet to make a major impact from a Fantasy perspective, his absence does have a significant effect on the remainder of the team. Drake London stands to benefit the most from his absence and is priced at $5,900 on DraftKings. The Bucs are a huge favorite, making the running backs for Atlanta unappealing options in DFS. With Brate out, Cade Otton is an interesting value play at tight end.
Notable injuries
- WR Treylon Burks (toe) - Out
- LB Bud Dupree (hip) - Out
- SS Amani Hooker (concussion) - Out
- TE Logan Thomas (calf) - Questionable
- WR Jahan Dotson (hamstring) - Out
- RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) - Cleared
With Burks out, Woods becomes a solid flex play. Outside of Derrick Henry, no other Titans are reliable options in season-long leagues.
For Washington, the absence of Dotson could be significant. Dotson has four touchdowns on the season and has become trusted top red-zone option. McLaurin, whose last touchdown was in Week 1, is typically a must-start with his upside, and Fantasy managers can look forward to increased touchdown opportunities in Week 5. If active, Thomas could also benefit for increased opportunities and be a streaming option. Robinson is slated to make his NFL debut. Workload is unknown and Robinson should remain on Fantasy benches. However, any work would hurt Antonio Gibson, whose time is already split with J.D. McKissic. Fantasy managers should be weary of Gibson, who moves from low-end RB2 to a flex option.
DFS Impact
While Woods is a solid option in season-long, he lacks upside to be an appealing option in DFS. For Washington, look at Thomas to have some potential low-value impact for those looking for a cheap, low-risk option. Washington running backs should be avoided.
Notable injuries
- RB Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle) - Out
- OT Trent Williams (ankle) - Out
- DT Arik Armstead (foot) - Out
- DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) - Out
- WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (hamstring) - Out
The 49ers and Panthers managed to avoid major injuries to skill-position players in Week 5. Even without Armstead, the 49ers defense should remain a difficult matchup. Shenault has not made a significant Fantasy impact and other Panthers receivers remain risky options.
Notable injuries
- RB Boston Scott (ribs) - Questionable
- OT Jordan Mailata (shoulder) - Doubtful
- K Jake Elliott (ankle) - Out
- CB Avonte Maddox (ankle) - Out
- WR Rondale Moore (knee) - Questionable
- WR Marquise Brown (foot) - Cleared
- WR A.J. Green (knee) - Cleared
- C Rodney Hudson (knee) - Doubtful
- ILB Zaven Collins (shoulder) - Cleared
- DE J.J. Watt (calf) - Cleared
- K Matt Prater (hip) - Out
Brown is cleared to play and is a must-start in all formats. Brown and Zach Ertz are the only Cardinals pass catchers Fantasy managers should utilize this week. Even if Moore is active, his usage has in Week 4, on a high-snap count, wasn't enough to justify feeling comfortable with Moore as a flex option.
DFS Impact
With such a shallow high-end pool, Ertz is the third highest-priced tight end on the main slate. While his price tag isn't expensive, there are other options in superior matchups this week. Brown is the eighth highest-priced receiver on the slate, but at $7,200, he's in intriguing option given the matchup against Philadelphia almost guarantees Kyler Murray will need to push high pass volume to match Jalen Hurts..
Notable injuries
- WR CeeDee Lamb (groin) - Questionable
- RB Tony Pollard (illness) - Questionable
- QB Dak Prescott (thumb) - Out
- G Jason Peters (chest) - Doubtful
- SS Taylor Rapp (ribs) - Questionable
Lamb is the big injury to cover in this matchup after he was a late addition to the practice report with a groin injury. Those are a bad combination. If Lamb is out, Michael Gallup would be immediately thrust into the WR1 role. Gallup is more than capable of handling a double-digit target workload, although it could be tasking in his second game back from a torn ACL. Gallup is a flex option if Lamb plays but a WR2 option with Lamb out. Lamb's absence would likely make Dalton Schultz a more comfortable start for Fantasy managers who are wary of utilizing him coming off a zero-fantasy point performance.
DFS Impact
Both Noah Brown and Gallup would be interesting value plays if Lamb is out. With only a $100 difference on DraftKings, I would lean towards Gallup.
Notable injuries
- TE Hayden Hurst (groin) - Questionable
- WR Tee Higgins (ankle) - Questionable
- RB Gus Edwards (knee) - TBD
- RB Justice Hill (hamstring) - Out
- WR Rashod Bateman (foot) - Out
- OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) - Questionable
- CB Marcus Peters (quadriceps) - Questionable
Tee Higgins' status needs to be monitored through the weekend. His potential absence would make Tyler Boyd an instant start. Rashod Bateman has become an untrustworthy option. The next-man-up is Devin Duvernay, but I would avoid any Ravens receivers in season-long leagues.
DFS Impact
Boyd is a must-play in showdown lineups if Higgins is inactive. He's also an interesting option if Higgins does play as Boyd has shown value as the WR3 and would have upside if Higgins has any in-game limitations. With Bateman out, Duvernay could be an intersting contrarian play in showdown lineups at the right price. I'd still lean towards Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews as the primary targets.
Notable injuries
- WR Hunter Renfrow (concussion) - TBD
- TE Darren Waller (shoulder) - TBD
- TE Foster Moreau (knee) - TBD
- MLB Denzel Perryman (concussion) - TBD
- K Harrison Butker (ankle) - TBD
We are still awaiting confirmation on Renfrow's status. If active, Renfrow is a low-end flex option in deep leagues. Waller has been incredibly underwhelming this season, with only five fantasy points in PPR in the last 2 games. However, if active, Fantasy managers should still lean on Waller.
DFS Impact
While the Raiders have disappointed this season, the over/under on this game warrants the usage of Renfrow in DFS lineups if he returns to action. Renfrow caught 7 of 10 targets in his last game before suffering a concussion. Renfrow may be a value play in showdown lineups.
