The NFL injury report is always filled with some of the game’s best stars, leaving fans and fantasy football managers scrambling to find out who will play. Heading into Week 5 of the 2022 NFL season, that’s more apparent than ever.
Bookmark this page for daily injury updates and news on NFL stars from across the league, whether they will play in Week 5 and how their injuries impact fantasy football.
Here is the latest injury news for some of the NFL’s biggest stars and the impact it will have on Week 5 in Sportsnaut’s NFL injury report.
Related: NFL Week 5 power rankings
Tom Brady, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady missed practice on Wednesday due to injuries to his throwing shoulder and a finger in his right hand. This doesn’t sound too serious. But any time we’re talking about a ratator cuff injury to a 45-year-old quarterback who is being forced to pass the ball too much, there has to be some concern. It’s something to pay attention to throughout the rest of the week.
Russell Wilson, quarterback, Denver Broncos
Wilson has a dinged up shoulder following Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. While the Super Bowl quarterback is “super confident” he’ll be able to go Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts, this deserves monitoring given that it’s a short week.
In the off-chance that Wilson won’t be able to go, Brett Rypien would likely get the start in his stead. He’s obviously a no-go from a fantasy perspective.
Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Week 4’s game with a head injury after his head slammed into the ground, causing a fencing reaction. He was taken off the field on a stretcher and hospitalized, undergoing a series of tests during the night.
Tagovailoa, who seemed to first suffer a head injury against Buffalo, is now being evaluated back in Miami for a neck injury that occurred against Cincinnati, and now he will continue to go through the concussion protocol and is out for Sunday’s matchup with the New York Jets. Teddy Bridgewater will get the start, potentially impacting the performances we see from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in the process.
Jonathan Taylor, running back, Indianapolis Colts
- Update: Jonathan Taylor has been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos
The Colts are “hopeful” that Taylor will be able to take to the field for Thursday night’s game against the Denver Broncos. He suffered an ankle injury in last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. Set to play on a short week, his status is iffy at best.
To say that this would be a major blow to Indianapolis would be an understatement. Taylor joins Michael Pittman Jr. as the only real threats for quarterback Matt Ryan. He’s struggled to an extent this season due to defenses prioritizing stopping him, but the dude remains elite. Stay tuned to this NFL injury report for further updates.
Javonte Williams, running back, Denver Boncos
The worst possible update in our NFL injury report comes here. A stud second-year back out of North Carolina, Williams suffered a torn ACL, among other devastating injuries, in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Obviously, he’s out for the season.
With Melvin Gordon’s fumble issues, Denver’s running back situation is not great. It picked up Latavius Murray from the Saints’ practice squad on Monday and has Mike Boone as another option. We’ll have to wait and see how this thing plays out behind quarterback Russell Wilson in Denver.
Alvin Kamara, running back, New Orleans Saints
- Update: Kamara is expected to play Sunday against the Seahawks
Listed as questionable on the NFL Injury report for Week 4, running back Alvin Kamara was among the New Orleans Saints inactives this past Sunday morning in London. It comes as a bit of a surprise, because the rib injury didn’t seem to be a long-term issue that would sideline him for multiple games. With the All-Pro offensive weapon unavailable, Latavius Murray led the team in rushing (57 yards). As mentioned above, he’s now a member of the Broncos. It’s still unsure whether Kamara will be able to go Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks.
D’Andre Swift, running back, Detroit Lions
- Update: St. Brown did not practice on Wednesday and is now likely out for Week 5
One of the game’s most-explosive running backs, Swift suffered a shoulder sprain in a Week 3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and sat out Week 4. This is not great news for Jared Goff and the Lions’ offense heading into a Week 5 outing against the New England Patriots.
- D’Andre Swift stats (2022): 231 rushing yards, 8 catches, 77 yards, 8.8 yards per touch, 2 TD
With Swift sidelined, Jamaal Williams will continue to get the bulk of the touches for Detroit out of the backfield. He’s put up 306 total yards and a league-leading six touchdowns in four games. Williams went for 108 yards and two scores against Seattle last week. Stay updated with our NFL injury report. If Swift can’t go this week, Williams is a big-time DFS buy.
Related: Sportsnaut’s Week 5 NFL defensive rankings
Mac Jones, quarterback, New England Patriots
- Update: Mac Jones took part in practice on Wednesday and believes he will play this week
Mac Jones — who is dealing with a high ankle sprain — missed last week’s outing against the Green Bay Packers . After reports claimed that Jones would be a game-time decision, and he even showed up at practice on Friday, there was nothing real to the hope.
Brian Hoyer took over under center in Week 4, but he suffered a concussion in the game and was replaced by rookie fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe at quarterback. As of right now, it’s trending in the direction of Zappe starting Week 5 againt the Detroit Lions after New England was forced to sign Garrett Gilbert to its practice squad.
Jameis Winston, quarterback, New Orleans Saints
- Update: Jameis Winston did not practice on Wednesday, meaning he’s likely out
Dealing with multiple fractures in his back, Jameis Winston still suited up for Week 3’s contest against the Carolina Panthers, but he didn’t have much success. He then sat out last week’s outing against the Vikings in London.
In Winston’s stead, Andy Dalton completed 20-of-28 passes for 236 yards with one touchdowna and zero interceptions. He also lost a fumble in the narrow loss. Winston is now questionable to go against the Seahawks. Even if he is healthy, a QB competition could be brewing in the Bayou.
Related: Sportsnaut’s NFL Week 5 power rankings
Michael Thomas, wide receiver, New Orleans Saints
- Update: Thomas did not participate in practice on Wednesday
Just when Michael Thomas finally returned to the field and was looking healthy, the All-Pro wideout suffers a toe injury. He had to leave the Week 3 loss to Carolina, though Ian Rapoport has suggested the injury “isn’t believed to be serious.” Serious or not, the Saints’ top target missed last week’s game against Minnesota. There’s no further updates on Thomas’ Week 5 status in our updated NFL injury report.
David Montgomery, running back, Chicago Bears
- Update: David Montgomery did not practice on Wednesday
Coming off a 122-yard effort, David Montgomery had to leave early in Week 3 with injuries to his ankle and knee. Despite being labeled as day-to-day, now the Bears starting running back missed last Sunday’s date with the New York Giants.
Second-year-pro Khalil Herbert has been incredible as a fill-in, racking up 270 total yards and two touchdowns over the past couple games. There’s a chance Montgomery returns Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings. But Herbert remains a fantasy option.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, wide receiver, Detroit Lions
- Update: St. Brown did not practice on Wednesday
Our Week 4 NFL injury report is something to pay attention to from a fantasy perspective. That’s especially true with this productive young wide receiver limited by an ankle injury in Week 3. Reports indicate that St. Brown’s injury is not expected to be long-term.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown stats (2022): 23 receptions, 253 yards, 3 TD, 69.7% catch rate
However, St. Brown was among the Week 4 NFL inactives after Detroit ruled him out on the NFL injury report released on Friday. In St. Brown’s absence, tight end T.J. Hockenson caught eight passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. It remains to be seen if St. Brown will suit up Week 5 against the Patriots. With a Week 6 bye, it might make sense for Detroit to sit him.
Hunter Renfrow, wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
- Update: Renfrow took part in non-contact practice on Wednesday
After suffering a concussion on the final play of their Week 2 overtime loss, Hunter Renfrow missed Las Vegas’ Week 3 loss to the Tennessee Titans and its Week 4 win over Denver.
It’s going to be all about the concussion protocals leading up to Monday’s outing against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Renfrow can’t go, expect more fantasy relevance from Mack Hollins in Vegas. He’s caught 17 balls for 273 yards in four games this season.
Related: NFL Week 5 fantasy football rankings
Keenan Allen, wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers
- Update: Keenan Allen did not practice on Wednesday
Allen suffered a hamstring injury in the opener against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. The star wide receiver has missed the three games since with Los Angeles dropping two of the affairs.
Obviously, this isn’t the news Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert wanted to hear. He’s lacked consistent weapons in the passing game with Allen sidelined. That included high-priced wide receiver Mike Williams hauling in just 1-of-6 targets for 15 yards in Los Angeles’ ugly Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. We’ll have further updates on Allen this week as the NFL injury report plays out. But it’s not looking great for Week 5 against Cleveland.
Related: Ranking NFL offenses heading into Week 5
Cordarrelle Patterson, running back, Atlanta Falcons
Patterson has been placed on injured reserve with a knee issue. The earliest this star running back can return is Week 9. Rookie fifth-round pick Tyler Allgeier was one of the biggest standouts this past weekend, going for 104 total yards on 11 touches. He should split time with Caleb Huntley until Patterson is able to return.
Rashod Bateman, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens
- Update: Bateman did not practice on Wednesday
Taking over for Marquise Brown as the Ravens’ top wide receiver, Bateman exited last week’s game against the Buffalo Bills with a foot injury. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has since indicated that he’s day-to-day.
Baltimore is slated to take on the Cincinnati Bengals this coming Sunday. If Bateman can’t go, tight end Mark Andrews becomes even more of a primary target for Lamar Jackson. Through four games, Andrews has caught 24 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns. For their part, the Bengals have yielded a 69% completion mark to tight ends this season.
Related: Young fantasy football stars to target in 2022
Dak Prescott, quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has missed each of the past thee games after undergoing surgery on his throwing hand. It looks like he is still at least a week away from returning, according to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. In his stead, Cooper Rush has played at a high level.
- Cooper Rush stats (2022): 61% completion, 737 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 95.9 QB rating
With Prescott likely out for Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams, Rush becomes an underrated QB1 option in DFS leagues. We also like how CeeDee Lamb has looked with Rush tossing him the rock over the past three weeks.
NFL injury report: Players likely inactive for Week 5
- Dak Prescott, quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
- Trey Lance, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers (injured reserve, out for the season)
- Sam Darnold, quarterback, Carolina Panthers
- Elijah Mitchell, running back, San Francisco 49ers
- Jonathan Taylor, running back, Indianapolis Colts (ruled out with ankle injury)
- Javonte Williams, running back, Denver Broncos (injured reserve, out for the season)
- Cordarrelle Patterson, running back, Atlanta Falcons (injured reserve, out through Week 8)
- Gus Edwards, running back, Baltimore Ravens
- Brian Robinson, running back, Washington Commanders (non-football list, out through Week 4)
- A.J. Green, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
- D.J. Chark, wide receiver, Detroit Lions
- Jamison Crowder, wide receiver, Buffalo Bills (broken ankle, out indefinitely)
- Van Jefferson, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams (injured reserve, out through Week 7)
- Sterling Shepard, wide receiver, New York Giants (injured reserve, out for the season)
- Jahan Dotson, wide receiver, Washington Commanders
- Sammy Watkins, wide receiver, Green Bay Packers (injured reserve, out through Week 6)
- Byron Pringle, wide receiver, Chicago Bears (injured reserve, out through Week 7)
- Drew Sample, tight end, Cincinnati Bengals (injured reserve, likely out through Week 11)
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
