Week 5 Fantasy Football Injury Recap
As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 5 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 6.
If you’re looking for more detailed injury analysis, check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier and Ultimate members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.
QB Michael Penix
Rib Injury: Questionable for Week 6
Penix took a hard hit to the right side of his toro at the end of regulation during Sunday Night Football and was unable to return in overtime. He noted that his injury got worse as time went on, which is why he wasn’t able to return in OT after the Ravens chewed up several minutes in OT. The fact that Penix spoke to reporters after the game suggests the injury isn’t overly serious. On Monday, The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones noted that there’s optimism Penix will be able to play this week, which suggests this is more likely than not bruised ribs as opposed to a rib fracture. Penix is likely to be limited in practice this week, but I lean that he is able to play in Week 6 against Chicago.
Players impacted: Tua Tagovailoa, Drake London
RB TreVeyon Henderson
Right Ankle Sprain: Doubtful for Week 6
Hendo’s right ankle injury occurred at the end of an 11-yard run early in the second quarter when he was tackled along the sideline and came up hobbling. As of this writing on Monday evening, the specifics of Henderson’s injury aren’t known, but the mechanism of injury was consistent with an eversion/high ankle on video. Ian Rapoport reported that Henderson was expected to have tests done on Monday, but we’re still waiting on the results of his imaging. Henderson missed a few weeks in training camp with an ankle injury and didn’t play in Week 1. If this injury is an aggravation of that same ankle, he could be sidelined multiple weeks.
Players impacted: Rhamondre Stevenson, Corey Kiner
RB David Montgomery
Groin Strain: Out Week 6
Monty left the Texans’ Week 5 win against the Titans with a groin injury and didn’t return despite being listed as Questionable. On Monday, DeMeco Ryans called his RB “week-to-week” so we should expect Montgomery to miss at least one game. In my eyes, the most likely scenario here is Montgomery misses multiple games, especially when you consider the Texans go on bye in Week 8. If they can sit him in Weeks 6-7, he should have a good shot at being fully healthy for the stretch run.
Players impacted: Woody Marks
RB Will Shipley
Plantar Fascia Injury: Out multiple weeks
Shipley got the start in London with Saquon Barkley (Hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (IR, Core muscle repair) out for this game. Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the game, exiting late in the first half with a foot injury. On Monday, it was confirmed that Shipley is dealing with a partially torn plantar fascia in his foot. These can be really painful when pushing off while running, so this injury can take some time. It would not be surprising to see the Eagles place him on IR. Speaking of IR, the Eagles placed Bigsby on IR after last week’s injury, so Philly is down to their fourth string RB for Week 6 if Saquon Barkley doesn’t return this week.
Players impacted: Dameon Pierce, Carson Steele
WR Deebo Samuel
Hamstring Strain: Out 3+ weeks, Could land on IR
The WR injuries just keep coming for Kyle Shanahan’s club. Deebo left in the second half with a hamstring injury and did not return. Following an MRI on Monday, Kyle Shanahan noted that Deebo is expected to miss “at least” a few weeks. That verbiage suggests this is a Grade II injury, and we could be looking at an IR stint for the veteran. If Samuel gets added to IR, he’d join De’Zhaun Stribling (Ankle), Christian Kirk (Calf), Demarcus Robinson (Ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (PCL) on injured reserve. Jacob Cowing, Brandin Cooks and Jordan Watkins would be next man up behind Mike Evans, who is still playing through a rib injury.
Players impacted: Brock Purdy, Mike Evans, George Kittle
WR Roman Wilson
Dislocated Left Ring Finger: Out multiple weeks
Wilson dislocated the ring finger on his left hand in the first quarter on Sunday against the Colts. The exact recovery timeline here depends on a) whether or not there is associated fracture and b) the degree of ligament damage. Multiple Pittsburgh beat reporters noted on Monday that Wilson will seek a second opinion, so we could get more information in the next couple of days. With Michael Pittman Jr. on IR (Foot) and Ben Skowronek also leaving this game with a calf injury, Germie Bernard immediately steps into a starting role across from DK Metcalf.
Players impacted: Aaron Rodgers, D.K. Metcalf, Germie Bernard
WR KC Concepcion
Concussion Protocol: Week-to-week
Concepcion took a big hit near the end zone in the first half and did not return after being evaluated for a concussion. He now enters the league’s concussion protocol and should be considered Questionable for Week 6 against the Ravens. We’ll see if he’s able to get in any practice reps on Wednesday or Thursday. If he does, he has a chance to play next week.
Players impacted: Deshaun Watson, Denzel Boston, Isaiah Bond
WR Tre Harris
Hamstring Strain: Out Week 6
Harris left their Week 5 game against Denver with a hamstring injury and did not return. On Monday, Jim Harbaugh didn’t provide many details but called Harris “more week-to-week.” Without specifics on the severity or MRI results, it’s difficult to accurately comment on recovery timeline, but even if this injury is more mild in nature, it’ll be difficult to play just one week after the injury. The Chargers have their bye in Week 7, so it’s possible he could return in Week 8 after the bye.
Players impacted: Justin Herbert, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston
WR CeeDee Lamb
Quad Contusion: Likely to play in Week 6
Lamb left in the second half of Thursday Night Football with a quad contusion. He originally injured the quad in Week 4, so this is more of an aggravation than a new injury. However, unlike a quad strain, the recovery here is usually a lot faster and more reliable. The initial reporting after the game last Thursday was positive with multiple reports indicating Lamb’s injury is not serious. I do believe he plays in Week 6, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see his name on the injury report this week. In order to play, Lamb will have to show the staff he can sprint full speed and have full, pain free knee flexion range of motion (stretching the quad).
Players impacted: Dak Prescott, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Jake Ferguson
TE TJ Hockenson
Concussion Protocol: Likely to return in Week 7 after the bye
Hockenson got injured in the first quarter Sunday against the Saints. He hit his head on the turf and was quickly ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion. With the bye week coming up here in Week 6 for the Vikings, Hockenson will have two weeks to clear protocol before their next game. No two concussions are the same of course, but Hockenson doesn’t have a lengthy concussion history since entering the NFL (just one documented to my knowledge), so he has a good chance to clear protocol ahead of Week 7.
Players impacted: Kyler Murray, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
TE Kenyon Sadiq
Concussion Protocol: Week-to-week
Sadiq is now in the league’s concussion protocol after leaving Week 5 early. He took a big hit, getting sandwiched between two Browns defenders while trying to catch a pass near the goal line. Like Concepcion above, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on the Jets’ practice reports this week. If he can get in a LP Wednesday or Thursday, he’s got a chance to play in Week 6 against the Patriots.
Players impacted: Geno Smith, Mason Taylor