• Good news for Lamb and Higgins: Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (groin) and Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins (ankle) are tentatively expected to play through their questionable tags.
• Montgomery questionable: Monitor Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery (ankle/knee, questionable); if active, Khalil Herbert won’t be a recommended start.
• Play Henry: New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry is a great addition for TE-needy rosters with Jonnu Smith (ankle) listed as doubtful.
Estimated reading time: 24 minutes
KEY
DNP: Did not participate in practice
LP: Limited participation in practice
FP: Full participation
(-): Not listed
OUT: Player will not play
D: Player is unlikely to play
Q: Player is not certain to play
NIR – Rest: Not injury-related or resting veteran
QB | RB | WR | TE
Quarterback
Player | Position | Team | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Daniel Jones | QB | NYG | Ankle | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Tyrod Taylor | QB | NYG | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Justin Herbert | QB | LAC | Ribs | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Brian Hoyer | QB | NE | Concussion | DNP | DNP | (-) | (-) |
Mac Jones | QB | NE | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | INACTIVE |
Jameis Winston | QB | MO | Back/ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Tua Tagovailoa | QB | MIA | Concussion/back/ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Zach Wilson | QB | NYJ | Ankle | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Tom Brady | QB | TB | Right shoulder/Right finger | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
Dak Prescott | QB | DAL | Right Thumb | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady (right shoulder, right finger): Practiced in full on Thursday and Friday after missing Wednesday’s practice; TB12 is good to go for Sunday and sure looks poised to again air the ball out to his (finally mostly healthy) group of talented receivers. He should be started in lineups of most shapes and sizes.
Expert Injury Analysis: I do not expect any lingering effects from his minor injuries.
• Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion, back, ankle): Ruled out. Teddy Bridgewater will be under center ahead of Sunday’s sneaky shootout against the Jets. My QB16, Bridgewater is a plenty serviceable streamer for QB-needy lineups that want an upgrade over guys such as Carson Wentz and Matthew Stafford.
Expert Injury Analysis: The controversy over Tagovailoa possibly suffering a concussion the week before is very important. When an athlete suffers one concussion, they are typically out one-to-two weeks. If the athlete suffers two concussions in the same season, return-to-play is one month. Because of the public backlash, I expect the Dolphins to be conservative, so I would not be shocked to see Tua miss several weeks.
• New York Jets QB Zach Wilson (ankle): Practiced in full to end the week and is good to go against the Dolphins’ banged-up secondary. We love Wilson’s over 33.5-yard longest completion prop considering the high-end skill-position weapons all over the offense in this sneaky shootout.
Expert Injury Analysis: I do not expect Wilson's ankle to be an issue for Week 5.
• New England Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle), Brian Hoyer (concussion, IR): Jones is doubtful and Hoyer is out, meaning international sensation Bailey Zappe will be under center against the Detroit Lions. Everyone involved gets downgraded. An NFL player's injury status can have a significant effect on both real-life and fantasy football. Maybe most importantly at this time of year — at least for some — is that injuries heavily influence fantasy football rankings and start/sit decisions.
Expert Injury Analysis: Jones is dealing with a high-ankle sprain — the typical return-to-play is four-to-six weeks. I do not expect him to play this week, but he has an outside shot at playing next week. Hoyer is currently in the five-step concussion protocol with a realistic shot of being available next week.
• New York Giants QB Daniel Jones (ankle), Tyrod Taylor (concussion): Jones is good to go, although a limited version of himself could prove to be absolutely brutal considering how reliant the dual-threat signal-caller usually is on his legs. Start Saquon Barkley and stay away from everyone else in this offense.
Expert Injury Analysis: Jones appeared to suffer a high-ankle sprain last week but seems to have been lucky enough to escape with just an ankle sprain. I am still concerned about his mobility this weekend. Taylor is in the five-step concussion protocol with a realistic chance of coming back in Week 6.
• New Orleans Saints QB Jameis Winston (back, ankle): Doubtful. Andy Dalton will be back under center ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. While Dalton isn’t a recommended option, his presence is a nice boost to Alvin Kamara‘s (rib, questionable) target upside if active.
Expert Injury Analysis: Winston is dealing with multiple fractures in his back and an ankle injury. He has a shot at returning next week because he was not put on injured reserve. Winston should be a week or two away from returning.
• Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (right thumb): Out. The Ginger Jesus (Cooper Rush) will look to become 5-0 as a starter Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Rams. While Rush himself isn’t a recommended option, he’s been good enough to still find a way to squeeze CeeDee Lamb (groin) into starting lineups.
Expert Injury Analysis: Prescott's initial return-to-play timeline was six-to-eight weeks. He should land on the shorter side of the timeline so expect him to return in the next couple of weeks.
Running back
Player | Position | Team | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Zander Horvath | RB | LAC | Quadricep | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
David Montgomery | RB | CHI | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | GTD |
D'Andre Swift | RB | DET | Shoulder/ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Rashaad Penny | RB | SEA | Shoulder | DNP | (-) | ||
Alvin Kamara | RB | MO | Rib | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
Salvon Ahmed | RB | MIA | Back | (-) | LP | LP | GTD |
Breece Hall | RB | NYJ | Knee | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Leonard Fournette | RB | TB | Personal | (-) | (-) | DNP | (-) |
Tyrion Davis-Price | RB | SF | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | (-) |
Boston Scott | RB | PHI | Rib | LP | LP | LP | GTD |
Tony Pollard | RB | DAL | Illness | DNP | (-) | ||
J.K. Dobbins | RB | BLT | Chest | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
Justice Hill | RB | BLT | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
• Jets RB Breece Hall (knee): Practiced in full on Friday and is good to go for Sunday. Hall’s usage took a leap in Week 4, as he seems to have distanced himself from Michael Carter and should be treated as an every-week upside RB2, at worst, for the time being. Hall has ripped off four consecutive top-24 finishes to start the season and ranks third in expected PPR points at the position.
Expert Injury Analysis: I am not concerned about any lingering effects.
• Lions RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder, ankle): Once again ruled out. Jamaal Williams offers weekly double-digit fantasy-point upside as the goal-line option inside of the league’s No. 1 scoring offense, but just realize Justin Jackson and Craig Reynolds are also involved quite a bit. This is enough to make Williams more of an upside RB2 as opposed to a workhorse RB1 but either way, fantasy managers should start him.
Expert Injury Analysis: Swift should be back in Week 7 after the Lions' bye week with no limitations.
• Saints RB Alvin Kamara (rib): Tentatively expected to suit up despite the questionable tag. Kamara gets a nice potential target boost with Andy Dalton in line to start while Michael Thomas (foot) is again sidelined. He’s always a must-start option when healthy, but just realize true blowup potential is here in DFS land against the Seahawks’ 31st-ranked scoring defense.
Expert Injury Analysis: Kamara is questionable but should return to action with no limitations.
• Baltimore Ravens RBs J.K. Dobbins (chest), Justice Hill (hamstring): Dobbins is fine while Hill has already been ruled out. Expect Mike Davis and Kenyan Drake to work as the backups, but this should be the Dobbins show more than anything. The third-year back figures to see his largest workload of the season and warrants upside RB2 treatment with the Ravens set to potentially run more than ever considering Rashod Bateman (foot) is also out.
Expert Injury Analysis: Dobbins' chest is a non-issue, and his knee will only get better as the year goes on. Hill is likely dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain — the typical return to play is one to three weeks.
• Chicago Bears RB David Montgomery (ankle): Questionable after finishing the week with back-to-back limited practices. If active, Montgomery won’t be a recommended start due to the heightened potential for more of a split backfield while operating at less than 100%. If out, Khalil Herbert will again be an upside RB2 who is poised to handle something close to a true workhorse role.
Expert Injury Analysis: I believe Montgomery suffered a high-ankle sprain. With a typical timeline of four-to-six weeks, playing this week would be early. If he does play, I do not expect him to be his normal self.
• Seahawks RBs Rashaad Penny (shoulder), Kenneth Walker (shoulder): Penny is fine and good to go while Walker is expected to play through his questionable tag despite failing to practice in full all week. Penny would go from good low-end RB2 to locked-in borderline RB1 if Walker misses time considering passing-down back Travis Homer (rib, IR) is already out of the picture.
Expert Injury Analysis: Both players should play without limitations.
• Philadelphia Eagles RB Boston Scott (rib): Questionable. Scott’s continued absence would be nice for both Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell, as a two-back committee is better than three. Either way, Sanders projects for 15-plus touches inside of anyone’s idea of a top-five real-life and fantasy offense. He warrants upside RB2 treatment whenever Philly is favored or on the cusp of a potential shootout, and both scenarios apply to Sunday’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
Expert Injury Analysis: Scott should return from his rib injury.
• Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (illness): Missed practice on Friday and is officially questionable. Pollard’s absence would boost Ezekiel Elliott from early-down RB3 to workhorse RB2. If active, neither are especially appealing fantasy options while Dak Prescott (right thumb, out) remains sidelined.
Expert Injury Analysis: I am unsure what illness Pollard is dealing with. He will need to be monitored closely heading up to game time.
• San Francisco 49ers RB Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle): Out again. Fire up Jeff Wilson as a volume-based RB2 ahead of a matchup against the Carolina Panthers, which could feature plenty of positive game script.
Expert Injury Analysis: TDP will continue to miss time but is getting closer to his four-to-six-week return-to-play timeline.
Wide receiver
Player | Position | Team | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Allen Lazard | WR | GB | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
Kenny Golladay | WR | NYG | Knee | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Richie James | WR | NYG | Ankle | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
Wan'Dale Robinson | WR | NYG | Knee | LP | LP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Kadarius Toney | WR | NYG | Hamstring | LP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Jamison Crowder | WR | BUF | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Gabe Davis | WR | BUF | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Jake Kumerow | WR | BUF | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Isaiah McKenzie | WR | BUF | Concussion | DNP | LP | LP | INACTIVE |
Stefon Diggs | WR | BUF | NIR – Rest | DNP | (-) | ||
Amari Cooper | WR | CLV | NIR – Rest | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
Keenan Allen | WR | LAC | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Josh Palmer | WR | LAC | Ankle | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Chris Moore | WR | HST | Hip | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Brandin Cooks | WR | HST | NIR – Rest | LP | (-) | (-) | (-) |
Zay Jones | WR | JAX | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Q |
Jalen Nailor | WR | MIN | Hamstring | (-) | LP | LP | Q |
Quintez Cephus | WR | DET | Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
D.J. Chark | WR | DET | Ankle | DNP | LP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Josh Reynolds | WR | DET | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | (-) |
Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | DET | Ankle | DNP | DNP | LP | GTD |
Jakobi Meyers | WR | NE | Knee | LP | LP | LP | Q |
Dareke Young | WR | SEA | Quadricep | LP | (-) | ||
Penny Hart | WR | SEA | Illness | FP | (-) | ||
Michael Thomas | WR | MO | Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Jarvis Landry | WR | MO | Ankle | LP | LP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Jaylen Waddle | WR | MIA | Groin | DNP | LP | LP | (-) |
Ced Wilson | WR | MIA | Ribs / Toe | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Tyreek Hill | WR | MIA | Quad | (-) | LP | LP | (-) |
Russell Gage | WR | TB | Hamstring | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
Chris Godwin | WR | TB | Knee | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
Julio Jones | WR | TB | Knee | LP | LP | LP | INACTIVE |
Breshad Perriman | WR | TB | Knee/Hamstring | LP | LP | LP | GTD |
Mike Evans | WR | TB | Rest | (-) | (-) | DNP | (-) |
Treylon Burks | WR | TEN | Toe | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Jahan Dotson | WR | WAS | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE | |
Curtis Samuel | WR | WAS | Illness | DNP | DNP | (-) | |
Jauan Jennings | WR | SF | Ankle | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Danny Gray | WR | SF | Hip | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Laviska Shenault Jr. | WR | CAR | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Marquise Brown | WR | ARZ | Foot | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
A.J. Green | WR | ARZ | Knee | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Rondale Moore | WR | ARZ | Knee | LP | LP | (-) | |
Noah Brown | WR | DAL | Nec | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
CeeDee Lamb | WR | DAL | (-) | DNP | LP | (-) | |
Tee Higgins | WR | CIN | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | (-) |
Rashod Bateman | WR | BLT | Foot | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Hunter Renfrow | WR | LVR | Concussion | FP | FP | (-) | |
Mecole Hardman | WR | KC | Heel | FP | FP | (-) | |
Skyy Moore | WR | KC | Ankle | FP | FP | (-) | |
JuJu Smith-Schuster | WR | KC | Quad | FP | FP | (-) | |
Marquez Valdes-Scantling | WR | KC | Abdomen | FP | FP | (-) |
• Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (quad), Jaylen Waddle (groin): Both are listed as questionable. This is easy enough: Hill and Waddle are must-start options whenever healthy enough to suit up, and either would be an even higher upside pick should the other be forced to miss time. Cedrick Wilson would be a desperate FLEX option if either misses time. Mike Gesicki would also get a decent bump.
Expert Injury Analysis: Hill and Waddle should play in Week 5. I do believe their soft tissue injuries are minor.
• Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins (ankle): Expected to suit up despite the questionable tag. He would be replaced by the other Mike Thomas if unable to suit up. Higgins is a borderline WR1 who needs to be in starting lineups of all shapes and sizes whenever healthy; otherwise, Ja’Marr Chase (as always) and Tyler Boyd will be recommended starts. Boyd has averaged 6.6 receptions for 69 yards and 0.4 touchdowns on a hefty 8.5 targets per game in 13 contests with Joe Burrow but without Chase or Higgins.
Expert Injury Analysis: Higgins is dealing with an ankle injury but has had plenty of time to recover after playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 4. Higgins should play without limitation.
• Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (groin): Expected to play despite the questionable tag. Lamb will be his usual upside WR2 self against the Rams — don’t expect a Jalen Ramsey shadow.
Expert Injury Analysis: Lamb should play in Week 5, as his practice participation was due to managing the minor injury.
• Buffalo Bills WRs Gabriel Davis (ankle), Isaiah McKenzie (concussion), Jake Kumerow (ankle), Jamison Crowder (ankle, IR): Davis is good to go, McKenzie remains in the concussion protocol and is questionable despite practicing in a limited fashion to end the week, and Kumerow — as well as Crowder — are out. Expect Stefon Diggs to see all the targets he can handle while Davis and McKenzie (if active) should also receive plenty of work. Khalil Shakir will be a viable desperation FLEX if McKenzie is ultimately ruled out.
Expert Injury Analysis: Davis will play as he continues to battle through his ankle injury. He should look more like himself this week. McKenzie is in the five-step concussion protocol, and I do not believe he will be ready in time for Week 5. Kumerow is dealing with an ankle injury and should return in the next week or two. Crowder will likely miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the season.
• Lions WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle), D.J. Chark (ankle), Josh Reynolds (ankle), Quintez Cephus (foot): St. Brown and Reynolds are questionable while Cephus and Chark out. If active, St. Brown needs to be in full-PPR lineups of all shapes and sizes, as his presence would warrant a downgrade for T.J. Hockenson. Reynolds also wouldn’t be as appealing of a FLEX option should ARSB suit up.
Expert Injury Analysis: St. Brown showed encouraging signs, as he practiced on Friday. I am skeptical about him playing because the Lions have a bye in Week 6. The lions badly need a win, which could push St. Brown to return sooner than I expect. Chark will miss another week with his ankle injury, but I expect him back after their Week 6 bye. Reynolds should play with his ankle injury in Week 5 while Cephus will miss Week 5 with his foot injury. However, I expect him back in Week 7.
• Buccaneers WRs Chris Godwin (knee), Russell Gage (hamstring), Julio Jones (knee), Breshad Perriman (knee, hamstring): Godwin and Gage are good to go while Jones and Perriman are listed as questionable. Last week with everyone healthy, Mike Evans and Godwin played near every-down roles while Gage and Jones were rotated in and out. Evans and Godwin are both auto-starts while Gage would receive a nice bump should Jones fail to play through the pain in this week’s revenge game.
Expert Injury Analysis: The Bucs WR room is finally healthier. I expect all of them to be ready to go for Week 5.
• Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (foot): Ruled out. Look for Devin Duvernay and Demarcus Robinson to work as Lamar Jackson’s top-two wide receivers ahead of Sunday night’s potential shootout against the Bengals. Duvernay is the preferred WR4 play if needed, but just realize it’d make sense if the Ravens accordingly embrace the run more than usual and/or heavily feature Mark Andrews.
Expert Injury Analysis: Bateman has been ruled out with what is believed to be a mid-foot sprain. This is usually concerning, but I believe his is minor. I expect Bateman back in the next week or two.
• Los Angeles Chargers WRs Keenan Allen (hamstring), Josh Palmer (ankle): Allen is once again out while Palmer is questionable. The latter receiver isn’t a recommended start even if active due to the team’s willingness to rotate its complementary receivers. The main moral of the story: start Mike Williams.
Expert Injury Analysis: Allen continues to deal with a hamstring injury. After reinjuring it, I believe the Chargers will be conservative until Allen is 100%. I believe Palmer will play despite his ankle injury in Week 5.
• Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip): Good to go. Fire up Johnson as a borderline WR2 with a bit more uncertainty than usual surrounding his target share with Kenny Pickett under center. Then again, perhaps Pickett can provide a spark against the Bills’ banged-up secondary.
Expert Injury Analysis: I expect no limitations for Johnson in Week 5.
• Saints WRs Michael Thomas (foot), Jarvis Landry (ankle): Thomas is out while Landry is questionable. The answer: Chris Olave, who is a recommended start as a boom-worthy WR2 against a leaky Seahawks secondary that couldn’t come close to slowing down Jared Goff and company last week.
Expert Injury Analysis: Thomas is dealing with turf toe. I expect him to return in the next week or two. Landry should play through his ankle injury as he did last week.
• Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers (knee): Officially questionable. He's not a recommended start even if active due to Bailey Zappe‘s presence under center.
Expert Injury Analysis: It is unclear if Meyers returns or not. He has had other weeks of limited participation before being ruled out.
• Jacksonville Jaguars WR Zay Jones (ankle): Officially questionable. Jones has the sort of PPR-friendly role to warrant borderline WR3 consideration if active. If not, Jamal Agnew will be a legitimate FLEX option coming off last week’s two-touchdown performance (should have been three).
Expert Injury Analysis: I expect Jones to play in Week 5.
• Tennessee Titans WR Treylon Burks (toe): Out. Robert Woods should work as the alpha in a passing game set up well to create some explosive pass plays. Slot WR Kyle Philips also gets a boost, but he’s more of a desperate FLEX or low-cost DFS punt.
Expert Injury Analysis: Burks is dealing with turf toe, which has a four-week average for return to play. I expect Burks to miss several weeks.
• Washington Commanders WR Jahan Dotson (hamstring): Out. This should help both Curtis Samuel and (especially) Terry McLaurin‘s target floor. Of course, Carson Wentz‘s general erraticness makes both more of mid-tier WR3 plays than pass-catchers who need to be in starting lineups.
Expert Injury Analysis: I believe Dotson is dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, and his return to play is one-to-three weeks with a 20-25% reoccurrence rate.
• Green Bay Packers WR Allen Lazard (ankle): Continues to practice in a limited fashion, but he’s good to go for the Packers’ London-themed matchup against the Giants. Fire up Lazard as a borderline WR3, though I prefer Romeo Doubs moving forward.
Expert Injury Analysis: Lazard will play with no limitations in Week 5.
• Las Vegas Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow (concussion): Back-to-back full practices to start the week indicate that he’ll be good to go Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Fire up Renfrow as an upside WR4 in full-PPR formats, but anything higher is risky considering the potential for him to be the No. 3 passing-game option in a currently bad offense during any given week.
Expert Injury Analysis: Renfrow will play in Week 5 now that he has passed the five-step concussion protocol.
• Giants WRs Kenny Golladay (knee), Wan’Dale Robinson (knee), Kadarius Toney (hamstring), Richie James (ankle): Golladay, Robinson and Toney are all out. James is good to go. He’ll join David Sills and Darius Slayton in three-WR sets. Start Saquon Barkley and stay away from everyone else in this offense.
Expert Injury Analysis: Golladay, Robinson, and Toney will continue to miss time due to their injuries. James will have no limitations in Week 5.
• Cardinals WRs Rondale Moore (knee), A.J. Green (knee): Moore ppeared to suffer the issue on Thursday after not being listed on the injury report to start the week. He is officially questionable. Green is good to go. Greg Dortch would be back in the WR4 discussion in full-PPR scoring against an Eagles defense that has struggled against slot receivers over the past two seasons.
Expert Injury Analysis: Moore did practice on Friday, which is a good sign, but he is a game-time decision due to his new knee injury. Green will return to action in Week 5.
• Panthers WR Laviska Shenault (hamstring): Out. Not that you were going to play him anyway, but Shenault did have that dope screen that he took to the house a few weeks ago. What a moment. Miss that.
Expert Injury Analysis: Shenault is still battling his hamstring injury. He will likely return in the next week or two.
Tight end
Player | Position | Team | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri | Game Status |
Marcedes Lewis | TE | GB | NIR – Rest | (-) | DNP | FP | (-) |
Dawson Knox | TE | BUF | Foot/hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Harrison Bryant | TE | CLV | Illness | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
David Njoku | TE | CLV | Knee/rest | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
Tre' McKitty | TE | LAC | Quadricep | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Donald Parham | TE | LAC | Hamstring | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Gerald Everett | TE | LAC | Hamstring | (-) | LP | FP | (-) |
Brevin Jordan | TE | HST | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Ryan Griffin | TE | CHI | Achilles | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Ben Ellefson | TE | MIN | Groin | (-) | LP | DNP | INACTIVE |
T.J. Hockenson | TE | DET | Hip | DNP | LP | FP | (-) |
Jonnu Smith | TE | NE | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | D |
Taysom Hill | TE | MO | Rib | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Cethan Carter | TE | MIA | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Tanner Conner | TE | MIA | Knee | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Hunter Long | TE | MIA | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Cameron Brate | TE | TB | Concussion | DNP | DNP | LP | INACTIVE |
Tyler Kroft | TE | SF | Knee | DNP | DNP | (-) | |
Ross Dwelley | TE | SF | Rib | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
Stephen Sullivan | TE | CAR | Back | FP | DNP | DNP | INACTIVE |
Zach Ertz | TE | ARZ | NIR-Rest | DNP | (-) | ||
Jake Ferguson | TE | DAL | Knee | DNP | LP | LP | Q |
Dalton Schultz | TE | DAL | Kne | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
Devin Asiasi | TE | CIN | Ankle | DNP | LP | LP | Q |
Hayden Hurst | TE | CIN | Groin | LP | LP | DNP | (-) |
Foster Moreau | TE | LVR | Knee | DNP | DNP | (-) | |
Darren Waller | TE | LVR | Shoulder | LP | FP | (-) | |
Jody Fortson | TE | KC | Shoulder | FP | FP | (-) |
• Bills TE Dawson Knox (foot, hamstring): Ruled out. Undrafted rookie Quintin Morris is the next man up and a viable punt play in DFS, but just don’t get too crazy in re-draft land. Hunter Henry is a great pickup for TE-needy rosters considering Jonnu Smith‘s potential (ankle) to be sidelined.
Expert Injury Analysis: Knox has been ruled out with multiple injuries, which is concerning for next week as well.
• Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (hip): Good to go. Hockenson will be a top-three option at the position if Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle, questionable) is once again sidelined. If the Sun God returns, Hockenson will still be in the fop-five and recommended start in leagues of all shapes and sizes.
Expert Injury Analysis: Hockenson will play in Week 5 with no limitations.
• Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring): Officially ruled out. Your joke about Pitts scoring the same amount of fantasy points as usual this week has already been said thousands of times. Anthony Firkser will likely be the lead Falcons tight end but isn’t a realistic fantasy option. I prefer David Njoku and Hunter Henry as waiver wire pickups, if needed.
Expert Injury Analysis: Pitts likely dealing with a Grade 1 strain, and the return to play is one-to-three weeks with a 20-25% reoccurrence rate.
• Commanders TE Logan Thomas (calf): Did not practice on Friday after not being listed on the injury report. He’s officially questionable. Thomas already wasn’t playing an every-down role.
Expert Injury Analysis: Being a late add to the injury report is never a good sign. I am pessimistic Thomas plays in Week 5.
• Chargers TEs Gerald Everett (hamstring), Donald Parham (hamstring): Both are off the injury report and good to go. Still, Everett’s mid-week downgrade in addition to Parham's return are concerning enough that I would rather start David Njoku if you have the option.
Expert Injury Analysis: Everett and Parham are both playing in Week 5, but there is always a 20-25% reoccurrence rate of reinjury for hamstring strains.
• Patriots TE Jonnu Smith (ankle): Doubtful, making Hunter Henry a great waiver wire pickup for TE-needy rosters.
Expert Injury Analysis: I do not expect Smith to play through his ankle injury in Week 5.
• Buccaneers TE Cameron Brate (concussion): Officially out. Kyle Rudolph and Cade Otton are expected to split reps.
Expert Injury Analysis: Brate is still in the five-step concussion protocol with a likely shot of returning in Week 6.
• Raiders TEs Darren Waller (shoulder), Foster Moreau (knee): Waller practiced fully on Friday and should be good to go for Monday night. He’s always a top-six option when healthy. Better days should be ahead, particularly if Moreau is once again unable to suit up.
Expert Injury Analysis: Waller will play in Week 5 with no limitations. I expect Moreau to miss Monday Night Football and return after the Raiders' Week 6 bye.
• Browns TE David Njoku (knee, rest): Good to go after getting a breather on Wednesday. Njoku is a great replacement option for those with Kyle Pitts (hamstring) or Gerald Everett (hamstring), if available.
Expert Injury Analysis: Njoku will play in Week 5 with no limitations.
• Bengals TE Hayden Hurst (groin): Not a recommended start this week after being downgraded to a did not practice on Friday.
Expert Injury Analysis: Being downgraded late in the week is never a good thing. I am pessimistic Hurst is ready to go for Week 5.
• Houston Texans TE Brevin Jordan (ankle): Out. O.J. Howard’s usage did boom last week, but just realize this is usually a group that rotates three-to-four options during any given week. Howard is a desperate DFS punt if you’re feeling wild in a GPP but not a realistic re-draft option.
Expert Injury Analysis: Jordan likely returns after the Texans' Week 6 bye.
• Bears TE Ryan Griffin (Achilles): Good to go, which lowers Cole Kmet‘s already dangerously low floor, if you’re still trying to make that a thing.
Expert Injury Analysis: Griffin will make his return after missing two games with an Achilles injury. I expect him to be limited in his first game back.
Other
- Dolphins CBs Xavien Howard (groin), CB Byron Jones (Achilles, PUP), DB Keion Crossen (glute, shoulder): Howard and Crossen are questionable, so all the Jets’ talented wide receivers deserve slight upgrades against a banged-up version of the Dolphins’ already-leaky secondary.