Key Fantasy Football Injuries Heading into Week 5: Anthony Richardson, Nick Chubb, Malik Nabers, Trey McBride and More
These are all the injuries you'll need to monitor this week leading up to Week 5.
Quarterbacks
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (Hip)
Richardson was forced from last week's game with a hip pointer and was not able to return. Joe Flacco came in and was predictably better. This injury is generally a matter of pain management so there is a decent chance he is able to return this week.
The team has made it clear that he will be the starter once he is healthy enough to play. While Richardson himself probably brings more fantasy value than Flacco, he is also a significant downgrade for all of his weapons. Flacco is a much better passer and gives all the Colts' pass-catchers a lot more value.
Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers (Calf)
Wilson continues to deal with a calf injury that he is reportedly slowly but surely recovering from. As of now, we have no idea if he'll be able to be active for Week 5. However, there is no reason to believe that there is any chance that he'd be starting over Justin Fields regardless of health.
Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (Knee)
We saw Rodgers limping around late in the Jets' embarrassing Week 4 performance. He has said that his knee has swelled up heading into the week. Nevertheless, it sounds like he's fully expected to play in Week 5. His mobility may be even more limited than it already was.
Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (Ankle)
JT is dealing with an ankle injury and we've heard mixed reports on this one. It doesn't sound long-term because the team came out and said he would not be sent to injured reserve. However, his history with ankle injuries understandably sets off alarms for many fantasy owners.
There is still a chance he plays this week and there is also a chance he misses a couple of games. If he were to miss any time, Trey Sermon would be the favorite to serve as the RB1 in his absence. Sermon was a popular waiver wire pickup and should scooped up as quickly as possible if he's still available.
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (Ankle)
Mixon injured his ankle in Week 2 and hasn't played since. He pushed hard to play last week but was ultimately listed as inactive. That leads us to believe he has a strong chance to return this week, but he did not practice on Wednesday.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants (Groin)
Singletary has popped up on the injury report with a groin issue. We really don't know all that much about the extent of the injury yet. This is a situation we will have to monitor throughout the week.
If he were to miss any time, rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. would become a very interesting flex option. Should Tracy play well, it could have ramifications for the remainder of the season, shifting the usage rates in the Giants' backfield.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns (Knee)
Chubb has missed the required four games to start the season and is eligible to return in Week 5 if the team feels he is ready. If nothing else, they did open up his 21-day practice window, which is a promising sign. That doesn't mean he'll be playing this week but he's also probably not too far off.
It is unclear how this backfield will shake out once Chubb returns. A lot will depend on how he looks after recovering from another major knee injury.
Wide Receivers
Malik Nabers, New York Giants (Concussion)
Nabers suffered a concussion in Week 4 and is in the concussion protocol. He will have to clear the protocol in order to play this week. Most players miss at least one week after suffering a concussion.
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (Knee)
Rice went down with an ugly knee injury after a turnover in Week 4. He is believed to have torn his ACL, but the team has not confirmed this. There is no chance he plays this week and it's likely he's out for the year, however, we are still waiting on confirmation on this injury.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (Ankle)
Watson injured his ankle last week with what's being described as a mild high-ankle sprain. With any kind of high-ankle sprain, the odds are it will lead to missed time. We don't expect him to play this week and he could miss multiple weeks. Dontayvion Wicks would likely benefit the most from his absence.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (Ankle)
As of Wednesday, Shakir has not been able to practice yet this week due to an ankle injury. We don't have a ton of info on this injury and will have to monitor it throughout the week. He is their top pass-catcher so far this season. His absence would be a boost for Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel.
Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers (Ankle)
Johnson missed practice on Wednesday, but that's been par for the course for him this season. He is fully expected to be out there for Week 5 unless something changes.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans (Chest)
Dell has returned to practice this week. This is a great sign after he was unable to practice at all last week and was eventually ruled out. He's not a lock to play in Week 5, but he appears to be on the right track.
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys (Knee)
Cooks has already been ruled out with a knee injury and will not play in Week 5. Jalen Tolbert should be the biggest beneficiary.
Tight Ends
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (Concussion)
McBride was forced to sit out Week 4 due to a concussion, but is on track to return for Week 5. Concussions can be tricky, however, he is on a path to return to action.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns (Ankle)
Njoku is practicing this week and will look to finally return from his high-ankle sprain. He would immediately become a TE1 and if someone in your league dropped him, you should scoop him up immediately.
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (Knee)
Hockenson is now eligible to return from IR and the team has opened up his 21-day practice window. It's very unlikely that he returns this week, but it's a good sign that they already opened up his practice window.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (Knee)
Kmet has popped up on the Bears' injury report with a DNP. We don't anything else about this knee injury, but we will monitor it and be sure to update you as we get closer to Week 5.