Week 5 is shaping up to be another frustrating week for fantasy managers, with several big names carrying more injury risk than we'd like. Some players are returning from injuries, others are attempting to play through them, and a few have practice reports that inspire about as much confidence as a weather forecast two weeks out. The challenge isn't just figuring out who's going to play, but determining whether they'll actually be productive when they do.
This week, I'll break down which injured players I'm comfortable starting, which ones give me pause, and where the historical data suggests we should exercise caution. Let's get into it before another questionable decision turns into a questionable Sunday.
Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)
"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. It also includes players who rested or missed practice for non-injury-related reasons. The second is the Game Status Report, which gives the probability that a player will play, i.e., Questionable, Doubtful, Out. The Practice Participation Report is released every day of the week (Monday through Saturday). The Game Status Report is released with the Friday participation report (Wednesday for Thursday games, Saturday for Monday games). In this feature, I'll include the Game Status Listing and my expectations of their likelihood of playing."
- Gameday Decision = this is going to come down to how the player feels in pre-game warmups
- Trending Doubtful = Likely Inactive
- Trending Probable = Likely Active
- Ruled Out = This player has already been ruled out; get him out of lineups!
If you are reading this article on Saturday, come back Sunday morning as more updates trickle in over the next 24 hours.
Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players
Gameday Decision
- WR Ja'Marr Chase
- WR Tee Higgins
- WR Justin Jefferson
- WR Jordan Addison
- WR Terry McLaurin
Trending Doubtful
- WR Dontayvion Wicks
- QB Caleb Williams
- WR Ladd McConkey
- WR Stefon Diggs
Trending Probable
- WR Dontayvion Wicks
- TE Dallas Goedert
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson
- WR Carnell Tate
- RB Ashton Jeanty
Ruled Out
- QB Lamar Jackson (ankle)
- WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)
- RB Saquon Barkley (hamstring)
- WR Stefon Diggs (hamstring)
- RB Kyle Monangai (toe)
- WR Quentin Johnston (chest)
- RB Breece Hall (quadriceps)
- WR Adonai Mitchell (finger)
- WR Michael Pittman Jr (foot)
- WR Caleb Douglas (ankle)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Projection
Sunday Morning 9:30 AM EST Game - London
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia | Hamstring | Off Injury Report | Will Play
Dontayvion Wicks was limited all week with a hamstring injury, but despite never practicing in full, the Eagles removed him from the final injury report. Wicks will play Sunday morning.
It's possible Wicks isn't dealing with a true hamstring strain, but his late addition to the injury report makes me skeptical. With DeVonta Smith already ruled out, Philadelphia is also thin at wide receiver, which could be influencing Wicks' availability. Given that context, along with data showing wide receivers can experience declines in fantasy production while managing hamstring injuries, I think Wicks carries more risk than his absence from the final injury report suggests. I would personally prefer other options in the Eagles' passing game this week.
WR Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia | MCL (Knee) | Off Injury Report | Will Play
Speaking of pass-catching options in Philadelphia, Dallas Goedert is set to return in Week 5 after missing the past two games with an MCL sprain.
Historically, the data for tight ends returning from MCL sprains isn't particularly encouraging. On average, TEs experience a 23% decline in fantasy production compared to their healthy baseline, with a wide range of outcomes. There are, however, two notable exceptions in my database:
- Jake Ferguson in 2024
- George Kittle in 2020
Both performed well upon returning, and both were among their team's top target earners. That last point is important because a similar scenario could unfold for Goedert in Week 5. With the aforementioned DeVonta Smith ruled out, Philadelphia is thin on receiving options, potentially putting Goedert in line for a significant target share. There's certainly risk in starting Goedert coming off an MCL sprain, but the opportunity could outweigh those concerns, especially for fantasy managers without a top-five tight end.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati | Concussion | Projecting Active
Ja'Marr Chase is trending in the right direction to play in Week 5. Chase logged a full practice on Friday, an important data point that strongly suggests he is nearing a return.
Since 2017, fantasy-relevant players progressing through the concussion protocol who logged a full practice in their final practice of the week went on to play nearly 90% of the time. For comparison, players who were limited in their final practice were much closer to a 50/50 proposition. To be clear, Chase has not officially cleared the concussion protocol yet, so there is still one hurdle remaining. There's even a chance that by the time you're reading this, Chase has already been cleared.