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As we head into Week 5, there are many impactful injuries that fantasy managers need to be aware of. Here are some of the biggest ones to watch.
RB Ashton Jeanty (ankle/foot), Las Vegas Raiders
When Jeanty was downgraded to a limited participant on Thursday’s practice report, everyone assumed he was still working through his preseason ankle injury. But reports indicate he injured his foot and missed Friday’s practice. A new foot injury completely changes his outlook for this week, and Mike Washington Jr. becomes a must-add player in all formats. Jeanty's efficiency has dipped significantly this year from last year's already-shaky numbers. He's a risky play if he's active, and fantasy managers should plan on being without him in Week 5. If he’s active, he falls from his usual top-ten ranking to the back end of the RB2 discussion. If he’s out, Washington, who's looked very good in his limited opportunities, moves firmly into the top 20.
RBs D'Andre Swift (back) / Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe), Chicago Bears
Kyle Monangai will not play this week as he works through a thumb injury and turf toe. His outlook for Week 6 is also in jeopardy, but we’ll have more clarity next week. Swift managed a knee injury last week and was ultimately removed from the final injury report. However, he was benched after coughing up an egregious fumble. With Kyle Monangai out for the matchup, Swift is set to lead the backfield. However, Ben Johnson has always preferred a two-man backfield, and Roschon Johnson should be involved as a change-of-pace player. You can rely on Swift as a back-end RB1, and Johnson as a risky RB3 with multi-touchdown upside.
WRs Terry McLaurin (hamstring) / Stefon Diggs (hamstring), Washington Commanders
The Commanders have a lengthy injury report heading into Week 5, with 23 players dealing with injuries. Stefon Diggs missed all of practice this week and has been ruled out. However, Terry McLaurin returned to practice on Friday. A return to the practice field is a promising sign, but he carries a questionable designation in the final report. If he's active, he'll be in the WR3 discussion. We'll hope for more information before Sunday's kickoff. He's an obvious risk for a limited or decoy role. But with Stefon Diggs expected to miss, the Commanders might be willing to push McLaurin harder to suit up. Jayden Daniels will be back in this game, hopefully elevating the entire offense. If you don’t have a top-36 receiver to start over McLaurin this week, you can start him. But there’s a lot of risk given his lack of practice and risk of reinjury.
WRs Ladd McConkey (foot) / Quentin Johnston (chest), Los Angeles Chargers
Johnston practiced in a limited capacity all week and was declared out. Despite a full week of DNPs, the Chargers list McConkey as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Broncos. McConkey also entered last week’s game with a questionable tag. He caught neither of his two targets on 24 snaps before reinjuring himself and leaving the game. Late afternoon questionable tags are a headache. It’s probably best to bench McConkey this week and take whatever better option you have in the early slate. This Chargers offense has been horrendous to start the season, and they’ll have a tough matchup against a stout Denver defense. If McConkey goes off on your bench, great! You’ll have a bit more faith starting him in Week 6 against the Chiefs. But the more likely outcome is that he'll play a limited role, or not at all. McConkey looked great at the start of Week 1, but a rib injury slowed him down. Now with the added foot injury, McConkey moves down the ranks into the “we’ll wait until we see it” tier. He’s benchable until we get a full game or a clean week of practice. With Johnston out and McConkey far from his normal level, expect second-year receiver Tre' Harris to be the team's top target, while Oronde Gadsden II should also get extra work.
RB Rico Dowdle (toe), Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren has been phenomenal over the last two weeks, racking up 302 scrimmage yards in Dowdle's absence. Dowdle was limited in practice all week, but the Steelers are listing him as questionable. Dowdle, even if active, can’t be trusted in fantasy lineups just yet. Warren has had some extra time to rest up after last week's Thursday night game. Even if Dowdle is active, expect Warren to be the preferred back on Sunday. Warren is a top-ten running back if Dowdle is out. If Dowdle is active, Warren falls into the high-end RB2 tier, while Dowdle is nothing more than a desperation flex.
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