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There are plenty of injuries to discuss heading into Week 5, including several big names whose availability could make or break your fantasy lineup. I have some important updates on these players, but I’ve decided to hold off on sharing the details until after Sunday’s games.
Just kidding. Could you imagine if I actually did that? Apparently, the Arizona Cardinals can.
Unlike Arizona’s handling of the Marvin Harrison Jr. trade, I’m not going to leave you guessing about information that could impact your fantasy team. Let’s get into the injuries, recovery timelines, and lineup decisions you need to know before kickoff.
QB Lamar Jackson | 8:20 PM EST Kickoff
Lamar Jackson has already been ruled out for Week 5, but reporting surrounding the specifics and severity of his ankle injury remains frustratingly vague. Earlier this week, Ian Rapoport reported that Jackson’s ankle injury was neither "low nor high", which makes projecting recovery timelines particularly difficult. In situations like these, I prefer to lean heavily on the data.
Jackson carries a 25th-percentile Recovery Score, meaning he has historically taken longer to recover than his peers with similar injuries. Additionally, Jackson has scrambled on nearly 10% of his dropbacks this season, with approximately 25% of his fantasy production coming from rushing. Since 2021, 67% of quarterbacks returning from ankle injuries saw their scramble rate decline in their first game back, averaging a 73% drop. Over the broader post-injury sample, 75% remained below their season-average scramble rate. Mobility is a significant part of Jackson’s game, so I would suspect he sits until he is comfortable running and cutting. When Jackson first suffered this injury, I recommended fantasy managers prepare for a 2–3 week absence, and I stand by that projection.
WR Ja'Marr Chase | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
Ja’Marr Chase is trending toward playing in Week 5 after logging a full practice Friday. Since 2017, nearly 90% of fantasy-relevant players in concussion protocol who practiced in full during their final practice of the week went on to play, compared to roughly 50% of those who were limited. Chase still needs to officially clear concussion protocol, but Friday’s participation is an encouraging sign that he’s nearing a return.
QB Caleb Williams | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
Despite being listed as questionable, Caleb Williams is effectively out for Week 5 after head coach Ben Johnson confirmed Tyson Bagent will start Sunday against Green Bay. The encouraging news is that Williams returned to limited practice Friday, marking an important step in his recovery. A potential Week 6 return against Atlanta remains on the table and aligns with my original projection.
WR Justin Jefferson | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
Justin Jefferson appears to be pushing for a Week 5 return against the Saints despite recovering from an eversion ankle sprain. We’ve already seen multiple pass catchers aggravate similar injuries this season by returning too soon, raising concerns about Jefferson’s risk of reinjury. With Minnesota’s bye week approaching, a cautious approach might make more sense, but Jefferson seems determined to play. If he’s active, you’re starting him, but we will all collectively be holding our breath, hoping he makes it through the game unscathed.
RB Ashton Jeanty | 1:00 PM EST Kickoff
Ashton Jeanty is questionable for Sunday with a foot injury on the same side as his preseason high ankle sprain. Jeanty has shown flashes this season but hasn’t always looked fully recovered, raising concerns that the lingering ankle issue may be contributing to his current injury. If the Raiders take a cautious approach, Jeanty could miss multiple weeks, making Mike Washington Jr. a priority stash in all fantasy leagues.
For the full Week 5 injury report, including the latest updates Sunday morning, historical injury data, and fantasy recommendations, check out the complete breakdown at Footballguys.
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