Injury Status: Week 5

Thu Oct 7 11:46am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

The injuries continue to mount but at least some players could make a return this week. That is a positive on the injury front, especially if Christian McCaffrey can get back on the field in Week 5. So we will take the good with the bad. Hopefully, the recent trend of injuries starts to slow because it isn’t fun trying to replace some of these key fantasy players.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers. McCaffrey got back to practice Wednesday and got in some limited work. He was apparently running well at practice, though, and looked good. He has a chance to play this week, but is looking like a game-time decision. If he is active, McCaffrey will be a must play for his fantasy owners - even if he his role is somewhat limited.

Logan Thomas, TE, Washington. Thomas injured his hamstring last week and was placed on Injured Reserve. Early expectations are he should be out four weeks of action. This leaves Ricky Seals-Jones as the starter for Washington while Thomas is out.

Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants. Shepard remains out of practice because of a hamstring injury. He missed the game last week and is likely to miss another week of action. He is going to need to get some practice in before he returns to the lineup.

Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks. Carson is dealing with a neck injury and has not practiced all week. He has not been ruled out for the Thursday night game, though. He is being considered a game-time decision. But even if he plays, expect Carson to be a little limited in the game. Alex Collins is going to get some work whether Carson plays or not.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys. Elliott has a sore knee and was held out of practice Wednesday. This is a new injury and one to keep an eye on this week. We expect him to play this week but make sure he gets in some practice before the week is out. And as long as he is active, Elliott is a must start for fantasy teams.

Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys. Cooper has a hamstring injury and missed practice Wednesday. He seems to be hurting, having played just 47.5 percent of the snaps last week. It is tough to sit him, though, even if he plays just half the game. He still has a high ceiling in this offense.

Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals. Mixon sprained his ankle last week and has been out of practice to start the week. He has not been ruled out just yet and the injury isn’t considered too serious. But even with that said, this injury could keep him out a week or two. We should know more before the week is out, so keep an eye on the player notes for the latest. If he misses, Samaje Perine starts for the Bengals.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers. Garoppolo missed the second half of last week’s game because of a calf injury. He has not been able to practice to start the week, but is not being ruled out yet. We expect him to miss the game this week, though, giving Trey Lance the start. Unless something changes in the next day or two, look for the rookie to get his first NFL start.

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Lions. Hockenson played last week but is dealing with some sort of knee injury, which kept him out of practice Wednesday. We don’t think this is too serious, but make sure he gets some practice in before the week is out. If he misses more time, his status could be up in the air for this weekend.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Broncos. Bridgewater was knocked from last week’s game with a concussion. He will need to clear the concession protocol before the week is out if he hopes to play. He still seems to have an outside shot to play, but Drew Lock seems the better bet to start this week. Keep an eye on the player notes for the latest.

Julio Jones, WR, Titans. Jones remains out of practice because of a hamstring injury. He will need to get in some practice before the week is out if he hopes to play Week 5. At this point, it is looking like Jones will miss another week of action plan accordingly.

A.J. Brown, WR, Titans. Brown missed last week but is practicing on a limited basis this week, which is a good sign for him. Brown has a shot to return to the lineup, barring a late-week setback. If he is active, Brown is a must start for his fantasy owners.

Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals. Higgins has missed the last two games because of a shoulder injury. He returned to the practice field Wednesday, though, and seems on track to return to the lineup. Higgins is trending the right way for his fantasy owners.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, Bucs. Gronkowski missed the game last week and it was revealed he is dealing with some cracked ribs. This is a very painful injury and likely to keep him out a few more weeks of action. Cameron Brate should start while Gronkowski is out of the lineup.

Darius Slayton, WR, Giants. Slayton missed the game last week because of a hamstring injury. He is still out of practice and expected to miss another game. Kadarius Toney should see an expanded role in the offense once again with Slayton out.

Chase Claypool, WR, Steelers. Claypool popped up on the injury report late last week because of a hamstring injury. He missed the game but is back practicing some to begin the week. This is a good sign for Claypool to make a return in Week 5. As long as he keeps progressing, look for Claypool to be back in the lineup this week.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings. Cook played last week with his ankle injury but was a little limited in the game. He pretty much split the carries with Alexander Mattison. Cook is out of practice to start the week but is resting his injury as much as anything. Cook might not do much in practice all week, but should be in the lineup once again. The only issue is Cook might not get a full workload once again until he is closer to full strength.

Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers. Mitchell has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury. He has returned to practice on a limited basis this week, though. He is doing better and has a chance to return to the lineup for San Francisco. It isn’t certain how Mitchell will be used upon his return, though. He was starting before the injury but Trey Sermon has manned that role with Mitchell out.

David Montgomery, RB, Bears. Montgomery suffered a knee injury last week but avoided a torn ACL. He is dealing with a sprained knee, though, and expected to miss four to five weeks of action. Damien Williams will start while Montgomery is out of the lineup.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 5

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