Fantasy Football Injury Reports (Tuesday Updates): Justin Jefferson, De'Von Achane, Travis Kelce, Deshaun Watson, more

The Week 5 slate of the NFL season saw several key fantasy stars pick up injury tags. Many key players were banged up on Sunday and have been reported on, but injury news continues to trickle in on Tuesdays. Our fantasy football injury reports as of Tuesday, October 10 will give you the latest news on the top banged-up players heading into Week 6 including Justin Jefferson, De'Von Achane, Travis Kelce, Deshaun Watson, and more.

Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. It's early in the week, but there's never a wrong time to check in on key players on your fantasy rosters.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Justin Jefferson Injury Update

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury late in the game this past Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and did not return. After getting an MRI yesterday to determine the severity of the injury, Minnesota plans to put the star receiver on Injured Reserve this week. While the timeline for his return is still to be determined, Jefferson will miss the next four weeks. It is a massive blow for the Vikings and fantasy managers alike.

Expect rookie Jordan Addison and veteran K.J. Osborn to see an increased target share over the next month. Tight end T.J. Hockenson should also be heavily involved as the Vikings try to come back from a 1-4 start to the season.

De'Von Achane Injury Update

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane suffered a knee injury during the team's win over the New York Giants this past Sunday. The Dolphins now expect to be without the explosive rookie for multiple weeks. It is not expected to be season-ending, but Miami is continuing to gather information and evaluate the next steps for Achane in his recovery, leaving him as a candidate for the Injured Reserve.

The 21-year-old was on a roll over the past three weeks, gaining 455 yards on the ground and scoring five touchdowns. He will be sorely missed by fantasy managers. Raheem Mostert will continue to operate as the Dolphins' top back, while Jeff Wilson Jr. (ribs) is expected to make his return to the practice field this week and will be a top waiver addition.

Travis Kelce Injury Update

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on the team's estimated injury report on Monday ahead of the Week 6 contest on Thursday against the Denver Broncos. It's not a big surprise after Kelce suffered a low-ankle sprain late in the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings. The 34-year-old had his ankle taped up and returned in the third quarter and even scored a touchdown.

Kelce ultimately finished with a strong 10-67-1 line on a season-high 11 targets. Still, the Chiefs are on a short week, so they could play it extra cautious with their best pass-catcher and hold him about against the 1-4 Broncos. Kelce is a must-start if he's active, but fantasy managers may want to prepare just in case he's inactive. If he doesn't play, Noah Gray would have some TE2 streaming appeal.

Deshaun Watson Injury Update

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski declined a chance to say that he was optimistic that quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) would play in Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. "He's day to day, working hard, getting better," Stefanski said. Coming off their bye week, Watson wasn't at practice on Monday after sitting out the Week 4 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 28-year-old is dealing with a bruised right shoulder.

It would be a surprise if he didn't play again this Sunday in a very tough matchup, but we'll keep a close eye on Watson's practice status the rest of the week. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson looked very much like a rookie in Week 4 in his first career start. It would be hard to trust any of Cleveland's offensive skill players against the dominant Niners D if Watson misses a second straight game.

Saquon Barkley Injury Update

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and left tackle Andrew Thomas (hamstring) are "yet to be determined" for the Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills. Barkley is closer to a return than Thomas after practicing all of last week on a limited basis. The 26-year-old has been out since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. However, if he's able to make more progress in practice this week, he could make his return this Sunday.

But quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) could be out, and Barkley would be going against tough Buffalo defense behind a terrible offensive line. Rookie Eric Gray saw a bigger role in New York's backfield in the Week 5 loss to the Miami Dolphins alongside Matt Breida. This backfield is one to ignore in fantasy until Barkley is able to return.

Javonte Williams Injury Update

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (quadriceps) was listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. Williams injured his quadriceps in the Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears and was inactive for the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets. It's entirely possible that the 23-year-old will miss a second straight game heading into a short week this Thursday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs.

Samaje Perine out-snapped undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin against the Jets, but McLaughlin saw more carries and touches and finished with 89 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. McLaughlin will be back on the RB3/flex radar in Week 6 if Williams misses another game. Williams has been a disappointment so far in four games coming off a torn ACL in Week 4 in 2022, as he's averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and has yet to find the end zone.

Tank Dell Injury Update

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Monday that wide receiver Tank Dell (concussion) is officially in the league's concussion protocol, per Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle. Dell exited Week 5's 21-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter with a concussion, posting three catches on four targets for 57 yards before his day ended. The third-round rookie is off to a quick start in Year 1, hauling in 19-of-28 passes for 324 yards (17.1 YPR) and two touchdowns over five games.

Dell has six days to pass protocol before Week 6's meeting with the New Orleans Saints, but fantasy managers should be exploring FLEX alternatives ahead of time. Nico Collins would solidify himself as quarterback C.J. Stroud's top target while veterans Dalton Schultz and Robert Woods help fill Dell's void if he isn't cleared.

Zay Jones Injury Update

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Zay Jones (knee) underwent an MRI exam on Monday after aggravating a knee injury in the Week 5 win over the Buffalo Bills in London on Sunday. Jones was initially hurt in Week 2 and missed both Weeks 3 and 4 before returning this past Sunday. The good news for fantasy managers that threw him back into their starting lineups in Week 5 is that he caught three of his five targets for 23 yards and a touchdown in London before he left the game.

Depending on the results of his MRI exam, the 28-year-old pass-catcher could be headed towards his third missed game in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts. If Jones misses more time, Jamal Agnew would serve as the No. 3 behind Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk.

More Fantasy Football Analysis