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With a month of NFL action in the books, there are naturally plenty of injuries that are affecting fantasy football start-or-sit decisions. Our injury updates and reports for Week 5 as of Thursday, October 3, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
Some players on this list are at greater risk of missing Week 5 than others, but you never know who could be a surprising scratch on game day. Joe Mixon, Malik Nabers, T.J. Hockenson, Davante Adams, Trey McBride, and more are banged up heading into Week 5. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 5.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- 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
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Houston Texans running backs Joe Mixon (ankle) and Dameon Pierce (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Mixon suffered an ankle injury during Week 2 and has not returned to the field since. Pierce suffered a hamstring injury following Week 1 and has also remained sidelined.
#Texans Tank Dell (bruised ribs), Jimmie Ward (groin) return to practice.
Joe Mixon, Laremy Tunsil (ankles), Dameon Pierce (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday. @KPRC2 https://t.co/PVOXjr5RZD— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 2, 2024
As a result, Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale have served as the top backs over the past two weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Mixon's and Pierce's status before their Week 5 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Even though Akers has averaged just 37 yards on the ground while serving as the starter, he could be a solid flex option if Mixon and Pierce remain out this weekend.
Malik Nabers Injury Update
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (concussion) is unlikely to be ready for Week 5's game against Seattle, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. Raanan says Nabers "seems like a long shot to be ready for Seattle." The talented rookie receiver suffered a concussion at the end of the Thursday night game against Dallas last week.
While Malik Nabers (concussion) seems like a longshot to be ready for Seattle, RB Devin Singletary (groin) told me he has a chance. Wednesday was the best he’s felt since the Cowboys game.
Big couple days of practice upcoming to see if he can make it for Sunday.#giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 3, 2024
He sat out Wednesday's practice and was reportedly still in the early stages of the concussion protocol. Nabers' absence would be a big blow for his fantasy managers, as he was off to a red-hot start to his NFL career with 35 catches for 386 yards and three touchdowns. If Nabers is indeed out, it will mean that Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Jalin Hyatt will operate in three-receiver sets.
T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
The Minnesota Vikings are opening tight end T.J. Hockenson's (knee) practice window this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Last year's PPR TE1 in fantasy points per game is working his way back from a late-season ACL tear and began the 2024 regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He has missed the required four games to be able to return and is now set to get back on the practice field. While this is a promising development for fantasy managers who are stashing him, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's active for the game against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Bucs ruled out OT Luke Goedeke, DL Calijah Kancey, S Antoine Winfield, WR Jalen McMillan and WR Trey Palmer for Thursday night’s game vs. the Falcons.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2024
The organization has 21 days from his return to practice to move him to the active roster, and he'll likely need a ramp-up period. That said, given the lack of production at the tight end spot this season, Hockenson is arguably a must-start as soon as he's ready to play. Minnesota's offense led by Sam Darnold is far exceeding expectations so far, so Hockenson could finish as a high-end TE1 in 2024.
Davante Adams Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is not expected to play in Week 5 this Sunday on the road against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to league sources. Not only has Adams told the organization that he wants to be traded, but he's considered week-to-week after injuring his hamstring in practice last week and missing the Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 31-year-old missed another practice on Wednesday and may not play again for the Raiders until he is traded.
Raiders WR Davante Adams is not expected to play Sunday vs. the Broncos due to his hamstring injury, per league sources. pic.twitter.com/p6sBWjsyPz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 2, 2024
The problem with that for fantasy managers is that the trade deadline isn't until early November. The six-time Pro Bowler is a must-start in fantasy lineups when he's on the field, and a trade out of Vegas should eventually improve his fantasy value. Moving forward, all of Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, DJ Turner, and rookie tight end Brock Bowers will receive a boost with Adams' tenure in Vegas likely coming to an end soon.
Trey McBride Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that tight end Trey McBride (concussion) will be coming out of the concussion protocol and will be at practice on Wednesday. McBride suffered a concussion in the Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions and was unable to play in the Week 4 loss to the Washington Commanders. However, he appears to be improving this week and could be cleared to face the division-rival San Francisco 49ers on the road this Sunday. We'll keep an eye on how much McBride does, with a good chance he's limited for most, if not all, of the week.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said TE Trey McBride will be coming out of the concussion protocol and will be at practice today.
Tonga will also be out there, and rookie OL Christian Jones will have his practice window opened today and will be back on the field.
Darius…
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) October 2, 2024
If the 24-year-old is cleared by an independent neurologist later this week, fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups as a TE1. Backup Elijah Higgins caught just two of three targets for 12 yards against Washington and failed to take advantage of McBride's absence last week. UPDATE: McBride was limited in Wednesday's practice.
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ribs) did not take part in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Kittle was forced from the Week 4 win against the New England Patriots with a rib injury but later returned to the contest and caught a jump-ball touchdown in the end zone in the blowout victory. The team considers him day-to-day for now, but a DNP in the first practice of the week isn't a great sign.
Fred Warner (ankle) and George Kittle (rib) are among the 49ers who won’t practice Wednesday
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 2, 2024
The Niners could just be giving him the day off, but either way, the 30-year-old will need to return to practice in the next two days to give himself a chance to face the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in Week 5 on Sunday. When healthy and active, the five-time Pro Bowler is a must-start TE1 in fantasy. Kittle has missed one game due to a hamstring injury but has caught 15 of 17 targets in his three games for 161 yards and two touchdowns.
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury. The Alabama product did not show any sign of an injury during their Week 4 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to Robinson's status throughout the week ahead of their matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, as he has found the end zone in all but one game and averaged 15.9 PPR points.
#Browns, #Commanders injury report. pic.twitter.com/F5PazbDqjn
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) October 2, 2024
No. 2 running back Austin Ekeler (concussion), who did not suit up last week, was a limited participant on Wednesday and remains questionable for this weekend. If both running backs were to miss this weekend's game, Jeremy McNichols could be in line to lead the backfield. McNichols is coming off a career game where he totaled 68 yards on the ground with two scores.
Travis Etienne Jr. Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) is on the team's Week 5 injury report after being limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Fellow RB Tank Bigsby (shoulder) was also listed as limited. Etienne injured his shoulder in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans before eventually returning, but it led to a bigger role for Bigsby, who had seven carries for a season-high 90 yards on the ground. The 25-year-old Etienne had 11 carries for 50 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards.
#Jaguars' Wednesday Injury Report
No JHA (concussion protocol) as expected; no Devin Lloyd either.
Great to see both Darnell Savage and Evan Engram back at practice. Anthony Richardson officially listed as "Limited" (can't say the same for the rest of the #Colts) pic.twitter.com/meBzlYUFUC
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) October 2, 2024
Both RBs should be available to play in Week 5 versus the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, but Bigsby's efficient performance last week could lead Jacksonville to give him a bigger piece of the backfield pie as the Jags look for their first win of 2024. Etienne should be viewed as an RB2 in fantasy, with Bigsby becoming a more appealing RB3/flex in deeper formats.
Zamir White Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (groin) was reportedly injured in practice on Wednesday and was listed as limited on the injury report. It's more bad news for White, who has been a big disappointment for the Raiders and fantasy managers through the first four weeks of 2024. White's status for the Week 5 divisional clash against the Denver Broncos this Sunday is now firmly in question.
A lengthy #Raiders injury report Wednesday, with RB Zamir White (groin) and LB Luke Masterson (knee) purportedly suffering injuries in practice. pic.twitter.com/FR6voL2T61
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) October 2, 2024
If he is limited or unable to suit up, Alexander Mattison would instantly become at least an RB3/flex option in Denver. White has been afforded double-digit carries in three of four games so far, but he's averaged a career-low 3.1 yards per carry and hasn't found the end zone. In addition to Mattison, Ameer Abdullah would have an expanded role in the Raiders' backfield against the Broncos if White's groin injury sidelines him. White has also added just five catches for 16 yards this year.
Evan Engram Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Engram injured his hamstring before the Week 2 contest and hasn't played since. However, the fact that he's back on the practice field should at least give him a shot to play this weekend in a divisional contest against the Indianapolis Colts.
#Jaguars' Wednesday Injury Report
No JHA (concussion protocol) as expected; no Devin Lloyd either.
Great to see both Darnell Savage and Evan Engram back at practice. Anthony Richardson officially listed as "Limited" (can't say the same for the rest of the #Colts) pic.twitter.com/meBzlYUFUC
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) October 2, 2024
Engram will likely need to put in a full practice later this week to avoid a questionable tag on Friday. The 30-year-old caught just one of his four targets for a five-yard gain in the season-opening loss to the Miami Dolphins. When he returns, Engram should become a bigger part of Jacksonville's offense as they look for their first win of the season. Backup Brenton Strange has caught eight of his 14 targets for 96 yards and one touchdown in an elevated role the last three weeks with Engram sidelined.
Devin Singletary Injury Update
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (groin) sat out Wednesday's practice but said he has a chance to play in Week 5 against Seattle, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The running back will look to get back on the practice field in the next few days, even if in a limited fashion, to put him on track for returning on Sunday.
While Malik Nabers (concussion) seems like a longshot to be ready for Seattle, RB Devin Singletary (groin) told me he has a chance. Wednesday was the best he’s felt since the Cowboys game.
Big couple days of practice upcoming to see if he can make it for Sunday.#giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) October 3, 2024
Singletary has 56 carries for 221 yards and two rushing touchdowns on the season and ranks as the RB24 in fantasy at 10.6 fantasy points per game. Rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray would stand to benefit if Singletary does miss Week 5. If Singletary does play, he should be a solid RB2 against a Seattle defense that ranks middle of the pack against the run.
Odell Beckham Jr. Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee), who is officially listed on the Week 5 injury report with a knee injury, practiced in full on Wednesday. Fellow wideouts Braxton Berrios (ankle) and Malik Washington (quadriceps) were listed as limited. Beckham's knee injury caused him to be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin the 2024 season, but his 21-day practice window has now been opened and he could be activated and make his Dolphins debut as early as this Sunday versus the division-rival New England Patriots.
First Dolphins-Patriots injury report of the week.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s injury was indeed to his knee, the injury report reveals as his practice window opens to soon be activated off PUP. pic.twitter.com/RGmSNQUUbq
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) October 2, 2024
Fantasy managers in most leagues can leave the 31-year-old veteran on the waiver wire given the fact that Miami's offense has taken a nosedive with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) on Injured Reserve. When he's ready, OBJ will be battling for playing time in a reserve role behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The three-time Pro Bowler (2014-16) had 35 catches for 565 yards and three TDs in 14 games for Baltimore in 2023.
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