Fantasy Football Injury Reports For Week 5 (Thursday Updates): Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Tee Higgins, Javonte Williams, and more

We have hit the ground running from an injury perspective in 2023, as the season seems to be filled with an assortment of injuries to notable fantasy football players. As we head into Week 5 of the NFL season, which begins with a Thursday night game between the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, the amount of injury news has remained significant. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Fantasy football stalwarts such as Tee Higgins, Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 5. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so 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 of fantasy football's most notable performers and see whether they may play in Week 5.

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Cooper Kupp Injury Update

Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said that wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) "looks healthy." LaFleur said that when Kupp was "gearing up for that first game" before going on Injured Reserve, "you could tell he almost could tell that something was still a little bit off. And from my vantage point, it looks like he feels really good."

The Rams opened up the 21-day window on Wednesday to activate Kupp from IR and he was limited in practice on Wednesday. Unless he suffers a setback on Friday, Kupp should make his 2023 debut against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5 on Sunday, although he could have his snaps limited in his first game back. Still, fantasy managers that drafted Kupp in the first round will be wanting to get him back into their starting lineups right away.

Jonathan Taylor Injury Update

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday for the second straight day. The Colts opened the 21-day window on Wednesday to activate Taylor from the Physically Unable to Perform list, but it still remains to be seen if he'll officially be activated in order to make his season debut in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans.

The 24-year-old said he is physically ready after having right ankle surgery in January and missing all of the offseason program, training camp, and the first four weeks of the regular season. Taylor appears committed to playing for Indy despite his trade request in August, and he should eventually be their bell-cow back. However, he'll be a risky fantasy play this weekend if he's active because of the possibility that the Colts ease him back in.

Tee Higgins Injury Update

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ribs) was with the team on Thursday but missed practice for the second straight day. Higgins fractured a rib during the Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans, but the team wouldn't rule him out for Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals to begin the week.

The 24-year-old will most likely need to practice in some fashion on Friday to have a chance of suiting up on Sunday. Whether Higgins is able to play could ultimately come down to pain tolerance. Outside of his eight-catch, 89-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 3 against Baltimore, Higgins has been almost non-existent in Cincy's struggling offense early in the year.

If he's out or limited this Sunday, Tyler Boyd figures to be the biggest beneficiary as the No. 2 behind Ja'Marr Chase in a must-win game for the Bengals.

Kyren Williams Injury Update

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (hip) took part in the team's practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session, which is a good step towards being active for the Week 5 contest at home this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams is likely to be listed as limited on the final injury report for Thursday, but the main takeaway is that he's back on the field.

It would be surprising if the 23-year-old didn't play in Week 5 after simply dealing with a hip contusion from the Week 4 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. Barring an unforeseen development later this week, fantasy managers should plan on locking Williams in as an RB2 in their lineups against Philly.

Javonte Williams Injury Update

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (quadriceps) was limited in Thursday's practice after sitting out on Wednesday. Williams left the Week 4 win over the Chicago Bears early and never returned. He was initially believed to be dealing with a hip-flexor injury, but he's now listed with a quadriceps issue.

Either way, the 23-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be very serious, and his return to practice on Thursday will give him a chance to suit up in Week 5 against the New York Jets. Undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin was a hot waiver-wire pickup this week after he led the backfield last Sunday while scoring the second touchdown of his career. However, if Williams is able to play this weekend, he might go back to battling for complementary touches behind Williams with Samaje Perine.

Kenny Pickett Injury Update

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (knee) was a full practice participant on Thursday, putting him on track to start in Week 5 against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens despite suffering a bone bruise in his left knee in the Week 4 loss to the Houston Texans. It's an upgrade after Pickett was merely limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday.

Barring any setbacks on Friday, the 25-year-old should be ready to go this Sunday in a big game for both Pittsburgh and Baltimore. However, after how bad Pittsburgh's offense looked in last week's blowout loss to Houston, fantasy managers shouldn't consider Pickett as anything more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 5 in a tough matchup against Baltimore.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) hasn't practiced yet this week due to an abdominal injury, but he's still hoping to play in Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers. "That's my goal," St. Brown said. The 23-year-old has at least been working on the side with trainers during practices, but fantasy managers would feel a lot better about his status this weekend if he can return to practice in some fashion on Friday.

If St. Brown ends up being active this weekend against the Panthers, he should remain locked into starting fantasy lineups. If St. Brown is inactive or limited at all on Sunday, quarterback Jared Goff's fantasy upside would take a hit. Receivers Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Marvin Jones Jr. and Jameson Williams and rookie tight end Sam LaPorta would also be leaned on more by Goff in the passing game.

Christian Watson Injury Update

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) remains on the injury report for Week 5 after he was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday. Watson suffered a hamstring injury at the end of training camp and missed the first three games of the regular season as a result.

He made his 2023 debut last Thursday in the loss to the Detroit Lions and was eased back in with 26 offensive snaps. The 24-year-old had just two catches in his return, but one of them went for a one-yard touchdown to save his fantasy day. Watson should be available on Monday night to face the Las Vegas Raiders and he should have a bigger role in the passing attack in his second game of the year.

Saquon Barkley Injury Update

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) will be limited in practice again on Thursday. Barkley was limited in team drills on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. The 26-year-old continues to make progress, but he could still miss a third straight game this Sunday against the Dolphins in Miami.

There's a good chance he'll be questionable on Friday's final injury report for Week 5, and we expect he'll be a game-time decision on Sunday morning. If Barkley does return this weekend, the Giants could dial back his workload a bit as well. If he misses yet another game, Matt Breida should continue to lead New York's backfield and will be in play as an RB3/flex play in deeper fantasy leagues.

Davante Adams Injury Update

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (shoulder) will not practice on Thursday, as the team begins preparing for their Monday night game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5. Adams injured his shoulder in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. In the first half of the game, the 30-year-old receiver was hurt when a defender landed on top of him, his right shoulder bearing the weight of both players as they hit the ground.

Adams left the game thereafter but was able to return before halftime and finished with eight catches and 75 receiving yards. His return to that contest would indicate that Thursday's absence is simply an extra day of rest and recovery for the 10-year veteran, though fantasy managers should continue monitoring the situation for any new developments.

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