Inside the Tent - Week 5 NFL Injury Insight

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About three years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.

Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!

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Inside the Tent Updates

Drew Lock, QB - Denver Broncos

• Lock is dealing with a rotator cuff strain after a brutal hit in Week 2 against the Steelers. He missed Week 3 and Week 4 but has practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. It's still up in the air whether or not he'll be able to play. His practice status will be worth monitoring for the rest of the week as the Broncos now play next Sunday.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB - San Francisco 49ers

• Garoppolo is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and was not able to play in Week 4. He turned in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and practiced in full on Friday. He was cleared and is good to go for Week 5 against the Dolphins. Garoppolo may have decreased mobility but given the 49ers passing scheme, concern levels are low for re-injury.

Phillip Lindsay, RB - Denver Broncos

• Lindsay was not able to play once again in Week 4 due to turf toe. He was able to practice in full on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday which means he will likely be good to go for next Sunday. Turf toe can easily be reaggravated but he is certainly worth a start.

Raheem Mostert, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Mostert is dealing with a sprained MCL and missed Week 4 as a result. This week, he was able to practice in a limited fashion throughout so there's certainly a chance he plays. Mostert may be a game-time decision and he will likely test his knee pregame. If he sits, Jerick McKinnon is a safe start against a soft Miami defense.

Cam Akers, RB - Los Angeles Rams

• Akers sustained an injury to the cartilage in his ribs and missed Weeks 3 and 4 as a result. Akers was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday and in full on Thursday and Friday. Expect Akers to be sporting extra protection around his ribs as these injuries are always painful.

Davante Adams, WR - Green Bay Packers

• Adams suffered a hamstring strain in Week 2 and missed Weeks 3 and 4 as a result. The Packers are on bye in Week 5 and Adams will be ready to go for Week 6. Considering the rest he was able to take, he will be one-hundred percent and his risk for re-injury is low.

Chris Godwin, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

• Godwin suffered a hamstring strain in Week 3 and missed Weeks 4 and 5 as a result. The Buccaneers now have a long break and won't play again until October 18th. Expect to see Godwin back on the field in Week 6.

Michael Thomas, WR - New Orleans Saints

• Thomas is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and did not play in Weeks 2, 3, or 4. With high-ankle sprains, players usually miss three or more games so Thomas may be able to suit up for Week 5. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday but the Saints' practice reports will be worth monitoring through the weekend. Of note, the Saints' bye is next week so don't be surprised if they hold him out for one more game.

Mike Williams, WR - Los Angeles Chargers

• Williams also suffered a hamstring strain in Week 3. This is likely also a Grade I strain and we can expect to see Williams back in Week 6. Leading into Week 5, he was not able to practice on Thursday but was able to practice in a limited fashion on Friday. He should be avoided if he does play given his injury history and Justin Herbert's preference for Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry.

Henry Ruggs III, WR - Las Vegas Raiders

• Ruggs was not able to play in Week 4 due to a hamstring strain and a lingering knee sprain. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday and in full on Thursday and Friday. He is trending in the right direction and can be counted on in Week 5 for a Raiders offense that is missing a big-play option.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Josh Allen, QB - Buffalo Bills

• Injury: Allen was being tackled on Sunday and fell on an outstretched hand, grabbing his left shoulder while he was on the ground. Any force like this to the shoulder can cause labral damage as the humerus, or upper arm bone, is forced into the glenoid, or the socket part of the shoulder joint. Labral tears vary in severity if he even sustained one. The good news is that Allen was able to return to the game and finish the job, pushing the Bills to 4-0.
• News: He was able to practice in full all week and does not carry an injury designation heading into Week 5. Of greater concern is the status of the game against the Titans given their COVID-19 outbreak.
• Outlook: Allen may sport some type of shoulder brace to add stability to the joint, but other than that, there's no real concern for the labrum considering it's in his non-throwing shoulder. He's obviously a very physical player, and if it gets re-aggravated, it'll be a pain tolerance issue. Fantasy managers can continue to start Allen with the utmost of confidence.

Lamar Jackson, QB - Baltimore Ravens

• Injury: Jackson missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with an unknown knee injury and an illness. He didn't appear to injure his knee in Week 4, so this is likely inflammation within the joint or simply load management. Jackson is obviously one of the more mobile quarterbacks in the league and over the course of the year, he's going to get banged up at points.
• News: After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he was able to suit up for Friday so there are no concerns heading into the weekend. Missing Wednesday practices may become commonplace for Jackson in order to keep him healthy and fresh.
• Outlook: After a disappointing Week 3, Jackson returned to form in Week 4 against the Washington Football Team. He will continue to be a QB1 as long as he is healthy and can be started with confidence.

Sam Darnold, QB - New York Jets

• Injury: Darnold was sacked in the first quarter of Week 4's Thursday night game and was thrown onto his right shoulder. He only missed four plays and returned to the game. When a player lands on the tip of their shoulder, the first concern is always an AC, or acromioclavicular, joint sprain. There are three grades of AC joint sprains: Grades I, II, and III. Grade I sprains are the least severe and include stretching of the ligament beyond its normal limits. Grade II sprains involve a complete rupture of the acromioclavicular ligament. Darnold is likely dealing with a Grade I sprain and can be out anywhere from two to four weeks.
• News: He was not able to practice this week and Joe Flacco will start for the New York Jets.
• Outlook: With Flacco under center, this may actually be good news for Le'Veon Bell who is coming off injured reserve this week. Flacco heavily targets running backs so Bell may hold some value in PPR formats. Jamison Crowder should maintain his presence in the middle of the field.

Austin Ekeler, RB - Los Angeles Chargers

• Injury: Ekeler sustained a significant hamstring strain in Week 4 and will be sidelined for four to six weeks. He was tackled by a Buccaneer and his left knee hyperextended, causing the hamstring tendons to stretch beyond their anatomical limits. All three of the hamstring tendons attach below the knee so any excessive motion into knee extension will cause stress upon the tendons. It's been reported by Ian Rapoport that Ekeler is dealing with a Grade II strain. In Grade II strains, there's tearing within the musculotendinous unit and healing times will depend on blood flow and alignment of tissue.
• News: Ekeler was placed on injured reserve on October 9th and will be out until at least Week 8. Expect the Chargers to use their bye as an advantage to give Ekeler more time to rehab leading to a Week 11 return.
• Outlook: With Ekeler sidelined, the Chargers' two-back committee will now consist of Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson. Given Kelley has been involved in the red zone, look for Jackson to take a bulk of the snaps between the 20s, including receiving work. This injury should give a boost to Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry's fantasy value.

Nick Chubb, RB - Cleveland Browns

• Injury: Chubb had his knee rolled up on during Week 4's matchup against Dallas and suffered a sprained MCL as a result. Ligament sprains vary in severity starting with Grade I, progressing to Grade II, and ending with Grade III, which is a complete rupture of the ligament. Considering he's already been placed on injured reserve, Chubb is likely dealing with a Grade II or Grade III sprain and will miss at least six weeks.
• News: Chubb was placed on injured reserve on October 5th.
• Outlook: With Chubb unavailable for the foreseeable future, Kareem Hunt with handle lead back duties for the Browns. Considering their preference to establish the run this season, D'Ernest Johnson should see an increase in snap share as well as usage. He is more valuable in standard formats while Hunt becomes a bonafide PPR RB1. Dontrell Hilliard is also worth a speculative add just in case he's the one that sees an increase in snaps instead of Johnson.

Julio Jones, WR - Atlanta Falcons

• Injury: Julio Jones has been battling a nagging hamstring strain since training camp and it caught up to him in Week 4, causing him to leave the game. Hamstring strains, like other soft tissue injuries, can linger and easily re-aggravate.
• News: Jones was not able to practice at all this week and is inactive for Week 5 against the Panthers. This has happened in the past for his foot and toe injuries.
• Outlook: Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Olamide Zaccheaus should see an increase in targets. Of note, Olamide Zaccheaus led the Falcons with nine targets last week.

Noah Fant, TE - Denver Broncos

• Injury: Fant sustained a high ankle sprain in Week 4 and will miss Week 5 as a result. High ankle sprains differ from low ankle sprains in that they involve the connection (syndesmosis) between the tibia and fibula. These are the two lower leg bones and there is a sheet of connective tissue between them. In high ankle sprains, this tissue is stretched and the joint becomes unstable. The severity, or grade, depends on how far beyond its anatomical limit the ligament is stretched.
• News: He was not able to practice at all this week and is OUT for Week 5.
• Outlook: With Fant sidelined for Week 5, the Broncos will lean on Jerry Jeudy and the quarterback throwing it to him has yet to be named. Behind Fant, look for Jake Butt and Nick Vannett to pick up the slack in the tight end room.

O.J. Howard, TE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

• Injury: Howard ruptured his Achilles tendon and will be done for the 2020 season. The Achilles tendon attaches the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus, which is the heel bone. This injury often happens during a sudden burst or when landing on the ball of the foot after jumping.
• News: He was placed on injured reserve on October 6th.
• Outlook: Howard will take time following surgery to rehab and will be ready for the 2021 season. With Howard sidelined, look for Cameron Brate to get more receiving work as Rob Gronkowski has been primarily used as a blocker and obviously has a significant injury history himself.

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