There were more big injuries in Week 5. As always, injuries play a crucial role when it comes to constructing our fantasy lineups. Here’s the status of players with the most interest to the fantasy community after the second weekend of NFL games:
Derek Carr, QB Oakland Raiders – Carr missed Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens with a fractured bone in his back. He’s hoping to be ready for this week’s game versus the Los Angeles Chargers. If Carr still can’t go, EJ Manuel will draw his second straight start. The early expectation is Car will be under center.
Andrew Luck, QB Indianapolis Colts – Luck still isn’t practicing or ready to return to game action. There’s no timetable for Luck’s return but it’s doubtful he plays before November, if at all this season. Jacoby Brissett will continue to start at quarterback for the Colts with Luck out.
Marcus Mariota, QB Tennessee Titans – Mariota missed Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins with a hamstring injury. Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Mariota’s status for Week 6 is likely to be a game-time decision. If Mariota isn’t cleared to play, Tennessee will be forced to go with Matt Cassel again versus the Colts.
Matthew Stafford, QB Detroit Lions – Stafford suffered ankle and thigh injuries during Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. He played through the injuries and the Lions are optimistic he’ll be ready for this week’s game against the New Orleans Saints. Detroit would turn to backup Jake Rudock if Stafford can’t go.
Orleans Darkwa, RB New York Giants – Darkwa started Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers but left with a calf injury. Wayne Gallman replaced Darkwa as the Giants lead back after he departed. Darkwa should be considered questionable for Week 6. Gallman will get the start if Darkwa is out versus the Denver Broncos top ranked rush defense.
Matt Forte, RB New York Jets – Forte missed his second straight game with turf toe. He didn’t practice at all last week. Forte’s injury was expected to cost him multiple games, so he should be considered questionable for Week 6.
Ty Montgomery, RB Green Bay Packers – Montgomery is dealing with multiple broken ribs that caused him to miss Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Some reports said he could miss a couple of games. Aaron Jones ran for 125 yards and a touchdown in Montgomery’s absence. Jones will be the feature back once again if Montgomery sits out this week versus the Minnesota Vikings.
Bilal Powell, RB New York Jets – Powell strained his calf in Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. He’s listed as day to day. The New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta doesn’t expect Powell to play this week and for rookie Elijah McGuire to handle a heavy workload. McGuire has a favorable matchup against a Patriots defense that allows a ton of fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Wendell Smallwood, RB Philadelphia Eagles – Smallwood missed Sunday’s game with a knee injury. LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement operated as the Eagles top two backs with Smallwood sidelined. He’s questionable for the Eagles Week 6 matchup against Carolina.
Odell Beckham Jr. WR New York Giants – Beckham suffered a broken ankle in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. He needs surgery and will miss the rest of the season. A nightmare year for the Giants continues to get worse. For fantasy purposes, two of this season’s Top 5 picks (Beckham and David Johnson) have now been lost to major injuries.
Brandon Marshall, WR New York Giants – Beckham wasn’t the only Giants receiver injured on Sunday. Marshall suffered an ankle injury and early reports say he’ll miss multiple games. It’s been a disappointing start to the 2016 season for Marshall but with Beckham out for the year, this is just more bad news for the 0-6 Giants. With Sterling Shepard also injured, the Giants may be down to Roger Lewis as their No. 1 receiver.
Jordy Nelson, WR Green Bay Packers – Nelson sat out the final drive of Sunday’s game versus the Cowboys because he’s dealing with a hamstring injury. The severity of the injury isn’t known but it was obviously serious enough that Nelson couldn’t be on the field with the Packers trailing late in the game. Nelson says he’s fine but if he can’t play this week versus the Vikings, Green Bay will go with Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison as its top three receivers.
Julio Jones, WR Atlanta Falcons – Jones appeared to be practicing Monday. The Falcons aren’t required to file an official practice report for Monday because they’re coming off a bye week. Jones suffered a hip injury in his last game but he’s on schedule to play this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. He could be in line for even more targets this week. Mohamed Sanu is expected to miss the game with a hamstring injury.
DeVante Parker, WR Miami Dolphins – Parker left Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans with an ankle injury and didn’t return. The NFL Network reported the injury is minor and that Parker could play this week. The struggling Dolphins passing game will need all hands on deck when it faces the Falcons Sunday.
Sterling Shepard, WR New York Giants – Three Giants receivers were hurt on Sunday if you’re counting at home. It’s actually four if you add return man/reserve receiver Dwayne Harris. Shepard also suffered an ankle injury. He’s listed as day to day. Shepard will likely be a game-time decision this week. He has a tough matchup against the Broncos defense but right now the Giants will take anyone they can get out there.
Charles Clay, TE Buffalo Bills – Clay suffered a knee injury on Sunday. He underwent surgery and is expected to miss multiple weeks. It’s a big blow to the Bills passing game. Already extremely thin at wide receiver, Clay had emerged as Tyrod Taylor’s top weapon in the passing game. Nick O’Leary will take over for Clay when the Bills return from their bye week. He caught 5 of 6 targets for 54 yards after replacing Clay against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Travis Kelce, TE Kansas City Chiefs – Kelce suffered a concussion in Sunday night’s game against the Houston Texans. He’s now in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Demetrius Harris will start versus the Pittsburgh Steelers if Kelce doesn’t get cleared.
Rob Gronkowski, TE New England Patriots – Rob Gronkowski missed Thursday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a thigh injury. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Gronk is expected to return on Sunday versus the Jets. Dwayne Allen replaced Gronkowski but didn’t record a catch. He’ll likely draw the start again if Gronk can’t go.
