Injuries objectively suck. To this day it’s unclear why God hasn’t turned them off. Anyone who plays Madden of NCAA Football and does NOT turn off injuries is a monster in my humble opinion.

Of course, injuries continue to be a rather large part of fantasy football analysis, which is why Fantasy Life will continue to grind each and every fantasy-relevant issue throughout the season.

What follows is a breakdown of every fantasy-relevant injury ahead of Week 5. Check out the late Friday edition of The Fantasy Life Podcast for a full breakdown of the issues from Fantasy Life lead betting analyst Matthew Freedman.

Quarterback

Kenny Pickett (knee, not listed), Steelers

Pickett is good to go for Sunday’s showdown with the Ravens. The QB29 in fantasy points per game, you’re only playing Pickett this week if desperate in a two-QB or superflex format. Good luck.

Derek Carr (right shoulder, questionable), Saints

Carr appeared severely banged up on his way to averaging just 3.4 (!) yards per attempt in Week 4. While the matchup against a banged-up Patriots secondary looks less formidable than normal on paper, this offense has hardly earned the benefit of the doubt.

The Saints have gone an NFL-high 10 straight games without scoring more than 21 points.

Jimmy Garoppolo (concussion), Raiders

Progressing through the protocol and is tentatively expected to suit up against the Packers on Monday night, Jimmy G certainly gives Davante Adams (shoulder) and Jakobi Meyers higher ceilings in fantasy land, even if the Raiders offense as a whole remains rather underwhelming.

The veteran QB’s utter lack of rushing production always caps the ceiling here, but if active Garoppolo provides a decent enough bye-week fill-in against a Packers defense that looked lost against the Lions for a good portion of Week 4.

Running Back

Aaron Jones (hamstring), Packers

He's expected to continue playing through the pain, but this makes him hard to trust after he posted a mediocre 34% snap rate in Week 4's loss to the Lions.

That sort of trailing game script should have produced ideal comeback-mode pass-game opportunities for Jones, but the team was content to keep on featuring A.J. Dillon. Treat Jones as more of a low-end RB2 until we see his usage return to normal.

Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring, questionable), Lions

Friday additions to the injury report are never good. Gibbs was already an iffy RB3 option with David Montgomery taking up so much of the backfield work; now he should be on the wrong side of most close start/sit decisions with his health apparently at less than 100%.

Saquon Barkley (ankle, questionable), Giants

Barkley is shaping up as a legit game-time decision for Sunday despite having an extra-long week to get right. Of course, even if active he returns to the league’s single-worst scoring offense and faces the prospect of experiencing an extremely negative game script against the high-flying Dolphins.

Saquon Barkley

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sept. 17, 2023.

Barkley’s every-down role protects him from comeback-mode situations to an extent; just realize pretty much nothing good has come out of this offense aside from their second half against the Cardinals in Week 3.

The Giants’ workhorse RB is more of an upside RB2 in this spot with the potential to be eased in during his first game back from a high-ankle sprain.

Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh, questionable), Patriots

Fantasy managers expected Stevenson to lose some rushing work to Ezekiel Elliott, but they probably didn’t expect the ex-Cowboys RB to hold such a commanding edge in the yards per carry department (4.1 vs. 2.7).

Throw in career-worst marks in yards per route run (0.85) and PFF receiving grade (51.7), and it’s not exactly easy to see a MAJOR shift in fantasy performance from Stevenson without an unexpected boom from Mac Jones and the league’s 30th-ranked scoring offense.

Javonte Williams (quad, questionable), Broncos

While Samaje Perine (46% snaps) played ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin (33%) last week with Williams limited to just eight total snaps, the Broncos wound up feeding McLaughlin more carries (7 vs. 6) and targets (3 vs. 2) than the ex-Bengals veteran.

Sunday’s matchup against the Jets isn’t ideal, but McLaughlin is deserving of top-36 status thanks to his performance thus far and upside for 15-plus combined carries and targets.

Justice Hill (foot/hamstring, questionable), Keaton Mitchell (shoulder, questionable), Ravens

The return of Hill in Week 4 didn’t lead to split usage with Gus Edwards. Rather, the No. 6 RB in yards per carry (5.1) during the Super Bowl era dominated the backfield’s snap share (71%), rush attempt share (50%) and even ran a route on a robust 56% of Lamar Jackson’s dropbacks.

I’m not saying you need to start Gus no matter what, but he’s more of a recommended start than usual in the RB3 range of things. My RB28 on the week, I would start Edwards ahead of guys like Najee Harris, Samaje Perine and A.J. Dillon among others.

Jonathan Taylor (ankle, questionable), Colts

Taylor is clearly the best man for the job compared to Zack Moss, but the complicated nature of this situation could lead to more of a split backfield than fantasy managers would prefer – at least in the early going.

For this week, treat Taylor more as a mid-tier RB2 if active as opposed to someone who needs to be forced into starting lineups of all shapes and sizes, particularly ahead of a matchup with a pass-funnel Titans defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing RBs this season.

Dameon Pierce (knee, not listed), Texans

Expected to handle his usual bell-cow role for Sunday’s matchup against the Falcons. While Pierce hasn't exactly boomed in the early going, he posted season-best utilization marks in snaps (59%) and rush attempt share (67%) in Week 4.

Things should improve as this ridiculously banged-up offensive line gets healthier; Pierce is a strong buy-low candidate with untapped upside in this suddenly potent C.J. Stroud-led attack.

Kyren Williams (hip, not listed), Rams

Head coach Sean McVay already confirmed that Williams is expected to play Sunday. It’d make sense if the going isn’t easy against the Eagles’ buzz-saw of a front seven; just realize any RB with the potential to post a snap rate starting with a nine (or better) deserves weekly must-start treatment regardless of a tough on-paper matchup.

It’d make sense if a returning Cooper Kupp steals away some of Williams’ underneath routes; either way, the upstart second-year RB is a consensus top-12 play at the position this week in Fantasy Life’s (free!) rankings.

Miles Sanders (groin, not listed), Panthers

A mix of Sanders’ injury, game script and likely performance led to the ex-Eagles RB posting season-low marks in snap rate (43%), team rush attempt share (46%) and route participation percentage (28%) in Week 4.

He’s more of a meh RB3 than usual despite the bye weeks ahead of Sunday’s road matchup against Aidan Hutchinson and company.

Elijah Mitchell (knee, out), 49ers

Buried on the depth chart and operating at less than 100%; Mitchell is only a handcuff stash at this point inside of an offense that has been more than willing to simply feed Christian McCaffrey all the touches he can handle.

Damien Harris (neck, not listed), Bills

Harris has worked behind Latavius Murray in addition to James Cook in the early going of 2023.

Maybe he falls into the end zone at some point via a goal-line vulture opportunity, but that’s not enough for realistic fantasy consideration outside of VERY deep leagues.

Keaontay Ingram (neck, questionable), Cardinals

A potential absence would continue to push something called Emari Demercado into the team’s No. 2 RB role.

The TCU product is a DEEP sleeper with the potential to seize a sizable workload should anything happen to James Conner (knocks on wood). 

Wide Receiver

Cooper Kupp (hamstring, not listed), Rams

Head coach Sean McVay confirmed Kupp isn’t expected to have “any specific limitations.”

The first nine weeks of the 2021 season could give us some level of intel into how this Kupp-Puka Nacua partnership could work out.

Cooper Kupp

Sep 25, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp (10) runs in for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Rondone-Arizona Republic Nfl Rams At Cardinals

Nacua is wearing Robert Woods’ old number 17 anyway – now let’s find out if he can replicate the WR1-worthy production that the artist known as Bobby Trees pulled off alongside Kupp before suffering a season-ending knee injury during that Super Bowl run.

  • Kupp in Weeks 1-9, 2021: 74-1,019-10 (103 targets), PPR WR1, WR1 per game
  • Woods: 45-556-4 (69 targets), WR12, WR23 per game

I’m blessed enough to have Kupp and Nacua on the same roster in several leagues and fully plan on starting both with confidence against an Eagles defense that has allowed the fifth-most half-PPR points per game to opposing WRs this season.

CeeDee Lamb (knee), Cowboys

Lamb practiced in full in back-to-back practices to end the week and is good to go for Sunday night’s matchup against the 49ers.

While the offense's red zone woes (30th in TD rate) have doomed the boom upside of most parties involved through four weeks, Lamb continues to work as the clear-cut No. 1 pass-game option and deserves his usual WR1 treatment against the same defense he posted a 10-117-0 receiving line against last January.

Deebo Samuel (knee, not listed), Jauan Jennings (shin, not listed), 49ers

Samuel seemed like more of a decoy in Week 4 while playing through the pain.

This week’s big-time Sunday night matchup against the Cowboys will assuredly feature No. 19 suiting up and giving it his all, but it’d make sense if Kyle Shanahan again designs most of Brock Purdy’s first reads to flow through the offense’s other playmakers.

Samuel is a risky WR2 against the Cowboys’ ever-lethal pass defense.

Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen, doubtful), Josh Reynolds (groin, questionable), Jameson Williams (suspension, questionable), Lions

The Sun God will miss Sunday’s matchup against the Panthers, while the potential presence of Jamo complicates things on the outside.

Don’t be surprised if Reynolds maintains his full-time role while Williams rotates with Marvin Jones on the outside, while Kalif Raymond is the frontrunner to take a lot of St. Brown’s slot duties.

Outside of deep FLEX options, try to avoid starting any of these complementary WRs for a week before we get the lowdown on this newfound rotation.

Christian Watson (hamstring), Packers

Watson's 48% route rate trailed each of Romeo Doubs (88%), Dontayvion Wicks (57%), and Jayden Reed (69%) in his Week 4 season debut. It’d make sense if Watson’s second game back yields a larger role, but then the Packers do have the luxury of a Week 6 bye around the corner.

Treat Watson as more of a boom-or-bust WR3 option until we see his routes get back to normal.

Davante Adams (shoulder), Raiders

Adams played through the pain during last week’s loss to the Chargers and is tentatively expected to do so again Monday night against the Packers.

Davante Adams

Nov 13, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) catches a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

You don’t need me to tell you that Adams is locked in as a rock-solid WR1 anytime he’s healthy enough to suit up.

If surprisingly inactive, Jakobi Meyers would become a legit top-24 option, while Hunter Renfrow, Tre Tucker and Deandre Carter would fill out three-WR sets.

Zay Jones (knee, questionable), Jaguars

Jones’ return could push Christian Kirk out of full-time two-WR sets, but then again Kirk’s emergence as this offense’s most-productive WR through four weeks could change that Week 1 data point.

Regardless, Jones himself isn’t more than a boom-or-bust WR4 with the theoretical potential for limited snaps in his first game back from injury.

Credit to the Bills for allowing the ninth-fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing WRs this season.

Jerry Jeudy (knee), Broncos

Jeudy ran a route on a season-low 77% of Russell Wilson's dropbacks last week.

While Mr. Unlimited has posted top-eight marks in both completion percentage over expected and EPA per dropback, Sean Payton’s insistence on keeping five different receivers regularly involved in the rotation isn’t helping matters.

Hell, old friend Tre’Quan Smith could even find some snaps in Week 5. Jeudy is a flimsy WR3 who doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt this week against Sauce Gardner and company.

Tee Higgins (ribs, questionable), Bengals

He might try to play through the pain, but we’ve seen the Bengals have Higgins dress for emergency purposes only before.

Throw in the absolute disaster state that this injured Joe Burrow-led passing game has been operating in all season, and Higgins should lose out on the heavy majority of even somewhat close start-sit decisions if ultimately healthy enough to suit up.

Note that the Bengals-Cardinals kickoff is in the late afternoon time slot.

Rashod Bateman (hamstring, not listed), Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle, questionable), Ravens

While the Steelers have hardly proved capable of slowing down opposing WRs this season, Zay Flowers has looked the part of the offense’s No. 1 WR all year long, and guys like Nelson Agholor and Devin Duvernay could keep Bateman and/or OBJ out of full-time roles in their potential first games back from injury.

Rashod Bateman

Dec 26, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

I’m more confident in Bateman after he managed to practice in full for most of the week, but even then he’s nothing more than a boom-or-bust WR4 type.

Treylon Burks (hamstring, out), Kyle Philips (knee, not listed), Titans

Burks will miss another week, while Philips should find plenty of work in the slot during his season debut.

DeAndre Hopkins should get going one of these days, but this Ryan Tannehill-led passing attack hasn’t managed to get things going in a major way in all but one week this season.

The artist known as Nuk is the clear-cut No. 1 pass-game option here; just realize this offense still flows through Derrick Henry first and foremost. Fire up the former Texans and Cardinals WR as an upside WR3.

Braxton Berrios (knee, not listed), Dolphins

Managed to post season-high marks across the board in last week's 6-43-1 performance; just realize this passing game should flow far more heavily through Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in future weeks. Berrios is nothing more than a deep league bench stash.

Wan’Dale Robinson (knee, not listed), Giants

Robinson's route rate jumped from 25% to 63% in his second game of the season in Week 4. Alas, he's still operating inside of the NFL's single-worst scoring offense.

Robinson is a solid full-PPR stash in deeper leagues in case Daniel Jones and company ever figure things out, but he’s nothing more than a cheap DFS dart or desperation play this week.

Quez Watkins (hamstring, not listed), Eagles

This could bump Olamide Zaccheaus back to the bench as the offense’s low-volume field-stretching No. 3 WR.

Fun fact: I’m in a 32-team fantasy league where this actually impacts Zaccheaus, one of my backup FLEX options. It’s not as sad in real life as it is to read (I think).

Tight End

Pat Freiermuth (hamstring, out), Steelers

The Steelers deployed a committee system in Freiermuth's absence last week, as monster-sized rookie Darnell Washington (28% routes) worked evenly with Connor Heyward (25%).

Neither are realistic fantasy options with this Matt Canada-led offense struggling to move the ball in all facets of the game.

Dawson Knox (quad, not listed), Bills

Posted season-low marks in route rate (48%) and targets per route run (7%) last week, perhaps due to both this injury and the blowout nature of that game.

While Knox himself isn’t anything more than a TD-dependent TE2, this injury could continue to open up the door for rookie talent Dalton Kincaid.

Irv Smith (hamstring, not listed), Bengals

Isn’t a recommended fantasy option in an offense that hasn’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt through four weeks and could also continue to rotate multiple parties at the position if Smith is still at less than 100%.

Juwan Johnson (calf, out), Foster Moreau (ankle, not listed), Saints

The return of Moreau dwindles down Jimmy Graham's enhanced role and further lowers the chances of Taysom Hill doing Taysom Hill things.

None are recommended fantasy options in a Saints offense that already looked meh before the coaching staff decided that an injured version of Derek Carr (right shoulder) still gives them a better chance at moving the football than Jameis Winston.

Mo Alie-Cox (ankle, not listed), Colts

The absolutely massive TE scored a dope TD last week, but sadly doesn’t get enough consistent run to factor into the weekly fantasy conversation.

Anthony Richardson and Michael Pittman remain the only recommended starts out of this passing game.

Peyton Hendershot (ankle), Cowboys

Absence continues to be good news for Jake Ferguson, who has the looks of a potential TE1 down the stretch if his early-season utilization means anything.

Other Injuries to Monitor

  • EDGE Von Miller (knee, questionable), FS Jordan Poyer (knee, not listed), Bills
  • OT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee, IR), Dolphins
  • OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring, out), G Shane Lemieux (groin, out), C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder, out), Giants
  • EDGE Matthew Judon (elbow, out), CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder, out), Patriots
  • CB D.J. Reed (concussion, out), CB Brandin Echols (hamstring, out), Jets
  • LT Ronnie Stanley (knee, questionable), OT Morgan Moses (shoulder, doubtful), Ravens
  • CB Marlon Humphrey (foot, questionable), CB Daryl Worley (shoulder, out), CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring, not listed), FS Marcus Williams (pec, not listed), Ravens
  • C Ryan Kelly (concussion, not listed), G Quenton Nelson (toe, not listed), OT Bernhard Raimann (concussion, out), Colts
  • OT Laremy Tunsil (knee, questionable), OT Josh Jones (hand, out), OT Tytus Howard (hand, not listed), G Shaq Mason (ankle, not listed), C Michael Deiter (chest, not listed), Texans
  • OT Alaric Jackson (hamstring, questionable), G Joe Noteboom (groin, out), Rams
  • G Zack Martin (thigh, <>), OT Tyron Smith (knee, <>), Cowboys
  • EDGE Micah Parsons (knee, <>), S Malik Hooker (shoulder, <>), Cowboys
  • C Jon Feliciano (concussion, not listed), 49ers
  • OT Ryam Ramczyk (foot, not listed), G Andrus Peat (concussion, questionable), C Erik McCoy (knee, not listed), Saints.
Injury Round Up