A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
N/A
ATLANTA FALCONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julio Jones | WR | 75.3 | WR29 | Hamstring | Out |
Mario’s take: Jones reinjured his hamstring and did not return in the second half of the Monday Night Football clash against the Packers. He did not practice all week and will not play in Week 5.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Lamar Jackson | QB | 82.9 | QB2 | Knee | Questionable |
| Mark Andrews | TE | 74.6 | TE5 | Thigh | Questionable |
| Marquise Brown | WR | 72.4 | WR23 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Brown was a non-participant at Wednesday’s and Thursday's practice but was a full participant on Friday. He missed Wednesday due to a stomach ache and Thursday due to a knee. I believe his injury is minor and that he will play in Week 5.
Andrews was added to the injury report on Thursday with a thigh issue and was limited on both Thursday and Friday. It is a minor injury — he will play in Week 5.
Brown was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice and a full participant at Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. His knee injury is minor, and I expect him to play in Week 5.
BUFFALO BILLS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| John Brown | WR | 67.3 | WR43 | Calf | Questionable |
| Zack Moss | RB | 63.4 | RB40 | Toe | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Brown did not practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, but I expect him to play in Week 5.
Moss has missed the last two weeks with a turf toe injury. He was limited all week, but I expect him to have a good shot at returning in Week 5.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | 76.6 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
Mario’s take: McCaffrey sustained a high ankle sprain during a TD run in the fourth quarter of his Week 2 game against the Buccaneers. He was placed on IR and will miss at least three weeks. McCaffrey's return-to-play timetable is around four to six weeks.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Joe Mixon | RB | 67.8 | RB12 | Shin | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Mixon was added to the injury report on Thursday. He was a limited participant at Thursday's and Friday's practice due to a shin injury. His injury is minor; I expect him to play in Week 5.
CHICAGO BEARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Tarik Cohen | RB | 62.6 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Cohen tore his ACL in the fourth quarter of a Week 3 matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons. He will miss the remainder of the season.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Nick Chubb | RB | 75.4 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Chubb was rolled up on by two linemen in the first quarter of his Week 4 game. He suffered a moderate MCL sprain. He will miss 6 weeks and most likely come back after the Week 9 bye.
DALLAS COWBOYS
N/A
DENVER BRONCOS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 72.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Drew Lock | QB | 42.7 | QB28 | Shoulder | Questionable |
| K.J. Hamler | WR | 53.7 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Noah Fant | TE | 65.1 | TE32 | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. Sutton will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Lock suffered a severe rotator cuff strain on a sack in the first quarter of Week 2. He did not participate in practice on Tuesday and was a limited participant on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I believe he has a real shot at returning in Week 5.
Hamler reinjured his hamstring in the first half of last week's game. He has already been ruled out of Week 5, and I expect him to miss the next two to four weeks.
Fant suffered a minor ankle injury in the third quarter of Thursday Night Football last week. He was held out of Thursday's and Friday's practice. He's out for Week 5.
DETROIT LIONS
N/A
GREEN BAY PACKERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Davante Adams | WR | 80.4 | N/A | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Adams injured his hamstring in Week 2. He missed Week 3 and Week 4. Typically a Grade 1 hamstring strain has a return-to-play timeline of two to three weeks. The Packers have a bye in Week 5, so I expect Admas to be back for Week 6.
HOUSTON TEXANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jordan Akins | TE | 72.4 | TE22 | Head | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Akins suffered a concussion after a scary helmet-to-helmet hit in the third quarter of Week 4. He will enter the five-step concussion protocol. Akins did not practice on Wednesday, but he did participate in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday. Still, I do not believe he will be ready for Week 5.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
N/A
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
N/A
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
N/A
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Bryan Edwards | WR | 70.6 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
| Henry Ruggs III | WR | 57.2 | WR104 | Knee/hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of Week 3. He did not play in Week 4 and was a non-participant all week. Edwards will be considered week-to-week, but I expect him to miss Week 5.
Ruggs was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice but a full participant at Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. I expect Ruggs to return in Week 5.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | 84.5 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Tyrod Taylor | QB | 60.7 | N/A | Chest | Out |
| Mike Williams | WR | 62.6 | WR80 | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Ekeler was carted off in the first quarter of Week 4. He hyperextended his knee at an awkward angle, immediately grabbed his hamstring and could not put any pressure on his left foot. Ekeler escaped with a Grade 2 hamstring tear; he will miss four to six weeks.
Taylor was shockingly pulled right before kickoff in Week 2 due to complications from a rib injury. He was given an intercostal nerve block by the team doctor pregame to help relieve pain, and the injection reportedly caused a complication known as pneumothorax — an air leak between the lung and chest wall. Essentially, a small hole can form if the needle goes too deep, thus causing an air leak. Pain is the determining factor as to when the player can return to play. The general timeline for a small pneumothorax is a minimum of two weeks. Now that Justin Herbert has been officially named as the team's starting quarterback, Taylor will take up backup duties once he is cleared to play.
Williams did not play in Week 4 due to a hamstring injury. He did not practice on Thursday but was a limited participant on Friday. He is also playing on Monday Night Football and has an extra day to heal. Saturday will be an important practice for Williams.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
N/A
MIAMI DOLPHINS
N/A
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
N/A
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julian Edelman | WR | 71.9 | WR25 | Knee | Questionable |
| Cam Newton | QB | 73.2 | QB29 | COVID-19 | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Edelman practiced in a limited fashion all week, and I believe he will be good to go in Week 5.
Newton missed Week 4 due to a positive COVID-19 test. It is unclear if he will be back for Week 5. He needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Thomas | WR | 57.4 | WR68 | Ankle | Out |
| Jared Cook | TE | 58.5 | TE31 | Groin | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in the game in Week 1. He did not play in Week 2, Week 3 or Week 4. The average return-to-play timeline for a Grade 2 high ankle sprain is 12.6 days. The star wideout was limited on Thursday and Friday and was subsequently ruled out for Week 5.
Cook missed Week 4 with a groin injury. He was limited on Thursday and Friday and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
NEW YORK GIANTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | 60.2 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | 68.5 | N/A | Toe | IR |
Mario’s take: Barkley sprained his MCL and tore his ACL and meniscus in the second quarter of Week 2. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Shepard has been put on IR for a toe injury. He will miss at least one more game.
NEW YORK JETS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sam Darnold | QB | 58.7 | N/A | Shoulder | Out |
| Chris Hogan | WR | 55.7 | WR89 | Ribs/Knee | Questionable |
| Breshad Perriman | WR | 56.3 | WR82 | Ankle | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Darnold injured his shoulder after getting slammed to the turf in the first quarter of the Week 4 clash against the Broncos. He went into the locker room and came back out to play. Most likely, his X-rays came back negative, and he received an injection in his shoulder. I believe he has a Grade 1 A/C sprain. Return-to-play can take up to three weeks. He has been ruled out for Week 5.
Hogan was a limited participant all week, but I expect him to play in Week 5.
Perriman did not play in Week 4 and did not practice all week. I do not expect Perriman to play in Week 5.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Alshon Jeffery | WR | – | WR92 | Foot | Out |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | 69.8 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| DeSean Jackson | WR | 62.4 | WR81 | Hamstring | Out |
| Jalen Reagor | WR | 54.4 | N/A | Hand | Out |
Mario’s take: Goedert fractured his ankle in Week 3. Typically, bone takes six weeks to heal. Goedert will miss the next six to eight weeks.
Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and returned to practice for the first time since his injury. The Eagles are easing him back. Jeffery did not play in Week 4; he was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice and missed Thursday and Friday entirely. Jeffery will miss Week 5.
Jackson injured his hamstring in the second quarter. Jackson has a history of injury, and this is a concerning injury for a speedster WR. Jackson did not play in Week 4; he didn’t practice on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday. Jackson will miss Week 5.
Reagor tore the UCL in his thumb during the game in Week 2. This is the same injury that caused Drew Brees to miss five games last year. Reagor has been put on IR and will miss at least three weeks. I would expect Reagor to miss three to five weeks in total.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
N/A
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Deebo Samuel | WR | 72.1 | WR34 | Illness | Questionable |
| Jordan Reed | TE | 86.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Raheem Mostert | RB | 78.4 | RB47 | Knee | Questionable |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | 65.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
Mario’s take: Samuel has not practiced all week due to an illness. He is considered questionable but he is cleared to play in Week 5.
Mostert suffered a mild MCL sprain in Week 2. He did not practice last week, and I believe he will be out for two to three weeks. Mostert was a limited participant at Wednesday’s and Thursday's practice and has a shot at playing in Week 5.
Coleman suffered a knee sprain in Week 2. He did not play in Week 3. He was placed on IR and will miss at least two more weeks.
Reed left the first quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second quarter. Later in the game, he was seen getting his knee checked out and was ruled out shortly after. Reed was placed on IR and will miss the next six to eight weeks.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 59.9 | RB68 | Shoulder | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Hyde was a limited participant all week. I expect him to play in Week 5.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Godwin | WR | 70.5 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Justin Watson | WR | 61.8 | N/A | Chest | Out |
| Leonard Fournette | RB | 68.1 | N/A | Ankle | Active |
| LeSean McCoy | RB | 53.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
| Mike Evans | WR | 67.4 | WR10 | Ankle | Active |
| O.J. Howard | TE | 80.1 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| Scotty Miller | WR | 69.7 | WR49 | Hip/Groin | Active |
Mario’s take: Godwin did not play in Week 4 and did not practice on Tuesday. He will likely miss the next one to three weeks.
Watson has been ruled out of the Thursday Night Football game.
Fournette did not play in Week 4 with an ankle injury. He did not practice on Tuesday. Fournette will be a game-time decision, but I do expect him to play in the Thursday Night Football game.
McCoy suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of Week 4 and did not return. He has a Grade 2 ankle sprain, so he will not play in the Thursday Night Football game.
Evans injured his ankle in Week 4 but came back to finish the game. He did not practice on Tuesday. I believe he suffered a high ankle sprain but will try to give it a go in the Thursday Night Football game.
Howard was carted off in the fourth quarter. I believe he ruptured his Achilles, which would cause him to undergo surgery and miss the rest of the season.
Gronkowski was a limited participant at practice on Tuesday. I expect him to play in Thursday Night Football.
Miller played in Week 4 with his injury. He did not practice on Tuesday, but I expect him to be ready for Thursday Night Football.
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| A.J. Brown | WR | 63.2 | WR27 | Knee | Questionable |
| Corey Davis | WR | 79.8 | N/A | COVID-19 | Out |
Mario’s take: Brown suffered a bone bruise in Week 1. He did not play in Week 2 or Week 3. The typical return-to-play timeline is a couple of days to multiple weeks. He was a limited participant all week, and I expect Brown to be ready to play in Week 5.
Davis has been ruled out of Week 5 after testing positive for COVID-19.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Steven Sims Jr. | WR | 62.9 | N/A | Toe | IR |
Mario’s take: Sims was placed on IR with a toe injury, ruling him out for at least three games.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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