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 | WR70 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Hayden Hurst | TE | 54.8 | TE9 | Back | Questionable |
| Russell Gage | WR | 72.4 | WR40 | Shoulder | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Jones reinjured his hamstring in Week 4. The typical timeline for a Grade 1 strain is two to three weeks. Jones missed Week 5. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant on Friday. Jones will be back and play in Week 6.
Hurst and Gage were limited participants in practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I expect them both to play in Week 6.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Miles Boykin | WR | 61.5 | 58 | Thigh | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Boykin popped up on the injury report Friday and was a limited participant at practice. It’s concerning to appear on the injury report for the first time this late in the week, but I believe it is a minor injury. I expect Boykin to play in Week 6.
BUFFALO BILLS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dawson Knox | TE | 62.0 | TE27 | Calf | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Knox exited the Tuesday night game early with a calf injury. He did not practice on Thursday or Friday. I am not optimistic he plays in Week 6.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | 76.6 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
| Curtis Samuel | WR | 65.0 | WR46 | Knee | Questionable |
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.
Samuel was a limited participant in practice all week and I expect him to play in Week 6.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Auden Tate | WR | 74.5 | WR86 | Hamstring | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Tate did not practice Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. He is listed as doubtful and I do not believe he plays in Week 6.
CHICAGO BEARS
N/A
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Baker Mayfield | QB | 66.7 | QB22 | Ribs | Questionable |
| Jarvis Landry | WR | 74.2 | WR30 | Ribs/Hip | Questionable |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | 76.7 | WR19 | Illness | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Mayfield was a limited participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant on Friday. Mayfield will play in Week 6.
Landry did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. I believe they are managing his injuries and he will play through the discomfort in Week 6.
Beckham was sent home Thursday due to an illness and missed Friday’s practice. He has recovered from his illness and will play in Week 6.
DALLAS COWBOYS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dak Prescott | QB | 85.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Prescott suffered a compound fracture in his ankle during the third quarter of his Week 5 game against the Giants. A compound fracture means that the bone has gone through the skin. It is unclear if he suffered multiple fractures or ligament damage, which would create an instability. The Cowboys quarterback underwent surgery immediately because the risk of infection is high. Typically, patients are immobilized from four to eight weeks and start weight-bearing exercises and physical therapy at six to eight weeks.
DENVER BRONCOS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 72.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| K.J. Hamler | WR | 53.7 | WR96 | Hamstring | Out |
| Noah Fant | TE | 65.1 | TE29 | Ankle | Questionable |
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. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Hamler reinjured his hamstring in Week 4 and missed Week 5. He has missed practice all week and will not play in Week 6.
Fant suffered a minor ankle injury in Week 4 and he missed Week 5. Fant was a limited participant all week and I believe he will return to action in Week 6.
DETROIT LIONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Adrian Peterson | RB | 47.9 | RB28 | Illness | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Peterson did not practice on Thursday due to an illness but was a full participant on Friday. He will play in Week 6.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
N/A
HOUSTON TEXANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jordan Akins | TE | 72.4 | TE32 | Head | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Akins was a limited participant all week and I expect him to be ready in Week 6.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jordan Wilkins | RB | 74.9 | RB46 | Calf | Questionable |
| Mo Alie-Cox | TE | 91.3 | TE34 | Knee | Out |
Mario’s take: Wilkins has not practiced since Wednesday and I do not expect him to play in Week 6.
Allie-Cox has not practiced all week and has been ruled out for Week 6.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| D.J. Chark | WR | 76.5 | WR68 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Tyler Eifert | TE | 54.5 | TE31 | Neck | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Chark did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. He is expected to play in Week 6.
Eifert did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. I believe he has a great shot at playing in Week 6.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | 66.9 | N/A | Hamstring | Doubtful |
Mario’s take: Watkins injured his hamstring during the second quarter, and the severity is unclear. A Grade 1 strain typically requires one to two weeks to recover, and a Grade 2 strain takes three to six weeks to recover. Watkins did not practice on Thursday or Friday and I expect him to miss a couple of weeks.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Bryan Edwards | WR | 70.6 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of Week 3. He did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. He is considered week-to-week but has been ruled out for Week 6.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | 84.5 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Tyrod Taylor | QB | 60.7 | N/A | Chest | Out |
| Keenan Allen | WR | 86.7 | N/A | Back | 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.
Allen suffered back spasms during Week 5, but I expect him to be ready to play in Week 6.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
N/A
MIAMI DOLPHINS
N/A
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dalvin Cook | RB | 54.5 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
Mario’s take: Cook suffered a groin injury in the third quarter. A Grade 1 strain typically takes one to two weeks to recover. Cooks did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 6. I expect him to return in Week 8 after his bye.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julian Edelman | WR | 71.9 | WR32 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Edelman was a limited participant all week and he will play in Week 6.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
N/A
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 |
| Darius Slayton | WR | 76.7 | WR26 | Foot | Questionable |
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 on IR for a toe injury the past three weeks. He has a chance to return in Week 6.
Slayton was a limited participant all week and I expect him to be ready for Week 6.
NEW YORK JETS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sam Darnold | QB | 58.7 | N/A | Shoulder | Doubtful |
| Chris Hogan | WR | 56.1 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Breshad Perriman | WR | 56.3 | WR81 | Ankle | Questionable |
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 did not play in Week 5 and is out for Week 6.
Hogan was injured in Week 5 and was put on IR. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.
Perriman did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. He was a limited participant all week and I expect him to be ready for Week 6.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | 69.8 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| Alshon Jeffery | WR | – | N/A | Foot | Out |
| DeSean Jackson | WR | 62.4 | N/A | 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, so he will miss the next five to seven weeks.
Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and returned to practice in a limited fashion. He is yet to play this season and is considered week-to-week. Jeffery was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday. He is trending towards making his season debut.
Jackson injured his hamstring in the second quarter. He has a history of injury, and this is a concerning injury for a speedster WR. Jackson did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. He was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday. I believe he returns to action in Week 6.
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
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Diontae Johnson | WR | 73.4 | WR69 | Back | Out |
Mario’s take: Johnson did not practice Wednesday, was a limited participant Thursday and did not practice on Friday. He has been ruled out for Week 6.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jeff Wilson | RB | 65.8 | 61 | Calf | Questionable |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | 65.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Jordan Reed | TE | 86.9 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
Mario’s take: Wilson popped up on the injury report and didn’t practice on Thursday but was limited on Friday. It is never a good thing to show up on the injury report mid-week and I am not optimistic he plays in Week 6.
Coleman suffered a knee sprain in Week 2. He did not play in Week 3, Week 4, or Week 5. Coleman was placed on IR and will miss at least one more week.
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 five to seven weeks.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 59.9 | N/A | Shoulder | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Hyde missed Week 4 and Week 5 with a shoulder injury. I expect him to return in Week 7 after his bye.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Godwin | WR | 70.5 | WR71 | Hamstring | Questionable |
| Mike Evans | WR | 67.0 | WR7 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Leonard Fournette | RB | 68.2 | RB39 | Ankle | Questionable |
| LeSean McCoy | RB | 53.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
| O.J. Howard | TE | 80.1 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| Scotty Miller | WR | 65.6 | WR59 | Hip/Groin | Questionable |
| Rob Gronkowski | TE | 66.3 | TE16 | Shoulder | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Godwin, McCoy and Gronkowski were limited participants in Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practice. They were full participants on Friday and expect all of them to play in Week 6.
Fournette was a limited participant all week. He will play in Week 6 but with a limited workload.
Miller was a limited participant all week and I expect him to play in Week 6.
Evans did not practice on Wednesday last week but he played through the injury in Week 5. He missed practice Wednesday but was a limited participant at practice on Thursday and Friday. I expect Evans to follow the same timeline as last week and play in Week 6.
Howard ruptured his Achilles in Week 4. He was placed on IR and will miss the rest of the season.
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Darrynton Evans | RB | 52.3 | RB70 | Hamstring | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Evans did not practice all week and I do not believe he plays in Week 6.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dwayne Haskins Jr. | QB | 46.7 | N/A | Illness | Questionable |
| Steven Sims Jr. | WR | 62.9 | N/A | Toe | IR |
Mario’s take: Haskins has not practiced all week due to an illness but returned as a full participant on Friday.
Sims was placed on IR with a toe injury, ruling him out for at least the next two 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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