Injuries and Waiver Wire Week 5

WEEK 4 NFL INJURY REPORT

QUARTERBACKS:

Justin Herbert – Herbert returned to the game after injuring his middle finger.

Kenny Pickett – Pickett suffered a knee injury and could not return vs the Texans.

Matthew Stafford – Stafford injured his hip on the last play of Sunday’s game vs the Colts. He’s not expected to miss time with this injury, but it is worth monitoring.

RUNNING BACKS:

Javonte Williams – Williams could not return after suffering a hip injury. After the game, it was revealed that Williams suffered a hip flexor injury but is not expected to miss any time.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

DaVante Adams – Adams injured his shoulder but was able to return to the game. He said after the game that “definitely does not feel good right now,” but he was able to play through the game. We will monitor this situation closely.

Mike Evans – Evans could not return after suffering a hamstring injury.

Tee Higgins – Higgins fractured his ribs on Sunday and could not return. He is expected to miss some time with this injury.

Khallil Shakir – Shakir was evaluated for a head injury and did not return.

Parker Washington – Washington injured his knee and did not return.

TIGHT ENDS:

Pat Freiermuth – Freiermuth suffered a hamstring injury and was unable to finish the game.

Juwan Johnson – Johnson injured his calf and was unable to finish the game.

Donald Parham, Jr. – Parham injured his wrist and was ruled out.

---------------

WEEK 5 FANTASY FOOTBALL WAIVER WIRE

QUARTERBACKS:

C.J. Stroud – Rookie QB C.J. Stroud continues to impress during his first NFL season. In week four, Stroud passed for 306 yards and two touchdowns in a win vs the Steelers. That marks his third straight game over 20 fantasy points. He is firmly on our radar as a bye-week fill in.

Also Consider:

Matthew Stafford

RUNNING BACKS:

Jaleel McLaughlin - As of this writing, Broncos starting RB Javonte Williams is not expected to miss time with his hip injury. Regardless of if Williams misses any game action, his backup RBs deserve to be on most fantasy rosters. Rookie RB Jaleel McLaughlin has seemingly passed the veteran Samaje Perine as the RB2 on Denver. McLaughlin shined with seven rushing attempts for 72 yards, as well as three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown on Sunday. Should Williams miss time, I expect a committee in Denver, but with McLaughlin leading the way.

Jeff Wilson, Jr. – Wilson is currently expected to be activated off of the short-term IR list very soon. The Miami Dolphins have one of the highest scoring offenses in the NFL this season. Wilson might not have a clear role right out of the gate, especially with Achane doing a lot of great work, but I expect Wilson to earn the number two RB role on this team within a few weeks, which is a valuable spot.

Tajae Spears – Currently operating behind star RB Derrick Henry, Spears is an intriguing add. Spears had 40 yards rushing and 18 yards receiving this past Sunday, good for his best game yet of 8.80 fantasy points. He is not someone you can start right now, but should Derrick Henry need to miss any time, Spears would be an interesting FLEX option.

Also Consider:

Ezekiel Elliott, Samaje Perine

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Romeo Doubs – Somehow available in 75% of NFL Fantasy Leagues, Doubs sits as the WR28 on the season through five weeks, pending Monday Night Football. He has back-to-back 18+ fantasy point outings and gets a matchup vs the Raiders in week five. He’s got great chemistry with QB Jordan Love, which is encouraging. Add Doubs and put him in consideration for your WR3 or FLEX plays moving forward.

Joshua Palmer – Palmer was listed in this section last week, and he came through with 77 yards, and 10.70 fantasy points. The Chargers have a week five bye, but he has some high-scoring games in his future, with matchups vs competitive teams in the Cowboys, Chiefs, and one the Chargers should handle in the Bears.

Jameson Williams – Second year WR Jameson Williams had his suspension reduced last week, which is great news for fantasy owners. Currently available in 51.3% of NFL Fantasy leagues, the former first-round pick could immediately overtake Josh Reynolds’ role as the Lions number two receiver. Reynolds was solid in this role to start the season, but Williams is much more explosive.

Michael Wilson – Cardinals rookie WR Michael Wilson has surprised lots of people and has seemingly won the number two receiver role for Arizona. Wilson had 86 yards in week three and followed that up with 76 yards and two touchdowns in week four, good for 26.60 fantasy points. Wilson had seven targets in week four, which is a great sign. His role should continue growing as he gets more comfortable in the Cardinals offense.

Tyler Boyd – With Higgins expected to miss time with a rib injury, take a look at Tyler Boyd. The Bengals are a high-volume passing offense and should have more than one producer on offense most of the time. The Bengals offense admittedly looks sluggish right now, but over time should correct itself. Boyd faces off against the Cardinals in week five, which is a “get right” matchup. He might not offer tons of upside, but he’s someone that will likely be a steady low-end FLEX option, moving forward.

Also Consider:

K.J. Osborn, Trey Palmer, Terrace Marshall

TIGHT ENDS:

Jake Ferguson – Available in nearly 90% of NFL Fantasy leagues, take a look at Cowboys second-year TE, Jacob Ferguson. Ferguson is an important part of the Cowboys offense, as he’s had double-digit fantasy points in each of the last three weeks. It started in week two, with his touchdown and 10.10 fantasy points. He followed that up with 48 receiving yards and improved on that in week four with 77 yards, and 14.70 fantasy points. In a year where the TE Position is very top-heavy, take a look at Ferguson.

Zach Ertz – Ertz currently ranks as the TE13 on the season, pending Monday Night Football. He came through for 11.30 fantasy points in week four, which was great to see after a down week three. Ertz has become a safety option for Josh Dobbs this season, which is important for a younger QB. He has some encouraging matchups ahead, against teams like the Bengals, Rams, and Seahawks.

Also Consider:

Gerald Everett, Cole Kmet

Defense/Special Teams:

DET vs CAR
DEN vs NYJ
HOU vs ATL