Week 5 DFS NFL Injury Report and Updates
Daily Fantasy Football is one of the most popular DFS contests for good reason, as each Sunday is full of action and excitement. Every week, we’ll bring you our top DFS NFL GPP plays and Cash Game plays for contests on FanDuel and DraftKings. We’ll also provide an article every Monday to update you on the key injuries across the NFL and discuss how they might effect playing time and production for healthier players going forward.
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Key DFS NFL Injuries for Week 5 Lineups
Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings (Torn ACL – Out for Season)
Tragically, Cook’s promising rookie season came to an end on Sunday as he suffered an ugly non-contact injury in the second quarter of a loss to Detroit. He was second in the NFL in carries heading into Week 4 and leaves a huge void in a run-happy Vikings offense. Latavius Murray figures to rush on early downs and in goal-line situations, making him an intriguing GPP play in contests that include a MNF date at Chicago. Jerick McKinnon could become the preferred option in PPR formats given his superior receiving ability, and the two backs should split Cook’s workload going forward.
Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks (Ankle/Leg)
Right as the SNF crew was talking up his prowess in the Seahawks rushing scheme, Carson suffered an absolutely brutal-looking injury, getting bent over his own leg and will certainly miss time. With C.J. Prosise (ankle) slated to miss several weeks, rookie J.D. McKissic should see work as a change-of-pace and third down back, while the ghost of Eddie Lacy appeared in closing time of a blowout win over the Colts. The Seahawks appear to be taking it slow with Thomas Rawls as he fights back from his own injuries, but he’ll be worth a look if/when he’s activated. – UPDATE: Carson had surgery on his leg today and will miss significant time.
Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons (Left game with hip and hamstring injuries)
Jones has dealt with a laundry list of injuries throughout his impressive career and perhaps that forced the Falcons training staff to continue holding him out of a Week 4 home loss to the Bills. The big WR apparently wanted back in the game, so he could be active after Atlanta’s Week 5 bye. Sanu was declared out at halftime with a hamstring injury and he could also be ready after a week of rehab, but the shakiness of both of his top receivers will make Matt Ryan a risky play going forward, while increasing the upside of replacements Taylor Gabriel, Austin Hooper and Justin Hardy.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans (Left game with hamstring injury)
Mariota is headed for an MRI on his hamstring and the Titans certainly hope that it isn’t serious. He left a lopsided loss in the second half, so perhaps the franchise wanted to err on the side of caution, but if Mariota is forced to miss time it would be a huge hit to Titans receivers. At 35 years old, backup Matt Cassel is nowhere near as mobile as Mariota and his limitations would really hurt TE Delanie Walker and WR Rishard Matthews, who had become Mariota’s favorite targets. UPDATE: Titans may not make a decision on whether Mariota can play this week until Sunday
Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers (Concussion protocol)
In the scariest moment of the season thus far, Adams took a very dangerous helmet-to-helmet hit from Bears LB Danny Trevathian during the second half of TNF. Firstly, it’s great to see that he had motion in all extremities and avoided any life-altering trauma, although he’s definitely in the league’s concussion protocol and should miss a week or two of action at the very least. With Adams out, Geronimo Allison should join Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb in three-wide sets, which the Packers run extremely often, and Trevor Davis will likely see work in four-wide sets.
Ty Montgomery, RB, Green Bay Packers (Left game with rib injury)
Montgomery’s rib injury isn’t as serious as was first reported, but he could still miss time given his slim build for a running back. Green Bay was concerned about his workload through 2 weeks of play and for good reason and the initial recovery time table for his injury was 3-4 weeks. With Jamaal Williams (knee) also set to miss time, the Pack will likely to turn to rookie RB Aaron Jones, who carried 13 times for 49 yards and a TD after the 2 RBs in front of him went down last Thursday. He’ll draw a plus matchup in Week 5 against a Cowboys defense that will be even more vulnerable if MLB Sean Lee (hamstring) is out again.
Tyler Eifert, TE, Cincinatti Bengals (Inactive in Week 4 – Back)
He was a non-factor in Weeks 1 and 2 along with the rest of the Bengals skill players and his absence in Week 3 wasn’t particularly notable. Yet with Eifert inactive in a juicy matchup against the Browns defense, Tyler Kroft got a chance to show what he can do, snaring 6-of-7 targets for 78 yards and 2 TDs in a lopsided win. He was able to high-point the ball on one score and looked like a poor man’s Eifert out there, so he’s going to be a viable punt play and perhaps a reliable option throughout the season if Eifert’s health woes continue.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Oakland Raiders (Inactive in Week 4 – Chest)
Crabtree conveniently missed a brutal matchup against the Broncos “No Fly Zone” secondary in Week 4. Of course, he’s right to be cautious with a bruised lung and might miss another physical matchup against Eric Weddle and the hard-hitting Ravens defense. If Crabtree remains out, Amari Cooper and Jared Cook should see a ton of targets from Derek Carr (back) assuming the Raiders signal caller is good to go as well. Carr was forced out with what is being called back spasms, but is said to be ok for next week. Seth Roberts also saw his playing time jump. UPDATE: Carr’s back is worse than expected and he will miss between 2-6 weeks.
Jordan Matthews, WR, Buffalo Bills (Left game with thumb injury)
The Bills offense was never going to flow through Matthews, but he’s ben a complete non-factor due to several injuries. Now that he’s in danger of officially missing time, TE Charles Clay is even safer as the de facto top target for Tyrod Taylor. Zay Jones is going to be asked to step up but the rookie has yet to make an impact, while big-bodied WR Andre Holmes could wind up serving as a better dart throw in the same role that Matthews would fill if healthy. UPDATE: Will have surgery and be out at least a month
Paul Perkins, RB, New York Giants (Left game with rib injury)
At 5-foot-11, 213 pounds, Perkins isn’t built to be a true workhorse for a Giants team that struggles to run block. He couldn’t hold up through four weeks of play and the G-Men may have found his replacement as an inside runner in rookie Wayne Gallman. The fourth-rounder out of Clemson ripped off bruising runs for 42 yards and scored on TD on a short catch with Orleans Darkwa (back) also inactive. If the coaching staff indicates Gallman’s earned a bigger workload going forward, he’ll be a viable punt play in a home game against a shockingly bad Chargers run defense.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants (Dealing with ankle and finger injuries)
Since he’s a superhuman and a ridiculous competitor who seems quite unlikely to leave a game once he’s in uniform, Beckham’s various injuries are simply worth noting at this point. The training staff reset an apparently dislocated finger and he was writhing in pain on a couple of occasions after going to the ground in Week 4, but was out there until the final whistle and should be good to go for Week 5. If OBJ misses time, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram would be the primary beneficiaries, but the entire Giants offense would take a huge step backwards.
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