This article breaks down potential Week 5 NFL inactives. It is a rundown of players who are questionable or worse heading into each game this week. Players who are on injured reserve are not included unless they went on the IR following Week 4. Hopefully, as the season goes along, this list gets shorter, as injuries are the ugly side of this game that we all love.
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Week 5 NFL Inactives
Los Angeles Rams at Washington Football Team
ACTIVE – Cam Akers (RB) LAR – Ribs
Rookie running back Cam Akers will return to action on Sunday after missing two weeks with an injury to his ribs. Darrell Henderson has played well in his absence, but that gets put into question with the second round pick coming back in the fold.
OUT – Steven Sims (WR) WAS – Toe
The Redskins number two receiver was placed on the injured reserve list, and will miss a minimum of three weeks. Dontrelle Inman should be the Redskins number two receiver. Tight end Logan Paul should also see a large target share.
Philadelphia Eagles at Pittsburgh Steelers
OUT – Alshon Jeffery (WR) PHI – Foot
Although he had potential to return in week 5, Alshon Jeffery will miss at least one more week. He has missed the entire season with a foot injury from 2019, but he reportedly is dealing with a non-COVID illness that will hold him out.
OUT – Desean Jackson (WR) PHI – Hamstring
Jackson will miss another game with his hamstring injury, as the Eagles are depleted of arguably their top three pass catching options.
*The Pittsburgh Steelers do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets
*The Arizona Cardinals do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
OUT – Sam Darnold (QB) NYJ – Shoulder
The Jets starting quarterback will miss Sunday’s showdown with the Cardinals with an AC joint sprain. The fact he was ruled out so quickly is concerning, as this could be a multi-week injury. Darnold needs to be on the field and winning, as the Jets are 0-4, and heading towards a high draft pick.
DOUBTFUL – Breshad Perriman (WR) NYJ – Ankle
The former first-round pick just can’t seem to stay healthy as he draws the doubtful tag for Week 5. Perriman has only appeared in two games so far, and looks high unlikely to suit up this week.
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
QUESTIONABLE – Henry Ruggs III (WR) LV – Knee
While listed as questionable, Henry Ruggs returned to full practice on Friday, indicating he will play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. He will be a much needed addition to keep pace with the leagues best offense.
OUT – Bryan Edwards (WR) LV – Ankle
Dealing with a high-ankle sprain is never fun, as rookie Bryan Edwards has figured out. He will miss his second consecutive game with the injury, and should still be in question for the next few weeks as well.
*The Kansas City Chiefs do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
*The Jacksonville Jaguars do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
QUESTIONABLE – Jordan Akins (TE) HOU – Concussion
Akins participated in a limited capacity for two consecutive days following a concussion last week. The Texans starting tight end has yet to clear the concussion protocol, and is at risk missing this matchup against the Jaguars.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
QUESTIONABLE – Joe Mixon (RB) CIN – Shin
Coming off his best game of the season, star running back Joe Mixon is questionable for the second consecutive week. This week, it is due to his shin. Mixon should play against the Ravens tough defense, it just may be difficult to find any yards.
QUESTIONABLE – Lamar Jackson (QB) BAL – Knee
The reigning MVP got in a full practice on Friday after missing the prior two practices. Jackson should be good to go on Sunday, as the Ravens are likely just trying to give their superstar some rest.
QUESTIONABLE – Marquise Brown (WR) BAL – Knee
Brown fully participated on Thursday and Friday, and should be in the lineup on Sunday. The boom-or-bust receiver looks like to have a potential boom game on the slate, going against the Cincinnati Bengals.
QUESTIONABLE – Mark Andrews (TE) BAL – Thigh
This one is a little more concerning than the other two, as Andrews was a late addition to the injury report. He got a limited practice in on Friday, as he looks to be truly questionable in Week 5.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
*The Carolina Panthers do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
QUESTIONABLE – Julio Jones (WR) ATL – Hamstring
If it wasn’t for Dan Quinn’s job being on the line, Julio Jones would without a doubt not be playing this week. However, there is a possibility he gives it a go once again, and that would be a mistake. For anyone who watched him against Green Bay, he was noticeably limping the entire game before being removed at halftime.
Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers
*The Miami Dolphins do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
QUESTIONABLE – Deebo Samuel (WR) SF – Illness
After finally returning in Week 4, Samuel’s Week 5 status looks to be in question due to an illness. He did not practice Friday, and should be considered a strong questionable to play on Sunday.
ACTIVE – Jimmy Garappolo (QB) SF – Ankle
Garappolo will suit up and return to action against Miami after missing the past two week with an ankle sprain. The 49ers could really use their starter after struggling to move the ball last week against Philadelphia.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
*The New York Giants do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
OUT – Tyron Smith (LT) DAL – Neck
While he doesn’t directly affect fantasy points, he does protect Dak Prescott’s blindside. The Cowboys will greatly miss one of the best tackles in the game, and this could turn Dallas to run the ball more often going forward.
Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns
OUT – Anthony Castonzo (LT) IND – Ribs
Like the before mentioned Tyron Smith, Castonzo blocks Philip Rivers blindside. This could greatly affect an already inefficient and depleted offense. If you can find the Browns defense on waivers, they may not be a bad play in Week 5.
OUT – Nick Chubb (RB) CLE – Knee (MCL)
Chubb suffered a knee injury in Week 4, and looks to miss significant time going forward.
ACTIVE – David Njoku (TE) CLE – Knee (MCL)
David Njoku is set to return in Week 5, and should immediately return to his starting tight end role. If you are in two tight end leagues, make sure he isn’t on waivers.
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
*The Minnesota Vikings do not have any significant injuries with fantasy implications*
QUESTIONABLE – Carlos Hyde (RB) SEA – Shoulder
Hyde was limited at practice on Friday, and is questionable to play on Sunday night. He may not have much of a fantasy impact one way or another, as Chris Carson has been excellent this season.
Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
DOUBTFUL – Noah Fant (TE) DEN – Ankle
Noah Fant looks highly unlikely to play on Monday after suffering an ankle injury in Week 4. It has been quite the season so far for the second year tight end, but this injury looks to put a hamper in that.
QUESTIONABLE – Drew Lock (QB) DEN – Shoulder
Drew Lock has a chance to play on Monday against the Patriots after missing the past three weeks with a right shoulder injury. He wouldn’t be a recommended start one way or the other, but this could significantly impact Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick’s quality of targets.
OUT – K.J. Hamler (WR) DEN – Hamstring
Hamler will miss Week 5 with a hamstring injury. It was a good opportunity for the rookie to come out and make an impact in the slot, as the Broncos look set to miss Noah Fant.
QUESTIONABLE – Julian Edelman (WR) NE – Knee
Another week, another Julian Edelman questionable tag. He will play, so feel safe if you have him in your lineups.
COVID-19 LIST – Cam Newton (QB) NE – Illness
Cam Newton is rumored to possibly practice on Saturday. He was believed to be asymptomatic after coming down with COVID-19 last week. This would be huge for the Patriots offense if Cam can return.
Los Angeles Chargers at New Orleans Saints
INJURED RESERVE – Austin Ekeler (RB) LAC – Hamstring
Ekeler had a gruesome injury last week, and is set to miss 4-6 weeks. In his absence, Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson look set to take on a 50-50 split over the next month.
QUESTIONABLE – Mike Williams (WR) LAC – Hamstring
Williams was a limited participant on Friday, as he could possibly play against the Saints on Monday. If you have other options, go with them, as it’s not ideal to wait on a player to play on Monday with a soft tissue injury.
QUESTIONABLE – Michael Thomas (WR) NO – Ankle
As a limited participant at practice on Friday, Thomas has a chance at returning to action on Monday after missing the past three weeks with a high-ankle sprain. He should be considered a true questionable to play.
QUESTIONABLE – Jared Cook (TE) NO – Groin
Jared Cook was a limited participant on Friday, opening the door for him to potentially play against the Chargers. If Thomas is out, and Cook is in, he would be a recommended play. Hopefully, you have other options at tight end though.
Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans
QUESTIONABLE – John Brown (WR) BUF – Calf
The banged-up number two receiver for the Bills looks to be in jeopardy of missing Week 5 action with a calf injury. The fact the game is now being played on Tuesday increases his odds of playing, but find other options instead of waiting to figure that out.
QUESTIONABLE – A.J. Brown (WR) TEN – Knee
Please let’s get A.J. Brown on the field. The uber-talented receiver has missed the past few weeks with a knee bruise. He should be on the right side of questionable heading into Tuesday. Play Brown with confidence if we hear more positive reports on Saturday (and no new COVID cases).
COVID-19 LIST – Corey Davis (WR) TEN – Illness
COVID-19 LIST – Adam Humphries (WR) TEN – Illness
Davis and Humphries will miss Week 5 after picking up COVID-19 in the midst of the outbreak in the Titans organization.
If you found these Week 5 NFL Inactives helpful, you’ll definitely want to check out the rest of our Week 5 Fantasy Football lineup!
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