The Chargers and Browns will both be without their top rushers for the foreseeable future after Austin Ekeler (hamstring) and Nick Chubb (knee) sustained Week 4 injuries, while Josh Allen (hand) and Mike Evans (leg) were both able to play through in-game injuries.
We’ll also be keeping an eye on star receivers Michael Thomas (ankle) and Davante Adams (hamstring) as they inch closer to return, along with Christian McCaffrey (ankle), who still appears to be at least one more week away.
As always, be sure to check back throughout the week as we aggregate all the latest injury news right here!
NFL Injury Report
Week 5 NFL Injuries
Tuesday Updates
UPDATE (5:36pm ET): Zack Moss (toe) and John Brown (knee) are both officially inactive tonight.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (back): After scoring a first half touchdown last night against the Saints, Allen spent the majority of the final three quarters on the sidelines with back spasms. Due to the Patriots/Broncos game being rescheduled last week, the Chargers’ bye was moved from Week 10 to Week 6, giving Allen plenty of time to heal up for a Week 7 showdown against the Jaguars.
Titans WR A.J. Brown (knee): Brown would have had a chance to play in Week 4 against the Steelers had that game not been postponed, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Nearly a month removed from sustaining a bone bruise in Week 1, Brown is expected to be available tonight against Buffalo. The Titans could certainly use his help as they’ll be without WRs Corey Davis and Adam Humphries, both of whom are currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 List.
Bills RB Zack Moss (toe): Officially questionable to play, Moss was able to practice in full on Saturday, his first such practice since Week 2. That bodes well for the rookie RB to make his return to the field after a two-game absence. After commanding a season-high 75% of the rushing load in Week 4, Devin Singletary will likely cede some touches to Moss tonight.
Bills WR John Brown (calf): Brown missed Wednesday’s practice and was limited on Thursday through Saturday. Brown also missed the Bills’ first practice of the week in Week 4 before ultimately suiting up and turning in a 4-42-0 receiving line against the Raiders. Given the recent history, Brown seems like a safe bet to be on the field against Tennessee
Monday updates
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (ankle): The biggest story from the Sunday slate of Week 5 games was the ankle injury suffered by quarterback Dak Prescott in the second half of the Cowboys' win over the Giants. After being carted off the field, Prescott was immediately transported from the game to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with a compound fracture and subsequently underwent surgery. Prescott's recovery timeline is expected to be between four and six months.
Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (groin): Cook departed the Vikings’ Sunday night showdown against the Seahawks with a groin injury after carrying the ball 17 times for 65 rushing yards and a touchdown. Cook headed to the locker room late in the first half and returned for one play in the second half before being forced back out, this time for good. The Vikings' stud back is now scheduled for an MRI on Monday, and his Week 6 status is currently unknown.
Saints TE Jared Cook (groin): After no practicing before being inactive for Week , Cook was limited each day in the build to Monday night's game against the Chargers. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero notes that Cook is expected to play tonight, and he could be in for a busy night with Saints receiver Michael Thomas set to be inactive.
Chargers WR Mike Williams (hamstring): Williams is "trending upward," according to Pelissero, to be available for Monday Night Football against the Saints after missing one game with a hamstring injury. In Week 4, Jason Moore was the beneficiary of Williams’ absence, seeing the field on 47% of Los Angeles’ offensive snaps in his first action of the season.
Sunday Updates
Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring): Jones remains a true game-time decision, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Falcons receiver has not practiced at all this week, but the team will give him a chance to warm up on the field before making a final decision
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee/illness): Although Jackson missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, his Week 5 availability never seemed to be in doubt. Jackson is good to go, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
Ravens WR Marquise Brown (knee) and TE Mark Andrews (thigh): Jackson will be joined on the field by Brown and Andrews, both of whom are expected to play despite being listed questionable. Brown closed out the practice week with two full sessions, while Andrews was limited on Thursday and Friday.
Raiders WR Henry Ruggs (knee/hamstring): Ruggs remains questionable to play in Week 6, though he’s clearly trending in the right direction after closing the week with two full practice sessions. He should be considered closer to “probable” than “doubtful.”
Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle): Just like last week, Thomas was limited in practice throughout the week and remains questionable to play against the Chargers. According to ESPN’s Mike Triplett, Thomas has a “good chance” to return to action against the Chargers, according to ESPN’s Mike Triplett.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon (shin): Mixon played through a chest injury in Week 4, and he was added to the Bengals’ Week 5 practice report with a shin injury on Wednesday this week. Mixon was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday and is expected to play against the Ravens.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel (illness): Samuel was listed as a “DNP” (did not participate) in practice on Thursday and Friday due to a “non-COVID illness.” Because Samuel displayed symptoms, he was required to test negative for COVID-19, which he has done. He’ll be active today.
49ers RB Raheem Mostert (knee): This week, Mostert returned to the practice field for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in Week 2 against the Jets, getting in limited practices each day this week. Mostert is expected to be active today against Miami.
Friday Updates
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee/illness): Jackson was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury and stomach bug, but he was listed as a full participant in Friday’s practice. Officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Jackson is fully expected to be on the field.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon (shin): After getting in a full practice on Wednesday, Mixon was downgraded to “limited” status on both Thursday and Friday. For the second consecutive week, Mixon is listed “questionable” to play on Sunday. In Week 4, a chest injury landed the Bengals RB in the hospital for several hours the day before before he rushed for 151 yards and scored three touchdowns against the Jaguars.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews (thigh): Andrews was a late addition to the Ravens’ injury report this week, popping up as a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday with a thigh injury. Andrews was reportedly jogging and moving around well during Friday's practice and seems likely to play through his questionable tag against Cincinnati.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle): After missing two starts with a high ankle sprain, Garoppolo will be under center this Sunday against the Dolphins, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed today. Garoppolo has no game status designation and was able to get in a full practice session on Friday.
Thursday Updates
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (ankle): Listed as questionable, Evans is officially active for tonight’s matchup against the Bears. Evans was listed as a ‘DNP’ (did not participate) on all three practice reports this week. Scotty Miller (hip) will also be active tonight for the Bucs, while Justin Watson (shoulder) and Chris Godwin (hamstring) were ruled out earlier in the week.
Jets RB Le’Veon Bell (hamstring): After spending the minimum three weeks on injured reserve, Bell was designated for return by the Jets on Wednesday of this week. Bell was able to practice on Wednesday and looked good doing so, according to head coach Adam Gase. Gase did say that he trusts Bell to let him know if he’s not 100 percent, but otherwise, it sounds like the expectation is that Bell will be active this weekend. The Jets released Kalen Ballage on Monday, presumably in anticipation of Bell’s return.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee/illness): Jackson was again held out of Ravens practice on Thursday. On Wednesday, he was listed only with a knee injury, but on Thursday, “illness” was added to his designation. Despite missing consecutive practices, Jackson is still expected to play this weekend, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Wednesday Updates
Buccaneers WRs Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ankle): Godwin will miss his second consecutive game after injuring his hamstring during the Bucs’ Week 3 win over the Chargers. Godwin has yet to practice since he sustained the injury and his recovery timeline is currently unclear.
Evans was listed as a DNP (did not participate) in practice throughout the week, though he is officially questionable to play on Thursday night against the Bears. For what it's worth, the Bucs’ Monday and Wednesday practices were both walk-throughs, so Evans’ participation was only an estimation on those days. He's shaping up as a true game-time decision.
Justin Watson (shoulder) has also been ruled out while Scotty Miller (hip/groin) is listed questionable.
Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette (ankle): Fournette is unlikely to play in Week 5 after the Bucs listed him as "doubtful" on their game status report on Wednesday. When Fournette was absent in Week 4, Ronald Jones led the backfield, rushing 20 times for 111 yards, while adding six receptions for 17 yards in the receiving game. Backup running backs Kenjon Barner (suspension) and LeSean McCoy (ankle) have already been ruled out this week.
Jets QB Sam Darnold (shoulder): A shoulder injury that forced Darnold out of the Jets’ Week 4 Thursday night loss to the Broncos will also keep him off the field in Week 5. Head coach Adam Gase told local media, "[Darnold] is in a lot of pain. That’s what it is. He can only raise his arm a certain degree. To go out and practice, it would be very difficult for him right now." Joe Flacco — who was active for the first time this season in Week 4 after recovering from a neck injury — will get the start for New York this weekend.
Broncos TE Noah Fant (ankle): Fant was knocked out of last Thursday’s win over the Jets with an ankle injury and he was unable to participate in Wednesday's practice. Head coach Vic Fangio called Fant a "long shot" to play in Week 5.
Broncos QB Drew Lock (shoulder): Lock was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice after missing Weeks 3 and 4 with a shoulder injury. The Broncos have not yet announced their Week 5 starter, a decision that will depend on Lock’s availability. He should be considered questionable to play for now.
49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle): Garoppolo was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday for the first time since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 3. While this is good news, Garoppolo is not a lock to return in Week 5 and his practice participation will be worth monitoring throughout the week.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (knee): Jackson missed Wednesday's practice with a knee injury, though ESPN’s Adam Schefter clarified that Jackson's absence was "precautionary." Jackson was replaced by Robert Griffin III in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, but that presumably had more to do with the scoreboard than Jackson's injury status.
Tuesday Updates
Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring): Jones re-aggravated a hamstring injury that sidelined him in Week 3 and limited his practice participation throughout Week 4 during the Falcons’ loss to the Packers. He’ll undergo additional testing early this week to determine the severity of the injury, but with Atlanta set to face Carolina in a short week after playing on Monday night, Jones feels like a longshot to play in Week 5.
Patriots QB Cam Newton (illness): After Brian Hoyer and Jarrett Stidham led a mistake-filled performance at quarterback for the Patriots on Monday, the team would undoubtedly love to have Newton back in the lineup as soon as possible. While Cam is reportedly asymptomatic after testing positive for COVID-19, he’ll still need to test negative for the virus twice in a row before being allowed back on the field. Newton was first found to be infected on Saturday, and given the short turnaround, he seems unlikely to return to action in Week 5.
Monday Updates
Buccaneers TE OJ Howard (Achilles): Although head coach Bruce Arians said Monday that the team is still awaiting MRI results, Howard is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4, a diagnosis that would almost certainly end his season. The Bucs offense has now been hit with multiple injuries: Chris Godwin (hamstring) and Leonard Fournette (ankle) were both inactive in Week 4, and running backs LeSean McCoy (ankle) and Kenjon Barner suffered in-game injuries. Tampa Bay’s remaining depth at tight end includes Rob Gronkowski, Cameron Brate and Anthony Auclair, who is close to being activated from IR, according to Arians.
Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring): After leaving Sunday's loss to the Bucs, Ekeler is reportedly dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and a hyperextended knee. The injuries are expected to keep Ekeler out of the lineup for four to six weeks, though he is expected to seek a second opinion. Justin Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley will likely form a backfield committee while Ekeler is sidelined.
Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee): Chubb was forced out of Sunday's 49-38 barnburner between the Browns and Cowboys with a knee injury and did not return. On Monday, head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Chubb is expected to miss "several weeks" and will likely be placed on injured reserve. If there's any silver lining, it's that the injury is not expected to be season-ending.
