The QB and TE injury reports for Week 5 have drawn a lot of attention from fantasy football managers monitoring injury updates from around the NFL. Let’s take a look at the latest updates following practice on Friday and what it all means for the availability of fantasy options in Week 5.
TE Injury Report Heading Into Week 5
Logan Thomas, WAS | Calf (Questionable)
Logan Thomas is a somewhat frustrating late addition to the injury report. He hurt his calf during practice and turned up on the report on Friday. He got tagged with a questionable status heading into the weekend and will be a game-time decision for fantasy managers.
If he starts, he would be an intriguing streaming option after the Titans gave up 30 fantasy points to the position last week. However, this limitation will make it hard to start him in 12- or 14-team leagues in Week 5. If he is absent, John Bates would be the main beneficiary, but his increase in usage shouldn’t be enough for him to have major fantasy relevance. If anyone benefits from the extra targets, it very well could be running back J.D. McKissic.
Kyle Pitts, ATL | Hamstring (Out)
After Pitts was unable to practice all week, he was ruled out entering the weekend. Parker Hesse is listed behind Pitts on the Falcons’ depth chart, with Anthony Firkser listed as the first reserve. While we could see more snaps for both Hesse and Firkser this week, neither would elevate to a point of fantasy relevance.
In Pitts’ absence, Drake London should see more targets, while Olamide Zaccheaus could also see an increase from his average of 2.5 looks per game. There is unlikely to be a huge increase in value for any particular pass catcher, but all of them should see a slight boost. The injury is not expected to keep Pitts out for long.
Dawson Knox, BUF | Foot (Out)
Another tight end who did not practice this week was Dawson Knox. He has also been ruled out for Week 5. Much like with Pitts, it is unlikely another tight end steps up to fantasy relevance in Knox’s absence. Quintin Morris and Tommy Sweeney should both see an increase in snaps, but the expected output from either is tough to predict.
In place of Knox, we could see some extra work for Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie. Knox was only averaging 4.25 targets per game in the first month of the season, so there is not that much extra work to be spread around.
T.J. Hockenson, DET | Hip (Cleared)
After starting as a non-participant on Wednesday, Hockenson worked his way to being limited Thursday before being full-go on Friday. Given the Detroit Lions’ injuries to other pass catchers, Hockenson is a starting option in all league sizes.
QB Injury Report Heading Into Week 5
Mac Jones, NE | Ankle (Doubtful)
We will see Bailey Zappe make his first start for the New England Patriots in Week 5. While the matchup with the Lions is juicy, as the Lions have one of the league’s worst defenses, the likelihood that Zappe runs a stripped-back offense is high. Therefore, it is hard to start him outside of 14-team Superflex leagues. Additionally, his presence makes it tough to trust any of the Patriots’ pass catchers this week.
Daniel Jones, NYG | Ankle (Cleared)
Tyrod Taylor, NYG | Concussion (Out)
The situation with the New York Giants QBs is fully cleared up. Daniel Jones is expected to start, while Tyrod Taylor will be out with his concussion. Jones’ fantasy value is somewhat limited given that we aren’t sure what his mobility will be like. Even at his best, Jones is not a high-upside fantasy option, and being limited restricts that further. Jones’ ceiling is too low to make the floor worth the risk.
Jameis Winston, NO | Back (Doubtful)
While Winston was not ruled out Friday, the Saints did announce that Andy Dalton would start Sunday. Given that Winston did not practice all week, this is hardly a surprise. In terms of fantasy impact, Dalton’s ceiling is not as high as Winston’s would be, but his floor is higher. He is in consideration as a QB2 in 12-team Superflex leagues. The matchup against the Seahawks pushes him into 16-team streaming territory.
