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This past week, fantasy managers had to deal with several injuries to some big-name receivers. Through five weeks, the receiver position has mostly avoided any big injuries, but they are starting to pile up now. It's something fantasy managers will have to continue to navigate as the season rolls along. This is especially true as we enter Week 6.
This is also the first week of bye weeks, but it comes at a good try for elite wide-out, Amon-Ra St. Brown who had been dealing with a sprained ankle. While St. Brown did play in Week 5, his snaps were limited and ultimately his fantasy production was significantly hindered. Now with two bye weeks to let his ankle heal, he should be close to full health in Week 7. Other receivers on bye are Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow, and Brandin Cooks. The Tennessee Titans are also on bye, which will give rookie standout, Treylon Burks more time to recover from his foot injury.
This is the week fantasy managers will hope to finally get some good news on Keenan Allen and Michael Thomas who have missed the last couple of weeks. If Thomas isn't able to return, the Saints really could be short-staffed at receiver with Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave also struggling with injuries of their own. Let's look at some of the bigger names fantasy managers will need to be tracking this week.
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Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill missed parts of the fourth quarter in their divisional loss to the New York Jets this past weekend. Leading up to the game, Hill was limited on Thursday and Friday dealing with a groin injury, but it never seemed serious and didn't appear to hinder him in any way in the early stages of the game. It was reported Hill got stepped on late in the game, which resulted in Hill missing some snaps late in the game.
Tyreek Hill, who left MetLife in a walking boot yesterday "looked pretty good today," McDaniel said. "He felt all right. He's a fast healer, but you don't know" for certain that he'll play Sunday.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 10, 2022
Hill left the game in a walking boot, which is never ideal, but early reports seem to indicate it was just a precaution. Hill told reporters that he was fine and that was echoed by head coach, Mike McDaniel when he stated Hill "looked pretty good today". Fantasy managers should expect Hill to be a DNP early in the week, giving his groin and foot a few extra days off.
Last week, McDaniel stated there are a few veterans who have the clout to play on a week where they didn't practice at all, and Hill is likely included in that group. It doesn't sound like Hill's availability is in any danger, but it's still something fantasy managers will need to pay attention to throughout the week. However, maybe more importantly will be the health of the Dolphins' quarterback room where Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater are both in the concussion protocol.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins came into Week 5 nursing an ankle injury already. He was limited throughout the week leading up to their showdown with their divisional rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. However, despite being limited all week, his availability never really seemed to be in question. Unfortunately, for Higgins, the Bengals, and fantasy managers, he seemed to reinjure his ankle early in the contest. He played just 10 of the team's 30 first-half snaps and didn't play at all in the second half.
Here's the play from Week 4 where #Bengals WR Tee Higgins injures the L ankle. Gets up limping and can see him shake his head. Picture of L ankle significantly taped is from 4th Q (in comments)
Might be a couple of weeks before he's truly 100%. pic.twitter.com/Iwx0oNCQlT
— Matthew Betz (@TheFantasyPT) October 10, 2022
While the tweet is somewhat speculative, you can clearly see from the video Higgins limping to the sideline following the play. There have not been any reports indicating that it was a high-ankle sprain, which can often sideline players for several weeks, but there are concerns that he may not be at 100% for a few weeks. Fantasy managers just saw St. Brown miss one week with a sprained ankle and play very sparingly in his return to action a week later.
WR Tee Higgins (ankle sprain) and LT Jonah Williams (MCL sprain) are both considered day-to-day, per Zac Taylor.
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) October 10, 2022
While head coach Zac Taylor indicated he's day-to-day, fantasy managers might want to start making alternative plans for Week 6. Since he had struggled with an injury prior to Week 5 and was knocked out of the contest early and unable to get back into the game, Higgins could be held out for a week or two to get him fully healthy.
Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Higgins to practice in any capacity early in the week and it might not be until Friday or Saturday that we get a better idea of what his status might be for this weekend. It feels like Higgins may be moving toward a gametime decision. This is definitely one of the bigger injuries that fantasy managers need to be tracking this week.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen hasn't played since Week 1, a frustrating outcome for fantasy managers. He suffered a hamstring injury that has been nagging him ever since. He did recently return to practice on a limited basis prior to Week 4, but seemed to reaggravate the injury because he didn't practice in any capacity this past week. It's a tough proposition for fantasy managers and there isn't much clarity regarding his status.
Brandon Staley says that WR Keenan Allen, who has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1, is day-to-day. Staley said Allen is dealing with a frustrating, soft-tissue injury and they want to make sure it heals.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) October 10, 2022
Head coach Brandon Staley has defined Allen as "day-to-day" for the last two weeks, so it's hard to find too much solace in this definition. We're now entering Week 6 and the Chargers have a bye in Week 8. With a day-to-day identification, it seems hard to expect him to sit another two weeks, but fantasy managers certainly cannot like Staley describing the injury as "frustrating". Could they hold Allen out until Week 9 to ensure he's fully healthy? It's unknown.
Hopefully, Allen is able to return to practice early this week on a limited basis before ramping up to a full designation by Friday. That would put him on the right path to return to action, but all of this is speculation at this point. Be sure to track the Chargers' injury report moving forward to get a better idea of Allen's availability.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas injured his toe in Week 3, an injury many has since defined as turf toe. It was initially described as a mild case, which gave fantasy managers hope his absence would not be a long one. When it comes to Michael Thomas and his health, fantasy managers are understandably more pessimistic after the last two years.
Saints’ WR Michael Thomas, already ruled out for today’s game against the Seahawks due to a foot injury, is likely to be able return for next week’s game against the Bengals, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 9, 2022
There are promising reports indicating Thomas should return to action this week and it could not come at a better time for the Saints. Chris Olave has been diagnosed with a concussion and Jarvis Landry isn't 100% either. The Saints' offense needs their No. 1 receiver back on the field and it sounds like they and fantasy managers might get that this weekend. However, since it's Thomas, fantasy managers shouldn't take this positive report as a guarantee. Any doubts would be alleviated if Thomas returns to practice later today, even if just in a limited fashion.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave left their Week 5 contest with a concussion and is now in the concussion protocol. Fantasy managers should know, it's impossible to speculate on any player in the concussion protocol because it's so different for each player.
Dennis Allen said Chris Olave is in concussion protocol. He said Olave felt pretty good this morning when he saw him. "We won't put him back out there until he's cleared to go by the doctors," he said.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 10, 2022
Hunter Renfrow missed two games after his concussion and Isaiah McKenzie missed this past week with a concussion of his own. With all the attention the NFL has gotten in regard to Tua Tagovailoa's head injury, you can expect teams to be even more cautious with their players moving forward, which is a good thing. Typically, players miss one game due to a concussion, but Higgins was able to pass through the protocol without missing a game.
It's just too hard to speculate on Olave's availability this weekend. However, as the week progresses, fantasy managers will gather more information as we go along. As he passes through the protocol, his practice availability increases, which lets us know where he's at in the process.
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman was diagnosed with a mid-foot sprain, but it was initially reported to be a mild case. There was some concern that he might have suffered a Lisfranc injury, but it seems as though the severity he's experiencing is low. However, Bateman was unable to practice in any capacity leading up to last week.
John Harbaugh said WR Rashod Bateman (foot) and OLB Justin Houston (groin) might be back this week. He added that he would love to see them back.
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) October 10, 2022
Head coach John Harbaugh seems to have some optimism that Bateman could return in Week 6, but based on his injury, his availability still seems to be somewhat in doubt. Mid-foot sprains can be tricky, so fantasy managers will need to track his practice status throughout the week. One thing to be cautious of is even before his injury, Bateman was not playing a full allotment of snaps, and this injury, if it limits his playing time even more in his return could leave him as a very risky play in Week 6.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
Jahan Dotson suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 and it was initially reported that he was likely to miss multiple weeks. He didn't practice in any capacity leading up to Week 5 and was ultimately ruled out. It always seemed like he was going to miss 2–3 weeks and this week is starting off leading up to that likelihood.
Injury report
DNP: S Percy Butler, OT Sam Cosmi, WR Jahan Dotson, RB Jonathan Williams, TE Logan ThomasLimited: WR Dyami Brown, CB Christian Holmes, LB David Mayo, QB Carson Wentz, CB William Jackson III
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 11, 2022
The Commanders play this Thursday and he was an estimated DNP on Monday and did not practice on Tuesday. With the short turnaround, it is highly unlikely Dotson is active this week. He seems like he might have a chance to return in Week 7, but fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on his return this week.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
The second-round rookie might finally be available to fantasy managers this weekend. He's likely not someone anyone is considering starting at this time, but he's someone that should be on your radars. The New York Giants have virtually no receivers at their disposal and Robinson was a second-round pick on this new regime. He's been sidelined due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 1, but he practiced on a limited basis Wednesday–Friday last week.
The Giants ultimately decided to be cautious with the young player, but since he practiced last week, fantasy managers should have some optimism they finally get a chance to see what he can do. There's a big opportunity for him in New York with Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay also out. Daniel Jones desperately needs a pass-catcher he can depend on and if that can be Robinson, he'll have some fantasy appeal yet this season.
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills
Isaiah McKenzie was diagnosed with a concussion in Week 4 and was unable to pass through the protocol before their Week 5 contest against the Steelers. That was too bad because the matchup was excellent and rookie, Khalil Shakir made a name for himself with 3 receptions, 75 yards, and 1 touchdown.
Injury report
DNP: S Percy Butler, OT Sam Cosmi, WR Jahan Dotson, RB Jonathan Williams, TE Logan ThomasLimited: WR Dyami Brown, CB Christian Holmes, LB David Mayo, QB Carson Wentz, CB William Jackson III
— John Keim (@john_keim) October 11, 2022
McKenzie was able to return to practice on a limited basis at the end of last week, which indicates he is progressing through the concussion protocol. With the return to practice last week, it's likely he'll be available this upcoming weekend, but with concussions, it's impossible to know for sure. Being a full participant this week would indicate he's likely to be available this weekend, but after Shakir's performance in Week 5, he might once again be in a timeshare for slot duties in Buffalo.
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