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Aidin Ebrahimi looks at key fantasy football injuries and injury updates to watch for Week 5 of the 2024 season Including Anthony Richardson, Christian Watson, Malik Nabers, and more.
Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season is now behind us, and the real contenders are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. Teams are finally starting to score again, as multiple teams managed to score over 30 points.
Unfortunately, as is the case in every week of NFL action, there were some injuries. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% yet will go a long way if you're looking to win your fantasy leagues.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 5. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
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Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Richardson has all the tools to become a great quarterback. Unfortunately, he has struggled with injuries and got hurt once again in Week 4. He left the field twice against the Steelers and was replaced by Joe Flacco.
#Colts QB Anthony Richardson, asked if he thought “not again” after injuring his hip:
“People gonna talk about injuries. People gonna say, ‘Oh, (he’s) injury prone, blah blah blah.’ Nobody wants to get injured. … So, of course I was like, ‘Man, damn, not again.’” pic.twitter.com/gSfmMntSEf
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 29, 2024
"My hip was hurting," Richardson said after the game. "I tried to go back out there, but I just couldn't accelerate how I wanted to." He then added that he was "just a little sore" and it looks like this isn't a serious setback.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Richardson's injury is a hip pointer and is not considered serious. He could suit up in Week 5, but if he doesn't, Joe Flacco will be there to feed Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs' offense has failed to show up in 2024, and their defense has been the biggest reason for their 4-0 start. Injuries to Isiah Pacheco and Marquise Brown certainly haven't helped, and now they've lost yet another offensive weapon.
Their controversial wideout Rashee Rice went down early against the Chargers after a collision with his quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Rice had become Mahomes' main target this season, but they won't share the field for quite some time.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said that Rice still needs more tests to confirm the severity of the injury, but also ruled him out of their Week 5 matchup against the Saints.
Kareem Hunt could see an increase in his workload, while Travis Kelce will have to turn back the clock as Mahomes' No. 1 option.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
After battling many hamstring issues in his first two NFL seasons, Christian Watson identified the root of those problems and was ready to have a healthy 2024 season. Unfortunately, he went down with an injury in Week 4.
#Packers coach Matt LaFleur said that he thought WR Christian Watson would be out a week or so. Doesn't sound like he's going on IR, but he said they need to continue to evaluate.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) September 30, 2024
It wasn't a hamstring injury but was later determined to be a high-ankle sprain. High-ankle sprains are more serious than low-ankle sprains (the injury Sam LaPorta suffered last week) and Watson will miss a few weeks of action.
There were talks of the Packers putting him on the Injured Reserve list. However, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said Watson would be out for "a week or so", so he could be back sooner than expected.
His absence will create more opportunities for Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks.
Tyler Badie, RB, Denver Broncos
Tyler Badie finally got a chance to showcase his skills in his third year with the Broncos and was doing well. But just as everything was looking up for him, he suffered a scary back injury and a concussion in Week 4.
He might be put on Injured Reserve, but there's a chance he can return this season. Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Badie has full movement of his arms and legs and is back in Denver with the team.
Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin will be the Broncos' main rushing options until Badie returns.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
For the third week in a row, versatile Saints star Taysom Hill finds himself on this list, but this time for a different injury. After successfully recovering from his chest injury, Hill scored two touchdowns against the Falcons but exited the game before the second half.
Excluding kneel down drives, the Saints have run 18 drives WITH Taysom Hill and 18 WITHOUT him this season so far.
These are the splits, and I am confident that going back the last couple of seasons the data is similar.
He is the most important player on the team. pic.twitter.com/WF6HvThsjO
— Steve Renner (@steve_renner) September 30, 2024
Hill clutched at his abdomen, and many fantasy managers feared that he had re-aggravated his chest injury. HC Dennis Allen later clarified that Hill's injury was to the "other side" of his body, but didn’t know if he had fractured any ribs.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Malik Nabers is setting the NFL on fire despite having Daniel Jones as quarterback. He has put up 386 yards, three touchdowns, and 91.6 PPR points so far this season. Sadly for Giants fans, he suffered a concussion in Week 4 against the Cowboys.
He's currently in the league’s concussion protocol but is said to be "in good spirits" according to teammate Darius Slayton. Players in concussion protocol usually miss one game, but Nabers suffered the injury on Thursday, so there's a chance he can suit up for Week 5.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
After a terrific start to his NFL career, Jonathan Taylor was on top of the world. However, a high-ankle sprain in the 2022 season changed his career, as he was plagued by the injury early in the 2023 season.
Steichen said Colts are not considering short-term IR for JT.
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) September 30, 2024
He got off to a healthy start this year but sadly suffered another high-ankle sprain in Week 4 against the Steelers. However, it looks like this injury isn't as serious as his 2022 injury.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said the injury is a mild sprain and Taylor won't be placed on Injured Reserve. This means the Colts expect him to be back before their Week 8 matchup against the Texans. Until then, Trey Sermon will need to step up as the team's RB1.
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