Inside the Tent - Week 5 NFL Injury Insight

Injury updates and analysis for Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season. Aaron Burger, PT, DPT provides analysis on fantasy football's biggest injuries during Week 4 to help make informed lineup start/sit decisions.

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy team. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About four years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.

Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!

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Inside the Tent Updates

Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers

• McCaffrey sustained a hamstring strain in Week 3 and missed Week 4 as a result. This week, he was able to practice in a limited fashion all week. The Panthers have officially listed him as DOUBTFUL for Week 5. This situation may linger until kickoff but prepare to be without McCaffrey this week.

Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings

• Cook likely sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 2 and missed Week 3 as a result. He was able to play in Week 4 but only logged nine rushes for 34 yards. Leading up to Week 5, he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday which decreases his chances of playing this week significantly. He logged a limited practice on Friday and is officially a game-time decision for Week 5. It would be wise to place him in the FLEX position if he is active but it's safer to start another player.

Elijah Mitchell. RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Mitchell sustained a shoulder injury in Week 2 and missed both Week 3 and Week 4 as a result. He practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday while practicing in full on Friday. He was removed from the team's injury report and will play in Week 5.

A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, WR - Tennessee Titans

• Brown and Jones both sustained hamstring strains in Week 3. In preparation for Week 5, Brown was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday and in full on Thursday and Friday. Brown is likely to be active for Week 5. Jones on the other hand, has been ruled OUT for Week 5.

Chase Claypool, WR - Pittsburgh Steelers

• Claypool sustained a hamstring in Week 3 and missed Week 4 as a result. This week, he turned in consecutive limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday and a full practice on Friday which indicates he is likely to play in Week 5. Injury reports throughout the weekend will provide clarity on the situation.

Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, WR - New York Giants

• Both Shepard and Slayton sustained hamstring strains in Week 3 and missed Week 4 as a result. This week, they both missed practice all week. They both have been ruled OUT for Week 5. If they can turn in consecutive limited practices next week, they are likely to return to game action.

Rob Gronkowski, TE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Gronkowski sustained four fractured ribs in Week 3 and was obviously not able to play in Week 4. Consider this a multi-week injury that could keep Gronkowski out for anywhere from three to six weeks depending on his progress with rehabilitation. When he comes back, he may wear extra protection around his midsection to protect his ribs.

George Kittle, TE - San Francisco 49ers

• Kittle is dealing with a calf injury, likely a strain, and did not practice all week. He is DOUBTFUL for Week 5.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Garoppolo sustained a contusion to his right calf in Week 4. A contusion is essentially a bruise but can be quite painful. This would significantly affect his mobility in the pocket.
• News: He was not able to practice this week and is OUT for Week 5.
• Outlook: With Garoppolo out this week, Trey Lance will get his first NFL start. His performance and grasp of the offense will determine if Garoppolo is able to get his job back. Garoppolo has a better chance of playing in Week 6. Lance will enter this week with more preparation and is a notable streaming option in Week 5.

Teddy Bridgewater, QB - Denver Broncos

• Injury: Bridgewater sustained a concussion in Week 4. A concussion is obviously the result of blunt force trauma to the head and the resultant chemical cascade that occurs within the brain. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, confusion, drowsiness, and difficulty remembering things.
• News: After missing practice on Wednesday, Bridgewater turned in a limited practice on Thursday and a full practice on Friday. He is likely to clear the league's concussion protocol and start in Week 5 against the Steelers.
• Outlook: This is obviously good news for Courtland Sutton who got injured himself at Friday's practice. He is officially questionable for Week 5. The Broncos offense runs more efficiently with Bridgewater under center compared to Drew Lock. Bridgewater is suitable for leagues with two quarterbacks.

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Injury: Mixon sustained an ankle sprain in Week 4 against the Jaguars. The important distinction though, is whether it's a high or low ankle sprain. It's been reported as a low ankle sprain, which means that Mixon could be back for Week 6. If it's a high-ankle sprain though, he could be out for up to four weeks. Low ankle sprains often involve the anterior talo-fibular ligament while high ankle sprains involve the connection between the tibia and fibula. High ankle sprains are far more serious.
• News: Mixon did not practice this week and is OUT for Week 5.
• Outlook: With Mixon sidelined this week, the Bengals will turn to Samaje Perine to handle the running back snaps. He took almost all the snaps after Mixon exited in Week 4 and is certainly a good play in Week 5 against a weak Green Bay defense.

David Montgomery, RB - Chicago Bears

• Injury: Montgomery sustained a hyperextended left knee in Week 4 and sustained a knee sprain. The exact ligament involved has not been released but there are four major ligaments within the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, the medial collateral ligament, and the lateral collateral ligament. With a hyperextension injury, his ACL or anterior cruciate ligament was likely involved. Instead of a complete tear though, he sustained a Grade I or Grade II sprain.
• News: He was not able to practice this week and will miss Week 5. Expect for the Bears to place him on injured reserve. We could see Montgomery back in Week 11.
• Outlook: With Montgomery out, the Bears will turn to Damien Williams to assume a three-down role going forward. In addition, Khalil Herbert may see some work on third downs and is worth an add considering Williams hasn't been in a starting role in over a year.

D.J. Chark, WR - Jacksonville Jaguars

• Injury: Chark had his left ankle rolled up on in Week 4 and sustained a left ankle fracture. There are two bones in the lower leg: the tibia and fibula.
• News: He was placed on injured reserve and will likely miss the remainder of the 2021 season as a result.
• Outlook: With Chark sidelined, the Jaguars will lean upon Marvin Jones and Laviska Shenault Jr. to lead their receiving core. Shenault was quite productive in Week 4, catching six of seven targets for 99 yards. The Jaguars offensive coordinator, Darrell Bevell, told reporters that Shenault will have a "larger role" moving forward.

Will Fuller, WR - Miami Dolphins

• Injury: Fuller sustained a fractured finger in Week 4 and will miss multiple weeks as a result. These fractures can be especially difficult for wide receivers given they have to catch passes throughout the game. Not only this, but with one awkward tackle, the injury can be reaggravated.
• News: He was placed on injured reserve meaning he will miss at least three weeks. He has a chance to return in Week 8.
• Outlook: With Fuller out, this will place more pressure on Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker to lead the Dolphins' vertical attack. Jacoby Brissett has had difficulty pushing the ball downfield so Mike Gesicki may continue to be productive on targets in the middle of the field.

Logan Thomas, TE - Washington Football Team

• Injury: Thomas sustained a hamstring strain in Week 4. The hamstring muscle group runs along the back of the thigh and assists in extending the hip as well as flexing the knee. In addition, it helps athletes with acceleration and deceleration. Thomas likely sustained a significant Grade I strain.
• News: He was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least three weeks. He may be able to return in Week 8.
• Outlook: With Thomas out, Ricky Seals-Jones will be the starting tight end for a Washington Football Team riddled with injuries throughout their receiving corps. Seals-Jones is a streaming option in Week 5 against the Saints.

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