NFL Week 5: Injury Report

QB:

J.P. Losman - Losman suffered a sprained MCL in week 3, and he is out for week 5. It looks like he'll return in week 7 after Buffalo's bye. Rookie Trent Edwards will start in his place.

Tavaris Jackson - Jackson strained his groin in week 2, missed weeks 3 and 4, and is on bye in week 5. He expects to start in week 6. Kelly Holcomb would start again if Jackson can't go.

Jake Delhomme - Delhomme strained his throwing elbow in week 3, he missed week 4, and he's out for week 5. David Carr will start in his place again, and makes for a weak option despite a favorable matchup.

Matt Leinart - No injury here, but this bizarre QBBC is in full effect. Keep Leinart firmly on your bench until he's playing all game. I wouldn't drop him as he still has upside and this could be a motivational tactic, but you can't use him this week not knowing what will come of this. Kurt Warner is worth stashing depending on your roster size as he'd be a QB1 if he'd play all game.

Alex Smith - Smith separated his shoulder in week 4, and he is out for week 5. When he'll return is in question right now, and Trent Dilfer will start in his place. Dilfer is a poor QB2.

Marc Bulger - Bulger suffered broken ribs in week 2, and he is out for week 5. Gus Frerotte willl start in his place, and he makes for a decent QB2.

RB:

Laurence Maroney - Maroney injured his groin in week 3, he missed week 4, and his status for week 5 is in question. He was limited in practice all week and will be a gametime decision. If he can't start, Sammy Morris will, and he would be a great RB2.

Rudi Johnson - Johnson suffered a an injured hamstring in week 3, missed week 4, and he is on bye in week 5. He hopes to return in week 6. Kenny Watson would start again if Rudi can't go.

Ahman Green - Green sprained his knee in week 3, missed week 4, and his status for week 5 is in doubt. He was limited in practice all week, and will likely be a gameday inactive. Ron Dayne will start if Green can't go, and he has a favorable matchup against the Dolphins.

Joseph Addai - Addai bruised his shoulder in week 4, and his status for week 5 is in question. He missed practice all week, but participated in walk-throughs. If I had to guess, he'll start in week 5. He'll be a gametime decision, so have an alternative at the same time or later ready to go. Kenton Keith will start if Addai can't go, and he'd make a solid RB2 option.

Travis Henry - Henry spranied his knee in week 4, and his status for week 5 is in question. He missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday, but returned to practice on Friday. He'll be a gametime decision, and Selvin Young will start if Henry can't go. Young would be a quality RB2 option.

LaMont Jordan - Jordan hurt his back in week 4, but he is on bye in week 5. Jordan seemed to be in quite a bit of pain after the injury, but X-Rays came back negative, so hopefully he'll return to the field in week 6. Dominic Rhodes and Justin Fargas would likely split the workload if Jordan can't go.

Brandon Jacobs - Jacobs sprained his knee in week 1, missed weeks 2-4, but will play in week 5. Jacobs started the year as the every down RB, but given the emergence of Derrick Ward while Jacobs was injured, Ward will likely get extensive work on passing downs at least. Given Jacobs hasn't played in a month, he'll likely be limited somewhat, but he'll get the goalline carries and makes for a fine flex/bye-week fill-in.

Brian Westbrook - Westbrook strained his abs in week 3, missed week 4, and is on bye in week 5. He hopes to return in week 6.

Clinton Portis - Portis hurt his knee in week 3, but he will start in week 5.

Kevin Jones - Jones has returned from his foot fracture, but he's still being eased into the offense. He split carries almost evenly in week 4, but still remains a very questionable play in week 5. Until he gets a solid workload, it's very hard to recommend him, although he's obviously the preferred option at the goalline.

Brandon Jackson - Jackson strained his shin in week 3, missed week 4, and his status for week 5 is in doubt. With the return of Vernand Morency and the continued use of DeShawn Wynn, dumping him for a more attractice waiver wire option is a solid idea. There's no way he's earned the majority of the carries, and he won't return to a featured role anytime soon.

Cadillac Williams - Williams tore his patella tendon in week 4 and is out for the year. Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham will split the workload in his place. Pittman will probably see more carries overall and more work in the passing game, but Graham appears to be the preferred option at the goalline.

Steven Jackson - Jackson tore his groin in week 3, missed week 4, and is out for week 5. He'll likely need a few more weeks to heal. Brian Leonard will start in his place, but he's nothing more than a RB3 given the struggling Rams offense around him.

WR:

Hines Ward - Ward sprained his knee in week 3, missed week 4, and is out for week 5. Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller would benefit from Ward's absence.

Andre Johnson - Johnson sprained his knee in week 2, missed weeks 3 and 4, and is out for week 5. He still hasn't practiced yet and reports indicate that he's still walking with a limp, so it would be surprising if he played in week 6.

Marvin Harrison - Harrison strained his knee in week 4, and his status for week 5 is in question. He missed practice all week. He'll be a gametime decision, so have an alternative at the same time or later ready to go.

Javon Walker - Walker experienced soreness in his knee in week 3, missed week 4, and is out for week 5. Brandon Marshall is the biggest benefactor. Brandon Stokley will start in his place, but is a very weak fantasy option.

Plaxico Burress - Burress injured his ankle in week 2, but he played well in weeks 3 and 4. He missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. He's expected to play in week 5, and he'll remain a solid redzone threat, but this injury could limit his downfield effectiveness.

Santana Moss - Moss strained his groin in week 3, and is out in week 5. Antwaan Randle El would be a risky WR3 option, but he has a favorable matchup against Detroit. Chris Cooley will likely benefit the most from Moss' absence.

Calvin Johnson - Johnson bruised his back in week 3, missed week 4, and his status for week 5 is in question. He was limited in practice all week, so while it seems like he's expected to play, have an alternative ready in case he doesn't.

Anquan Boldin - Boldin hurt his hip in week 3, missed week 4, and his status for week 5 is in doubt. He missed practice all week. He's listed as doubtful. Bryant Johnson will likely start in his place, but isn't a fantasy option.

TE:

Todd Heap - Heap injured his hamstring in week 4, and his status for week 5 is in question. He missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. He'll probably be a gametime decision, so have an alternative at the same time or later ready to go.

Kellen Winslow - Winslow suffered a partially separated shoulder in week 3, but played well in week 4, and should play in week 5. He was limited in practice all week, so check the gameday inactives to make sure. Having a TE2 ready is a good idea, just in case.

Vernon Davis - Davis sprained his knee in week 3, missed week 4, and is out for week 5. He's expected to return in week 7 after the 49ers' bye week.

D:

Chicago - Chicago's defense was hit hard with injuries in week 3, and it looks like CB Charles Tillman, CB Nathan Vasher, and LB Lance Briggs will miss the game in week 5. Their D-Line appears healthy, but their secondary is a mess. I apologize for suggesting looking for other options in week 4 given the turnover-prone Kitna, but Favre and the Packers should do a better job of torching the defense. I'd again consider other options.