Injuries can change the trajectory of your fantasy football team. Week 4 continued an early-season trend of significant injuries in fantasy football. Several players that fantasy managers invested early-round draft picks, like Malik Nabers, Bucky Irving, and Lamar Jackson, couldn’t escape the injury bug in Week 4.
Below are the injuries that could impact fantasy football in Week 5. Be sure to check this article throughout each day for updates.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson couldn’t finish Baltimore’s Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a hamstring injury. There were initially questions over how severe the injury was, but those were answered mainly with reports that Jackson could miss two or three weeks. Jackson did not practice on Wednesday.
The Baltimore Ravens’ backup quarterback is former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush. Rush has shown the ability to be an effective quarterback when called upon (60.9% completion rate for 3,515 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in eight seasons). Expecting him to be fantasy relevant against the Texans and Rams is a tall order.
Derrick Henry is the only clear winner in fantasy due to a likely uptick in rushing volume, although other pieces like Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely could benefit from Rush’s play style.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
There was hope that Jayden Daniels could return to the field in Week 4 after a knee injury forced him to miss Week 3. Unfortunately, Daniels was not cleared to play in time for Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons for the second straight game.
Daniels was medically cleared to practice fully ahead of Week 5’s game and is set to return to the starting lineup against the Chargers.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy returned in Week 4, battling his way to 309 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Purdy finished the game despite being limited by the toe injury throughout the contest. Unfortunately, Purdy reported unexpected soreness in his toe after the game.
The veteran signal-caller could probably get ready to play in a typical week. But the 49ers have the Thursday game in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams. Purdy did not practice on Tuesday and will need to play on the field on Wednesday.
If Purdy cannot play, Mac Jones would be under center again.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Carson Wentz struggled in his second start for the Vikings, throwing for 350 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against the Steelers. The performance eliminated doubt that McCarthy would be back under center if healthy.
There is hope that the second-year quarterback can practice this week, but McCarthy is unlikely to play. Expect Wentz to get one last start before the Vikings’ bye week in Week 6. That would hopefully give McCarthy more than enough time to heal fully.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 4 was Bucky Irving’s best performance of the season. The running back racked up 15 carries for 63 yards while adding five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown against the Eagles. Unfortunately, Irving underwent an MRI on his ankle on Monday.
Currently, there is no clarity on whether Irving will be available for Week 5’s game against the Seahawks. Depending on the nature of the injury, Irving could be out multiple weeks (he was getting medical opinions on Tuesday). He was seen in a walking boot at the Buccaneers’ practice on 10/1.
The biggest beneficiary of Irving’s absence would be Rachaad White, but Sean Tucker could also see a role in a split backfield. Both players are worth adding off waivers immediately if they are still open.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren was surprisingly inactive for Week 4’s game against the Minnesota Vikings due to a knee injury. Reports heading into the game were that he would be active, but Kenneth Gainwell got most of the work instead.
The Steelers have a bye in Week 5, which should give Warren plenty of time to get healthy by Week 6.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Joe Mixon is eligible to return to practice this week, but that will not be happening. Head coach DeMeco Ryans suggested that Mixon still isn’t close to returning from the foot/ankle injury he suffered this offseason.
Fantasy managers stashing Mixon on their bench, hoping for a return, would be best served by adding a player who can score fantasy points to their roster, especially with bye weeks starting in Week 5.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Trey Benson had flashes in his first start against the Seattle Seahawks, operating as Arizona’s lead back. However, the running back was surprisingly held out of practice on Tuesday due to a knee injury suffered during the game.
Benson was placed on the injured reserve on Wednesday (10/1).
#AZCardinals RB Trey Benson is heading to IR with the knee injury, coach Jonathan Gannon announced. He should be back later in the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 1, 2025
As a result, he will miss the next four games. Michael Carter and Emari Demercado will be the running backs on the roster in Arizona for the next four weeks.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
A preseason high-ankle sprain landed Tyjae Spears on the PUP list to start the 2025 season. Spears can return in Week 5, and his practice window has been opened.
Spears had plenty of time to heal from his injury, but it is fair to expect him to need time to knock the rust off. The Titans’ offense needs more explosive playmakers, so Spears should be heavily involved as soon as he is ready.
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets
Braelon Allen was having a productive first quarter against the Miami Dolphins before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out for the remainder of the game.
On Tuesday, we learned that Allen suffered an MCL sprain. That is far from the worst injury he could have suffered, but there is a chance that the second-year running back will land on the injured reserve, meaning he will miss four weeks.
Breece Hall will see an uptick in touches, and second-year running back Isaiah Davis could be fantasy relevant going forward.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb is still not on the injured reserve due to his high-ankle sprain, but he is not expected to play Week 5. Lamb is not expected to practice this week and will miss Week 5’s game against the New York Jets.
George Pickens and Jake Ferguson remain the biggest winners while Lamb is off the field.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
The optimism surrounding Malik Nabers’s production with 2025 first-round pick Jaxson Dart at quarterback didn’t last a game. Nabers tore his ACL jumping for a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4, ending his season.
Nabers’ injury opens more opportunities in the passing attack for Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and tight end Theo Johnson. Players like Jalin Hyatt and Beaux Collins could also be given opportunities to contribute.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill had a highly productive game against the New York Jets before a sideline tackle led to a gruesome lower-body injury. Hill was eventually taken to the hospital to have surgery on a dislocated knee that had, at minimum, a torn ACL. He was officially placed on the injured reserve on 10/1, which means his season ends as the WR24 in PPR points per game (13.4).
Second-year wide receiver Malik Washington should see an expanded role in the passing attack, along with tight end Darren Waller. Neither player will be trustworthy for the foreseeable future, but they can provide spike weeks (like Waller did with two touchdowns in Week 4).
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders
Terry McLaurin missed Week 4 due to a quadriceps injury he suffered in Week 3. The initial reports on the injury were that McLaurin would not require surgery and would avoid a trip to the injured reserve. Head coach Dan Quinn stated that McLaurin was trending in the right direction ahead of Week 5’s matchup against the Chargers.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
Calvin Ridley’s snap share was surprisingly reduced to 54% against Houston. On Tuesday, head coach Brian Callahan suggested that Ridley’s shift in snap share was due to an undisclosed injury.
Ridley has been one of the biggest fantasy disappointments this season, catching just 10 of 24 targets for 141 yards. Time will tell if this injury is legitimate and will keep him from playing in Week 5.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Ricky Pearsall had to leave the 49ers’ Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a knee injury. It was believed that Pearsall’s injury was a minor PCL injury, but that information has yet to be confirmed.
Unfortunately, the 49ers have a short practice week thanks to a Thursday night game. It may be difficult for the second-year receiver to regain strength for Week 5’s matchup against the Rams.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Darnell Mooney led the Falcons in targets in Weeks 2 and 3 after missing Week 1 due to a shoulder injury. Unfortunately, he could not build upon that against the Carolina Panthers, suffering a hamstring injury that limited him to just 29 snaps.
The Falcons have a bye in Week 5, and Mooney is expected to be ready to return in Week 6 without limitations.
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Jauan Jennings returned to the lineup after missing Week 3 due to shoulder and ankle injuries. He was able to return to the lineup in Week 4 but was unfortunately injured again during a contested catch situation.
After the game, Jennings stated that he thought he would be available for Week 5 but was a non-participant in Tuesday’s practice. His status on Wednesday will be a big indicator if he will miss Week 5 due to a quick turnaround.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
Jalen Coker is eligible to return from the injured reserve in Week 5 after missing the first four weeks with a quad injury.
Head coach Dave Canales stated that Coker was progressing well through his recovery process. However, he also stated that Coker is still considered week-to-week before making his way back to the field.
Coker’s practice window has not been opened yet, so a Week 5 debut seems like a long shot.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
Cedric Tillman suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter of Cleveland’s Week 4 loss to the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, the injury was significant enough to land the veteran wide receiver on the injured reserve.
Tillman’s workload will likely be distributed between Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Harold Fannin Jr. Rookie UDFA receiver Isaiah Bond is also an interesting deep pickup in fantasy leagues. However, he should not be trusted as a contributor in Week 5.
