Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season arrives with one of the heaviest injury reports of the young campaign, and the fallout stretches from Baltimore to London. Some stars are already ruled out. Others are pushing to play. For fantasy managers, the next few hours matter as much as the games themselves.
Lamar Jackson has already been ruled out for Week 5, but reporting surrounding the specifics and severity of his ankle injury remains frustratingly vague. Earlier this week, Ian Rapoport reported that Jackson’s ankle injury was neither “low nor high,” which makes projecting recovery timelines particularly difficult. Jackson carries a 25th-percentile Recovery Score, meaning he has historically taken longer to recover than his peers with similar injuries. Since 2021, 67% of quarterbacks returning from ankle injuries saw their scramble rate decline in their first game back, averaging a 73% drop. Mobility is a significant part of Jackson’s game, so the expectation is that he sits until he is comfortable running and cutting.
Ja’Marr Chase is trending toward playing in Week 5 after logging a full practice Friday. Since 2017, nearly 90% of fantasy-relevant players in concussion protocol who practiced in full during their final practice of the week went on to play, compared to roughly 50% of those who were limited. Chase still needs to officially clear concussion protocol, but there are encouraging signs he will play. Obviously, if Chase plays, you start him.
Despite being listed as questionable, Caleb Williams is effectively out for Week 5 after head coach Ben Johnson confirmed Tyson Bagent will start Sunday against Green Bay. The encouraging news is that Williams returned to limited practice Friday, marking an important step in his recovery. A potential Week 6 return against Atlanta remains on the table.
Justin Jefferson appears to be pushing for a Week 5 return against the Saints despite recovering from an eversion ankle sprain. We have already seen multiple pass catchers aggravate similar injuries this season by returning too soon, raising concerns about Jefferson’s risk of reinjury. If he is active, you are starting him. Jordan Addison returned to practice this week after sitting out Wednesday and is listed as questionable, but he seems likely to suit up. If Jefferson sits, Addison could be viewed as a top-20 receiver.
Ashton Jeanty is questionable for Sunday with a foot injury on the same side as his preseason high ankle sprain. Jeanty has shown flashes this season but has not always looked fully recovered, raising concerns that the lingering ankle issue may be contributing to his current injury. If the Raiders take a cautious approach, Jeanty could miss multiple weeks, making Mike Washington Jr. a priority stash in all fantasy leagues.
Saquon Barkley exited last week’s game and is out for Week 5 because of a hamstring injury. The Eagles also placed running back Tank Bigsby on IR this week, leaving Will Shipley as their lead back. He faces the Jaguars, a team that has allowed the fewest running back rushing yards per game and just one rushing touchdown all season.
DeVonta Smith is out heading into the Eagles’ London matchup against the Jaguars. That leaves Dontayvion Wicks and Makai Lemon as the team’s top receivers. Dallas Goedert was able to return to practice this week, albeit in a limited fashion, but he will play in Week 5 and should operate as the top target for Jalen Hurts, especially in the red zone.
Rhamondre Stevenson was able to log limited practice sessions this week and is questionable for Week 5. He did tell ESPN reporter Mike Reiss that he is “ready to go.” If he suits up, expect the Patriots‘ backfield to remain a split, with Stevenson the safer floor and TreVeyon Henderson the home run-hitting play.
Alvin Kamara is being listed as questionable even though he was able to practice this week and seems likely to play. He should once again operate as the Saints’ lead back. While he needs catches and touchdowns to make up for his inefficiency, volume has him in play as an RB3 or flex option.
Malik Nabers sat out Wednesday’s practice because of soreness in his knee but will play in Week 5. Isaiah Likely was limited to start the week but does not carry an injury designation heading into Week 5. Likely has seen a 33% target share with Jameis Winston under center, and the Commanders have allowed the most passing touchdowns in the league.
Jayden Daniels has been practicing with a brace on his left elbow and will play in Week 5. Even if the Commanders have fewer designed runs for their star quarterback, the upside is too high to get away from. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has been limited this week but is not on the final injury report and will play. Rachaad White has been able to return to the practice field after missing Week 4 and is expected to play Sunday.
Terry McLaurin was able to log a limited session Friday and is expected to play Sunday, though hamstrings are always at risk of flaring up. Stefon Diggs, who saw nine targets last week, did not practice this week because of a hamstring injury that will keep him out for Week 5. Antonio Williams, who saw eight targets last week, would be a sleeper flex option and likely the top Commanders target.
Ladd McConkey has not practiced this week and is on the wrong side of questionable. Rashawn Slater is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks because of a high ankle sprain. Tackle Joe Alt suffered a neck injury and has not practiced this week. Quentin Johnston is out for Week 5 against the Broncos.
Neither Pat Surtain II nor Riley Moss has practiced this week and both are out for Week 5. That would certainly make life easier for all Chargers pass catchers, if you are into that sort of thing.
Zay Flowers has practiced all week in a limited fashion and is questionable for Week 5. While he seems likely to play, it would not be a bad idea for fantasy managers to have a pivot option just in case. His fantasy value takes a hit without Lamar Jackson. In 10 career games with Tyler Huntley, he has averaged six targets, 4.6 catches and 66 yards per game, and he scored four touchdowns in those games.
Kyle Monangai will be out for Week 5. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has reported that Monangai is dealing with turf toe and could possibly even miss another week or two. D’Andre Swift continues to deal with a knee injury. Swift should see even more volume and is a must-start fantasy RB1 with Monangai out.
Michael Pittman Jr. has aggravated a foot injury and will miss multiple weeks. That means more run for Roman Wilson, who has become an Aaron Rodgers favorite of late. Mack Hollins has not practiced this week and has been ruled out for Week 5, which makes Romeo Doubs, who had nine targets last week, even more appealing. DJ Moore missed practice to start the week, and he seems up in the air heading into Monday night. Cam Skattebo was limited at practice but appears to be good to go heading into Sunday, and he is one of the safest bets for volume each week. Rico Dowdle has been limited at practice this week and is questionable for Week 5. Jaylen Warren has thrived with Dowdle sidelined and remains a top-15 running back play this week. Carnell Tate was added to the injury report Thursday, which caused a scare in the fantasy community, but he is good to go for Week 5 and should be started. Chig Okonkwo, who was limited at practice this week but will play, would be a sleeper tight end for those in need of a streaming option.
