“NFL fantasy football Week 5 injury report with key IDP updates and offensive notes to guide lineup decisions this weekend.”
Injuries are flooding the slate, and lineup choices feel tight. This NFL fantasy football week 5 injury report focuses on defense first, then closes with a quick offensive rundown. I keep it to what’s in the transcript and nothing else. Short-term availability, re-injury risk, and practice trends drive every recommendation. Soft-tissue setbacks can stretch weeks into months. Neck and multi-ligament issues demand extra caution. Let’s get into the details that matter for start-sit calls.
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Andrew Van Ginkel Outlook
Andrew Van Ginkel is not expected to practice this week and is out. He did not practice in the first two weeks and did not play last week. The injury is a neck issue. Neck problems are tricky due to the structures involved and the contact demands of football. He also had a concussion earlier in the year, which raises concern. Minnesota plays in London after playing in Ireland last week. With no practice and a neck injury, confidence is low for the near term in fantasy lineups.
Nnamdi Madubuike To Injured Reserve
Star defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is on injured reserve and out for the season. That is a massive loss for fantasy and the defense itself. The absence of that core interior presence changes the run defense outlook. A recent example cited was a ground game running “all up and down” the defense without him. One player cannot replace his impact, so rotations must cover the middle.
For the NFL fantasy football week 5 injury report, treat interior run matchups against this defense with more confidence until proven otherwise.
Jermaine Johnson Status Check
Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson has an ankle injury from early in the season and has missed the past few weeks. As of Thursday night, he has two straight did-not-practices. Working on the side with a trainer is not the same as team practice. It is hard to go from no practice to a full return after multiple missed weeks. Have a pivot ready for lineups. Expectation for immediate return is low unless a full practice appears.
Ravens Injuries: Marlon Humphrey and Roquan Smith
Marlon Humphrey suffered a calf strain against the Chiefs. He is expected to miss a few weeks and likely return after the Week 7 bye. The description fits a grade two strain range, which often lasts around three to four weeks. Roquan Smith has an officially reported grade two hamstring strain. Expect at least three weeks out, with three to six weeks a possible span. Hamstrings carry a moderate to high re-injury risk when rushed. For the NFL fantasy football week 5 injury report, plan alternatives now. Calf and hamstring timelines can shift quickly if setbacks occur.
Kyle Hamilton Watch
Kyle Hamilton played the whole game and did not appear injured. He later showed up limited with a groin injury, then did not practice the next day. That suggests the issue occurred during practice. Groin injuries often need at least a week, even when mild. He has not been ruled out, and a return to practice is possible. Without a full practice before the game, there is re-injury risk. If he enters the weekend limited, temper expectations. This is usually a set-and-forget player when healthy, but caution applies here.
Kyle Van Noy Trending Up
Kyle Van Noy avoided injured reserve for a hamstring strain, missed a couple of games. Van Noy then logged a limited practice followed by a full practice. Another full practice before the game would be ideal. The first two weeks back carry the highest re-injury rate for hamstrings. If he stays full through Friday, he is good to go. The matchup note is favorable. The Texans’ offensive line is described as very poor. Pressure opportunities should follow if he’s active.
Lions Injuries: D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, and Alim McNeill
Cornerback DJ Reed suffered a hamstring injury, was carted off, and is already on injured reserve. The strain is described as significant, with expectations of multiple weeks out. Cornerback Terrion Arnold has a shoulder issue. He practiced limited, then full, and sounds good to go.
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill had his practice window opened following a serious knee injury last year, believed to be an ACL tear. He logged two limited practices and is very close, if not this week then next. First game back carries risk; waiting two to three games to evaluate is advised.
Travon Walker Wrist Update
Travon Walker sustained a wrist injury in a big win and already had surgery. Hand and wrist surgeries can be shorter timelines than typical procedures. He is labeled day to day, and the coach said there is a chance to play Monday night. That feels aggressive because he did not practice on the first report day for a Monday game. Expect one to two games missed, not a long-term absence. After the surgery protocol, a return can be quick once cleared.
Buccaneers’ Cornerback Crunch
Jamel Dean has a groin and hip issue. Benjamin Morrison has a hamstring injury. Both left the last game and have not practiced this week. That cornerback room looks thin. Rookie Jacob Parrish could move from nickel to outside. They play the Seahawks, and the passing volume could be high. Baker and the offense are expected to put up points. That can increase tackle and ball-skill chances for any replacement corner seeing full snaps.
Will Johnson Return Watch
Rookie corner Will Johnson has a groin injury and missed two weeks. He logged two limited practices and looked good in individual drills based on available video. He was not going one hundred percent, but was not just cruising through reps either. A full practice would boost confidence in his readiness.
Will Johnson already leads the team with four pass deflections after two games played. Getting him back could stabilize a secondary that lost multiple corners in one game. The Arizona secondary can be a formidable force if he returns.
Matt Milano Pacing For Return
Matt Milano has a pectoral injury that is not a full tear. He missed two weeks but is back at practice and has a good shot to play if he finishes the week with a full session. Teams often stack two limited practices, then full to green-light a player. That path seems likely here if his body responds well.
For the NFL fantasy football week 5 injury report, Milano’s arrow points up. A full practice before the game would lock him in.
Myles Garrett And A Battered Offensive Line
Myles Garrett finished the game with an ankle injury, sat on Wednesday, and then practiced limited on Thursday. All signs point to playing through soreness more than structural damage. The opposing offensive line has multiple projected starters with consecutive did-not-practices. Ryan Kelly has multiple recent concussions. Rookie left guard Donovan Jackson had wrist surgery. Right tackle Brian O’Neill has an MCL sprain. A backup guard also did not practice with a hamstring.
Carson Wentz is their quarterback again this week and tends to hold the ball, take sacks, and create turnover chances. The defense has a great matchup. Anyone on the Browns’ defensive line can have a day.
Chase Young Ruled Out
Chase Young has a calf injury and has been ruled out already. That follows earlier optimism and likely reflects a soft-tissue setback risk. The lesson repeats throughout this NFL fantasy football week 5 injury report. Calves and hamstrings punish teams that hurry the return.
Quick Defensive Hits: Zaire Franklin, Milton Williams, Daron Payne
Zaire Franklin popped up with an ankle issue, did not practice Wednesday, then practiced in full Thursday. That reads as more hurt than injured, and he should be good to go. Milton Williams trended the other way. He went from limited to did not practice with an ankle injury. It is unclear if soreness spiked or if a practice injury occurred. Friday is huge for his status. If active, there are tackle and TFL chances against a strong rushing opponent.
Daron Payne was added to the report with a knee injury. He did travel with the team to Los Angeles, unlike some offensive teammates who were ruled out. More information is needed, so monitor for updates.
Offensive Quick Rundown: Quarterbacks
Lamar Jackson is doubtful after two missed practices, with a reported two-to-three-week injury. The safer move is to avoid a hobbled return. Cooper Rush is the alternative reference, and the defense across the field is very good.
Jayden Daniels is medically cleared, fully practicing, and good to go. That helps stabilize the quarterback position for fantasy lineups. Brock Purdy suffered a toe setback just before recording and could miss multiple weeks. That means more Mac Jones under center during the absence.
Offensive Quick Rundown: Receivers And Tight ends
Cedric Tillman is on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Targets can shift to Jerry Jeudy and Isaiah Bond. With a rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, the question is where the ball goes. David Njoku could factor in. On top of that, Quinshon Judkins is projected for a massive day in an ugly, defensive-leaning game.
Malik Nabers has an ACL and lateral meniscus tear and is out for the season. The injury does not involve other ligaments. There is a chance to be active for Week 1 next year, though not at one hundred percent.
Tyreek Hill suffered a knee dislocation with multiple ligaments torn. This is a multi-ligament knee injury, which pushes recovery toward a twelve-month window. Age also factors into long-term optimism, which is working against Hill.
Offensive Quick Rundown: Running Backs and Final Botes
Jets running back Braelon Allen is on injured reserve with an MCL sprain and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. That creates an opportunity for others in that backfield.
Chuba Hubbard played through a calf injury last week, then posted two straight did-not-practices. There is a good chance he will not play. Rico Dowdle steps into a strong opportunity against the third-worst rushing defense in the league, the Miami Dolphins. That sets up RB1 potential if Hubbard sits.
Michael Pittman was added to the report with a hamstring injury. It is unclear if it happened in practice or was precautionary. The next practice will be a strong indicator of availability. Deebo Samuel did not practice but traveled with the team and might try to go despite a heel issue. Terry McLaurin is ruled out again. Zach Ertz and Luke McCaffrey are names to watch for target volume.
Thank you for reading this article from @IDP_Plus. This article was crafted with insights from the original podcast hosts, supported by AI tools, and shaped by our staff. For the full discussion and even more great content, be sure to check out the episode on YouTube. Follow the host @TheDegenDoc on the X!!
