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.
Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers | Out
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 49ers ruled Purdy out of Week 5’s game against the Los Angeles Rams due to his toe injury. Mac Jones will once again be under center for the 49ers. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that Purdy’s toe was re-aggravated in Week 4, and he is considered week-to-week.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Out
Ricky Pearsall left the 49ers’ Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a knee injury. Although his injury was believed to be minor, a short practice week would make it difficult for him to prepare for Week 5’s game.
The 49ers ruled Ricky Pearsall out on Wednesday (10/1) due to his knee injury. The 49ers will enter Thursday night football with Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at wide receiver.
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Out
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. Jenning was officially ruled out on Wednesday, leaving the 49ers’ starting backups at all three positions against the Rams.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens | Out
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 was not spotted at practice before Week 5, setting the stage for him to miss Week 5.
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.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings | Out
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. Logging two straight DNPs on Wednesday and Thursday all but rules out the second-year quarterback in Week 5.
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 | Out
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). Irving was officially ruled out on Friday after missing practice all week.
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.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers | Out
Chuba Hubbard entered Week 4 with a calf injury. Hubbard logged a season-low in touches (13) and snaps (50.7%) in a blowout loss to the Patriots. Hubbard missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, putting his status for Week 5 in serious jeopardy.
Head coach Dave Canales noted that Hubbard played well on Sunday but didn’t come out of the game as well as they expected. Hubbard was ruled out of Week 5’s game against the Dolphins on Friday (10/3).
Rico Dowdle is set to see his role expand as Carolina’s lead running back. Rookie Trevor Etienne could also have a role as a change-of-pace or breather back.
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets | Out
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. Allen was officially placed on the injured reserve on Thursday (10/2), meaning he will be out for at least four weeks. Initial reports state that Allen could be out for 8 to 12 weeks.
Breece Hall will see an uptick in touches, and second-year running back Isaiah Davis could be fantasy relevant as the complement to Hall in the backfield.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans | Out
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 | Out
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.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys | Out
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 | Out
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 | Out
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).
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Out
Mike Evans was officially ruled out on Friday due to the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 3. Tampa Bay’s passing attack will continue to flow through Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin until he is able to return to full health.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders | Out
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.
McLaurin was ruled out on Friday, giving him another week to get healthy and back on the field. Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz will be the biggest beneficiaries in the passing game with Jayden Daniels back under center.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns | Out
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.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers | Out
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.
Canales did state that Coker’s practice window would be opened after Week 6, giving him 21 days to work his way into game shape.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars | Questionable
Bhayshul Tuten was on the Jaguars’ injury report on Thursday due to a shoulder issue. Tuten has worked through this injury recently and has not missed a game, so there is still a good chance he will be active in Week 5.
Tuten logged a limited practice on Friday and should be active for Jacksonville’s Week 5 game.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans | Questionable
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 logged a limited practice on Wednesday, a first step to his return.
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.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans | Questionable
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.
Due to knee and elbow injury designations, Ridley was held out of practice on Wednesday (10/1) and Thursday (10/2). He was able to log a limited practice on Friday, putting him on track to play in Week 5.
Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders | Questionable
Brock Bowers has fought his way through a knee injury he suffered in Week 1. Unfortunately, the second-year tight end went from participating in practice on Wednesday to logging a DNP on Thursday and Friday.
Head coach Pete Carroll made it clear on Friday (10/3) that the team was just giving Bowers an extra day off, and he expects Bowers to be active in Week 5.
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.
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.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins participated only partially in the Texans’ practice on Wednesday (10/1). He is not expected to miss Week 5, but his practice participation must be monitored throughout the week.
Collins did not appear on Houston’s final injury report and is set to have his typical role in Week 5.
Deebo Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders
Deebo Samuel was the focal point of the Commanders’ passing attack without Terry McLaurin in Week 4. Samuel caught six passes for 72 yards and a touchdown and added three carries for nine yards. The veteran receiver was held out of practice on Wednesday due to a heel injury, but was spotted on the field during the open media portion of practice on Thursday.
Samuel did not appear on the team’s final injury report and is set to reprise his role in Week 5.
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.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Michael Pittman Jr. was added to the Colts’ injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury. Midweek injury additions usually are not good, but it is encouraging that Pittman was able to log a limited practice.
Pittman does not appear on the team’s final injury report. He is set to see his typical role in the Colts’ passing attack.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert was held out of practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Goedert previously missed a game this season due to a knee injury, so this could be related to maintenance rather than a new issue. Goedert was able to return to practice on Thursday and does not have an injury designation heading into Week 5.
