It's week five, and injuries are taking over the NFL and fantasy football. This week, we have a number of key players at each position expected to miss some time or play through challenging injuries. Fantasy football managers need to fully understand each injury and how they do or don't impacts fantasy stats. Read on below for the NFL week 5 injury updates & fantasy outlooks.

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson

Injury: Hamstring injury

Analysis: Lamar Jackson will miss a few weeks with a right hamstring injury. Jackson has been given a 2-3 week estimated timeframe, which matches a grade II injury where there is true muscle damage and loss of strength and range of motion. These aspects must be restored before he can safely and effectively return. This being his right hamstring is critical as a right-handed thrower pushes off the right leg for power. The hamstring is highly involved in extending the hip during the throwing motion, and the presence of injury can impact throwing power. Obviously, a hamstring injury also would limit Jackson's elite rushing upside. Hamstrings have a 20-30% recurrence rate, a number that is higher than any other soft tissue injury.

Baltimore has a week 7 bye. The safe route would be to sit Jackson until week 8, which would significantly reduce re-injury risk; however, Baltimore is quickly entering must-win territory, which could force Jackson to return before he should next week.

Jayden Daniels

Injury: PCL injury

Analysis: Daniels is expected to return in week 5 after missing two games with a presumed PCL injury on his left knee. The PCL is a passive knee stabilizer, meaning it plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the relationship between the shin and the thigh, which is essential for an athlete's ability to quickly and confidently plant and cut. The PCL also plays a massive role in proprioception, which is the body's ability to know where its limbs are in space without looking. Because of these functions, we often see players look slow in the first few weeks after injury (think Brock Bowers right now).

Fortunately for Daniels, this is his left knee, so it will not affect his throwing as he powers off his right leg, but his rushing upside may be curbed for the next few weeks.

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Baker Mayfield

Injury: Biceps and knee injury

Analysis: Baker is cleared from the injury report and will play. He has been dealing with these injuries for a few weeks, and they haven't impacted his play yet. Expect Baker to continue to look good despite a depleted offense.

Jaxson Dart

Injury: Hamstring injury

Analysis: Dart has been full-go in practice and will play in week 5 after picking up a mild left hamstring injury. Dart's situation differs greatly from Jackson's in a few ways. First, this being Dart's left hamstring means he is not powering through his hamstring for throw power. Secondly, while Dart has some wheels, he is not the same level of a rushing threat as Jackson. Additionally, Dart finished the game on Sunday, indicating his injury is much less severe, and Dart is 22 years old, versus Jackson, who is 28 years old. Yes, that 6-year gap makes an immense difference in healing efficiency.

Re-injury is still a risk, but will be on the lower end of the 20-30% spectrum. Dart still has to prove himself as a reliable fantasy quarterback, but this injury should not hold him back this week.

JJ McCarthy

Injury: High ankle sprain

Analysis: McCarthy will miss his third straight game with a right high ankle sprain. With Minnesota on a bye in week 6, McCarthy will look to return in week 7. Typically, a right high ankle sprain will affect a right-handed quarterback's throw power, but McCarthy will have had 5 weeks to rehab, which should have his ankle stability near normal. We will check in ahead of week 7 for updates on progress and a better projection.

Running Backs

Trey Benson

Injury: Meniscus debridement

Analysis: Benson was placed on the injured reserve after having a meniscus debridement (clean-out) procedure. The typical return to play timeline is 4-6 weeks with no expected drop-off in performance.

A meniscus debridement is when the surgeon removes torn portions of the meniscus that are causing pain and potentially causing the joint to lock or catch. There is no tissue repaired, which allows a quick return to play. The 4-6 week timeline is how long it typically takes to get swelling down and regain full range of motion, strength, and single-leg stability. The debridement is advantageous to a meniscus repair in the short term as it allows the athlete to return in-season, whereas a repair requires a 5-6 months rehab. Long term, however, a meniscus trim increases the risk for early arthritis development. Benson should be able to be productive later this season.

Tyjae Spears

Injury: High ankle sprain

Analysis: Spears is expected to make his debut in week 5, after missing the first quarter of the season with a right high ankle sprain. For a running back, regaining the lost stability from a high ankle sprain is critical. While a high ankle sprain is present and the stability between the tibia and fibula bones is inadequate, it is extremely difficult to quickly and explosively plant and cut to change direction.

If Spears can play, expect that his ankle stability is nearly fully restored. He was observed heavily tapped in practice, which is not necessarily a negative, but a precaution. Running backs average no drop-off in fantasy points in the first game after a high ankle sprain; however, it is recommended that we wait and see how Spears looks before starting. The Titans' offense stinks, and the team may elect to ease Spears back into the lineup, especially with Tony Pollard present.

Bucky Irving

Injury: Foot injury

Analysis: Bucky is out this week with a mid-foot sprain. The mid-foot is one of the most unique joints in the body, as it must literally change shape to adapt to different surfaces and functions. When injured, its ability to assist with normal pronation and supination during walking and running is disrupted, and the ability to quickly plant and cut becomes a great challenge.

Presently, there is no talk of surgery or injured reserve, but Bucky may miss a handful of weeks. Running backs with non-surgical mid-foot injuries average missing two games, which is consistent with the vibe around Bucky right now. The good news is RB's average just a 7% dip in fantasy points in the first game after a mid-foot injury, meaning Bucky will likely be reliable again in a few weeks.

Chuba Hubbard

Injury: Calf injury

Analysis: We discussed in last week's article that calf injuries have a 15-20% recurrence rate. Chuba, unfortunately, is experiencing that right now. Hubbard will miss week 5 after re-injuring his calf. Running backs average missing 1.3 games, and following this setback, expect Carolina to be cautious with rushing Chuba back. He may miss an additional week or two.

Miles Sanders

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Sanders did not practice all week with an ankle and knee injury. The lack of practice makes it unlikely the 6-year veteran will play. RBs average missing 1.2 games and a 7% dip in fantasy points. Right now, Sanders is not a fantasy-relevant option anyway.

Wide Receivers

Nico Collins

Injury: Knee injury

Analysis: Collins no longer has an injury designation. He followed a similar trajectory last week, as the Texans are likely giving their star receiver rest days early in the week. Expect Collins to look just fine this week.

Deebo Samuel

Injury: Heel injury

Analysis: Samuel was able to log a full practice on Friday and will play this week. Heel injuries can be tricky; on one hand, they usually feel fine and can be easily played through after being warmed up. On the other hand, they can nag for long periods of time. Expect Samuel to play well this week, but possibly be back on the injury list next week with the same issue.

Michael Pittman Jr.

Injury: Hamstring Injury

Analysis: Pittman gave a scare on Thursday as he was added to the injury report with a hamstring; however, he returned to full practice on Friday. It's hard to know if Thursday was just a veteran rest day, and a full (not limited) Friday session makes it likely this was the case.

Normally, hamstring injuries impact a receiver's top speed, making it difficult to fully separate; however, if we are gambling on Pittman's Thursday situation being a rest day, he should not be affected at all.

Calvin Ridley

Injury: Knee and elbow injury

Analysis: Ridley is questionable after logging only one limited practice on Friday. The elbow injury is not likely to impact his stat line if he plays, but the knee could be a concern. If Ridley can play,y expect him to be impacted in his ability to quickly get in and out of routes and separate down the field. He is off to a very slow start this season and is likely not worth a start in fantasy anyway.

Terry McLaurin

Injury: Quad / Core injury

Analysis: McLaurin will miss another week with a mysterious quad/core injury. While details are lacking, both the quad and core (or the rectus femoris tendon or sports hernia) can impact a receiver's ability to reach top speeds and cut quickly.

For McLaurin, let's hope he can continue to rehab back to full strength, and we will look out for more details as they emerge.

Xavier Legette

Injury: Hamstring injury

Analysis: Legette is set to return from a hamstring injury. Normally, hamstring injuries can leave receivers lacking their top speed upon return; however, Legette has been full-go in practice this week after nearly playing last week, indicating he is close to full health.

Receivers average missing 1.9 games; Legette just about hits this on the nose with two games missed. Receivers also average a 15% dip in fantasy points in the first game after injury. Legette has not yet proven himself as a viable fantasy option and should be left on the bench/waivers this week.

Marvin Mims

Injury: Hip and ankle injury

Analysis: Mims will play through mild hip and ankle injuries like he did last week. Both injuries impact agility predominantly, with straight-line speed being a secondary impairment. Receivers average no drop-off in fantasy points after a hip injury, but do average a 10% decline after an ankle injury.

Jonathan Mingo

Injury: PCL injury

Analysis: Mingo is questionable to make his debut after missing time with a PCL injury. As mentioned above, with Jayden Daniels, PCL injuries impact a player's ability to quickly plant and change direction. The difference is that Mingo has had over a month to rehab, so his stability and explosiveness should be close to full. If he can play, he may see an immediate opportunity with CeeDee Lamb still out and KaVontae Turpin out, but playing Mingo would be an immense risk as he has never scored an NFL TD or gone for over 69 yards.

Alec Pierce

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Pierce will miss another week as he recovers from a concussion. He will have to pass through the NFL's protocol before returning.

Sterling Shepard

Injury: Foot injury

Analysis: Shepard will play with a mild foot injury. With full practices on Thursday and Friday, this is unlikely to be an injury that will limit Shepard.

KaVontae Turpin

Injury: Foot injury

Analysis: Turpin will miss week 5 with a foot injury. A player like Turpin, who relies on explosive speed and change of direction ability, will be more likely to face challenges when returning from a foot injury than would a player who relies more on size or other skills. It remains to be seen how severe Turpin's foot injury is. We will follow up next week.

Tight Ends

Brock Bowers

Injury: Knee Injury

Analysis: Bowers rested more this week to assist his left PCL injury in fully healing and may miss week 5. Bowers has admitted that his ability to separate is lacking since his injury, which is not a surprise. The PCL is a critical knee stabilizer and has an immense proprioceptive role, meaning that is plays a huge role in the athlete's understanding of where his leg is and his confidence in planting and cutting quickly.

Players often have issues with explosive motions in the first several games after a PCL injury. Bowers' production will improve, but it may take some time. For now, look at your waiver wire. Is there any tight end available that is anything more than touchdown dependent? If the answer is no (it probably is), you continue to start Bowers (as long as he plays).

David Njoku

Injury: Knee injury

Analysis: Njoku has been limited in practice the past two weeks with a mild knee injury, but ultimately has been removed from the injury report. Knee injuries can impact lateral agility, but Njoku's size is a big part of his production. It's unlikely this injury will impact his stat line.

Dallas Goedert

Injury: Knee injury

Analysis: Similar analysis to Njoku above, Goedert has been removed from the injury report and should not see any drop-off in fantasy points from his knee injury.

Taysom Hill

Injury: Multi-ligament knee injury

Analysis: Hill is nearing a return to action following a multi-ligament knee injury in week 12 last season. This is an extremely difficult injury for a 35-year-old to return from, and the fact that Hill's career is not over is a testament to his hard work. If Hill can play, it's unlikely he still has the burst he used to have.

Juwan Johnson

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Johnson is questionable for week 5 after two limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Ankle injuries don't impact tight ends the way they do other positions, as tight ends rely less on quick, agile motions. Tight ends average missing 1.5 games, but see no drop off in fantasy production upon return.