NFL Injury Report, Week 5: Latest news, updates for Ja'Marr Chase, Saquon Barkley for fantasy football

Can somebody ask the NFL injury gods to give us a break? Just one week would be nice. Alas, we're into Week 5 of the 2026 season and the injury list continues to be longer than anyone would like. Below is a full list of all the notable injuries with some fantasy football analysis.

Quarterback

Player	Injury	Status	Notes
Lamar Jackson, BAL	Ankle	TBD	Left Week 4 early
Marcus Mariota, WAS	Knee	TBD
Caleb Williams, CHI	Hamstring	Out
Jayden Daniels, WAS	Elbow	TBD
Baker Mayfield, TB	Thumb	Out	Could be out 3-6 weeks

Jackson: The Ravens' QB didn't return after halftime in Week 4 against the Titans and is considered day-to-day. Baltimore is hopeful Jackson will be ready for Week 5's matchup with the Falcons on SNF. Tyler Huntley came on in relief and finished with 63 passing yards and 16 rushing yards. If Jackson is out, it's a downgrade to skill position players like Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. Derrick Henry would maintain value given the volume he could see.

Commanders QBs: Washington could be down Daniels and Mariota, who was diagnosed with an MCL sprain coming out of Sunday's loss. That will likely hold him out of Week 5 against the Giants, which could mean we see a start for Athan Kaliakmanis if Daniels isn't ready to go this week. That would be bad news for the entire Commanders offense, most notably Terry McLaurin (who missed Week 4) and Stefon Diggs.

Running Back

Player	Injury	Status	Notes
Saquon Barkley, PHI	Hamstring	TBD	Left Week 4 early
Tank Bigsby, PHI	Undisclosed	TBD
Kyle Monangai, CHI	Thumb	TBD	Suffered injury late in game
Chris Brooks, GB	Ankle	TBD	Left Week 4 early
Rico Dowdle, PIT	Toe	TBD	Good chance to return in Week 5
Rachaad White, TB	Shoulder	TBD

Barkley: We're awaiting an update on Barkley after he was forced to leave early again on Sunday, this time due to a hamstring injury. It's not considered serious but it could still hold him out Week 5 against the Jaguars in London. If that's the case, Tank Bigsby should see the bulk of the early down work while Will Shipley mixes in on passing downs. Bigsby is a top waiver wire add for Week 5.

Monangai: The Bears RB had a huge Week 4 with 146 rushing yards on 30 carries and two touchdowns for 27.5 fantasy points against the Jets. He picked up the late injury and could pop up on the report out of practice this week. As long as Monangai is healthy, he's a startable flex option with RB1/2 upside. He's got two RB1 finishes through four games this season. If Monangai ends up missing Week 5 against the Packers, D'Andre Swift retains his role as the lead back and a solid RB2 option.

Wide Receiver

Player	Injury	Status	Notes
Ja'Marr Chase, CIN	Concussion	TBD	Left Week 4 early
Justin Jefferson, MIN	Ankle	TBD	Hopeful to return in Week 5
DeVonta Smith, PHI	Hamstring	TBD	Questionable at best for Week 5
Tee Higgins, CIN	Groin	TBD	Exited late in Week 4
Ladd McConkey, LAC	Foot	TBD	Left Week 4 early
DJ Moore, BUF	Shoulder	TBD	Left Week 4 early
Rashee Rice, KC	Hamstring	TBD	Left Week 4 early
Tyquan Thornton, KC	Ankle	Out	Dislocated Ankle, out indefinitely
Terry McLaurin, WAS	Hamstring	TBD
Jalen Coker, CAR	Quad	TBD
Adonai Mitchell, NYJ	Finger	TBD
Pat Bryant, DEN	Leg	TBD	Carted off in Week 4
Keenan Allen, IND	Groin	TBD
Jalen Nailor, LV	Concussion	TBD	Left Week 4 Early
Mack Hollins, NE	Calf	TBD	Left Week 4 early

Bengals WRs: Chase and Higgins each left Week 4 early and their statuses for a dream matchup against Miami are in doubt. Chase will need to clear concussion protocol, which is a bit easier than Higgins, who sustained a groin injury. If both are out, Dohnte Meyers would be thrust into WR1 duties with Mitchell Tinsley likely getting plenty of snaps. Colbie Young was out for Week 4 with a knee injury but could be in the mix if healthy. Meyers is a streamable flex option, while Tinsley would be more of a dart-throw in deeper formats. TE Mike Gesicki would benefit the most if Chase and Higgins sit.

McConkey: Ladd was unable to finish Week 4's loss to the Seahawks due to a foot issue. This is the second ailment for the WR this season; he also is dealing with a rib injury despite being active in each game. If McConkey sits, Tre' Harris benefits the most while Quentin Johnston could inch back into fantasy relevancy. Though, it's tough to trust anyone on the Chargers offense at the moment given Justin Herbert's struggles.

Moore: This is the second time this season Moore was forced to leave a game due to his shoulder injury. After he left, Keon Coleman stepped up again with a big performance (6-116-1) and is going to be a trendy waiver add this week. If Moore is out, Coleman and Khalil Shakir are decent flex plays while Dalton Kincaid could get back to being targeted after a down Week 4.

Chiefs WRs: First, Kansas City lost Rice to a hamstring issue, which could keep him out several weeks, per reports. After that, Thornton took over and was having the game of his life before dislocating his ankle on a 55-yard catch-and-run. As a result, rumors are swirling we could see Tyreek Hill back in K.C. The Chiefs would be down to Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen at wideout, so expect the team to bring someone else in. For now, it's a boost to the already surging TE Travis Kelce and RB Kenneth Walker.

Tight End

Player	Injury	Status	Notes
Dallas Goedert, PHI	Knee	Out

Out for Season/Injured Reserve

Player	Injury	Status
Rickey Pearsall, SF	Knee	Out for season
Jayden Higgins, HOU	Knee	Out for season
Jaxson Dart, NYG	Knee	Out for season
De'Von Achane, MIA	Knee	Out for season
Travis Etienne Jr., NO	Hamstring	IR
Terrance Ferguson, LAR	Ankle	IR
Ja'Kobi Lane, BAL	Wrist	IR
Jordan Mason, MIN	Thumb	IR
De'Zhaun Stribling, SF	Ankle	IR
Omar Cooper Jr., NYJ	Ankle	IR
A.J. Brown, NE	Ankle	IR
Jordyn Tyson, NO	Hamstring	IR
Dylan Sampson, CLE	Knee	IR
David Njoku, LAC	Knee	IR
Charlie Kolar, LAC	Forearm	IR
Jonathon Brooks, CAR	Core Muscle	IR
Alec Pierce, IND	Heel	IR
Jonah Coleman, DEN	Ankle	IR
Jalen McMillan, TB	Knee	IR
Zach Charbonnet, SEA	Knee	PUP List