Despite the general unpopularity of early bye weeks, some teams benefited from the early break in that their starters got an extra week of healing time. For the Philadelphia Eagles it means Donovan McNabb will return from his broken rib and Brian Westbrook will be back in the lineup after resting his ailing ankle. Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner got an opportunity to rest his sore throwing shoulder, Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart was able to let his sore Achilles take a breather and the Atlanta Falcons saw running back Jerious Norwood return to practice after missing time with his second concussion this year. Other teams who played in Week 4 saw some additions to their injured list and are being forced to make adjustments in Week 5.
As a reminder, each Friday teams are required to report injury designations for all players appearing on the injury report in anticipation of player status for the upcoming weekend. It's always easier when you know in advance that a player is not going to play. To help you out with that, key fantasy players listed Friday as "Out" for this week's games appear as a group at the end of the blog. But as is often the case, the availability of some of the most notable fantasy players remains undecided heading into game time. That said, we take a look here at what we know about injuries heading into Week 5.
Notably, the players for Chicago, Green Bay, New Orleans and San Diego all have byes this week and are omitted from this report.
Good luck in Week 5, everyone! May your players stay healthy and win for you.
QUARTERBACKS
Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles (P): Coach Andy Reid stated early in the week that McNabb would start, so there is little doubt that he will be back under center this week. He will be spelled intermittently in that position by Michael Vick so the Eagles can explore their creative side, but McNabb, despite not being quite 100 percent recovered, expects to play without restrictions. McNabb will wear a flak jacket for extra protection, but after practicing fully all week he has shown that he is ready.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks, (P): After easing back into some limited practice, Hasselbeck practiced fully Friday and, as his designation suggests, is ready to start for the Seahawks on Sunday. Hasselbeck reportedly looked progressively sharper in practice as he got his groove back, but the challenge for the Seahawks' ailing offensive line will be to provide him with adequate protection.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (Q): Despite the Lions' unwillingness to disclose any information about their injured No. 1 draft pick, the signs do not point to Stafford playing this week. According to multiple reports, Stafford suffered a patellar subluxation in Week 4, an injury he had previously suffered in high school. On Tuesday I detailed the nature of this injury and the challenges it presents when trying to return to play.
Stafford did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and although he returned to limited practice Friday, it is unclear just how much he did or whether he was able to run. The Lions have already indicated they will not announce whether Stafford or Daunte Culpepper will start until Sunday. For fantasy owners, is there really any reason to wait to secure an alternate signal-caller? After all, the Lions are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers and are undoubtedly in for a long day.
Eli Manning, New York Giants (Q): Manning is dealing with a painful condition known as plantar fasciitis, and Tuesday I suggested this could result in a game-time decision. As it turns out, that is exactly the case, but there are certainly signs that Manning is going to try to go, barring a Sunday morning setback. After sitting out practice for treatment Wednesday and Thursday, Manning was back in practice in a limited fashion Friday, taking about half of the snaps with the first team. ESPN's NFC East blogger Matt Mosley reported after Friday's practice coach Tom Coughlin said he was "encouraged" by how Manning looked, adding "If the medical people think he can play, then he will play."
Manning's biggest challenge is likely to be maintaining his normal mechanics despite the presence of pain, something that could worsen as the game progresses. Teammate David Carr, who would fill in if Manning is unable to go, seemed to think Manning was likely to take the reins Sunday based on how he looked. Regarding Manning's sore foot, Carr noted, "He wasn't favoring it, and that was a good sign. I watched his dropback to see if he could push off it. I wanted to see if he could do it and he looked fine. I don't want to not be prepared in case I have to go, but I think Eli will go."
Be sure to check the Sunday morning inactives, but it sounds like Manning is making plans to face the Oakland Raiders.
Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams, (Q): Although Bulger has resumed some throwing with his bruised right shoulder, the Rams still worry about the potential of a setback if he sustains repeated hits. Consequently, Kyle Boller is expected to make his second straight start here, and he will have to face the Vikings' aggressive pass rush.
Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers (P): Although Favre is on the injury report with three body parts listed (foot, knee, ankle), by now we know his leg would literally have to be falling off for him not to play. Favre's probable designation confirms the Vikings' plan to start him Sunday. The limited practice all week is no doubt their means of protecting their quarterback, who celebrated his 40th birthday this week. Many happy returns, Brett.
RUNNING BACKS
Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles (P): He's baaaaaack. Westbrook missed time with a sprained ankle (his post-surgical ankle) and then rested up during the bye week. He proved he is ready to go by practicing all week. The only question is how much he touches the ball as opposed to rookie LeSean McCoy. Although McCoy has been quick to emphasize Westbrook is still the main man in Philadelphia, the Eagles have already shown they will balance the workload so as not to overdo it for the veteran Westbrook. Nonetheless, a well-rested Westbrook facing Tampa Bay is enticing.
Marion Barber (P), Dallas Cowboys: Barber played in Week 4, was a full participant in practice all week and is listed as probable. Although his quad may still be on the mend, Barber has provided enough proof that he is ready to go and will start for the Cowboys against the Chiefs on Sunday. Last week Barber was forced to sit out the majority of the second half when his quad tightened up, and with a healing muscle strain that is always a possibility. Nonetheless, another week under his belt makes it less likely for that to occur, and Tashard Choice will move to second in the running back order this week. Fantasy owners can still expect Choice to see the field, but not as much as last week.
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns, (Q): After missing two weeks with a hamstring injury, Lewis was able to return to practice this week. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday, but was able to fully participate Friday according to the official NFL injury report. It's worth noting that the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Lewis was still limited in Friday's practice. Either way, it does not appear he is fully recovered, especially given that his status remains questionable. It sounds as if he will get the start barring a setback, but there could be a division of labor between Lewis and Jerome Harrison.
Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts, (Q): Addai appeared on the Thursday practice injury report with a hand injury, although the specifics of the problem are unknown. Addai practiced fully Friday, yet the Colts have him listed as questionable, suggesting there is some concern about his hand heading into Sunday. Fantasy owners who picked up Donald Brown may see him with an increased role this week. This is a night game, so fantasy owners may have to roll the dice early, but Brown has managed to get some work each week. Expect that his touches will only stay the same or go up in Week 6, depending on Addai's status.
Ahmad Bradshaw, New York Giants, (P): Bradshaw was listed as probable because of the foot and ankle in Week 4, and went on to start -- and finish -- the game. It appears he will do the same this week. The probable designation tells us the Giants expect him to play Sunday, and they may well be running quite a bit.
Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions, (P): Smith suffered a shoulder injury in Week 3 but managed to play in Week 4. After practicing fully all week, he heads into Week 5 listed as probable, which is better than the "questionable" tag he had this time last week. Expect Smith to be on the field for the Lions.
Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers, (Q): A week of rest can only have helped Stewart's ongoing Achilles issue. Although he is listed as questionable, he is expected to play. We have said since the start of the season this would likely be a symptom management issue for Stewart and the Panthers through the season, and limiting practice time is one means of helping manage the condition. Barring a setback Sunday, expect him to be available as the No. 2 back.
Derrick Ward, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (P): After missing last week's contest with a knee injury sustained in Week 3, Ward has been able to practice fully all week, and is looking as if he will be available for this week's game. It is worth noting that Carnell "Cadillac" Williams resumed his starting role in Week 4 and is going to keep it for the foreseeable future. Ward would be the No. 2 back in Week 5, a week in which the Buccaneers may well be throwing the ball often to play catch-up to the high-scoring Philadelphia Eagles.
Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals, (P): Benson was out of practice with a hip ailment Wednesday and Thursday but was back full-bore Friday. His probable designation indicates the team is not concerned about his availability for Sunday.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jerricho Cotchery, New York Jets, (Q): Cotchery strained a hamstring during Thursday's practice and did not practice Friday. If you're a regular reader you know my concern meter goes up when a player's practice time goes down late in the week. We know how tough hamstring strains can be on wide receivers. Good thing the Jets recently secured Braylon Edwards. He may find himself seeing plenty of action Monday night.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, (P): Johnson took a helmet to the thigh in Week 4 and was held out of practice Wednesday as a result. His condition appears to have improved as the week has progressed, and although he was limited in practice Thursday and Friday, he is expected to play Sunday against Pittsburgh. If he still has soreness in the thigh he may not be quite at full speed.
Derrick Mason, Baltimore Ravens, (P): Mason probably set off some fantasy alarms again this week when he missed Wednesday practice with a neck ailment. Although he remained limited Thursday and Friday, his probable designation suggests the Ravens expect him to play and the injury does not appear serious.
Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans, (P): Washington suffered a concussion late in the Week 4 game, but appears to have recovered quickly as he was a full participant in practice throughout the week. He is expected to play against the Colts, and the question is, will he score a touchdown for the fourth week in a row?
Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals, (Q): Breaston is no stranger to the injury report as he has been on the mend from a PCL sprain since the start of the season. The Cardinals have held him to limited workouts and he has largely been able to play and perform well on Sundays as a result. Following the rest of a bye week, it does appear Breaston will take the field in Week 5, but he has been a late scratch before. This is a late game, so fantasy owners should take that uncertainty into consideration.
Donnie Avery, St. Louis Rams, (Q): Avery, who suffered from a foot fracture early in the season but healed quickly, is now facing a hamstring injury which may keep him out in Week 5. Avery was limited in practice all week and is likely to be a game-time decision. The Rams are hurting at the receiver position, having already lost Laurent Robinson for the season, and with Keenan Burton also dealing with a strained hamstring. Probably best for fantasy owners to look elsewhere for receiver help.
Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, (Q): This was my assessment before Week 4: "Bryant is still pressing forward with his post-surgical knee. He did play last week and practiced on a limited basis throughout this week, all of which would suggest that he plays. As per usual, the coaches will want to assess how Bryant looks in the warmup activities before deciding, so be sure to check pregame inactives." And it hasn't changed much before Week 5. Bryant is not yet 100 percent, which we know because the team continues to limit him in practice. But each week does afford some more recovery, so expect him to continue to trend upward.
Wes Welker, New England Patriots, (Q): Welker was able to play in Week 4 and catch six passes. After being limited in practice all week and again listed as questionable, his status is similar heading into Week 5. Signs point to him playing again this week, but it may come down to pregame warm-ups.
Out: This space is intended for a list of key fantasy players, not including those who have been moved to injured reserve status, who are officially listed as "Out" for the upcoming game.
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers: This is not a surprise, as the 49ers announced Gore suffered ankle injuries in Week 3 that will keep him out until at least Week 7 (the 49ers have a Week 6 bye).
Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis Colts: The timetable for his return remains uncertain, but it will not come before Week 7 (the Colts have a Week 6 bye). Once Gonzalez is able to return to practice it will likely take some additional time to get back to game form.
Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys: It's very simple. Felix Jones did not practice all week as he continues to recover from his PCL sprain and was very unlikely (doubtful) to play. With the Cowboys getting a bye in Week 6, it was not unexpected that Jones would sit this week out as well. Late Saturday it was made official when Jones did not travel with the team to Kansas City.
Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots: Taylor ended up in surgery after suffering an eversion sprain of his right ankle (in which the ankle rolls so the sole of the foot points outward, away from the body). The Patriots still carry some hope of him returning this season (hence no move to place him on IR just yet) but the recovery is at least six to eight weeks. Fantasy owners, look elsewhere. Sammy Morris should see an uptick in workload here.
Correll Buckhalter, RB, Denver Broncos: Buckhalter had been the most productive running back in Denver, but unfortunately he is no stranger to injuries. Although this latest setback, an ankle sprain, is less serious than some of his past ailments, this may be the beginning of Knowshon Moreno's turn as a starter in Denver.
Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders: McFadden suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee in Week 4 and has already undergone surgery to address the problem. His recovery has been estimated at two to four weeks, but players rarely return to competition before four. It appears Michael Bush will get the nod at starter in Oakland in the interim.
Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Last week at this time there was still hope Parker might be able to suit up Sunday. This week started out with Parker sounding doubtful about his ability to play. Turf toe is nothing to sneeze at, and can indeed sideline a running back for multiple weeks, especially if it is not protected early on. Rashard Mendenhall had a good game in Parker's absence in Week 4 and gets the start again this week.
Roy Williams, WR, Dallas Cowboys: Despite Williams' suggestion that he would be ready to go Sunday, there is no way to speed up the painfully slow process of healing rib cartilage. In fact, this is an injury that could cause Williams pain, at least intermittently, throughout the season. He was unable to practice all week, and with a bye coming up in Week 6, resting now makes the most sense for the long haul. Coach Wade Phillips had already indicated that Miles Austin would start opposite Patrick Crayton if Williams was unable to play. Now the lineup switch is official.
See you at the injury chats (Tuesday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday pregame, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.). Be sure to check out Fantasy Football Now on Sundays at ESPN.com and on ESPN2 from 11:30 a.m. EST to kickoff for last-minute inactives, rankings and more!
Stephania Bell
