Top five NFL injuries and contingency plans for Week 5

Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle sprain) @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Date/Time: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 4, threatening his availability in Week 5.

According to Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) Edwin Porras’ The injury [Pro]A fantasy football podcastThis is the third time Taylor has injured his right ankle. His previous injuries include a lower ankle sprain in October 2022 and an upper ankle sprain in December 2022. DPT Porras also notes: “NFL running backs of this caliber, since 2014…34.0.” [percent miss] zero to one games…50.0 percent of the sample misses two or more games.”

NFL Networks Ian Rapoport Taylor has reportedly been diagnosed with a mild upper ankle sprain, suggesting Taylor has a good chance of getting into the 34.0 percent player pool that doesn’t miss any time. If he’s active, the game is at risk of a setback, although he can be started as a high-end RB2.

The Jacksonville Jaguars run defense is exploitable. Jacksonville linebacker Foyesade Oluokun is on injured reserve. Linebacker Devin Lloyd (knee) and star edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen (concussion) missed practice on Wednesday before practicing on a limited basis on Thursday.

Jacksonville’s run defense has missed the 12th-most tackles (19) and ranks 14th in Expected Points Added (EPA) allowed per play (-0.115).

No. 2 running back Trey Sermon will be a volume-based RB2 if Taylor misses the game and a touchdown-dependent flex option if Taylor is active.
Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) and RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) vs. Cleveland Browns
Date/Time: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. Eastern
The Washington Commanders’ No. 1 running back, Brian Robinson Jr. (knee), remains out after two practices in Week 5. No. 2 running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) participated fully in practice Thursday but must remain asymptomatic to pass the concussion protocol. Washington Commanders No. 3 running back Jeremy McNichols should be used in all formats.

Washington’s running backs have totaled at least 22 touches in all four games this season and have totaled 29 or more twice.

Ekeler totaled six, 11, and five combined rushing attempts and targets in Weeks 1-3, respectively, before missing the latter contest due to a concussion. Ekeler is now 29 years old and has returned from a brain injury. He’s unlikely to get more than 10-for-12 intended touches, even with Robinson inactive.

McNichols has a chance to match Ekeler’s intended touch count, even though the Cleveland Browns’ run defense ranks 11th in EPA per play. Linebacker Jordan Hicks (ribs, elbows and triceps) is not expected to play this week.

When Ekeler is active, both he and McNichols are volatile RB2/3 backup options. If Ekeler were inactive, McNichols would be a volume-based, low-end RB2.
Buffalo Bills WR Khalil Shakir (ankle) @ Houston Texans
Date/Time: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Buffalo Bills slot receiver Khalil Shakir recorded consecutive “non-participation” practice designations earlier in the week. DPT Jeff Mueller expressed concerns about a potential lawsuit High ankle sprain after watching the Week 4 game against the Baltimore Ravens in which Shakir was injured.

According to DPT Porras Guide to Injury Prone DesignsFor wide receivers suffering from a high ankle sprain, the in-season recurrence rate is 16.0 percent, although 44.0 percent of wide receivers miss no time.

If Shakir can get fit on Sunday, there is a risk of a setback in the game. Fantasy managers should consider him as a volatile flex option for the occasion.

Buffalo’s rookie perimeter wide receiver Keon Coleman quietly leads the team with nine first-read targets, and the Houston Texans’ secondary is allowing the 13th-most yards per coverage snap allowed to perimeter wide receivers (8.85 ). Houston’s edge rush may also be short-handed as Nos. 3 and 4 edge rushers Derek Barnett (shoulder) and Jerry Hughes (hip) are both logging Didn’t participate Exercise names on Thursday.
New York Giants WR Malik Nabers (concussion) and WR Wan’Dale Robinson (heel) @ Seattle Seahawks
Date/Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Eastern
New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is unlikely to approve the NFL’s concussion protocol. unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. New York slot receiver Wan’Dale Robinson was limited both days by a heel injury.

If Nabers is active, fantasy managers should use him as the WR1.

Details regarding Robinson’s heel injury are currently unknown, although his ability to practice on a limited basis is at least somewhat reassuring. With Robinson active and Nabers inactive, Robinson will likely lead the team in targets by a comfortable margin. His 37 targets in Weeks 1-4 rank fifth among NFL wide receivers.

Unfortunately, Robinson can only be started as a points-per-reception (PPR) WR3 ground game. The Seattle Seahawks dominate opposing slot receivers, ranking second in yards per coverage snap allowed (3.45) and first in explosive pass rate allowed (0.0 percent). The unit’s 16th-ranked catch rate of 68.2 percent suggests Robinson can maintain his efficient catch rate of 70.3 percent.
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson (ankle) @ Los Angeles Rams
Date/Time: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. Eastern
The Green Bay Packers’ No. 1 wide receiver Christian Watson will not play this week after likely suffering a Week 4 injury High ankle sprain. The development moves No. 4 wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks into the starting lineup. He is a WR3 with WR1 on top. No. 5 wide receiver Bo Melton deserves deep league consideration.

Los Angeles’ wide receiver coverage unit ranks last among NFL teams in both EPA allowed per game (.479) and yards allowed per coverage snap (9.47).

Among Green Bay’s four wide receivers with at least 25 receiving snaps, Wicks ranks first and/or first in both target rate (26.7 percent) and missed tackles forced (five).

Melton acts as a highly effective situational deep threat. Among six Green Bay wide receivers with at least 100 receiving snaps from Week 1, 2023 to Week 4, 2024, Melton leads in both target rate (28.7 percent) and yards per route run (YPRR, 2.69). first and second in average depth of target (15.7) and catch rate (65.5 percent). With qualified aDOT leader Watson (16.2) out, fantasy managers should expect Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur to set up a few downfield shots for Melton.