Injury analysis for week 5 of NFL DFS on FanDuel and DraftKings

Welcome to our weekly injury analysis article! It's an odd week with injuries, with a number of interesting quarterback situations leading things off. Let's have a look.

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Quarterback

Lamar Jackson FD 8900 DK 7900
Opponent CIN
Proj Points FD - 22.07 DK - 22.57

Lamar Jackson has missed back to back practices for the first time in his career, and while he should be ready for Sunday's game against the Bengals, this might be enough for me to just stay away. It's hard to imagine that the Ravens are going to take any risks with their franchise quarterback, especially when he's nursing a knee injury, and this could limit Lamar in the running game in particular. I'm staying away from the Ravens' offense as a result.

Jimmy Garoppolo FD 6700 DK 5500
Opponent MIA
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0

Garoppolo has been trending in the right direction, practicing in a limited fashion throughout the week, but without any brace or other ankle support. To be clear, he is not a play this week regardless, but his presence might been better things for the San Francisco passing game. I have to say, though, that I don't know if it would improve our projections for George Kittle, who popped off last week in Garoppolo's absence.

Update: Garoppolo will be playing this weekend.

Sam Darnold FD 6600 DK 5500
Opponent ARI
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0

Darnold has been ruled out this week, leaving Joe Flacco to steer the offense against the Cardinals. This is almost meaningless for DFS purposes, but deeper sleepers like Jamison Crowder become unplayable with Flacco under center.

Drew Lock FD 6500 DK 5300
Opponent NE
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0

It's a big week for quarterback news, with Drew Lock also potentially returning to action this week against New England. Right now it looks like Brett Rypien will be under center for the Broncos, which would take any Broncos off the table in any format, for me. If Lock were to return I'm not even sure that I'd be interested in this beat up Denver offense in a tough match-up with the Patriots.

Dwayne Haskins Jr. FD 6600 DK 5100
Opponent LAR
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0

While he's not injured, Haskins has lost the Football Team (really?) starting job going into this game against the Rams. We're not quite sure what to make of Kyle Allen, here. While he's not a DFS play in and of himself, he has supported DFS relevant wide receivers in the past (like DJ Moore last year). I think Terry McLaurin is still in play this week as a result.

Running Back

Nick Chubb FD 8000 DK 6500
Opponent IND
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
Kareem Hunt FD 7000 DK 6500
Opponent IND
Proj Points FD - 15.2 DK - 16.71

The Browns' running back situation might be the most interesting one on the board going into week 5. With Nick Chubb on the IR and Kareem Hunt being limited in practice this week, we have a lot of carries from a pretty effective running game to pass around. Hunt is the one we want to dream on, of course. We've seen him be an electric RB1 at times in the past. But honestly, his absence would be more exciting for DFS purposes. D'Ernest Johnson was great on a per-touch basis last week, and if he were to get RB1 level carries he could be an automatic play in cash games.

Update: Kareem Hunt has been cleared to play, and has been called the lead back. It's a great price, and Hunt could honestly be a cash game option.

Joe Mixon FD 6900 DK 6300
Opponent BAL
Proj Points FD - 13.99 DK - 15.4

Mixon had what will likely be one of the best running back performances of the season last week against the Jaguars in week 4, but now he's listed as questionable with a shin injury. While I'd guess he'll play here based on what I've read, his absence would create an automatic cash game play in Giovani Bernard. At $4,600 on FanDuel Bernard would be in all of our lineups.

Raheem Mostert FD 6500 DK 6100
Opponent MIA
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
Mostert has been testing his MCL in practice this week, but he's still considered to be unlikely to play this week against the Dolphins. This is a key situation to monitor, because his absence would open up a huge opportunity to play Jerick McKinnon in cash games. While Jeffrey Wilson is lurking there, McKinnon has been the unequivocal lead back with Mostert out. In a great match-up as a big favorite against the Dolpins I'd be very interesting in capturing the 49ers lead back. If Mostert plays I'd expect it to be a running back by committee at first, in which case the Niners would be a stay away.

Wide Receivers

Calvin Ridley FD 8300 DK 7500
Opponent CAR
Proj Points FD - 15.52 DK - 18.66

Julio Jones FD 8100 DK 6800
Opponent CAR

The wide receiver situation in Atlanta this week has been precarious, with Ridley finally being declared active on Friday after being limited in practice all week. Jones missed practice on Friday, and appears to be trending toward doubtful. If Jones were to sit, Ridley becomes an intriguing play even at these rising price points. You could even speculate on Gage or Zaccheus in big tournaments if Jones sits. If Jones plays, I'll likely just stay away.

Desean Jackson FD 5500 DK 4600
Opponent PIT
Proj Points FD - 0.16 DK - 0.16
Dallas Goedert FD 5500 DK 4400
Opponent PIT
Proj Points FD - 0 DK - 0
Proj Points FD - 12.6 DK - 15.3

With Jackson and Goedert sidelined again, the Eagles passing game is still pretty wide open. Greg Ward led the team in receiving last week, but there wasn't a single decent ball catching option for the Eagles last week. That isn't likely to change against the excellent Steelers defense.

Tight End

Mark Andrews FD 7500 DK 6200
Opponent CIN
Proj Points FD - 11.32 DK - 13.61

Andrews was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday and is currently listed as questionable, but all indications are that he'll suit up against Cinci. He's not a play for me given the issues with both he and Jackson, and his absence really wouldn't move the needle for me much either.

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