NFL Injury Report: Week 5

1. Andrew Luck (Colts) – Shoulder Injury

Colts at Texans (Thursday, 8:25 ET)

Luck sat out yesterday to nurse a shoulder injury, as Matt Hasselbeck stepped in and helped the Colts win an error-filled game against the Jags. Reports out today indicate Luck is very likely to play on Thursday, as the Colts released one of their backup quarterbacks, Josh Johnson. It will be very interesting to see what Luck's ownership is in Thursday-Sunday tournaments, as many people will play him just because he's Andrew Luck, and to get some exposure to the Thursday game. His injury has been defined as a 'shoulder sublexation,' which apparently isn't as bad as a separation, but it requires sufficient rehab to get better. Luck will have the unenviable task of avoiding J.J.Watt inflicted pain on Thursday night, as you know the Texans will try to hit Luck as much as possible.

2. Lesean McCoy (Bills) - Hamstring

Bills at Titans (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

McCoy missed Sunday's disappointing loss to the Giants at home this past Sunday, and new reports have him missing more time than originally thought. His follow up MRI showed a near tear in his hamstring that could keep him out another 3-4 weeks, or even longer. Karlos Williams was moved into the starting running back role, and he had a nice game fantasy wise, mostly due to a beautiful 23 yard touchdown pass play from Tyrod Taylor. Other than that play, both players struggled to get much going against the Giants, but I love them this week against the Titans. Williams had 21 total touches, which I think is basically his floor going forward with McCoy out. As for Taylor, he had two different touchdown plays called back on some questionable holding calls that could have turned his average fantasy day into a huge one. Williams was the highest owned player in most DFS tournaments this week by a wide margin, and he should be a popular play against a weak Titans run defense.

3. Alshon Jeffery (Bears) – Hamstring Injury

Bears at Chiefs (Sunday, 10:00 AM ET)

It feels like I've been writing about the same guys with the same hamstring injuries, and that trend continues here. Jeffery was again held out of action this past Sunday, and hopefully he'll be ready to go against a porous Chiefs secondary that has been totally gashed through four games. They are ranked 25th in pass coverage by Pro Football Focus (PFF), and have routinely given up big plays in bunches. Jay Cutler returned for the Bears on Sunday, which is an upgrade from Jimmy Clausen, for sure, and a big boost to the passing attack. If Jeffery plays, he's a must start in redraft leagues and a great DFS tournament play. Martellus Bennett had 11 catches and a touchdown Sunday against the Raiders and is Cutler's favorite target when Jeffery is out of the lineup. Those 11 catches came on 13 targets, and Bennett should continue to see a lot of targets with or without Jeffery in the lineup.

4. Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) – Hamstring Injury

Seahawks at Bengals (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

The Seahawks still play tonight against the Lions at home, with Lynch being ruled out yesterday afternoon. Thomas Rawls gets the start, after rushing for 105 yards on 6.5 yards per carry against the Bears last week. It goes without saying, but keep any eye on the Monday Nighter tonight, and if Lynch isn't able to go again next week, Rawls will be a cheap option who should see a lot of carries. Russell Wilson also sees a bump without Lynch in the lineup. Without Lynch against the Bears, Wilson threw the ball 30 times and also had six rushes for 28 yards, all encouraging factors to playing him while Lynch is out. Expect Wilson to have a huge game against the Lions tonight, making it easier for the Seahawks to be patient with Lynch's injury and wait until he is 100%.

5. Lance Dunbar (Cowboys) – ACL/MCL injury

Patriots at Cowboys (Sunday, 4:25 ET)

Dunbar had been a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys this year, as he had 21 catches through the first three games of the season, for an average of over 10 yards per catch. The Cowboys fear he is done for the year, so they will have to rely even more on Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and newly acquired Christine Michael. They should be playing from behind this Sunday against a motivated Patriots team coming off a bye and all of that 'DeflateGate' nonsense. Randle should see the bulk of the workload, even though the Cowboys aren't exactly happy with his carelessness with ball around the goal line against the Saints. The Patriots defense has looked pretty solid thus far, but are only ranked 26th against the run according to PFF. I wouldn't play Randle in cash games, but I think he makes a fine tournament option if the price is right.