The early rounds of drafts are not going well at all. Dez Bryant (foot) went down in Week 1, Eddie Lacy hasn’t played well at all, the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t having much luck with DeMarco Murray, Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson has basically lost his job, and quarterback Andrew Luck is dealing with a bum shoulder.
Fantasy football waiver wire: Jamaal Charles leads injuries heading into Week 6
Jamaal Charles is out for the season and there were a lot of other injuries from Week 5, too. Here are the fantasy implications.
Sunday gave us the worst blow of all. Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles is out for the year with a torn ACL. His fantasy owners are going to have to figure out how to replace and once again it drives home the point of how important it is to draft a lot of bench backs.
He wasn’t the only one to go down. Here are some of the other injuries from Week 5 and some analysis moving forward.
Quarterback
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
What: Shoulder injury
Analysis: He’s fine and looked awesome on Sunday.
Running back
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
What: Torn ACL, out for season
Analysis: The Chiefs are likely going to use Charcandrick West more than Knile Davis and is the better pickup; this will be a timeshare, though.
Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens
What: Ankle sprain
Analysis: Has a good chance to play in Week 6; not really worth picking up anyone in fantasy unless you’re in a deep league and want Buck Allen
Karlos Williams, Buffalo Bills
What: Concussion
Analysis: He is up in the air for Week 6, which is too bad because he would start and be an RB2; if he’s out there is really no strong pickup.
Matt Jones, Washington
What: Toe sprain, could miss time
Analysis: If he’s out, that would help Alfred Morris improve his very low value
Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos
What: Tweaked hamstring
Analysis: It doesn’t sound serious, but if it is, it would work wonders for C.J. Anderson’s value.
Wide receiver
Steve Smith, Baltimore Ravens
What: Back injury
Analysis: Expected to play in Week 6.
Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
What: Shoulder injury
Analysis: He’s going to be out for a while, which makes Willie Snead a red-hot pickup; Brandon Coleman is solid, too.
Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
What: Both have hamstring issues
Analysis: Randle is less likely to play and there really isn’t a pickup to make here.
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia Eagles
What: Muscle issue in his shin
Analysis: He did not return and could miss time; Josh Huff would be a low-end pickup in 14-team leagues.
* * *
Injuries before Week 4
Quarterback
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
What: Shoulder injury, should be back for Week 6
Analysis: The Colts cut quarterback Josh Johnson, so expect Luck to play against the New England Patriots
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
What: Knee sprain, could miss the rest of October
Analysis: Michael Vick had some ups and downs, but he’s clearly not reliable. This also really hurts Antonio Brown, especially with Martavis Bryant coming back soon.
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
What: Broken collarbone, expected to miss about seven more weeks.
Analysis: Brandon Weeden won’t be an option and the entire passing game is in trouble.
Running back
LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills
What: Aggravated hamstring injury in practice; could miss 3-4 more weeks
Analysis: The biggest injury news of the week happened before Sunday; Karlos Williams is as must-own as it gets even though he’s hurt.
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
What: Hamstring strain, missed Week 4 and 5
Analysis: Thomas Rawls seems like he has the backup role locked up and is worth owning in 12-team leagues; Lynch should be back soon, though.
Wide receiver
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
What: Broken fifth metatarsal in foot, out 10-12 weeks
Analysis: He might be out until the playoffs, so the Dallas passing attack is in trouble.
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
What: Hamstring strain
Analysis: He has been out since Week 1 and is killing his fantasy owners; Marquess Wilson is worth a look in deep leagues.
Charles Johnson, Minnesota Vikings
What: Rib injury, missed Week 4
Analysis: He’s coming off a bye and should play; he hasn’t been worth owning in almost any league and the Vikings pass game has no pickups
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
What: Ankle sprain, week-to-week
Analysis: James Jones and Randall Cobb are eating, but nobody really else is.
DeSean Jackson, Washington
What: Hamstring strain, could be back next week
Analysis: He should be back soon and should be picked up if he’s out there.
Stevie Johnson, San Diego Chargers
What: Hamstring strain
Analysis: He has had a number of hamstring injuries in his career, so he’s likely going to miss time; you’d have to be in a very deep league to add receiver Dontrelle Inman.
Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
What: Calf injury cost him Week 4
Analysis: The Bills passing offense has struggled for two straight weeks.
Nate Washington, Houston Texans
What: Hamstring injury, likely to miss time
Analysis: It looked really bad and he could miss several games; the Texans offense is a lost cause.
Cecil Shorts III, Houston Texans
What: Dislocated shoulder
Analysis: He’s likely out for a long time; the Texans will likely kick the tires on Jaelen Strong now.
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
What: Suffered a setback in pregame warmups in Week 3
Analysis: The rookie receiver will likely be a rookie receiver next year, too. He is unlikely to play this year. Kamar Aiken has been solid and is worth owning.
Victor Cruz, New York Giants
What: ACL tear from last year
Analysis: He can be left on the wire
Eddie Royal, Chicago Bears
What: Anke sprain
Analysis: Royal could be back for next week and might be worth owning, too.
Tight end
Jordan Reed, Washington
What: Suffered a concussion, could miss time; sprained MCL, could miss time; sprained his ankle, could miss time
Analysis: Man, this guy just can’t stay healthy. Derek Carrier is next up, and actually looked good as a desperation TE add.
Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
What: Knee injury, missed Week 4 and 5
Analysis: The 49ers can’t score consistently.
