Many of the injuries and concerns that haunted us coming into Week 4 look like they will continue to do so into Week 5. While there were no catastrophic new injuries that took place this weekend, several elite players are still dealing with injuries that will affect how you manage your rosters going forward. So without further adieu, here is the next edition of the gridiron walking wounded.
Andrew Luck (QB-IND)
It wasn’t decided until Sunday morning that Luck wouldn’t play, so he seemed to make some progress during the week. The Colts play this Thursday night against Houston so they will need to decide quickly what his status will be for Week 5. Clearly, if he is active then he should be in your lineup. If he does not play, do not even consider Matt Hasselbeck as an alternative. Right now it is 50/50 whether Luck goes or not.
Marshawn Lynch (RB-SEA)
Lynch has been ruled out for Monday night’s game against Detroit with a hamstring injury. The Seahawks made the decision on Sunday after a team walkthrough and decided to not take any chances aggravating the injury any further. Thomas Rawls will get the start in his place and is coming off a 100-yard game against the Bears' poor rush defense. Rawls will be facing a Lions team that ranks No. 6 in total rush defense, although they have given up five rushing scores.
LeSean McCoy (RB-BUF)
McCoy was inactive for this week’s game against the Giants and will likely be out another three to four weeks. His hamstring injury is more serious than expected, although reports have indicated there is no new tear. Karlos Williams will start in his place and instantly becomes a RB1 option.
Stevie Johnson (WR-SD)
Johnson has been very effective since joining the Chargers but was removed from Sunday’s game against Cleveland with a hamstring injury. He suffered the injury while running a route and could not return to the game. Johnson will have an extra day of rest this coming week since San Diego plays next Monday night. Check back during the week for an update on his status for Week 5.
Jordan Reed (TE-WAS)
It was too good to be true not having Reed on the injury report all season. He has a lot of talent and typically produces solid fantasy statistics, but he can never seem to stay healthy. Reed sustained a concussion during Sunday’s win against Philadelphia and will now have to go through the NFL’s concussion protocol. It is safe to assume he won’t be able to play next week but stranger things have happened so monitor his status during the week. It would be unfortunate if he is unable to go in Week 5 because the Redskins will likely be in a shootout against Atlanta.
Lance Dunbar (RB-DAL)
Dunbar had to be carted off the field after sustaining a knee injury on the opening kickoff of the second half in Sunday night’s game against New Orleans. We don’t know the extent of the injury yet but it looked to be pretty serious. You should assume he will be out at least next week and possibly more. Dunbar was a very valuable RB2 or Flex option in PPR leagues as he was arguably Brandon Weeden’s favorite target in the passing game.
Sean Lee (LB-DAL)
Injuries seem to follow the star linebacker as he sustained a concussion during Sunday night’s loss to the Saints. Lee had missed all of 2014 and came back this year with a vengeance. He had a helmet-to-helmet hit early in the game and never returned. Check back during the week and see how he progresses through the concussion protocol. Lee is one of the best IDP players in the league so he will be a big loss if he out for an extended period of time.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),