We have made it to another Friday as we look into what injury statuses we need to keep an eye on going into the Sunday/Monday games for NFL Week five! Let’s see what we have.
Mike Thomas WR, NO (Ankle) –
There really hasn’t been much reporting as far as how close or the likelihood of Thomas returning for Week five, however, it was noted that he was a limited participant in practice all week so far, and with the Saints not having a game until Monday night, this could easily give him the extra time needed to make a Week five return! We will keep an eye on his progress, but the signs are pointing up at least!
Calvin Ridley ATL, AR (Thigh/Knee) –
Ridley put up a total dud in the Falcon’s Week four match against the Packers in Lambeau, but that is just a tough environment to play in, and he was blanketed quite nicely by Jaire Alexander . Ridley is still reported to be dealing with his thigh and knee issues that has kept his status in question for two weeks in a row now, but Ridley has practiced in limited participation, so we can likely bank on Ridley being on the field for the Bird’s match against the Panthers on Sunday.
Julio Jones ATL, WR (Hamstring) –
Julio has yet to make any attempts to practice so far this week, but it is being reported by Head Coach Dan Quinn that Jones would do some tests with some running and cutting drills to see how the hamstring reacts on Friday. This will likely still keep Julio stamped with the questionable tag heading into the weekend, but we have seen this same ole song and dance many a time with Julio where he still ends up playing after having the Q-tag all week and weekend. There is no guarantee however, and we will continue to monitor his status heading into Sunday for any improvements.
Kareem Hunt RB, CLE (Groin) –
It doesn’t seem to really be a severe injury by any means here with the groin for Hunt, however, with him being hit with the questionable tag, we still have to pay attention to it. Hunt did play through this same injury in the Brown’s Week four tilt with the Cowboys, so likely the Browns are just being cautious with Hunt at the moment, see as how they are already down their starting running back in Nick Chubb for a few weeks. Would fully expect Hunt to be fine for Sunday.
Joe Mixon RB, CIN (Shin) –
Mixon was added to the injury report on Thursday with what is being reported as a shin injury after he was only able to practice in limitation for that day of practice. He was also limited in Friday’s practice session as it was just reported, and this will rise some concern for Mixon heading into the Bengal’s already tough match up against the Ravens on Sunday. With Mixon popping on the injury report so late in the week, and now limited both Thursday and Friday, we will definitely have to keep an eye on his status for Sunday over the weekend.
Mark Andrews TE, BAL (Thigh) –
Another player that didn’t hit the injury report until Thursday of this week was Mark Andrews . Obviously, it seems he sustained this injury while practicing and it kept him limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. This could mean that the Ravens are just keeping the workload of practice off of him for the end of the week to make sure he is at least as close to 100% as possible heading into their Week five match with the Bengals, but it is worth monitoring to see if his status worsens for any reason.
Raheem Mostert RB, SF (Knee) –
Lots of optimism or both Mostert and Jimmy G on their potential returns to the field for Week five. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan reported that both were back at practice for the Niners on Friday, and this should provide some good signs for the availability for both. Mostert had been limited in practice for most of the week, but it seems that his progress is trending in the right direction.
Darren Waller TE, OAK (Knee) –
Waller was limited at practice this week but reports on his status are saying that there is likely not much danger, if any at all, that Waller could potentially miss the Raider’s Week five match against the Chiefs. We can more than likely expect mainly the same report on his limited practicing on Friday, as the Raiders likely are looking to ease his workload while dealing with the knee, but either way, I think we can likely support the idea that Waller will play Sunday.
Jared Cook TE, NO (Groin) –
Cook missed the Saint’s Week four match against the Lions, and since then Cook has been limited in practice all week, including for Friday’s session as it was just reported. We will look to see what the reports out of practice say for Cook on Saturday, as if he does not improve, he could likely be looking at potentially game-time call with possibly missing his second straight game. We will continue to monitor his status over the weekend, as the Saints don’t play until Monday night.
DeSean Jackson WR, PHI (Hamstring) –
He was able to practice in a limited fashion in the two Eagle practice sessions, but he was eventually ruled OUT.
Carlos Hyde RB, SEA (Shoulder) –
Hyde was limited once again all week after missing the Seahawk’s Week four game against the Dolphins. Obviously, it was stated and reported by Head Coach Pete Carroll that Hyde would NOT take any contact drills in practice this week earlier in the week, so this could point to the issue of Hyde’s shoulder being a bit more severe than expected. He is slapped with the questionable tag heading into the weekend, and he is more likely looking at missing his second-straight game if he is not able to get a full practice in by Saturday.
Mike Williams WR, LAC (Hamstring) –
Williams is still dealing with a hamstring issue that kept him off the field for the Charger’s Week four clash against the Buccaneers. Williams sustained the injury in the Charger’s Week three match against the Panthers and reports out of Charger’s practice for Thursday was the he was NOT able to take the practice field. It was just reported that Williams was also not available for Friday’s practice session and it is looking more likely that Williams will sit for a second-straight week for the Chargers.
Breshad Perriman WR, NYJ (Ankle) –
Perriman was NOT included in the Jet’s Thursday practice, and although it hasn’t been reported yet for his status in Friday’s practice, we can likely veer to the side of non-participant. This obviously does not bode well for Perriman’s status heading into the weekend, and the Jet’s game on Sunday against the Cardinals. We can somewhat safely say that Perriman will likely NOT take the field on Sunday with the on-going ankle ailment.
Jimmy Garoppolo QB, SF (Ankle) –
Great news as mentioned in the Mostert bit, both of these guys were back at practice for the Niners on Friday. This obviously presents tons of good signs and optimism for both of these guy’s possible return to the playing field as the Niners play host to the Dolphins on Sunday in San Francisco. It hasn’t been officially labeled as a full return, but all the signs out of practice are good ones so far this week as of at this point.
Sam Darnold QB, NYJ (AC Joint) –
It has already been deemed that Darnold won’t take the field for the Jets in their game against the Cardinals on Sunday, but the bigger question now is how long will Darnold be shelved? With him already being ruled out for this week, this could present the fact that his shoulder injury is a bit more severe than we thought. We will obviously monitor his status heading into Week six, but as for now, Smokin’ Joe Flacco will be the Jets quarterback for at least one week.
Drew Lock QB, DEN (Shoulder) –
Head Coach Vic Fangio stated Friday that Lock could once again possibly take the field for the Bronco’s game on Monday against the Patriots. This also comes at a good time, as this game was moved back from Sunday to Monday night now, and this will allow an extra day for Lock to present a good case for his return. We will watch his status heading into the Bronco’s Monday night game over the weekend.