Fantasy Football: Top 5 injuries to keep an eye on for Week 5

Injuries are part of Fantasy Football, unfortunately. Make sure to adjust your lineups accordingly heading into Week 5.

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) reacts after a play in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Considering the nature of the sport, fantasy football owners suffer their own sort of internal non-physical injuries—for the most part. Any freak injury to any of your players can and probably will decimate your entire team.

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However, the good news is, not to sound like we’re cheering for someone’s injury to happen, but with one man’s opportunity gone, another’s presents itself.

With Week 4 in the books, fantasy owners everywhere are absolutely dismantled or pleased with their performances from the past week. As always, Week 5 should promise to be another good one as we get ready to put last week behind us and prepare for the upcoming one.

Without further ado, here’s an injury report heading into Week 5 fantasy football with the top five injuries to keep an eye on.

Next: 5. The Detroit Lions backfield is spiraling down quickly

Sep 25, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Dwayne Washington (36) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

5. Running Back Dwayne Washington – Detroit Lions

The seventh-round pick in this year’s draft took over the feature-back role once his teammate Ameer Abdullah was placed on injury reserve due to a foot injury.  During the past two weeks, the 22-year-old has rushed for a total of 44 yards on 12 carries, averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt. While the Lions are a pass-heavy offense, when it comes to fantasy owners are always interested in knowing who’s going to get the opportunity.

Having suffered a sprained ankle during their 17-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, the rookie tailback is hopeful that he’s not going to miss any time. However, while he and head coach Jim Caldwell are optimistic about his injury, owners will want to pay attention to the latest developing news.

If he were to miss any time, look for Theo Riddick and Michael Burton to see extended looks for their upcoming games, as they’re the next men up on the depth chart.

Next: 4. A Jaguar that is consistently injured

4. Tight End Julius Thomas – Jacksonville Jaguars

It wasn’t too long when the 28-year-old veteran was catching footballs from future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. However, times have changed.

The man out of Portland State University has had a rather shaky start to his Jacksonville career. In 15 games he’s caught for 603 yards and six touchdowns on 57 catches. He’s been highly targeted (97 times) by quarterback Blake Bortles during his tenure there. However, the issue with Thomas has been a series of injuries, with him most recently missing Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts because of an elbow injury.

Meanwhile, you would think Bortles would target his other tight end Marcedes Lewis, but that hasn’t been the case. Lewis has only been targeted 10 times through four games. Granted he’s caught eight targets for 97 yards and a touchdown, but he hasn’t benefited much from Thomas’ absence.

This leads us to believe that Bortles and company prefer Thomas stature and presence on the field, and will be patient to include him in the offense going forward. This bodes well for fantasy owners as we have seen the high level of production Thomas can provide when healthy. Hang on tight and be patient with Thomas.

Next: 3. This Cardinal is out and likely expendable

Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is helped off the ground by teammates after being injured against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Rams won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

3. Quarterback Carson Palmer – Arizona Cardinals

The No. 1 pick out of USC hasn’t gotten off to the start he and his team have wanted. Standing there at 1-3, and with Super Bowl-aspirations, the Arizona Cardinals will have to turn things around in a hurry.

Unfortunately, Palmer left Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams after suffering a concussion. He was unable to return to the contest and journeyman backup quarterback Drew Stanton was forced to finish the tilt.

The bad news is that on Thursday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers, Palmer is out this week. Due to how concussions are, especially with someone of his age, it might be best to consider him expendable from your lineups as he might never be the same.

For fantasy sake, see if Stanton is available to acquire. He would be entering a favorable matchup as the 49ers have already allowed 998 yards through the air in just four games.

Next: 2. Stay away from this Giant

Sep 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) breaks free for yardage during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

2. Running Back Rashad Jennings – New York Giants

The 31-year-old tailback missed Monday night’s showdown against the Minnesota Vikings due to a thumb injury. Jennings was initially listed as questionable with a chance to play, but until late was ruled out early Monday morning.

With teammate Shane Vereen being placed on injury reserve, we saw the New York Giants give rushing carries to Bobby Rainey, Paul Perkins, and Orleans Darkwa.

Darkwa seems to be ahead of the pact in that group as he received a total of 12 carries for 48 yards and scored a touchdown. Meanwhile, Rainey only rushed four times.

With Vereen being out for an extended time, and the uncertainty of Jenning’s injury, Darkwa is the running back to own from the Giants for the foreseeable future. Granted, we don’t feel confident in starting him, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Next: 1. This Panther will not go down without a fight

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) attempts a pass against Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) and strong safety Keanu Neal (22) in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 48-33. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

1. Quarterback Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers

The former No. 1 overall pick suffered a concussion in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. According to the L.A. Times, his status for Monday Night’s tilt gainst the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is up in the air.

In the same report written by the Associated Press, head coach Ron Rivera told reporters that he spoke to his MVP quarterback after the game, and told him that he’s “fine.” If Newton were to miss any time, quarterback Derek Anderson will get the start.

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Considering that defending NFC champions are off to a terrible start at 1-3, Panthers fans and Newton owners will hope that the extra day of rest will allow the 27-year-old to start under the bright lights on Monday Night Football.