Many of the best wide receivers in both the NFL and fantasy football have been dealing with nagging injuries that have left them questionable (or out) more often than not. That won't change heading into Week 5 of the NFL season. Currently, Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, Chris Godwin, and A.J. Brown are all dealing with injuries that have caused them all to miss at least one week this season. Moving forward, fantasy football owners will want to know more about the health of these players, as it will have a big impact on their waiver wire strategy, our Week 5 fantasy WR rankings, and potential buy-low/sell-high trade opportunities for owners trying to win now.
For updates on injured RBs Raheem Mostert, Leonard Fournette, Phillip Lindsay, and more, click here; for news on ailing QBs Cam Newton, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tyrod Taylor and others, go here. For more injury updates on these players and other players across the NFL, check back here and on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Julio Jones injury update
UPDATE: Per ESPN's Vaughn McClure, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said it's "too early to tell" if Jones will play in Week 5. That doesn't sound promising and given that soft-tissue injuries tend to linger, it may be in the best interest of the Falcons to sit Jones until he's close to 100 percent.
While Jones did suit up for the Falcons against the Packers on Monday Night Football after missing a game with a hamstring injury, he battled the ailment throughout the contest and appeared to aggravate the injury late in the first half. As a result, he did not return to action for the Falcons and finished the game with just four catches and 32 yards on the day.
Moving forward, it's tough to know what to expect from Jones. His hamstring clearly isn't 100 percent healthy, and soft-tissue injuries tend to linger. As such, the Falcons may decide to hold him out until he is healthier, especially with their season going nowhere.
In Jones' absence, Calvin Ridley will be the Falcons' top receiver, while Russell Gage and Oladmide Zaccheaus will be the No. 2 and No. 3 options for the team, respectively. Zaccheus is worth scooping off waivers if he's available, as he could be a solid flex play over the next few weeks if Jones can't suit up.
MORE WEEK 5: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Buy-low, sell-high
Is Michael Thomas playing in Week 5?
Last week, Thomas (ankle) returned to practice and was moving around well for the Saints. It seemed that he would have a chance to return, but the team decided to be cautious and think long-term, as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport put it, and held Thomas out of the game.
Ahead of a Week 5 matchup against the Chargers on Monday night, Thomas should at least have a chance to return. He'll have an extra day to prepare for that contest, and his practice status on Tuesday should tell fantasy owners a lot about what his plans for the week are. That said, with the Saints on bye in Week 6, the team could continue to take a cautious approach and have Thomas sit and take the week off to get healthier, much like what the Packers did with Davante Adams on Monday night against the Falcons.
If Thomas doesn't play against the Chargers, Tre'Quan Smith will have a lot more value as a potential WR3 after catching two TDs against the Lions. The Chargers are a tougher matchup, but they just let the Buccaneers drop 38 points on them, so Smith would certainly be a starter-worthy replacement for Thomas and should be targeted on the waiver wire by Thomas' owners.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Chris Godwin playing on Thursday night?
UPDATE: The Bucs have officially declared Godwin OUT for Thursday Night Football against the Bears, according to their injury report.
Godwin (hamstring) didn't practice at all last week for the Bucs ahead of their game against the Chargers and was declared out early in the week. With a quick turnaround facing Godwin and the Bucs for a Thursday night game against the Bears, it seems unlikely that he will play in Week 5. The Bucs' estimated practice report confirmed that suspicion, as the Bucs had Godwin listed as a non-participant for Monday's practice.
If Godwin can't play, Scotty Miller would be the next man up at receiver for the Bucs. Miller has been battling a hip injury, but his malady seems less serious than Godwin. If Miller is the Bucs' No. 2 receiver, he can be started as a flex despite being in a tougher matchup vs. Chicago.
Rob Gronkowski and Cameron Brate could also see an uptick in targets if Godwin out, especially when coupled with the absence of TE O.J. Howard (Achilles').
A.J. Brown injury update
Brown (knee) was questionable for the Titans' Week 4 game against the Steelers that was postponed due to COVID concerns. Now, after a bye week, he is ready to return after two missed games.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Brown is expected to suit up in Week 5 against the Bills. Barring any setbacks, he'll return as the Titans' No. 1 receiver and will be a borderline WR2 despite a tough matchup with Tre'Davious White.
Brown's return won't take away too much from either Corey Davis or Jonnu Smith, as they'll still be heavily targeted by Ryan Tannehill thanks to the potential absence of Adam Humphries, who is on the COVID list. If Humphries can't play on Sunday, Brown and Smith are both must-starts, while Davis is a possible flex.
