Week 5 has come and gone, and while it may soon be illegal to shoot a dirty look in the direction of a quarterback, football remains a dangerous game for the other 21 players on the field.
With bye weeks entering the equation this week, some teams will have a chance to heal up before making a push for the postseason:
Arizona Cardinals Injuries
Running back James Conner sat out the second half of the Cardinals’ loss on Sunday due to a rib injury.
Kliff Kingsbury didn’t have much of an update on Monday, but did tell reporters they’re being “very cautious” right now. With Darrel Williams also out with a knee injury, Eno Benjamin was the only healthy running back to finish the game.
Benjamin averaged just 3.1 yards per carry, but did contribute three catches for 28 yards and an 11-yard touchdown run,
Atlanta Falcons Injuries
The Falcons’ top two pass-catchers are banged up right now. Kyle Pitts was inactive on Sunday due to a hamstring injury and Drake London went down late in the contest with an ankle injury.
The team didn’t have an update on either guy following the game, but it was a disappointing afternoon for London who had just 35 yards despite leading the team with seven targets.
Pitts has just 10 catches for 150 yards this season after gaining over 1000 yards as a rookie.
Baltimore Ravens Injuries
The Ravens placed safety Marcus Williams on the Injured Reserve on Monday. John Harbaugh told reporters on Sunday that the 2022 free-agent signing will miss “significant time.”
Williams has three interceptions this season and was replaced by Geno Stone, although rookie first-round pick Kyle Hamilton could also factor into the equation.
Hamilton hasn’t played more than 16 snaps since Week 2, although 68 of his snaps this season have come at free safety. Opposing quarterbacks are 7-8 for 115 yards and two touchdowns when targeting him this season.
Buffalo Bills Injuries
With just three healthy receivers, the Bills still managed to pass for 424 yards in their win over the Steelers.
Things don’t seem to be looking up for the Bills’ receiving corps either with Jamison Crowder on the IR and Isaiah McKenzie still in concussion protocol.
Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir had huge games, contributing 171 and 75 receiving yards respectively with Davis adding two touchdowns and Shakir scoring one.
Carolina Panthers
The first game of the Steve Wilks era will be quarterbacked by P.J. Walker after Baker Mayfield suffered a sprained ankle in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers.
Walker, Rhule’s quarterback at Temple, is undefeated as a professional quarterback, going 7-0 in his career dating back to the XFL.
Accuracy has been an issue for the former Owl in the NFL, he’s completed just 57% of his throws and has tossed eight interceptions and just two touchdowns.
Still, in two NFL starts, Walker has completed over 70% of his throws in each game and the Panthers have won both by three possessions.
Chicago Bears Injuries
The Bears have a quick turnaround this week, playing the Commanders on Thursday Night Football. On Monday, only reserve linebacker Matthew Adams was an estimated non-participant on the practice report.
Chicago did get David Montgomery back on Sunday, but he struggled in the running game, picking up 20 yards on 12 carries. However, he did catch four passes for 62 yards in the loss, earning 12 more total touches than Khalil Herbert.
Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams is day-to-day after he suffered a knee injury on Sunday night against the Ravens.
The former first-round pick has struggled this season, allowing four sacks and 15 total pressures through five games. He was replaced by Hakeem Adeniji, who previously made five starts at left tackle back in 2020.
The Bengals’ protection has been an issue this season even when healthy, they currently rank 28th in pass block win rate.
Cleveland Browns Injuries
Denzel Ward is in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury on Sunday. We won’t get a better idea of his condition until later in the week.
Rookie third-round pick Martin Emerson filled in for Ward against the Chargers and allowed two catches for just eight yards while also adding a pass breakup.
Emerson might stay in the starting lineup if Ward is out, even with Greedy Williams designated to return from IR. Williams has missed all season with a hamstring injury and the Browns coaching staff told reporters last week they want to “ease him in” to their defensive scheme.
Dallas Cowboys Injuries
It remains to be seen whether Dak Prescott will be active for the Cowboys’ Sunday night matchup against the Eagles, but the team will test his surgically-repaired thumb this week in practice.
Prescott is still a long shot to play this week, Mike McCarthy previously has said he wants the quarterback to go through a full week of practice before he sees live action.
Cooper Rush has completed 61% of his passes in his four starts this season, and perhaps more crucially, has yet to turn the ball over.
Denver Broncos Injuries
It was reported following the Broncos’ loss on Thursday night that Russell Wilson had an injection to alleviate pain on a partially torn lat near his throwing shoulder.
Wilson has apparently been dealing with this injury for the last two weeks and his accuracy has certainly suffered, his 59.4 completion percentage is the lowest of his career.
On the defensive side of the ball, Ronald Darby was lost for the season to a torn ACL. Rookie Damarri Mathis could get his first NFL start this week after being torched in Week 5.
Mathis was targeted by Matt Ryan nine times and allowed nine completions.
Detroit Lions Injuries
The Lions enter their bye week hoping they can get some of their offensive playmakers healthy after their shutout loss to the Patriots.
D’Andre Swift has missed two games, but that was planned by Dan Campbell after Week 3, so expect him to be back on the practice field sometime next week.
Cornerback Savion Smith suffered a scary injury on Sunday and was taken off the field in an ambulance, however he was discharged from the hospital and sent home with the team. He’s currently in concussion protocol.
Green Bay Packers Injuries
Rookie receiver Christian Watson left Sunday’s game in London with a hamstring injury and never returned.
It’s been a rough go of it for the North Dakota St. prospect so far, he has just five catches for 18 yards in his last three games and was relegated to kick return duty against the Giants.
Watson did have offseason surgery on his right knee, but his current injury is his left leg.
Houston Texans Injuries
The Texans enter their bye week with four starters dealing with injury issues, however they did get Mario Addison back against the Jaguars.
The edge rusher started the season on the IR due to a groin injury he suffered in the preseason. He finished second on the team in pressures with three on 35 pass-rushing snaps.
Indianapolis Colts Injuries
Jonathan Taylor was inactive on Thursday night due to an ankle injury, but Frank Reich told reporters on Monday that he didn’t have an update on any of the Colts’ injured players.
Since his 161-yard performance in Week 1, Taylor has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in his last three games and hasn’t scored since the opening week either.
Deon Jackson and Phillip Lindsay combined for 102 yards on 24 carries in the overtime win over the Broncos.
The Colts currently rank 29th in the NFL in yards per carry.
Jacksonville Jaguars Injuries
Left guard Ben Bartch dislocated his knee and suffered ligament damage that could hold him out for the rest of the season.
Nine-year veteran Tyler Shatley filled in against the Texans and allowed a pair of pressures in the loss.
Anything that compromises Trevor Lawrence’s protection is a huge issue for Jacksonville. The second-year quarterback has completed just 37.5 percent of his throws when pressured, fourth worst in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs Injuries
Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton suffered a torn ACL on Monday night and will miss the rest of the season.
The Chiefs also finished Monday’s win without Frank Clark who left the game early due to an illness.
Las Vegas Raiders Injuries
The Raiders enter their bye week with Darren Waller dealing with a hamstring injury. The tight end didn’t record a catch before exiting the game in the first half.
Josh McDaniels told reporters after the game that it wasn’t too significant, so hopefully the extra week off can get him on the field without missing any additional time.
In his last 16 games, Waller has 71 catches for 840 yards and three touchdowns.
Los Angeles Chargers Injuries
Keenan Allen is considered day-to-day this week as he deals with a hamstring injury that has held him out since Week 1. He didn’t participate in a single practice last week, so even just limited participation would be a step in the right direction.
With Dustin Hopkins sidelined, Taylor Bertolet made his NFL debut and made three field goals and three extra points.
Los Angeles Rams Injuries
Left guard David Edwards is in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury against the Cowboys.
The Rams turned to Bobby Evans to fill in for Edwards and the veteran was the Rams’ highest-graded pass blocker on Pro Football Focus, albeit in just 12 snaps.
Los Angeles is already missing starting center Brian Allen and reserve interior linemen Coleman Shelton and Tremayne Anchrum.
Miami Dolphins Injuries
Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater are both in concussion protocol, leading to Skylar Thompson finishing Sunday’s loss.
The rookie seventh-round pick potentially starting in Week 6 is the least of the Dolphins’ worries. Tyreek Hill was wearing a walking boot following Sunday’s loss and Terron Armstead is getting tests done to determine the severity of his toe injury.
On the defensive side of the ball, both starting cornerbacks were inactive against the Jets. Byron Jones isn’t expected to return this week, but Xavien Howard is hopeful to go and has been making progress from his groin injury.
Minnesota Vikings Injuries
Rookie special teamer Ty Chandler broke his thumb on Sunday and is expected to miss several weeks.
Fellow rookie Andrew Booth Jr. missed his fourth-straight game with a quad injury, although he was a full participant in Friday’s practice.
New England Patriots Injuries
Rookie Bailey Zappe made his first career start, completing over 80 percent of his passes in a 29-0 win over the Lions.
However, the Patriots lost both Damien Harris and Nelson Agholor over the course of the game.
Rhamondre Stevenson had a career game, rushing 25 times for 161 yards. Meanwhile, Zappe and Jakobi Meyers connected for seven completions, 111 yards, and a touchdown.
New Orleans Saints Injuries
Chris Olave is in concussion protocol after taking a scary hit in the end zone on Sunday. The rookie joins Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, and Deonte Harty as the fourth injured Saints receiver.
Four other wide receivers were targeted on Sunday against the Seahawks, but they combined for five catches and 32 yards on 10 targets from Andy Dalton.
New York Giants Injuries
Adoree’ Jackson and Fabian Moreau both missed time in the Giants’ win over the Packers on Sunday morning.
That led to Nick McCloud and Justin Layne finishing the game against Aaron Rodgers and the duo did allow three catches on six targets.
The good news is Jackson is expecting to play as soon as next week, telling reporters his sitting out was more of a precautionary measure.
New York Jets Injuries
The Jets put right tackle Max Mitchell on IR this week, but replacing him on the roster was veteran Duane Brown.
Brown started at left tackle against the Dolphins and allowed just a single pressure. His return allowed Alijah Vera-Tucker to move to right tackle and he earned the team’s highest pass-blocking grade on PFF.
New York still has three tackles on the IR, but the return of Brown and the versatility of Vera-Tucker have proven to be huge for this team.
Philadelphia Eagles Injuries
Speaking of offensive line injuries, the Eagles were without starting left tackle Jordan Mailata on Sunday, as well as left guard Landon Dickerson and Jason Kelce.
Mailata was inactive and although Andre Dillard is eligible to return from the IR, it was Jack Driscoll protecting Jalen Hurts’s blindside. He allowed five pressures in the game.
Kelce was briefly replaced by rookie Cam Jurgens, but only missed three snaps. He’s dealing with a low ankle sprain that should affect his practice time this week.
As for Dickerson, he played only 26 snaps and was replaced by Sua Opeta.
Dickerson would be a huge loss for the Eagles. He’s first among all guards in pass block win rate and run block win rate this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Injuries
Both Pat Freiermuth and Levi Wallace are in concussion protocol after suffering head injuries against the Bills.
Steven Sims also missed some time after injuring his eye in pregame warmups. However, he did return one kick for 19 yards.
However, the bigger news is T.J. Watt has undergone knee surgery that will push his return back at least one week. He’s also dealing with a torn pec.
San Francisco 49ers Injuries
Jimmie Ward made his 2022 debut after being activated from the IR, but suffered a broken hand and will undergo surgery.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the worst injury to hit the 49ers’ secondary as Emmanuel Moseley is out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL.
With Jason Verrett still on the PUP list, Deommodore Lenoir and Charvarius Ward are the top two corners, although Lenoir has spent of this season in the slot.
If that wasn’t bad enough, Nick Bosa is now dealing with a groin strain he suffered against the Panthers.
Seattle Seahawks Injuries
Running back Rashaad Penny will miss the rest of the season after breaking his fibula against the Saints.
That elevates rookie Kenneth Walker III to the top of the depth chart. He played a career-high 30 snaps on Sunday and rushed for 88 yards and one touchdown on eight carries.
Travis Homer is already on IR, but could return as soon as Week 7 when he’s eligible to be activated.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Injuries
Zyon McCollum finished the game at cornerback for the Buccaneers after both Carlton Davis and Sean Murphy-Bunting went down with injuries.
The rookie fifth-rounder played his first 13 NFL snaps and wasn’t targeted.
Julio Jones was inactive once again, but according to Jason Licht, the team is being very cautious with the veteran wide receiver in hopes of keeping him healthy for the entire season.
Logan Ryan is also expected to miss his second-straight game after sitting out Week 5 with a foot injury. Keanu Neal has become the team’s third safety behind Antoine Winfield, Jr. and Mike Edwards.
Tennessee Titans Injuries
The Titans enter their bye week with Treylon Burks on IR. The rookie will have to miss at least three more games following the bye before he is eligible to return.
Against Washington, Ryan Tannehill targeted wide receivers 13 times, completing seven passes for 116 yards including a 61-yard pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikene.
Robert Woods led the team in targets, but caught just four of his eight targets for 37 yards.
Washington Commanders Injuries
Washington will play on Thursday Night Football this week. Rookie receiver Jahan Dotson will probably miss another week after being listed as a non-participant in Monday’s estimated practice report.
Dyami Brown had the best game of his career, catching two passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
On another positive note, Brian Robinson made his NFL debut after getting shot in the preseason. The rookie rushed nine times for 22 yards.