There weren't many running back injuries this past Sunday, but the three that occurred are big ones. Indianapolis's Jonathan Taylor (ankle), Denver's Javonte Williams (knee), and Atlanta's Cordarrelle Patterson's (knee) status for coming weeks are murky, and fantasy football owners are already scrambling to fill potential Week 5 holes on the waiver wire.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these key RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 5 fantasy landscape. For news on banged-up WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown, Keenan Allen, and Michael Thomas, click here; for more on injured RBs Brian Robinson Jr., D'Andre Swift, David Montgomery, Alvin Kamara, and Gus Edwards, go here; for more updates on injured WRs, like Isaiah McKenzie, Jahan Dotson, and Treylon Burks, click here.
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WEEK 5 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Jonathan Taylor injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Taylor has a chance to play Thursday night against the Broncos.
Taylor (ankle) suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the Colts' 24-17 Week 4 loss to the Titans and failed to return to game action. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "the belief is that the ankle injury is not overly serious."
Even if that's true, Taylor may very well end up missing the Colts' Week 5 Thursday night matchup against the Broncos. If that's the case, expect a larger workload for RB Nyheim Hines along with second-year back Deon Jackson veteran Phillip Lindsay. Hines would be elevated to high-end flex status, and Lindsay could have some flex appeal in deeper leagues. Hines is still primarily a receiving back, so there's a chance Lindsay assumes more early-down work.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Javonte Williams injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Williams suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season.
Williams (knee) exited Denver's Week 4 loss to Las Vegas early in the second half. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "Williams is feared to have suffered a serious knee injury." Williams was later seen leaving the locker room on crutches and will be further evaluated on Monday.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
With Denver playing on Thursday night, it's very unlikely Williams is cleared to play for TNF. If Williams misses significant time, fellow RBs Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone will assume a larger workload. Gordon has the upper hand as things currently stand, but it's worth noting he didn't play as many snaps once Williams departed. Earlier in the game, he fumbled a league-leading fourth time this year. Gordon and Boone should be rostered in all formats, as both have fantasy value. For now, consider them both flexes against the Colts. (UPDATE: With Latavius Murray now on Denver's practice squad, it's possible he will figure into the RB rotation on Thursday night, as well.)
Cordarrelle Patterson injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
Patterson (knee) was placed on injured reserve after having a procedure on his knee, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Patterson exited Atlanta's Week 4 home win over Cleveland in the second half after logging just one carry. With Patterson missing at least the next four weeks, look for Atlanta to employ a running back by committee that includes rookie Tyler Allgeier and second-year back Caleb Huntley. Allgeier has the upper hand to see the biggest workload at the moment, giving him flex appeal in both standard and PPR formats. Allgeier saw over 50 percent of the snaps once Patterson exited, also serving as the team's third-down back. Huntley saw more work near the red zone, and if he continues to be the primary red-zone back, he could have standalone flex appeal, as well. Damien Williams (ribs) is eligible to return in Week 6, so he's worth stashing, too.