Updating a previous report, Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck (shoulder) could be on target to play in the Week 5 game against the Houston Texans Thursday, Oct. 8, as the team released QB Josh Johnson. QB Matt Hasselbeck also said Monday, Oct. 5, that he does not expect to play Thursday, indicating Luck will be ready.
Dallas Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar (knee) will miss the rest of the 2015 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in Week 4. He scheduled to undergo surgery in the near future to repair the injury. Dunbar also suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament, according to a source.
The Cowboys offense is dealt another blow here. Dunbar was working well as a receiver and explosive change-of-pace back, and now the team will have to turn to Darren McFadden in that role. Joseph Randle is still the lead back, and we could see more of Christine Michael going forward.
Washington Redskins TE Jordan Reed's (concussion, knee, ankle) head injury is a real concern, according to head coach Jay Gruden. Reed has a long history of head injuries dating back to college and mixed the last six games in 2013 after suffering two concussions in three weeks. Reed hasn't played more than 11 games in a single season. He has 24 catches for 278 yards and a touchdown after four games and is averaging a career-high 11.6 yards per catch.
We just hope his long-term health is okay. Reed is a talented player, but his body is breaking down. He came out of college a few years ago with injury concerns, and that hasn't changed.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Tom Krasovic
San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates is in great shape and will be play in the Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to head coach Mike McCoy.
He'll play, but his role is unclear at this moment. We'll have to see how the playing time and targets shake out between Gates and Ladarius Green going forward.
That's a good sign for his availability. The Colts are playing on Thursday night against the Texans, and it would be a boost for the offense to get Allen back.
Bill O'Brien says that Mallett is the starter, even though he was benched in the Atlanta game for Brian Hoyer. We're expecting a quick, although probably not permanent, hook for Mallett if he struggles against the Colts.
It's a short week for Foster and the Texans, so expect him to be limited up until Thursday. All indications point to Foster playing in Week 5 after making his season debut against the Falcons in Week 4.
We should see increased snaps for rookie Keith Mumphery this week with a couple of Texans wide receivers banged up. Last week against the Falcons, Mumphery played a season-high 55 snaps. He finished the game with four catches for 56 yards. Fellow rookie Jaelen Strong might also be active for the first time this year on Thursday night game against the Colts.
Seattle Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring) was able to run during pregame warmups Monday, Oct. 5, and appears to have a good chance to play in the Week 5 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Michael Gehlken
San Diego Chargers TE Ladarius Green has played well early in the season and should continue to have a role in the offense even though TE Antonio Gates is receiving from his suspension, according to QB Philip Rivers.
That was also the word before the news about Gates' suspension was announced. Gates had said earlier this year that his role would be smaller in 2015. We'll see if Green can maintain his fantasy value even with Gates back. After four weeks, Green has scored the 10th-most fantasy points of tight ends in PPR leagues.
Baltimore Ravens TE Crockett Gillmore (calf) has a chance to play in the Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
Getting Gillmore back would be a boost to the offense--especially with WR Steve Smith Sr. banged up. Check back on Gillmore's practice status later in the week.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Markus Wheaton (ankle) suffered an ankle sprain in the team's Week 4 game, but the injury is considered minor, according to a source.
Regardless of the injury, Wheaton just hasn't looked good this year. He does not have good chemistry with QB Ben Roethlisberger, and in Week 4 against the Ravens he played only 18 snaps before getting hurt. Even when he comes back healthy, Wheaton should lose out on snaps and targets to Martavis Bryant. The Steelers are getting Bryant back from his four-game suspension for their Week 5 contest against the Chargers on Monday Night Football.
Buffalo Bills RB LeSean McCoy (hamstring) did not play in Week 4, and his status for the Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans is uncertain at this point, according to head coach Rex Ryan.
Check back later in the week. The word is that McCoy may miss a few more weeks with this hamstring injury in order to get fully healthy. McCoy recently underwent an MRI which showed a new tear in his hamstring. The Bills have a bye in Week 8, and Karlos Williams may be the team's lead back up to that point.
Buffalo Bills WR Sammy Watkins' (calf) status for the Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans is uncertain at this point, according to head coach Rex Ryan. 'He looked good and he's moving around decent, so hopefully that's a good sign, but I'm certainly not the guy who will decide that,' Ryan said.
We saw on Sunday just how important Watkins is to the team's offense. Without him on the field, defenses play Tyrod Taylor and the Bills receivers differently. Check back to see if Watkins can practice later in the week.
Coleman may return this week, but he won't come back as the starter. Devonta Freeman has taken the league by storm over the last two weeks with six rushing touchdowns during that time. He's clearly the starter, and Coleman will have to work his way back as a part-time player.