Injuries come in waves, and after the violent peak of Week 4, we appeared to hit a bit of a lull in Week 5. Despite the decline in the number of new injuries, we have plenty of players on the Week 6 Injury Report still working their way back from ailments sustained in the prior quarter of the season.
The Raiders tight end has looked like a shell of himself since suffering a Week 1 knee injury. After collecting 103 receiving yards in the season opener, Bowers totaled 122 yards in his next three outings combined. With the injury lingering, he did not play in Week 4. The specifics of the injury have finally been confirmed. He is managing a sprained posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and bone contusion in his left knee. While still not as recognized as the ACL injury, PCL injuries have gained a degree of notoriety this season, as players like Jayden Daniels and Ricky Pearsall have missed time with the ailment. The PCL sits behind the ACL and acts as an axis of rotation for the joint. Due to its importance to the overall integrity of the knee, most PCL sprains result in missed time. Furthermore, the secondary bone contusion should not be overlooked. Bone contusions take time to heal, as the body's natural repair response treats these issues similarly to a fracture. This is particularly true in the knee joint, as the bones here are considered weight-bearing.
After seeing Bowers struggle with the injury, it appears the team is now hoping time off will allow him to return to top form. A second straight absence should be expected at this point with the team calling him "week-to-week."
The Buccaneers running back is nursing a pair of injuries that are likely to keep him out for a second consecutive week. The first is a foot sprain that has forced him into a protective boot. Specifics are limited, leading to a bit of ambiguity. There are over 100 different ligaments in the foot and without a general area or severity of the sprain, it's hard to estimate how significant the injury is. Irving will need to shed the boot and prove he can move and cut without limitation before he will be cleared to return to game action.
The issue is complicated by his second injury, a shoulder subluxation that Irving self-reported after suffering the foot injury. A shoulder subluxation occurs at the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder and is often referred to as a partial dislocation. Time lost is often linked to the amount of damage sustained by the surrounding soft tissue structures, chiefly the cartilage rim known as the labrum. Subluxations can recur if the damage is substantial, with surgery the best course of long-term care. Irving could brace the area and play through the issue, and offset a degree of the instability with rehab and treatment.
For now, Irving will address the associated symptoms of both the shoulder and the foot with conservative treatment with the expectation of returning as quickly as possible. However, it appears as though Rachaad White will get the start in Week 6 when the Bucs take on the 49ers. White finished with 41 yards on 14 carries and four receptions for 30 yards in Week 5 but managed to score two touchdowns to offset his overall inefficiency.
CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin
The Cowboys wide receiver corps continues to nurse lower extremity injuries. Lamb is managing a left high-ankle sprain sustained in Week 3. Specifics of the injury were discussed in Week 3's NFL Injury Report & Analysis following the injury, and I explained why the average time lost is roughly 27 days. Lamb remains on track in recovery and recently returned to light field work. I expect his level of participation to increase this week, though a return to game action isn't likely to come until Week 7.
Turpin joined Lamb on the sidelines in Week 5 after suffering a sprained foot against the Packers. As discussed with Irving, foot sprains are different than ankle sprains and may require extra time to heal. Turpin should be consider doubtful for now.
The other members of the Dallas aerial attack have adequately covered for their teammates' absences. George Pickens has hauled in 10 catches, 191 receiving yards, and three touchdowns in the two games Lamb has missed. Tight end Jake Ferguson has also impressed, totaling 14 receptions for 89 yards and three touchdowns over that same stretch. Ryan Flournoy stepped up in Turpin's spot, catching six of nine targets for 114 yards in Week 5. Flournoy's value is directly linked to the health of the other Dallas receivers, but he could be worth an add for Week 6 when the team faces off against the Panthers.
Turf Burns
Antonio Gibson: The Patriots lost Gibson for the season after testing confirmed the running back tore his ACL in Sunday's win over the Bills. The injury should open the door for rookie TreVeyon Henderson to carry a bigger load on offense behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
Omarion Hampton: The Chargers running back suffered an ankle injury in the team's loss to the Commanders and was quickly placed on the injured reserve. The IR designation guarantees the rookie will miss at least the next four games for Los Angeles. The prompt decision to place him on IR is a good indicator the severity of the sprain is moderate to severe. The Chargers will hand the reins over to backups Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal with Najee Harris lost for the season to a torn Achilles.
Chuba Hubbard: The Panthers held Hubbard out of Week 5, as an early season calf strain continues to linger. The decision led to a monster game from Rico Dowdle who finished with 206 rushing yards and touchdown in a win over the Dolphins. Dowdle's performance is likely to impact Hubbard's availability and/or workload when he returns. The team could opt to rest Hubbard another week to ensure his overall health, or they could ease him back into the mix by having him split carries with Dowdle. Monitor his level of work in this week's practices to get a better idea of which way the Panthers are leaning.
Lamar Jackson: The Ravens remain noncommittal on Jackson's availability for Week 6 as he continues to receive treatment for a hamstring strain. While the team clearly struggled with Cooper Rush at the helm, the team is scheduled for a bye week in Week 7. If Jackson sits again that would give him three weeks of recovery and reduce the chances of a reoccurrence. Injury risk mitigation is not something fantasy managers want to consider, but a second straight absence could be the best long-term solution. Baltimore's plans at quarterback should become clearer as the week progresses.
Terry McLaurin: McLaurin will benefit from an extra day of recovery as the Commanders face the Bears on Monday Night Football. The Washington wide receiver has missed back-to-back games with a quad injury but appears to be trending up toward a possible return. Head coach Dan Quinn said he was "optimistic" about a return in Week 6. However, I may opt for a healthier more reliable fantasy option until McLaurin proves he's moved past this ailment.
Spencer Shrader: Kicker injuries are relatively uncommon but rarely good. Shrader, the NFL's leader in points scored, is no exception as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Colts win over the Raiders. Shrader tore his ACL and medical collateral ligament (MCL) and will eventually undergo surgery. The injury is a setback for a Colts offense that has a league high 13 made field goals, but should provide plenty of opportunities for the eventual replacement.
