Monday Morning MASH Unit: Week 5 Fantasy Football Injury Report

Sunday is over, the training rooms are full, and somewhere a fantasy manager is staring at a bench full of Q’s and O’s. Week 5 took some real bites out of lineups, including a few players who won’t be back anytime soon.

Here is who got hurt, what it means, and what to do about it before waivers run.

THE BIG ONES

David Montgomery (RB, HOU): groin, out for the game

Montgomery hurt his groin early in the second quarter and didn’t return, finishing with 1.1 fantasy points on five carries. It was the fourth straight week he’s scored under seven points. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans indicated afterward that he’ll be out for some time.

Fantasy fallout: Woody Marks took over the lead role and finished with 75 total yards on 19 touches, good for 12.5 points. If Montgomery sits in Week 6 against Jacksonville, it will probably have no effect on your fantasy team. However, Marks is a volume-driven flex play.

PigSkinFantasy call: Add Marks everywhere he’s available. Montgomery owners shouldn’t panic, because he hasn’t been helping your lineup anyway. Hold him only if your bench has room.

Quinshon Judkins (RB, CLE): ankle

Judkins finished the game with 14 carries for 44 yards and 3 catches for 6 yards. While he completed the game, he did leave the locker room after the game in a walking boot. No update was provided about the injury.

Fantasy fallout: Until more is known about the injury, everyone needs to hold tight. Backup Raheim Sanders also left the game with a hip injury, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin as the only healthy back.

PigSkinFantasy call: Monitor the reports on Judkins’ and Sanders. If you are desperate with the four team bye week approaching, McLaughlin could be a deep add.

Michael Penix Jr. (QB, ATL): ribs, left late

Penix left Sunday night’s game late with a rib injury and was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa, who promptly threw a pick. Coach Kevin Stefanski said Penix tried to get comfortable after the hit but couldn’t, and that he’ll have imaging done.

Fantasy fallout: Rib injuries can swing from “shrug it off” to “two weeks of misery,” so the imaging result is the whole story. Tua is only interesting in superflex or two-QB leagues.

PigSkinFantasy call: Don’t drop Penix before Monday’s news. In one-QB leagues, line up a streamer now so you aren’t scrambling Wednesday. Falcons pass catchers take a risk downgrade until we know more.

Deebo Samuel (WR, SF): hamstring, out for the game

Samuel went down in pain after a catch in the third quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a hamstring injury. The 49ers won, but their receiving group has now taken another hit.

PigSkinFantasy call: Bench him until we have a diagnosis. Hamstrings are the injury that hangs around, so don’t expect a quick turnaround. Cowing and Cooks each had two targets and an almost identical snap share (43% for Cowing/40% for Cooks). Flip a coin and pick up the one that most tickles your fancy.

T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN): concussion, out for the game

Hockenson was hurt on the Vikings’ opening drive against the Saints and was ruled out with a concussion. Minnesota now heads into its bye and returns in Week 7 against the Colts. He had been the team’s top target earner the week before.

PigSkinFantasy call: The bye is a gift. Hockenson has two weeks to clear protocol, so stash him and don’t burn a roster spot on a replacement you don’t need. Minnesota’s other pass catchers get a short rest too. Jefferson came back this week, while Addison sat with a hamstring injury, and the bye helps him as well.

SKILL-POSITION QUICK HITS

Tre Harris (WR, LAC): He hurt a hamstring and didn’t return against Denver. With Ladd McConkey’s foot already a concern and Quentin Johnston inactive this week, the Chargers’ receiver room is thin. Valdes-Scantling had the most receiver targets on Sunday if that means anything.
KC Concepcion (WR, CLE): He was knocked out of the Jets game after an illegal hit. Treat any head injury as week-to-week.
Kenyon Sadiq (TE, NYJ): He was ruled out with a concussion. Same advice: don’t count on a quick return. If you must, you can pivot to Mason Taylor who is healthy and was tied for third on the team in targets behind Wilson and Allen.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE): He was downgraded to out with an ankle injury. Check his status before making any decisions. If it’s serious, Corey Kiner, who had 6 rushes for 52 yards in Henderson’s place, becomes a waiver wire target.
Skyy Moore (WR, GB): He was ruled out with an ankle injury. Watch his practice reports this week.
Will Shipley (RB, PHI): He was ruled out with a foot injury, adding to an Eagles backfield and receiver room that were already short-handed. Dameon Pierce got all of the work once Shipley left, but the Eagles averaged only 1.2 yards per carry. Which makes him only a desperate play, especially because Barkley could be back Sunday.
Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek (WR, PIT): Both were ruled out against the Colts. Pittsburgh’s receiver depth is stretched. Wilson suffered a dislocated finger which, depending on the severity of the injury, could be up to a two week absence or nothing at all. Germie Bernard looked like Pittman’s replacement and led the team in targets (9). He’s a worthwhile add even if Wilson doesn’t miss time.
Tom Kennedy (WR, DET): He was ruled out with a knee injury. Depth only, so not much fantasy fallout.

THE FINAL WORD

The pattern is easy to see: hamstrings, concussions, and groins are the three injuries that linger. The smart response to all of them is to wait for the real diagnosis, add the replacement, and don’t drop the starter until you have to.

This week’s priority list: