At this time last week, we never envisioned that either Andrew Luck or Joe Haden wouldn't play for their respective teams due to injuries which were originally reported as minor. It's just proof that NFL injuries are always worth looking at, which is what we'll do today as we are about halfway to the main portion of the slate in Week 5.
LUCK SEEMS GOOD TO GO, STILL QUESTIONABLE
The case of Luck is perplexing. His shoulder injury was originally considered to be relatively minor, but as the week progressed, it became increasingly possible, and then increasingly probable that Matt Hasselbeck would start in his place against the Jaguars. That's how this ended up playing out, as Luck missed his first NFL game.
Then reports surfaced that Luck possibly had a truly damaged shoulder instead of just a strain or a sprain. Luck and the Colts have denied such reports, and the Stanford man is back at practice, albeit in a somewhat limited capacity. Luck says he's good to go against the Texans, and for his sake, we sure hope that he is. He's got a history of destroying this Houston secondary, and having to prepare for him and his offense on a short week as the Texans must do is a nightmare.
QUOTH THE RAVEN: SMITH NO MORE
Steve Smith has what has been referred to as "micro-fractures" in his back by John Harbaugh, but we aren't totally buying it. A broken back is a broken back. Smith is as tough as they come, but he missed the end of last week's game against Pittsburgh after taking the shot that presumably broke his back.
Now, Smith won't play for Baltimore in Week 5, which leaves Joe Flacco no proven options to throw the ball to. Kamar Aiken might be the best wide receiver on this team with Breshad Perriman yet to make his NFL debut. Keep in mind that both Michael Campanaro and Crockett Gilmore are injured too, while Dennis Pitta is on IR. Needless to say, the Ravens' passing attack isn't exactly going to be stellar.
OTHER NOTABLE WEEK 5 INJURIES
-Andre Ellington is again questionable with a knee injury for the Cardinals, though Chris Johnson and David Johnson have run the ball well in his place.
-Buffalo's offensive injuries are mounting quickly. LeSean McCoy is out again this week with a hamstring injury, while Sammy Watkins is a question mark to miss another game with a calf problem. Now, Karlos Williams is coming off of a concussion and is very likely to sit out as well, which will leave Boobie Dixon to carry the ball instead.
-Luke Kuechly hopes that this is the week he can return from his concussion which has cost him the last three games for the Panthers.
-Alshon Jeffrey very likely won't play again for the Bears thanks to a hamstring problem, which again leaves just Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson as the only legitimate receiving options Jay Cutler has to work with.
-Joe Haden, as we mentioned before, sat out last week with a finger problem. The Browns have been mum about his injury going forward, and until we see an official report, we're considering him to be questionable.
-Lance Dunbar is the newest Dallas injury, as he is out for the year with a torn ACL. Sean Lee also has a concussion and isn't likely to play in Week 5.
-The list of injuries for the Lions is starting to get disturbing. DeAndre Levy, Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron, Joique Bell and Haloti Ngata are all showing up on the injury report in Week 5, which is terrible news for the only winless team in the NFL.
-The Texans have had to play without Arian Foster for the first month of the season, but now that he is back and is expected to take a full workload, the offense has other issues. Nate Washington and Cecil Shorts III, receiving lining up opposite of DeAndre Hopkins, are both likely out against Indianapolis.
-San Diego's wide receivers are decimated, too. The team only suited four wide out last week against Cleveland, and both Stevie Johnson and Malcom Floyd left the game hurt. With Jacoby Jones still nursing an ankle problem, that leaves Philip Rivers severely handicapped. The good news? Antonio Gates is back from his four-game suspension and will immediately slot in as San Diego's best receiving threat.
-Marshawn Lynch sat out last week's win over Detroit for the Seahawks. He's listed as questionable early in the week for Week 5's trip to Cincinnati, but we have to imagine that he is closer to playing than that designation suggests.
-Washington has likely lost Jordan Reed for a while to his fourth concussion in his brief NFL career. DeSean Jackson could return in Week 5 from his hamstring injury he suffered back in Week 1. Remember though, that the tight end spot is thin as it is for Washington with both Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen on IR from the preseason.
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