NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Injury Report Friday QB

Bottom Line Up Front at QB

Lamar Jackson (BAL, ankle) is the week’s biggest shock, ruled out with Tyler Huntley stepping in. Jayden Daniels (WAS) is officially back after missing three games with his elbow — but his fill-in, Marcus Mariota, now goes down with a knee injury of his own. Caleb Williams (CHI, hamstring) misses a third straight start, and Jaxson Dart (NYG) remains out for the season with Jameis Winston entrenched as the starter.

This week’s QB report covers 11 players: 2 already played this week, 4 out, 1 no final tag yet (monday-night clubs), 4 cleared / no game-status designation.

Who is on this report?

Lamar Jackson (BAL), Caleb Williams (CHI), Deshaun Watson (CLE), Trey Lance (LAC), Aidan O’Connell (LV), Tyler Shough (NO), Jaxson Dart (NYG), Baker Mayfield (TB), Jalon Daniels (TB), Jayden Daniels (WAS), Marcus Mariota (WAS)

What changed since Week 4

• UPGRADED: Aidan O’Connell (LV) — Resolved/cleared — was Questionable (personal reasons) on the Oct 2 report, now off the report entirely
• UPGRADED: Jayden Daniels (WAS) — Upgraded from OUT (elbow dislocation, Mariota starting) last week to no game-status designation this week — fully cleared and active.
• NEW: Lamar Jackson (BAL) — NEW this week — Jackson was not on last week’s (Oct. 2) report at all (full participant, no designation, dealing only with a back issue). He suffered the ankle injury during the Week 4 game itself and was downgraded through the week from day-to-day rumors to an official OUT by Friday, Oct. 9.
• NEW: Marcus Mariota (WAS) — New wrinkle — Mariota was WAS’s healthy starter all of last week while Daniels sat; this week the roles flip and Mariota himself is OUT with a knee injury the same week Daniels returns.
• UPGRADED: Tyler Shough (NO) — New minor note this week, resolved by the final report – not an issue last week.

Waiver wire: who gains if these names sit

• If Lamar Jackson (BAL) can’t go — Massive downgrade for the entire BAL passing offense; Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews all see reduced ceilings with Huntley under center, while Derrick Henry’s rushing role could see a slight bump in a more run-heavy game plan
• If Marcus Mariota (WAS) can’t go — Irrelevant now that Daniels is active; no streaming value this week.
• If Jaxson Dart (NYG) can’t go — Giants’ only fantasy-relevant QB is now Jameis Winston; no streaming value from the Dart side of the depth chart.
• If Caleb Williams (CHI) can’t go — Tyson Bagent starts again for Chicago, which drags down the floor/ceiling of CHI pass catchers (Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland) in a backup-QB offense
• If Baker Mayfield (TB) can’t go — Jalon Daniels remains the Week 5 (and likely Week 6, pending Mayfield’s health) streaming/QB2 option; volume concerns are a mild drag on Egbuka/Godwin/Irving target and game-script value.
• If Jalon Daniels (TB) can’t go — Only a streaming-level QB2 option in most 12-team leagues; his presence (rather than a true backup) is a mild positive for Tampa Bay’s skill players’ floor.

How to read this report

• Designations reflect Friday, October 9, 2026 final injury/practice reports where filed.
• Dallas (DAL) and Tampa Bay (TB) already played their Week 5 game Thursday night, October 8 — their entries reflect that completed game, not an upcoming one.
• Buffalo (BUF) and the L.A. Rams (LAR) play each other Monday night, October 12 — some of their tags may not be finalized until Saturday.
• Kansas City (KC) and Carolina (CAR) are on their Week 5 bye — no new injury report this week for either team.
• “No Final Tag Yet” means a real injury concern exists but the club hasn’t filed (or confirmed) an official Week 5 game-status designation as of this report.

Already Played This Week (2)

These players’ games were already decided by Thursday night, before this Friday report — included for full-week context and any waiver-wire fallout.

• Baker Mayfield (TB, Normal starting QB1; Jalon Daniels is elevated to starter in his absence) — OUT (a) Final Week 5 Buccaneers/NFL.com injury report (vs. Dallas, Thu 10/8) lists Mayfield Out with a thumb injury (dislocated thumb suffered late in Tampa Bay’s loss to the Vikings in late September 2026; exact date not independently confirmed).
  Injury: Dislocated right thumb (since Late September 2026 (Week 3, vs. Minnesota) – exact date not independently confirmed this session). Typical recovery: Dislocated thumb with stitches/pinning typically 3-6 weeks. Expected back: Targeting Week 6 (Oct. 15 vs. Pittsburgh), per Tom Pelissero; not guaranteed. Week 5 status: Will not play Week 5 vs. Dallas (already ruled Out before Thursday’s game). Next 4 games: Likely misses Week 5; Week 6 return is the stated target but a Pelissero report called it ‘tough, but not impossible’ with the short week not in his favor. If Week 6 return holds, back for the bulk of the next 4-game stretch; monitor Wednesday/Thursday practice reports in Weeks 6-7.. Fantasy impact: Jalon Daniels remains the Week 5 (and likely Week 6, pending Mayfield’s health) streaming/QB2 option; volume concerns are a mild drag on Egbuka/Godwin/Irving target and game-script value.
• Jalon Daniels (TB, QB2 on the depth chart, but current starter) — NO GAME-STATUS DESIGNATION (a) Not on the injury report; elevated starter with Mayfield Out.
  Injury: None (since N/A). Typical recovery: N/A. Expected back: N/A – healthy. Week 5 status: Expected to start Week 5 vs. Dallas. Next 4 games: Starts as long as Mayfield is out; reverts to backup once Mayfield (targeting Week 6) is cleared.. Fantasy impact: Only a streaming-level QB2 option in most 12-team leagues; his presence (rather than a true backup) is a mild positive for Tampa Bay’s skill players’ floor.

Out (4)

Ruled out, on injured reserve, PUP, exempt, or suspended — not expected to play Week 5.

• Lamar Jackson (BAL, Starting QB1 (currently out; Tyler Huntley elevated to starter for Week 5)) — OUT (a) Left ankle sprain suffered in the Week 4 win over Tennessee; officially ruled out for Week 5 vs. Atlanta by HC Jesse Minter on Friday, Oct. 9.
  Injury: Left ankle sprain (since Week 4, on/around Oct. 4, 2026 (vs. Titans)). Typical recovery: Ankle sprains of this type typically sideline a mobile QB 1-4 weeks depending on severity; reporting indicated it is not considered long-term and surgery is not expected. Expected back: Uncertain; being managed day-to-day/week-to-week, earliest realistic return Week 6 (Oct. 18) but could extend further. Week 5 status: Will NOT play Week 5 vs. Falcons; Tyler Huntley starts in his place. Next 4 games: Out Week 5; Week 6 and beyond depend on re-evaluation of the ankle. Huntley projected to start at least Week 5 and possibly longer if Jackson’s recovery is slow. Fantasy impact: Massive downgrade for the entire BAL passing offense; Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews all see reduced ceilings with Huntley under center, while Derrick Henry’s rushing role could see a slight bump in a more run-heavy game plan
• Caleb Williams (CHI, QB1 (sidelined); Tyson Bagent is starting in his place for a 2nd consecutive game, with Case Keenum as the healthy backup) — OUT (a) Grade 2 right hamstring strain suffered in the Sept. 20 (Week 3) loss to Minnesota; head coach Ben Johnson formally ruled him out for Week 5 against Green Bay.
  Injury: Hamstring (Grade 2 strain), right leg (since September 20, 2026 (Week 3 vs. Minnesota)). Typical recovery: Grade 2 hamstring strains typically sideline players roughly 3-6 weeks. Expected back: Best case Oct. 18 (Week 6 at Atlanta); more realistic target cited by beat reporters is Nov. 2 (Week 8 vs. Seattle). Week 5 status: Will not play Week 5 vs. Green Bay. Next 4 games: Expected to miss Week 5 and likely Week 6; targeting a return around Week 7-8 depending on how rehab progresses. Fantasy impact: Tyson Bagent starts again for Chicago, which drags down the floor/ceiling of CHI pass catchers (Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Colston Loveland) in a backup-QB offense
• Jaxson Dart (NYG, Was QB1 before the injury; now on Reserve/Injured list) — RESERVE-INJURED (c) Season-ending knee injury; placed on Reserve/Injured, confirmed out for the rest of the 2026 regular season.
  Injury: Knee (since September 20, 2026 (hit by two Rams defenders on the Giants’ opening drive at SoFi Stadium)). Typical recovery: Season-ending; knee surgery recovery typically 6-9+ months. Expected back: Not expected back in 2026. Week 5 status: Out — on Injured Reserve for the season. Next 4 games: No fantasy relevance in 2026; Jameis Winston remains the every-week starter. Fantasy impact: Giants’ only fantasy-relevant QB is now Jameis Winston; no streaming value from the Dart side of the depth chart.
• Marcus Mariota (WAS, QB2 (was the Week 2-4 starter)) — OUT (a) Knee injury; DNP all three practice days (Wed/Thu/Fri) on the official Friday 10/9 report.
  Injury: Knee (since Within Week 4/5 practice window (early October 2026); exact date not specified in sourcing). Typical recovery: Knee sprains of this type typically run 1-3 weeks depending on grade. Expected back: Unclear — likely Week 6 or later if WAS needs him again. Week 5 status: Out for Week 5 vs. NYG. Next 4 games: No standalone fantasy value even if Daniels were to miss time again, since Mariota himself is now hurt — Kaliakmanis would be the emergency option. Fantasy impact: Irrelevant now that Daniels is active; no streaming value this week.

No Final Tag Yet (Monday-Night Clubs) (1)

Carries a real injury concern, but the club hasn’t filed (or confirmed) its final Week 5 tag yet — check back Saturday.

• Trey Lance (LAC, QB2 (backup)) — QUESTIONABLE (b) Groin injury; this is the Chargers’ last independently-confirmed designation, from the Week 4 (Oct 2) Friday report (limited all three practice days). No fantasy relevance behind healthy starter Justin Herbert. This session could not independently re-verify the Chargers’ Week 5 (Oct 9) Friday tag via available sources — treat this as a carryover pending official confirmation, not a verified current-week status.
  Injury: Groin (since Not specified; was already on the injury report as of the Oct 2 (Week 4) report). Typical recovery: Groin strains typically require 1-3 weeks depending on severity. Expected back: Not fantasy-relevant to track closely. Week 5 status: Unconfirmed for Week 5; last known status (Week 4) was Questionable. Next 4 games: No fantasy relevance expected at any point behind a healthy Justin Herbert. Fantasy impact: None in standard leagues — purely an injury-insurance name behind Herbert

Cleared / No Game-Status Designation (4)

Managing something, but carries no game-status designation and is expected to play.

• Deshaun Watson (CLE, Starting QB1) — NO GAME-STATUS DESIGNATION (b) Healthy; not listed on the Week 5 injury report and remains the unquestioned starter.
  Injury: N/A — fully recovered from the 2025 Achilles tear (since N/A (prior-season injury, not currently active)). Typical recovery: N/A. Expected back: N/A — already active and playing. Week 5 status: Expected to start Week 5 at N.Y. Jets. Next 4 games: No injury concerns reported; locked in as CLE’s starting QB. Fantasy impact: No one benefits from his absence since he’s not injured; remains a streamable low-end fantasy QB option given Cleveland’s receiving weapons
• Aidan O’Connell (LV, QB3) — RESOLVED (a) Personal/non-injury matter; listed Questionable last week (Oct 2) for a personal/non-injury reason, but is entirely absent from the Raiders’ official Week 5 (Oct 9) Friday report, indicating the matter has been resolved and he carries no game-status designation this week.
  Injury: N/A (non-injury, personal matter) (since N/A). Typical recovery: N/A. Expected back: N/A — appears fully available. Week 5 status: No game-status designation for Week 5; presumed fully available as the No. 3 QB. Next 4 games: No fantasy relevance expected; stays the No. 3 QB behind healthy starter Kirk Cousins. Fantasy impact: None — has no path to fantasy relevance behind a healthy Kirk Cousins
• Tyler Shough (NO, QB1, starter) — NO GAME-STATUS DESIGNATION (a) Full participation and no designation on the final Week 5 report, despite a mid-week headline noting a left-hand issue.
  Injury: Left hand (minor; resolved by Friday per the official report) (since This week (on or before Wed. 10/7/2026)). Typical recovery: Minor hand issue, days. Expected back: Already cleared. Week 5 status: Expected to start Week 5 vs. Minnesota. Next 4 games: No concern expected; remains the unquestioned starter.. Fantasy impact: None – he starts regardless; worth only a note for in-season QB streamers in deeper leagues.
• Jayden Daniels (WAS, QB1) — NO GAME-STATUS DESIGNATION (a) Fully practiced Mon-Fri (FP/FP/FP) on the official Friday 10/9 report with no game-status tag; cleared and set to start.
  Injury: Left elbow (dislocation) (since On or before Week 2 2026 (carted off vs. Dallas Cowboys); exact date not specified in sourcing). Typical recovery: Elbow dislocations typically run 3-6 weeks depending on severity/instability. Expected back: Already returning Week 5 (10/11/2026) — roughly 3 weeks after the injury. Week 5 status: Expected to start at QB vs. NYG, Week 5. Next 4 games: Full workload expected barring setback; QB1-caliber weekly fantasy starter once back up to speed. Fantasy impact: His return pushes Mariota back to the bench; also lifts the floor for McLaurin, Diggs, Burks and Okonkwo as the clear passing triggerman.

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Sourcing: NFL.com official injury reports, team-issued injury reports, Ourlads depth charts, and beat-reporter coverage, as of Friday, October 9, 2026.