Five weeks of NFL action has brought many surprises to the league.
While some teams have exceeded their expectations right out of the gate there have been others who have struggled and have left them with much to do. There were many exciting games, breakthrough performances, and unfortunately injuries.
Some teams have had to share some difficult news about some of their most prominent players as they enter Week 6. After sustaining surgery to his right middle finger, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson will not be able to play for the Seahawks until the end of the season. He sustained the injury in a Los Angeles Rams loss on Oct. 7. Clyde Edwards Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs running back, was also placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. JuJu Smith Schuster of the Pittsburgh Steelers was also injured in an offensive accident. He had surgery on a dislocated shoulder. He is expected to be out for at most four months. Many players are losing valuable time due to injuries this season.
The NFL team reporters will be back this week with injury updates for their teams. They are up-to-date on the top injured players as well as their potential ability to play this weekend.
Here are some quick links
Depth charts
Injury: Hamstring
Watkins, who has struggled to maintain his endurance throughout his career could be out for several weeks after injuring his hamstring Monday night. Rashod Bateman is the No. Rashod Bateman, the No. 27 draft pick, will replace Watkins. He is also expected to play his first NFL game. Greg Roman, Ravens offensive coordinator, said Bateman will not be "thrown in the fire for every play" so expectations should be moderated. -- Jamison Hensley
Injury: Hamstring
McCaffrey will be absent for his third consecutive start. This leaves rookie Chuba Hubbard to run the running game. Carolina's left tackle Cameron Erving has returned from a neck injury. This should strengthen a line that allowed eight sacks the previous two games. -- David Newton
Injury: Ankle
Mixon was listed as questionable by the Bengals for Sunday's Detroit game. But, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Mixon should play and shouldn’t be restricted after his sporadic use in Week 5 against Green Bay Packers. Mixon will have Chris Evans, a rookie, as his backup. Samaje Perine was placed on the illness reserve earlier in this week. This could be an opportunity to see if Evans is able to make the offense more dynamic. -- Ben Baby
Injury: Calf
A calf injury has forced the NFL's second-leading rusher to retire. Kareem Hunter will take his place. Chubb averages 5.8 yards per run, while Hunt is averaging just 5.4. Hunt will be taking on a lot of responsibility with both Cleveland's starting tackles as well as key pass protectors (Jack Conklin and Jedrick Wills) being ill. Jake Trotter
Injury: Neck
Smith was not able to participate in Friday's walkthrough. However, it is expected that he will be available for Sunday practice. Although the injury appears to be different than the one that required surgery last season, Smith's neck issues have been a concern for many years. Smith is still critical of the offense's success, particularly this week against New England Patriots' pass rush. -- Todd Archer
Injury: Knee
The Pro Bowl tight end continues to battle a knee injury after a quiet three weeks. Although he didn't practice Wednesday, he was still limited for the remainder of the week. However, Dan Campbell, Lions coach, said that if a player plays, they must get him moving again. Campbell stated, "That's the bottom line since he can win for us." Campbell said, "That's going be a central point for us." He is listed as being questionable. Eric Woodyard
Jamaal Williams, RB
Injury: Hip/illness
After being absent from Thursday's session and being limited in two practice sessions, Williams is now listed as questionable for play. Campbell stated that Williams would likely be ready to go. Campbell stated that Williams is feeling better during Friday's practice. Campbell said that he is here and feels better. He will practice today so it should be good.
Injury: Groin
Swift isn't the first to be affected by this groin injury. He was already on the injury list for it during training camp. The situation isn't serious; the Lions will be closely monitoring it to ensure that it doesn't get worse. He is currently listed as questionable.
Injury: Shoulder
King is not the only one who has a shoulder injury. The Packers also lost All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alex, who was placed on injured reserve last week due to a shoulder problem. Alexander and King were the Packers' first-day starting cornerbacks. Eric Stokes, the rookie first-rounder, is now their only available cornerback. The Bears are second in attempts and passing yards, with the least number of yards passed. But this week could be the week that quarterback Justin Fields gets more air time. Rob Demovsky
Injury: Quad
Hill only practiced on Friday of this week. The Chiefs had their last injury report for the week and listed Hill as questionable for Sunday at Washington. Andy Reid was optimistic that his star receiver would play. He said of Hill at Friday's practice, "He was bouncing around outside there pretty good." -- Adam Teicher
Injury: Hip
Hankins was injured in Chicago's Raiders loss and did not practice this week. Hankins is the Raiders' primary run-stuffer in the middle. If he's unable to play, he was listed as doubtful. It would be his first missed match since joining the Raiders. Darius Philon will likely fill in for him, but he is more of an pass-rush specialist, with only two sacks so far. -- Paul Gutierrez
Injury: Knee
Williams injured his knee after slipping this week. It has been swelling up. The team is doing everything possible to ensure Williams is safe for Sunday's matchup with the Ravens. Shelley Smith
Drue Tranquill, LB
Injury: Chest
Tranquil sustained a chest injury against the Browns, and didn't make it back. He is out of the Chargers game this weekend because of this serious injury. The Chargers' linebacker space is shrinking now that Tranquill is gone, with Kenneth Murray Jr. being on IR.
Injury: Knee
Donald experienced knee swelling after colliding with another player during the Rams' Week 5-win over the Seattle Seahawks. He was not able to practice Wednesday, and was only listed as a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. The star defensive lineman will play against the New York Giants on Sunday. Coach Sean McVay stated that injuries should not be a problem and that he was ready to go for Friday's practice. This trend is evident as Donald participated in full practice, despite McVay stating that he would only be limited participant. -- Lindsey Thiry
Injury: Ankle
Cook was able to practice in full on Thursday, the first since injuring his ankle in Week 2. Backup RB Alexander Mattison (shoulder), is also not listed in the final injury report. Courtney Cronin
Adam Thielen (WR)
Injury: Foot
Thielen was injured in his foot and missed several practices this week. The Vikings have not assigned Thielen an injury designation ahead of their matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Justin Jefferson, WR
Injury: Ankle
Like Thielen, Jefferson didn't practice for most of the week due to an ankle injury. He won't be able to practice on Sunday due to an ankle injury, which is a sign that he should be able to return.
Injury: Ribs
Harris was forced to miss the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory over the Houston Texans due to a rib injury. He also didn't practice Wednesday's full pads session. However, he was able to practice on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday. The Patriots may consider reducing Harris’ workload at the very least. It's also possible that Harris isn't available, which would mean that things will be handed over to Rhamondre Stephenson, J.J. Taylor, and veteran Brandon Bolden. -- Mike Reiss
Injury: Finger
Wilson has been sent to injured reserve after he had surgery on his right middle fingers and is now officially out for three weeks, including Sunday's match against the Steelers. -- Brady Henderson
Chris Carson, RB
Injury: Neck
The Seahawks' No. The Seahawks No. 1 running back, Chris Carson, has been ruled out with a neck injury for the second week. Alex Collins will likely start once again. The Seahawks may also bring in DeeJay Texas and Travis Homer to provide change-of-pace options for Pittsburgh. Coach Pete Carroll indicated Friday that Carson could be heading to IR. Next week, Rashaad Penny will be returning to IR.
Injury: Hamstring
McLaurin, who arrived at the facility on Friday complaining of tight hamstrings, did not practice. Instead, he worked side-by with strength and conditioning coaches. Coach Ron Rivera stated that they sat McLaurin out of "abundance caution". Rivera compared it to the way they handled Antonio Gibson's shin injury and running back, Rivera said. They limited him for the week so he was ready for Sunday. John Keim
