Week 5 All-Injured Team

In his weekly Football Morning In America column, Peter King put together a Week 5 All-Injured Team. It’s a startling look at the current injury situation in the NFL. With the league’s decision-makers firmly set on forcing teams to play games on two days rest and expanding the season to 17 games, with eager eyes on 18, a flood of injured stars will be the norm. There’s always more players. That’s been the owners mantra since 1920. 

Week 5 All-Injured Team

Offense

Quarterback

Russell Wilson (finger surgery), Seattle

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), Carolina

David Montgomery (knee), Chicago

J.K. Dobbins (knee), Baltimore

Receivers

Michael Thomas (ankle), New Orleans

Julio Jones (hamstring), Tennessee

Jarvis Landry (knee), Cleveland

D.J. Chark (ankle), Jacksonville

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski (ribs), Tampa Bay

George Kittle (calf), San Francisco

Tackles

David Bakhtiari (ACL), Green Bay

Terron Armstead (elbow), New Orleans

Trent Brown (calf), New England

Guards

Quenton Nelson (ankle), Indianapolis 

Brandon Scherff (knee), Washington

Shaq Mason (abdomen), New England

Center

Frank Ragnow (toe), Detroit

Defense

Defensive Line

DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), Dallas

Brandon Graham (knee), Philadelphia 

Carl Lawson (Achilles), New York Jets

Stephon Tuitt (knee), Pittsburgh

Marcus Davenport (pectoral), New Orleans

Akiem Hicks (groin), Chicago

Linebackers

Shaq Thompson (neck), Carolina

Za’Darius Smith (back), Green Bay

Kenneth Murray (ankle), Los Angeles Chargers

Blake Martinez (knee), New York Giants

Bud Dupree (knee), Tennessee

Safeties

Marcus Maye (ankle), New York Jets

Antoine Winfield Jr. (concussion), Tampa Bay

Lamarcus Joyner (triceps), New York Jets

Cornerbacks

Jaire Alexander (shoulder), Green Bay

Marcus Peters (knee), Baltimore

Jason Verrett (knee), San Francisco

Jeff Okudah (Achilles), Detroit

Special Teams

Punter

Brett Kern (groin), Tennessee

Kicker

Wil Lutz (core muscle), New Orleans

Kick Returner

Jalen Richard (foot), Las Vegas

Special Teams

L.J. Fort (knee), Baltimore

Long Snapper

Zach Triner (finger), Tampa Bay

***

That’s a startling team. I’ve seen All-Pro teams with comparable talent. 

I’d love to get that offensive line healthy and put it in front of Kirk Cousins. 

Green Bay (David Bakhtiari, Za’Darius Smith, and Jaire Alexander), New Orleans (Michael Thomas, Terron Armstead, and Marcus Davenport, Wil Lutz), and Baltimore (J.K Dobbins, Marcus Peters, and L.J. Fort) have been especially hard hit by injuries. 

According to King’s team, the Minnesota Vikings have dodged injuries. I’m not so sure about that. An ankle injury kept Dalvin Cook out of Week 5. Through five games, he’s missed as much time as he’s played. I’d also find room on this team for tight end Irv Smith Jr. Just before the start of the season, surgery to repair a meniscus injury took him from the team for the season. 

Injuries will always be an unfortunate part of football. Peter King’s Week 5 All-Injured Team shows that teams have been especially hard hit this year. As the league’s decision-makers continue to put greater demands on the players this injury trend will likely continue. There’s always more players.