NFL Week 5 Injury Report: Saquon Barkley Doubtful for Eagles, Jayden Daniels Probable for Commanders

We’ve reached the quarter mark of the NFL season, and the injuries are naturally piling up. No one is safe, as all 32 teams begin to look towards and realise their goals in 2026 while navigating the inevitable reality of losing key and depth players to different injuries.

Week 4 claimed more souls, with Ja’Marr Chase, Lamar Jackson, and Pat Surtain all getting banged up. The question now is, who’s playing in Week 5, and who looks destined to sit on the sidelines?

✅ Probable

Position	Team	Player	Injury
DT	Los Angeles Rams	Aaron Donald	Back
WR	Minnesota Vikings	Justin Jefferson	Ankle
QB	Washington Commanders	Jayden Daniels	Elbow
CB	Philadelphia Eagles	Quinyon Mitchell	Shoulder
WR	San Francisco 49ers	Mike Evans	Groin
DT	Seattle Seahawks	Leonard Williams	Ankle

Aaron Donald (Rams vs. Bills): Probable

Aaron Donald’s return to the NFL after a three-year hiatus has been a slow build. The former three-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time First Team All-Pro defensive tackle has played in two of the Los Angeles Rams’ four games this season, missing the Week 4 win against the Philadelphia Eagles due to back soreness. The raw stats don’t show much, but Donald is third in pass-rush win rate among defensive tackles, per Sümer Sports, at 21.8%. He’s still a major impact player, and Sean McVay is optimistic that Donald will be making an impact against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. 

The Rams’ defensive line is a strength of the team. Kobie Turner, Byron Young, and Braden Fiske are all excellent players—and of course Myles Garrett is unblockable when he’s on the field—but Donald has shown in that small sample size that he can be the team’s top pass-rusher. Going up against Josh Allen and the Bills’ offensive line, Donald and the Rams’ defense will need to be at their best if they want to get after a quarterback that has been sacked at the 12th-highest rate in the league.

Jayden Daniels (Commanders vs. Giants): Probable

Speaking of quarterbacks, Washington Commanders’ signal caller Jayden Daniels (elbow) looks ready to go after being a full participant in practice this week. There’ll be concerns that the Commanders are rushing Daniels back after he dislocated the elbow in his non-throwing arm for the second consecutive season, but if Daniels and the team truly believe he is ready to go and can lead the team, then who can blame them? Daniels looked excellent against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2, and at 1-3, the Commanders need to buy a win—and that could come against the New York Giants in Week 5. Daniels under center gives them the best chance to win and to keep their season alive.

Justin Jefferson (Vikings vs. Saints): Probable

Four weeks into the season, and the Minnesota Vikings are 4-0. Somehow. The defense has been electric, leading the league in EPA per play allowed, while the offense has yet to find a rhythm with Kyler Murray under center—they’re 27th in EPA per play, and 31st in passing success rate. Is this rate of success sustainable? Maybe not, but there’s every reason to believe the Vikings’ offense can be better. Especially if they have Justin Jefferson (ankle) back on the field to face the New Orleans Saints in Week 5. Jefferson missed the Week 4 win against the Dolphins after injuring his ankle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jefferson’s 3.2 yards per route run are fifth in the NFL, despite the passing game’s struggles. Building the offense around one of the best receivers in the league might not be a bad idea. And Jefferson has said he intends to play on Sunday, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.

❓ Questionable

Position	Team	Player	Injury
EDGE	Atlanta Falcons	Za’Darius Smith	Concussion
WR	Buffalo Bills	D.J. Moore	Shoulder
RB	Chicago Bears	D’Andre Swift	Knee
WR	Cincinnati Bengals	Ja’Marr Chase	Knee
WR	Los Angeles Chargers	Ladd McConkey	Rib
WR	Washington Commanders	Terry McLaurin	Quad

Za’Darius Smith (Falcons vs. Ravens): Questionable

Not much was expected of the Atlanta Falcons, or their defense, in 2026. The defense lost both of their 2025 first-round picks, James Pearce and Jalon Walker, to a suspension and an ACL tear prior to the season, and it already felt as if there was a discernible lack of talent on the unit. Things started bleakly with a 0-2 start, which included a 34-3 rout by the Carolina Panthers, but the Falcons have bounced back and rattled off back-to-back wins in the last two weeks. The reintroduction of Michael Penix to the lineup has helped, but the Falcons’ defense is quietly eighth in defensive EPA per play—largely due to their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

The Falcons lead the league in pressure rate through four weeks (48.1%), and veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith (concussion) has been integral in those efforts. Smith has recorded 2.5 sacks and 10 pressures, but his status for Sunday Night Football is in jeopardy after suffering a concussion against the Saints. Smith is currently in concussion protocol and did not practice on Wednesday. Without him, the Falcons’ pass rush packs less of a punch. They’re still able to get pressure on the interior through Gervon Dexter and Zach Harrison, but less of an impact on the edge is concerning—especially against a team that has two excellent tackles.

Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals vs. Dolphins): Questionable

Despite so much talent, the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense has flattered to deceive in 2026. They’re 12th in passing success rate and 24th in rushing success rate, and will potentially be without All-Pro receiver Ja’Marr Chase (concussion) against the Miami Dolphins. Chase suffered a concussion early against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 and didn’t return to the game, with Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, and Dohnte Meyers taking on the target share. Chase is yet to practice this week, and it feels like his status is heading in the wrong direction. That’s a blow. Chase provides what Higgins doesn’t in his ability to create after the catch and is arguably the most explosive receiver in the NFL. Higgins is excellent in his own right, but doesn’t carry the same aura. The Bengals will likely survive without Chase against the Dolphins on Sunday, but the offense might not have the same noted upside.

D’Andre Swift (Bears vs. Packers): Questionable

As expected, the Chicago Bears’ rushing attack is one of the best in the league. Whether it’s playcalling or talent, or the combination of both, the Bears are a legitimate rushing force under Ben Johnson. But right now, their effectiveness is in doubt. Both D’Andre Swift (hip, knee) and Kyle Monangai (thumb) are both questionable for an NFC North matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 5. Swift and Monangai have combined for 635 rushing yards and six touchdowns as the Bears have started the season 3-1. However, even if playcalling and offensive line play are major parts of what the Bears do well, Swift and Monangai are a talented pairing. Having only one of them is a puzzle to solve for Johnson, and third-string running back Roschon Johnson can help there, but losing both of them for a pivotal matchup would hurt doubly—especially since the Bears will be without Caleb Williams again.

🏥 Doubtful

Lamar Jackson (Ravens vs. Falcons): Doubtful

The Ravens have been dealt a blow heading into Week 5. Lamar Jackson (ankle) limped off at halftime in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans and didn’t return to the game. Thankfully, for the Ravens, they held out to win the game, but the news surrounding Jackson has been less than positive. It now looks like he can be considered doubtful for Sunday Night Football against the Falcons. The signs without Jackson, and Tyler Huntley under center, were concerning. The Ravens’ -0.23 EPA per play in the second half of the win would be dead last among all teams this season, and offers a brief insight into how the team would operate without Jackson. That’s a fate they don’t want, but one that is unfortunately looming if Jackson is sidelined against the Falcons. The running game will still exist with Derrick Henry, but naturally the passing game will suffer.

Joe Alt (Chargers vs. Broncos): Doubtful

No one has disappointed quite like the Los Angeles Chargers in 2026. The preseason hype for the team was off the charts, and it felt like the Chargers had a rocket strapped to them. That hasn’t panned out at all—the Chargers are 0-4 and heading down a dark, dark path. And there’s no sign it gets any better any time soon. To make matters worse, the Chargers are going to be without both starting tackles for this week, and potentially longer. Rashawn Slater (ankle) has been ruled out for at least a few weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain, while right tackle Joe Alt (neck) is nursing an injury that will at least keep him out for a tough game against the Broncos in Week 5. The Chargers’ offensive line is already in hell. The team is allowing pressure at the seventh-highest rate in the league (44.8%), and Justin Herbert has been sacked 12 times. Can it get any worse for the Chargers without their two starting tackles? We’re about to find out. 

Saquon Barkley (Eagles vs. Jaguars): Doubtful

Another struggling offense in 2026 is the Philadelphia Eagles. The unit is 29th in EPA per play, and 30th in success rate. The team has lost Lane Johnson to retirement, traded away Cam Jurgens this week to the Ravens, and DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, and Saquon Barkley are all battling individual injuries. All of those absences combined put the Eagles on the precipice of a spiral. Barkley has been effective when on the field for the Eagles this season, carrying the ball 36 times for 182 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per pop. But injuries have reduced his time on the field, and Barkley suffered a hamstring injury early in the Week 4 loss to the Rams and hasn’t practiced since. As of now, it seems as if Barkley, along with Smith, is trending towards not playing against the Jaguars in London this week. A concerning outcome. If the Eagles lose, it could be curtains for this era of the team.

Photo Credit: REUTERS