NFL Week 5: Latest Injury Updates for Every Marquee Player

The NFL is a lurid sport featuring awe-inspiring feats of sporting excellence from some of the world's biggest and best athletes. It is also a violent game, so of course injuries are an inescapable fact of life for these players so willing to put their bodies on the line week in and week out.

Week 5 was no different from any other week in the NFL in that regard, as several notable stars suffered injuries. As always, these unfortunate incidents can change a team's game plan, decide the outcome of the week's contests or even alter the direction of a franchise's season.    

Here is a case-by-case look at the latest injuries afflicting some of the league's marquee names. 

Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Detroit Lions star wideout Calvin Johnson once again apparently suffered an ankle injury in his team's Week 5 loss to the middling Buffalo Bills. 

Update: Monday, Oct. 6 at 12:40 p.m. ET

According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, the Detroit Lions are considering holding wide receiver Calvin Johnson out a week or possibly two. Fantasy owners should be looking for backup plans and Lions fans should be holding their collective breath.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, via Twitter, noted Johnson limped out of the game and eventually went back to the locker room.

ESPN's John Clayton later reported his return to the game as doubtful, via Twitter.

Johnson finished the game with just one catch for seven yards. This comes on the heels of a two-catch, 12-yard night against the New York Jets where he was considered to be a decoy.

The ankle injury has bothered him throughout much of the 2014 season and has essentially hamstrung the Lions' (potentially) potent offense. The best course of action might be for Lions to sit Johnson out and let him fully heal. He's been entirely ineffective with this injury and the Lions can't afford to waste a golden opportunity to make waves in the NFC with a stingy defense and a competent quarterback in Matthew Stafford.

Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints

Bill Haber/Associated Press

The New Orleans Saints lost one of the better players in the league in tight end Jimmy Graham in Week 5.

Update: Monday, Oct. 6 at 12:40 p.m. ET

According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, “Per a league source, Graham has a sprained shoulder that currently isn’t believed to be serious.” The New Orleans Saints managed to win Sunday without the tight end, but the team is clearly better with him in the lineup.

According to NFL.com's Around The NFL (via Twitter), Graham was forced to go to the locker room to receive X-rays on his right shoulder and was considered probable to return.

However, ESPN.com's Mike Triplett noted that although he tried to return to the game, Graham was unable to compete any further in the contest. He finished the game with just two receptions for 36 yards.

The Saints would go on to win the game in overtime, but they will be hoping that Graham's injury isn't a long-term issue. His ability to draw double coverage from linebackers and safeties often opens up the field and allows quarterback Drew Brees to hit players like running back Pierre Thomas or wideout Brandin Cooks on underneath routes.

Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona Cardinals

Joe Mahoney/Associated Press

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell suffered a knee injury on a controversial chop-block play in the team's Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos.

According to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com, via Twitter, Campbell injured his MCL and will miss three to four weeks.

Campbell has just one sack on the year, but he's been a very dependable player throughout his career.

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was understandably angry in the post-game interview regarding the chop block that took out Campbell.

"That was the dirtiest play I've seen in 37 years," he said, via NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal.

The Cardinals lost defensive end Darnell Dockett at the beginning of the season to a torn ACL. The injury to Campbell will sting even worse after a tough loss to the Broncos in which the Cardinals failed to muster a decent pass rush throughout the majority of the game. The loss of Campbell will test the depth and resolve of the Arizona defense.

Montee Ball, RB, Denver Broncos

Jack Dempsey/Associated Press

The Denver Broncos offense had a brilliant day against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, but a high-profile piece of the puzzle looks to be set to spend some extra time on the sidelines.

Running back Montee Ball left the game with an apparent groin injury and is set to be "out for awhile," according to a source for Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Klis also noted Ball will have a magnetic imaging exam on his groin on Monday morning.

Ball left the game with just 18 total yards on eight touches. His day was especially tough on the ground, as he averaged just 1.2 yards per carry in the contest.

Ball has struggled to put up big numbers so far this season, although the Broncos offense has done quite weill with Peyton Manning move the ball almost at will through the air. His injury will force the team to go to it's stable of running backs, which includes the likes of C.J. Anderson, Juwan Thompson, and Ronnie Hillman.

Drew Stanton, QB, Arizona Cardinals

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

The Cardinals bad luck with injuries wasn't confined to the defense in Week 5. They also had the misfortune of seeing quarterback Drew Stanton—the backup for Carson Palmer, who's been absent for much of the season with a nerve injury—leave the game with a possible concussion, per NFL.com.

The Cardinals promising season could be on the ropes with this injury should Stanton's concussion prove to be severe and if Palmer is unable to return in the next couple of weeks.

Logan Thomas came in for Stanton and completed just one of his first eight passes, which just happened to be an 81-yard touchdown pass to running back Andre Ellington. He did very little of note otherwise and the Cardinals had no chance of keeping up with the Broncos in this contest. With Thomas at the helm, they may find it difficult to keep up with just about any offense in the NFL.

Donald Brown, RB, San Diego Chargers

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

The Chargers were never supposed to be relying on Donald Brown. Danny Woodhead and Ryan Mathews were set to shoulder the load in the backfield, but the former suffered a season-ending ankle injury, while the latter picked up a knee injury that has kept him out of the team's past three games.

Chargers fans were understandably nervous when Brown left the Chargers game with a concussion which came on a vicious hit from Quinton Coples that knocked Brown's helmet off. Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego reported via Twitter that the injury would prevent the veteran halfback's return.

The injury turned out to do little to hurt the Bolts' offense. Running back Branden Oliver had a monstrous day filling in for Brown, racking up 182 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. He may very well be a short-term solution for the Bolts and a possible star in the making.

That said, the Chargers are now down to just two healthy backs—Oliver and in-season pickup Shaun Draughn. San Diego will need either Mathews or Brown to return as soon as possible, lest teams key in on quarterback Philip Rivers and the offense is left without a viable solution.

Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

The Chargers season has been defined by two things: the stellar play of Rivers and injuries on both sides of the ball.

Brown wasn't the only skill player to go down in San Diego on Sunday, Wide receiver Malcom Floyd picked up a calf injury in the first half and was reported as questionable to return, per Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com (via Twitter). 

Gehlken noted via Twitter that he returned to the sideline in the second half, but he didn't see any more time on the field.

The injury comes at an especially inopportune time for Floyd. He battled hard in the offseason to come back from a career-threatening neck injury and was getting back to his old ways as one of the league's best downfield threats. He managed to reel in a stunning 49-yard catch before leaving the game.

The Chargers offense had very little to do after halftime with the Jets offense doing absolutely nothing of note, so it is difficult to say how Floyd's absence may impact the team going forward. Should he miss time, expect 6'2" Seyi Ajirotutu to get some looks on the deeper routes, with Rivers looking more and more to wideout Keenan Allen to keep drives alive.

DJ Fluker, RT, San Diego Chargers

Uncredited/Associated Press

Let's face it: the Chargers locker room doubled as an infirmary ward by the halfway mark of their dominant w win over the Jets.

Mammoth right tackle D.J. Fluker was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury, per Williams. Willie Smith replaced Fluker and finished out the game in fine form, doing enough to protect Rivers and spring Oliver for several strong gains on the ground.

Marty Caswell of 1090 Sports Radio reported via Twitter that Fluker was in the locker room on crutches after the game.

Fluker is an excellent run blocker and above-average in pass protection. He's played left tackle at times and has been a fixture in the offensive line since his rookie season.

The Chargers also lost their third center of the season, Doug Legursky, during the game, according to Caswell. With the litany of injuries to the offensive line and at running back, the Bolts offense may yet slow down at some point during the season. The pressure will be on Rivers to continue to perform at an all-world level, but that task will grown increasingly difficult if their is no relief from the onslaught of injuries.

Zac Stacy, RB, St. Louis Rams

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

The St. Louis Rams suffered a potentially devastating blow to the offense on Sunday, as running back Zac Stacy left the game with a calf injury and was unable to return to play.

NFL Network's Jeff Darlington reported the news via Twitter, noting Stacy was announced as doubtful to return to the game.

Stacy burst onto the scene with 973 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2013. He continued to perform well despite having less opportunities to carry the ball this season, racking up 181 yards rushing and one touchdown on 42 carries in four games.

The Rams had little chance of keeping pace with the Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 40ers in the ultra-tough NFC West, but they could very well sink to the bottom of the league should Stacy miss a significant amount of time.

The team has already had to contend with the loss of quarterback Sam Bradford prior to the start of the regular season, and although Austin Davis has performed well in his stead, the Rams surely lack the firepower to keep up with the majority of the league's offenses if Stacy stays on the sidelines.

Chris Conte, S, Bears

Uncredited/Associated Press

Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte's injury woes continue, as he was forced to leave his team's Week 5 contest against the Carolina Panthers with an apparent concussion.

ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright provided a recap of the play that caused the unfortunate head injury:

"

Breaking on a throw from Cam Newton to Kelvin Benjamin, Conte laid a crushing blow on the play with Isaiah Frey stripping the ball loose and recovering the fumble to set up Chicago's first touchdown of the afternoon, a 10-yard pass from Jay Cutler to Matt Forte.

Chicago's medical staff spent several minutes evaluating Conte after he originally suffered the injury. Conte re-entered the game for Chicago's next defensive series, but left after participating in one play.

"

Injuries have limited Conte's play extensively this season. He picked up an interception in each of the Bears first two games this season and looked to play an enforcer role as well with his sure tackling. However, his inability to finish games has left the Bears relying on the likes of rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller to contend with opposing passing attacks.

Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

Bruising New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings picked up an apparent knee injury in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons.

Jay Adams of the Atlanta Falcons reported via Twitter that he would be unable to return to the game with a knee sprain.

According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Jennings is scheduled to get an MRI on his knee on Monday. The running back stayed positive, saying, "I should be all right, that's how I feel."

Jennings is in the midst of a fine season. Coming into this week's contest, he had 341 yards rushing on 81 carries and two touchdowns. He was well on his way to another fine performance in Week 5, racking up 55 yards on 10 carries.

The Giants should be relatively stable at halfback with the speedy Andre Williams in the fold, but quarterback Eli Manning has put up some uneven performances this season and the team will be looking for a swift recovery from Jennings.

Jake Locker, QB, Tennessee Titans

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

The Tennessee Titans will be reeling after allowing the Cleveland Browns to notch a miraculous comeback victory after jumping out to an early 28-3 lead. To make things worse, quarterback Jake Locker missed a large portion of the contest with a hand injury.

According to ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky, the injury is to Locker's throwing hand (right) and he had it wrapped as he watched the second half of the game from the sidelines. 

Charlie Whitehurst came into the game for Locker and performed admirably, completing 13 of 21 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Locker has struggled so far in 2014, but looked like he was ready to turn things around against the Browns, completing 8 of 11 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.

The injury opens up the possibility for a quarterback controversy in Tennessee after Whitehurst's strong performance, but the team knows the future could lie with the young Locker and will be hoping that the hand injury isn't as serious as a cast implies.

Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions

Jose Juarez/Associated Press

Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush has never been confused with a durable player, and it appears he added another chapter to his long, unfortunate injury tale in his team's Week 5 loss against the Buffalo Bills.

The Lions' official Twitter account reported Bush suffered an ankle injury late in the game and was questionable to return.

Later Dave Richard of CBS Sports relayed information from Sports Illustrated's Peter King, saying Bush may end up missing a week of action.

Bush, when healthy, is one of the more dynamic running backs in the league. He racked up over 1,500 all-purpose yards in 2013. The Lions' offense could be in dire straights if Bush's injury keeps him out for a significant amount of time. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been hobbled all season long and Joique Bell missed Week 5 after suffering a concussion in the previous week.

Backup George Winn totaled 48 yards on 11 carries against Buffalo and could see an uptick in touches should Bush miss time.

Devin McCourty, S, New England Patriots

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty exited the team's Sunday night contest against the Cincinnati Bengals after he sustained an apparent rib injury after a collision in the second quarter. The veteran was deemed questionable to return, according to Bleacher Report's Eric Frenz.

McCourty returned to the sideline but wouldn't return to the game. His absence leaves a void in the Patriots' defensive secondary, as he is instrumental in disallowing offenses to go over the top. During his absence the Bengals scored on a 37-yard pass without the safety playing center field.

After a big win on Sunday night, the Patriots appeared to have successfully righted the ship. Now, they'll need the talented McCourty back in the fold quickly to ensure their momentum keep up.

Dominique Easley, DE, New England Patriots

Steven Senne/Associated Press

With Chandler Jones limited on Sunday with a shoulder injury, rookie Dominique Easley got the start at defensive end for the Patriots against the Bengals. Unfortunately, he suffered a shoulder injury of his own during the contest and didn't return in the game's second half, according to the Patriots' official Twitter account.

Easley was credited with one tackle before exiting the game. His injury left New England rather thin at defensive end, considering Jones wasn't at full speed, either. Luckily for the team, Bleacher Report's James Christensen doesn't believe the injury to be serious.

Hopefully that's the case, as the Patriots rolled over the Bengals and appear to have some serious momentum going forward.