As the NFL barrels into Week 5, teams across the league are grappling with a rash of injuries that could shape the outcomes of pivotal matchups this Sunday. From the Tennessee Titans' hopeful return of Tyjae Spears to the Indianapolis Colts' continuing woes at wide receiver, and the Philadelphia Eagles' cautious approach with linebacker Nakobe Dean, the latest injury updates are keeping fans and coaches alike on edge. With the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders also navigating key absences, let’s break down what’s at stake for each squad as game day approaches.
Let’s start in Nashville, where the Tennessee Titans are desperate for a spark after an 0-4 start. The big news is the anticipated return of running back Tyjae Spears, who’s been sidelined since the preseason with an ankle injury. Head coach Brian Callahan, speaking on October 3, didn’t officially confirm Spears’ activation from injured reserve, but his tone brimmed with optimism. "You’re always mindful of how much you’re putting on him right out the gate coming off of IR," Callahan said. "But he’s worked really well the last couple weeks leading up to it, and he had a good week of practice. So I’m excited to see what he can bring." Spears himself echoed that excitement, telling reporters, "Me. The things I have in my head, I can’t tell you."
Spears is expected to split reps with starter Tony Pollard against the Arizona Cardinals on October 5 at State Farm Stadium. While Pollard brings a polished running style, Spears’ prowess as a receiver could inject some much-needed versatility into a Titans offense that’s struggled to find rhythm. With Julius Chestnut as the only other back on the active roster, the Titans are counting on Spears to help shoulder the load.
But the Titans’ injury headaches don’t end there. Top receiver Calvin Ridley is questionable for the matchup, nursing both a knee injury—sustained in Week 4 against Houston—and an elbow issue. Ridley missed practice on October 1 and 2, but returned for the team’s final walkthrough. Should Ridley not be able to go, the Titans’ receiving corps will rely on a mix of rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, along with veterans Van Jefferson and Tyler Lockett. The situation is further complicated by the absence of second-year player Bryce Oliver from practice for several weeks, leaving the door open for practice squad call-ups if needed.
Up front, the Titans’ offensive line took another hit as 2024 first-round pick JC Latham was ruled out for Sunday’s contest due to a lingering hip strain. Latham was seen working out on a side field during the October 3 walkthrough, but Callahan has already set his sights on a possible return next week. To shore up depth, Tennessee signed tackle Brant Banks off waivers from Green Bay, joining backups Oli Udoh, Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, and John Ojukwu.
Meanwhile, over in Indianapolis, the Colts are dealing with their own set of challenges ahead of their clash with the Las Vegas Raiders. The absence of wide receiver Alec Pierce looms large, as he’s set to miss his second consecutive game while navigating the NFL’s concussion protocol. Despite being a full participant in practice on October 1 and 2, Pierce continued to experience symptoms and was not cleared by the league’s independent neurologist. "Didn’t feel good," head coach Shane Steichen admitted, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Pierce’s recovery from his third career concussion.
Pierce’s absence puts additional pressure on the Colts’ receiving corps, particularly on Adonai Mitchell. Mitchell’s recent performance has been under scrutiny after a costly fumble and a holding penalty wiped out a 53-yard Jonathan Taylor touchdown. Steichen remained noncommittal about Mitchell’s playing time, stating, "Working through that." With only veteran Ashton Dulin available as an outside receiver beyond Mitchell and Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts’ options are limited. Pittman, who leads the team with 21 catches, 234 yards, and three touchdowns, was limited in practice on October 2 with a hamstring issue but is expected to play. "He just felt it a little bit during practice, but he’s good," Steichen assured reporters.
Indianapolis will also be without cornerback Kenny Moore II (Achilles), running back Tyler Goodson (groin), and safety Daniel Scott (knee), all ruled out for Sunday’s game. The depleted roster means the Colts will need contributions from less-heralded players to keep pace with the Raiders.
Shifting focus to Philadelphia, the Eagles are playing it safe with linebacker Nakobe Dean, who will not be activated for Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Dean, a key defensive leader, was a full participant in practice on October 3 but remains in the midst of his 21-day practice window after recovering from a patellar tendon injury suffered during the 2024 Wild Card Round. Dean’s absence means the Eagles will continue to lean on standout linebacker Zack Baun, who graded out as the NFL’s best at his position from Weeks 6-18 last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Dean, ever the "optimistic realist," has stayed mentally sharp during his rehab, learning the intricacies of Vic Fangio’s defense. Fangio praised Dean’s return to the practice field, saying, "He played great last year. Besides being the signal-caller guy and being a leader, you can’t be a leader if you don’t play good and he played great for us last year." The Eagles are hopeful Dean will be ready as soon as next week.
Elsewhere on the Eagles’ injury report, tight end Dallas Goedert (knee), cornerback Adoree' Jackson (groin), and tackle Lane Johnson (shoulder) all participated fully in practice on October 3 and are set to play. The only player missing practice was linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who was excused for personal reasons but is expected to be available Sunday.
The Denver Broncos, on the other hand, are relatively healthy heading into their tilt with the Eagles. Tight end Lucas Krull has been ruled out with a foot injury, but the rest of the active roster practiced in full on October 3. Earlier in the week, right guard Quinn Meinerz missed practice due to illness, and tight end Nate Adkins was limited with a concussion. However, both are trending in the right direction for Sunday’s game.
With so many teams managing key absences and last-minute lineup decisions, Week 5 promises to be a test of depth and adaptability across the NFL. Coaches are keeping their cards close to the vest, and fans can expect some surprises as game time approaches. Whether it's a long-awaited return from injury or a rookie stepping into the spotlight, the drama is only just beginning.
As the weekend action looms, all eyes will be on how these injury updates translate on the field. Will Spears’ return jumpstart the Titans’ offense? Can the Colts overcome their depleted receiving corps? And will the Eagles’ patience with Dean pay off in the coming weeks? One thing’s for sure: the NFL’s unpredictable nature is alive and well as Week 5 kicks off.