Analysis
10/11/23
5 min read
2023 NFL Week 5 Injury Takeaways: Bills Will Struggle to Replace Stars
Week 5 saw many big names suffer injuries of varying degrees of severity. Two of those players were within the top 10 most likely to suffer an injury in their respective positions, according to the SIS Injury Model.
Week 5 Injury Recap
QB Injury Analysis
Based on the model, Daniel Jones was the second most likely starting quarterback to miss a game this season. While none of the top five have missed a start, Jones is the second quarterback on the list to get knocked out of a game and not return.
He avoided a severe injury and could start in Week 6, but the hits will continue to pile up. He’s behind only Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson for quarterback rushing attempts; Jones continues to use his legs to try and create plays for a struggling New York Giants offense. Defenders have sacked him 28 times in five games, second only to Sam Howell’s 29.
Most Likely QBs to Miss a Week in 2023
per the Preseason SIS Injury Model
| Injury Updates | |
| Justin Fields | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| Daniel Jones | Knocked out of Week 5 — neck injury. |
| Kenny Pickett | Knocked out of Week 4. Bone bruise in knee. |
| Josh Allen | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| Lamar Jackson | Active Weeks 1-5 |
RB Injury Analysis
Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner is set to miss at least four weeks after he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury he suffered this past weekend.
He becomes the fourth running back in the 10 backs with the highest risk per the SIS Injury Model to miss at least one game this season. It will be a significant loss for Arizona. Conner was seventh among running backs in rushing Total Points heading into the week and tied for third in rushing yards in the entire NFL.
Most Likely RBs to Miss a Week in 2023
per the Preseason SIS Injury Model
| Injury Updates | |
| David Montgomery | Missed Week 3. Thigh Injury |
| Raheem Mostert | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| Alvin Kamara | Active Weeks 4-5 (returning from suspension) |
| Breece Hall | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| Christian McCaffrey | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| Saquon Barkley | Hasn’t played since Week 2. High-ankle sprain |
| AJ Dillon | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| Aaron Jones | Missed three games with a hamstring injury from Week 1 |
| Rachaad White | Active Weeks 1-5 |
| James Conner | Knee Injury in Week 5. On IR |
Turf Monster
A few big names had their injuries on turf. Justin Jefferson is on IR with a non-contact hamstring injury he suffered on the artificial turf in Minnesota. In the same game, Travis Kelce had a non-contact lateral ankle sprain but returned to the game. It’s uncertain if he’ll play on a short week this Thursday.
The Houston Texans ruled out WR Tank Dell for the remainder of his Week 5 game due to concussion protocols. The Texans were playing on artificial turf in Atlanta, and we’ve shown head injuries are a greater risk on turf fields.
After making a sliding catch in the second quarter, Dell‘s head was the first body part to contact, but no defender had any weight on him.
In contrast, Anthony Richardson had 250 pounds of Harold Landry fall on top of him, driving his right shoulder into the Indianapolis turf. Richardson was diagnosed with a Grade 3 AC Joint sprain and could miss the rest of the season if he elects to have surgery.
The NFL doesn’t have consistent playing surfaces in every stadium. However, it’s fair to question whether the field surface played a part in the injuries or their severity.
Banged Up Bills
The Buffalo Bills flew back to the States from London with a loss and another season-ending injury to a key defensive player. Matt Milano fractured his leg and is feared to have ligament damage in his knee. This comes a week after CB Tre’Davious White suffered a season-ending Achilles tear.
This is not White’s first career season-ending injury. In 2021, he suffered a torn ACL on Thanksgiving in Week 12. White’s injury forced the Bills to play differently on defense. The Bills started to bring defenders closer to the line of scrimmage and blitz at a higher percentage to force the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly.
Bills Defensive Tendency Changes in 2021 (League ranks)
| Weeks 1-12 | Weeks 13-18 | |
| Stacked Box % | 17th | 4th |
| Blitz% | 21st | 11th |
Losing Milano will be a big loss for the Bills. He was proving to be a dynamic playmaker this season. Among all linebackers, he ranks first in Total Points in pass coverage and 11th in Total Points in run defense.
The Bills have played without White for long stretches before and still found success, but in the last two seasons, Milano has only missed two games. When he missed his only game last season, Buffalo lost to the Zach Wilson-led New York Jets.
The Bills will operate the rest of this season without two defensive studs. Perhaps the return of Von Miller will counterbalance Milano and White’s absence and keep them a Super Bowl contender.
This article was authored by Brett Barnes.
