Injury Updates Week 5: Matt Forte, Trent Richardson, Greg Jennings

There are a few key fantasy contributors that have had a number of injury question marks surrounding their playing status leading up to Week 5 of the 2012 NFL season. Here’s a little bit about these three and what you should consider.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Matt Forte owners ran the gamut of emotions Monday night as he returned to the lineup quicker than expected, limped off after his first play and then returned to finish the game. Cautious owners, like myself, wish he would have just stayed idle until after next week’s bye but that did not happen. He was not very productive in a 34-18 win over Dallas (13 carries, 52 yards, one catch, minus-three yards). Now he gets a Jacksonville team, on a short week, which has allowed 84.5 yards per game to lead backs — thanks for ruining the average, Donald Brown and your 62 yards. Forte practiced this week. If he’s back, he’s in your lineup.

Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns vs. New York Giants
This is just to tell you that Trent Richardson is on the injury report but it is not injury related. He was welcoming in child No. 3 to the family. Richardson has 183 rushing yards and three scores in the last three games and now gets a friendly New York run defense. The Giants are allowing 4.7 yards per carry to running backs. They have surrendered just one score to the position, but the 4.7 is too big to ignore. Richardson has also become more involved in the passing game, catching 14 balls for 117 yards and a score on 18 targets.

Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay vs. Indianapolis Colts
Greg Jennings (groin) was declared out before Week 5 officially began Thursday night, so this is just a reminder in case you had not heard. Get Greg Jennings out of your lineup(s). Now the fun begins in regards to who will replace him this week vs. a Colts team that is allowing the sixth-most points to fantasy receivers. When Jennings missed the Week 2 game against Chicago it was Jordy Nelson who got the most production (six catches, 84 yards on nine targets). James Jones and Randall Cob combined for seven targets, three catches and 19 yards receiving. No more or less love went to tight end Jermichael Finley as he has received five targets each of the last three weeks after tying a career-high with 11 in the opener against San Francisco. Jones would be the best bet to plug in as he has at least six targets in three of four games — oddly enough his low mark of five coming when Jennings was out — and has averaged 4.6 catches for 64 yards and one score in those three games.

— By Corby A. Yarbrough @Corby_Yarbrough on Twitter