Injuries to monitor after Week 5: Chargers running game is in trouble

Each week of the NFL season, Yardbarker will be monitoring players who have suffered notable injuries. 

From an Arizona Cardinals quarterback to a New York Giants wide receiver, here are five players we're tracking after Week 5: 

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

In the third quarter of Sunday's home game against the Tennessee Titans, Murray briefly left because of a foot injury but returned. It didn't seem to impact him.

In the 22-21 loss, Murray completed 23-of-31 passes for 220 yards with an above-average 93.5 passer rating. In his postgame news conference, though, the QB didn't provide details about the injury, saying, "We'll see."  

Two-time Pro Bowler Murray returning to the game lessens concerns about the injury, but the situation still bears watching. The Cardinals are already without star running back James Conner, who suffered a season-ending right ankle injury in Week 3. The foot issue bothering the star QB would add to the team's problems. 

Backup QB Jacoby Brissett has struggled to establish himself as a viable starter throughout his career. In 10 seasons, he has a 19-34 starting record in the regular season. 

Los Angeles Chargers RB Omarion Hampton

Hampton didn't return in Sunday's home game against the Washington Commanders because of an ankle injury. The North Carolina product finished with 44 yards on 12 carries and had six receptions for 26 yards.

After the Chargers' 27-10 loss, The Athletic's Daniel Popper spotted the rookie walking out of the locker room with a walking boot on his left ankle.

Hampton — who rushed for 314 yards in five games — missing time would be costly for the Chargers. They already lost RB Najee Harris for the rest of the season after he tore his Achilles tendon in a Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos.  

Without Hampton, the Chargers' offense could become less balanced. That'll put more pressure on quarterback Justin Herbert, who has recently cooled. Against Washington, he threw for a season-low 166 yards.  

Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader

During Sunday's home game, Shrader grabbed his right knee after colliding with Las Vegas Raiders safety Tristin McCollum on an extra-point attempt in the second quarter. He then walked off the field with the training staff. The Colts don't have a backup kicker, so they attempted two-point conversions after TDs for the rest of the game and had punter Rigoberto Sanchez handle kickoffs.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen didn't sound optimistic about the injury. Following the 40-6 win over the Raiders, the coach said, "It doesn't look good, but I don't have the full update."  

Shrader has been a big part of the Colts' 4-1 start. He was recently named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month for September after making 13 field goals in his first four games.

With Shrader possibly being out for an extended period, expect the Colts to sign another kicker, perhaps Younghoe Koo from the Giants practice squad.   

Philadelphia Eagles guard Landon Dickerson

Dickerson departed in Sunday's home game against the Denver Broncos after tripping during a tackle and grabbing his left ankle. O-lineman Brett Toth replaced him. His status remains unclear ahead of a road game against the Giants on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 6. 

This continues bad injury luck for Dickerson. Before the start of the season, he underwent knee surgery and battled a back issue. 

The Eagles need him to get healthy soon, or it could spell unwanted news for their passing attack. Without Dickerson, Philadelphia struggled to protect QB Jalen Hurts, who took six sacks in the 21-17 loss to Denver. 

New York Giants WR Darius Slayton

Slayton didn't return after suffering a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 26-14 road loss to the New Orleans Saints. He finished with three receptions for 31 yards. 

"I'm going to do my best to shake back and get healthy as fast as possible," the WR said postgame. 

Slayton aiming for a speedy recovery bodes well for the Giants, who are still trying to figure out how to have an effective passing attack without WR Malik Nabers. The second-year wideout suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee in Week 4. He's slated to undergo surgery this week. 

Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart showed more flashes in the loss against the Saints but clearly suffered without Nabers. He completed 26-of-40 passes for 202 yards and two TDs, but tossed two interceptions.