Table of Contents
For the second-straight week, we saw a three-TD performance on Thursday night, so if you’re up against DJ Moore (or Justin Fields), you’ll need to maximize points. With four fewer teams in action because of byes, your Week 5 fantasy start ’em, sit ’em options are slightly more limited, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
We’re once again set for 14 hours of action on Sunday, as the second London game of the season kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET between the Jaguars and Bills. Zay Jones (knee) is the only notable “questionable” player from that game, but there are plenty more injuries to watch ahead of the afternoon and prime-time kickoffs. We already know Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen), and Tee Higgins (ribs) won’t play, but Derek Carr (shoulder), Saquon Barkley (ankle), Javonte Williams (hip), Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh), Aaron Jones (hamstring), Davante Adams (shoulder), Josh Reynolds (groin), and Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) are all “questionable.”
There is some good news, though — Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, and Jameson Williams are all slated to make their season debuts. While Kupp immediately returns to must-start status, the same can’t be said for Taylor or Williams, who both have high ceilings but low floors this week.
With all that said, it’s fair to assume plenty of owners have lineup questions. We’ll be here to help all morning, reacting to injury news, monitoring the active/inactive lists for any surprises, watching the weather, and providing start ’em, sit ’em advice based on all the latest developments.
MORE: Watch NFL RedZone live with Sling (50% off first month)
Fantasy football live news for NFL Week 5
Live updates will begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Injury updates for NFL Week 5
UPDATE (9 a.m. ET): NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Saquon Barkley (ankle) is not expected to play today against Miami. Matt Breida will once again start and work as a flex in 12-team leagues.
UPDATE (9 a.m. ET): NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle) is expected to play today against Pittsburgh.
UPDATE (9 a.m. ET): NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Derek Carr (shoulder) is expected to play today against New England.
UPDATE (9 a.m. ET): ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that the Broncos want to look at Javonte Williams (hip) in pre-game warmups before making a final decision on his status against the Jets. With Denver playing on Thursday in Week 6, it seems unlikely that Williams will suit up, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine to split carries in the backfield.
NOTABLE EARLY ACTIVES (10:35 a.m. ET): Justice Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., Derek Carr, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds, Jonathan Taylor
NOTABLE EARLY INACTIVES (10:35 a.m. ET): Treylon Burks, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley, Pat Freiermuth, Juwan Johnson
WEEK 5 INJURY UPDATES:
RBs | WRs | Aaron Jones | Davante Adams
Playing time updates for NFL Week 5
Detroit’s Jameson Williams will reportedly have a “limited role” today, suggesting that even with Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) out, Williams won’t do much. He’s basically a touchdown-or-bust play, and you should be able to do better at WR at this point in the season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Cooper Kupp will not have “no expected limitations” today against the Eagles. He will immediately return to WR1 status, while Puka Nacua will settle in as a high-end WR2. Tutu Atwell takes the biggest hit in value, but against Philadelphia’s 27th-ranked pass defense, he still has flex upside.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Jonathan Taylor will not start and be eased into the offense this week against Tennessee. Ultimately, we expect Taylor to get more touches and be more effective than starter Zack Moss, but you can’t trust either as more than a flex against Tennessee’s fourth-ranked run defense.
With Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman expected back today, it will be the second time all season that Baltimore has had its top four pass-catchers in the lineup and (hopefully) the first full game. In Week 2, TE Mark Andrews led the team in targets (8), while Nelson Agholor (6) and Zay Flowers (5) led the receivers. Expect Flowers’ workload to take a slight hit, but he’s still a solid WR3/flex.
With both Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell active, the Ravens’ backfield bears monitoring today. Gus Edwards still figures to see the most carries and be worth a flex spot, but Mitchell has breakout potential later in the season. He’s worth a speculative add in deep leagues before kickoff, but don’t expect much of anything from the rookie today.
Weather updates for NFL Week 5
For a full breakdown of all of the Week 5 weather worries, click here.
Things are mostly calm on the weather front for the second-straight week. We could see winds of 15-20 mph for the Ravens-Steelers, Saints-Patriots, and Cowboys-49ers, but that’s not enough reason to sit any usual starters (including the kickers) from either team. There’s around a 50-percent chance of rain in the second half of the Giants-Dolphins game, but there’s no need to bench any of the key members of Miami’s high-flying passing attack.
Who should I start in fantasy football today?
Advice based on 12-team, half-point PPR leagues
The recommendations below are from Vinnie Iyer’s Week 5 start ’em, sit ’em column.
Must-starts
QB: Josh Allen, Bills (vs. JAX in London), Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at MIN), Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at LAR), Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. NYG), Anthony Richardson, Colts (vs. TEN), Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at PIT), Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. KC), Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. BUF in London)
RB: Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. HOU), Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. DAL), David Montgomery, Lions (vs. CAR), Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders (vs. CHI), Josh Jacobs, Raiders (vs. GB), Aaron Jones, Packers (at LV), Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at SF), Derrick Henry, Titans (at IND), De’Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. NYG), D’Andre Swift, Eagles (at LAR), Joe Mixon, Bengals (at CIN), Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. NYG), Alvin Kamara, Saints (at NE), Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. BUF in London), James Conner, Cardinals (vs. CIN)
WR: Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. GB), Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. NYG), Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. KC), Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. JAX in London), A.J. Brown, Eagles (at LAR), Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (at ARI), Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. PHI), Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. DAL), CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at SF), DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at LAR), Chris Olave, Saints (vs.TB), Calvin Ridley, Jaguars (vs. BUF in London), Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NYG), Gabe Davis, Bills (vs. JAX in London), Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. DAL), Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. TEN), Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. CHI), Garrett Wilson, Jets (at DEN), Tank Dell, Texans (at ATL), DJ Moore, Bears (at WAS), Zay Flowers, Ravens (at PIT), Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. BUF in London), Nico Collins, Texans (at ATL)
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at MIN), T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. KC), Mark Andrews, Ravens (at PIT), Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. CAR), George Kittle, 49ers (vs. DAL), Darren Waller, Giants (at MIA), Evan Engram, Jaguars (vs. BUF in London)
D/ST: Ravens (at PIT), Commanders (vs. CHI), Dolphins (vs. NYG), 49ers (vs. DAL), Lions (vs. CAR), Bills (vs. JAX in London)
Smart sits
QB: Brock Purdy (vs. DAL), Dak Prescott (@ SF), Russell Wilson (vs. NYJ), Daniel Jones (at MIA)
RB: Miles Sanders (@ DET), Najee Harris (vs. BAL), Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. NO), Jahmyr Gibbs (vs. CAR), Zack Moss (vs. TEN)
WR: DeAndre Hopkins (@ IND), Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy (vs. NYJ), George Pickens (vs. BAL), Drake London (vs. HOU), Michael Thomas (@ NE), Jordan Addison (vs. KC)
TE: Kyle Pitts (vs. HOU), Hunter Henry (vs. NO), Hayden Hurst (@ DET)
D/ST: Cowboys (@ SF), Bengals (@ ARI), Packers (@ LV), Colts (vs. TEN)
Read more coverage from Sporting News’ team of fantasy football experts, including Week 5 rankings for PPR and standard formats, sleepers, busts, DFS picks, and other projections below.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE: Sleepers | Busts
WEEK 5 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
WEEK 5 TOOLS: RotoBaller “Who To Start?” tool | Draft Sharks’ Week 5 projections
Fantasy football rankings Week 5
Below are Sporting News’ updated fantasy football rankings for Week 5. Rankings based on full-point PPR scoring.
Quarterback
Rank Player
1 Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs @ Vikings
2 Josh Allen, Bills vs. Jaguars
3 Jalen Hurts, Eagles @ Rams
4 Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs. Giants
5 Lamar Jackson, Ravens @ Steelers
6 Anthony Richardson, Colts vs. Titans
7 Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars @ Bills
8 Jared Goff, Lions vs. Panthers
9 Matthew Stafford, Rams vs. Eagles
10 Joe Burrow, Bengals @ Cardinals
Running back
Rank Player
1 Christian McCaffrey, 49ers vs. Cowboys
2 Bijan Robinson, Falcons vs. Texans
3 Raheem Mostert, Dolphins vs. Giants
4 Tony Pollard, Cowboys @ 49ers
5 Josh Jacobs, Raiders vs. Packers
6 Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs. Bills
7 Alvin Kamara, Saints @ Patriots
8 James Cook, Bills vs. Jaguars
9 Joe Mixon, Bengals @ Cardinals
10 Aaron Jones, Packers @ Raiders
11 Derrick Henry, Titans @ Colts
12 David Montgomery, Lions vs. Panthers
13 Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs @ Vikings
14 Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots vs. Saints
15 Miles Sanders, Panthers @ Lions
16 D’Andre Swift, Eagles @ Rams
17 Breece Hall, Jets @ Broncos
18 Kyren Williams, Rams vs. Eagles
19 James Conner, Cardinals vs. Bengals
20 De’Von Achane, Dolphins vs. Giants
Wide receiver
Rank Player
1 Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Giants
2 Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. Chiefs
3 Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Jaguars
4 Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Packers
5 A.J. Brown, Eagles @ Rams
6 CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys @ 49ers
7 Cooper Kupp, Rams @ Eagles
8 Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals @ Cardinals
9 Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers vs. Cowboys
10 DeVonta Smith, Eagles @ Rams
11 Puka Nacua, Rams vs. Eagles
12 Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Giants
13 Calvin Ridley, Jaguars vs. Bills
14 Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Titans
15 Nico Collins, Texans @ Falcons
16 Chris Olave, Saints @ Patriots
17 Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Bears
18 DJ Moore, Bears @ Commanders
19 Marquise Brown, Cardinals vs. Bengals
20 DeAndre Hopkins, Titans @ Colts
21 Garrett Wilson, Jets @ Broncos
22 Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. Cowboys
23 Jakobi Meyers, Raiders vs. Packers
24 Gabe Davis, Bills vs. Jaguars
25 Zay Flowers, Ravens @ Steelers
Tight end
Rank Player
1 Travis Kelce, Chiefs @ Vikings
2 T.J. Hockenson, Vikings vs. Chiefs
3 Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. Panthers
4 Evan Engram, Jaguars vs. Bills
5 Mark Andrews, Ravens @ Steelers
6 George Kittle, 49ers vs. Cowboys
7 Tyler Higbee, Rams vs. Eagles
8 Darren Waller, Giants @ Dolphins
9 Dallas Goedert, Eagles @ Rams
10 Hunter Henry, Patriots vs. Saints
Defense/Special teams
Rank Player
1 New England Patriots vs. Saints
2 San Francisco 49ers vs. Cowboys
3 Dallas Cowboys @ 49ers
4 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Ravens
5 Denver Broncos vs. Jets
6 Baltimore Ravens @ Steelers
7 Philadelphia Eagles @ Rams
8 Cincinnati Bengals @ Cardinals
9 New Orleans Saints @ Patriots
10 Buffalo Bills vs. Jaguars
