Fantasy Football Week 5 Rankings: Examining Lineup Options After Injury Reports
Injuries can derail the most carefully crafted of fantasy plans. Many managers experienced this on Thursday night, as standout running backs Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Javonte Williams (ACL) were both absent for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos clash.
Injuries will continue to impact games in Week 5, as several notable players have already been ruled out. Several more will likely be game-time decisions.
So where can managers turn? Here, we'll examine the updated point-per-reception (PPR) rankings for key positions and dive into a few potential waiver-wire targets who still may be available as late-week additions.
Quarterback
1 of 4
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
5. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
6. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
8. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
10. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
Injury Report and Lineup Options
The biggest news at quarterback this week is that Dallas Cowboys signal-caller Dak Prescott (thumb) will not return to face the Los Angeles Rams. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has also been ruled out.
The New England Patriots haven't ruled out Mac Jones (ankle) just yet, but he appears far from recovered after missing last week.
"I'm told, per sources, that there remains a fair bit of instability in Mac's ankle," NFL Networks Mike Giardi tweeted on Wednesday.
Jones is doubtful, as is New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is probably the best option off the waiver wire, though he faces a tough Saints defense. He's already thrown for 1,037 yards with six touchdowns, two interceptions and a 108.0 rating.
Smith is still available in 70 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
Ryan Tannehill could be a serviceable spot starter against the Washington Commanders. He's rostered in only 20 percent of Yahoo leagues and 16 percent of ESPN leagues.
Running Back
2 of 4
1. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
2. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
3. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
4. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
5. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
6. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
7. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
9. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
10. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Injury Report and Lineup Options
Perhaps the biggest injury at running back heading into Sunday is that of Detroit Lions star D'Andre Swift. He remains out with shoulder and ankle injuries.
New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara, who missed Week 4 with a rib injury, is questionable. So is Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery.
It's worth checking to see if Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier is still available in your league. Though he was a popular wire add this week, he remains rostered in only 57 percent of Yahoo leagues and 43 percent of ESPN leagues.
Allgeier could see a significant role against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week, as the Falcons have placed starting running back Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) on injured reserve.
Last week, Allgeier had 10 carries and one reception for 104 scrimmage yards.
If you're in a bind, Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin could also be worth a look—though he has a relatively low floor. He had 45 scrimmage yards and one reception in Week 4 but caught eight passes over his first three games.
Benjamin is available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.
Wide Receiver
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1. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills
2. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
6. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
7. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
9. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Injury Report and Lineup Options
Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay are both out for the New York Giants' Sunday morning game in London—not that either has been particularly playoff-relevant this season. More noteworthy is the fact that Washington Commanders standout rookie Jahan Dotson (hamstring) is out.
Baltimore Ravens second-year receiver Rashod Bateman (foot) will miss Sunday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Things look positive for Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who missed Week 4 with an ankle injury. He's listed as questionable.
While quarterback concerns are present in New England (Brian Hoyer is also out with a concussion), Nelson Agholor is worth a flier this week. Fellow wideout Jakobi Meyers (knee) missed Week 4 and remains limited.
Last week, Agholor had only three receptions for 46 yards. Back in Week 2, however, he caught six balls for 110 yards and a touchdown. He'll face the Detroit Lions and their league-worst defense this week.
Agholor is rostered in just seven percent of Yahoo leagues and 12 percent of ESPN leagues.
Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Zay Jones (ankle) appears set to return this week, at least, according to Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union.
Jones missed Week 4, but two weeks ago, he caught 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. He'll face the Houston Texans' 18th-ranked pass defense and should be a solid Week 5 option. He's rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo leagues and 35 percent of ESPN leagues.
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Tight End
4 of 4
1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
3. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
4. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
5. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
6. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
7. Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
8. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
9. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
10. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Injury Report and Lineup Options
The most notable injury at tight end is that of Falcons pass-catcher Kyle Pitts. He's dealing with a hamstring injury and won't suit up against the Buccaneers. Tampa tight end Cameron Brate and Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox are out as well.
Tight ends generally aren't worth picking up off the wire, as serviceable players at the position are usually rostered. However, New York Jets pass-catcher Tyler Conklin is worth scooping up for Week 5.
Conklin has caught 11 passes for 136 yards over the past two weeks and faces an inconsistent Dolphins secondary. He is rostered in only 40 percent of Yahoo leagues and 42 percent of ESPN leagues.
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Hayden Hurst could also be valuable in a pinch. He hasn't been a huge part of the passing attack, but he did score a touchdown in Week 4. He's available in at least 75 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy roster information via FantasyPros. Full injure report can be found at NFL.com.
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