NFL Week 5 Live Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Lineup Advice and Latest Injury Updates

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. was solid last week against the Miami Dolphins, piling up 128 total yards on 24 touches.

He should have similar success Sunday in New Orleans. The Saints have allowed almost 148 yards per game on the ground (third-most in the NFL) and given up the most PPR points to the running back position this season.

We needed something to make Colts-Steelers interesting.

Indy's defense has been mostly atrocious this year, and Pittsburgh's passing game has been quietly solid of late.

The weather knocks off some of the shine, but Metcalf's a low-end WR2 this week, while Roman Wilson has some "sleeper" appeal.

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen didn't do a ton in his first game as the team's lead back a week ago. But he saw 16 touches in a game where the Jets barely had the ball.

Now, Allen faces a Cleveland Browns defense allowing 4.6 yards a carry in a contest where the weather is going to force both teams to lean on the run.

He's on the RB2 radar in Week 5.

It sounds like Jaylen Warren's run as the every-down running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers may be coming to an end soon.

But this week at least, Warren is a top-15 fantasy option against a Colts defense allowing 131 yards per game on the ground and the 10th-most PPR points to running backs.

Six touches and 13 yards for this week's waiver wire darling.

At least Shipley scored a short-yardage touchdown.

Given how long the list of potential inactives was this week, fantasy managers got off pretty lucky--most of the iffy guys are playing.

How effective they'll be is another matter.

As expected, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) will return to action in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints.

Jordan Addison (hamstring), on the other hand, will sit.

With Stefon Diggs (hamstring) out Sunday, this could have been an excellent scenario for Terry McLaurin--especially with Jayden Daniels back under center.

But a banged-up wideout playing in lousy weather is anything but an ideal scenario.

McLaurin's a risky fantasy WR3.

Yes, the pending trade of Marvin Harrison Jr. leaves Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett short-handed at wide receiver. But it's not like Harrison had done anything this season anyway.

Brissett is an excellent fantasy spot start this week. The Redbirds are going to have to throw the ball to keep pace with Detroit's high-octane offense, and the Lions defense couldn't cover a wall with paint.

Last week against the New York Jets, Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift spent much of the game a spectator after losing a fumble.

This week, it's redemption time. With Kyle Monangai (toe) ruled out, Swift will be the primary ball-carrier for the NFL's most run-heavy team against a Green Bay Packers defense allowing almost 140 yards per game on the ground.

Many fantasy managers won't have much choice but to start pass-catchers playing in wet weather in Washington, New York and Pittsburgh.

But folks--it don't look good...unless you're a duck.

At least we'll always have the memories of the Will Shipley era in Philly.

We'll know for sure in a bit, but it sounds like fantasy managers should prepare to be without Ashton Jeanty in Week 5.

Can I interest you in a gently-used Mike Washington?

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper was admittedly a desperation flex play in Week 5.

Desperation is a powerful motivator.

Let's see.

Four rookie starters on the offensive line.

No No. 1 wide receiver. Or No. 2 wide receiver.

A three-headed mess of a run game.

What could go wrong?

Stay away. Stay far, far away.

Well, here's some good news.

After getting in full practices on Friday, both Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (neck/abdomen) are expected to be active Sunday against Miami.

The good news is that it appears that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) will give it a go Sunday in New Orleans.

The bad news is that batterymate Jordan Addison is expected to be sidelined by his hamstring injury.

Given that the Arizona Cardinals deactivated wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., the fourth overall pick in 2024 certainly appears to be on the move.

If it is Houston (as expected), it's not an ideal fantasy landing spot--Nico Collins is the unquestioned No. 1 wideout there.

But given that Harrison was doing absolutely nothing in the desert, any step is a step in the right direction.

Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jaguars wide receiver Parker Wahington had just one catch for seven yards.

Week 5 is off to a better start for the fourth-year veteran.

Fantasy managers can't afford to wait on D.J. Moore unless they have another option playing Monday night.

The inactives announcement at 11:30 AM will be even more impactful than usual this week.

Given all the injuries at quarterback, many fantasy managers are glad to see Washington's Jayden Daniels back under center in Week 5.

Unfortunately, some apparently believe it's just a matter of time before he winds up on the shelf again.

Even if Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is able to play through his hamstring injury Sunday against the New York Giants, sit him in fantasy leagues wherever possible.

A banged-up wideout on a snap count playing in rotten weather is a disappointment waiting to happen.

With the Baltimore Ravens not playing until Sunday night, concerns about the playing status of wide receiver Zay Flowers are amplified.

Flowers will still have to deal with catching passes from a backup quarterback in Tyler Huntley, but he's expected to play through his foot injury against the Atlanta Falcons.

It sounds like Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty will try to play Sunday in New England, but he's truly questionable.

Have a Plan B ready to go.

Given the Saints' struggles running the ball and a stout Vikings defense he isn't a great Week 5 play, but New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara (back) is expected to play Sunday.

Fantasy managers hoping to see TreVeyon Henderson turned loose Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders are outta luck.

Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to play through his knee injury.

With the weather expected to be nasty in Pittsburgh Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen is no more than a so-so "flex" option in Week 5.

But the veteran wideout is expected to be out there despite a groin injury.

The remnants of Hurricane Isaias are fixing to wreak havoc on the early slate of games on the east coast.

Giants at Commanders, Raiders at Patriots, Browns at Jets and Colts at Steelers could all be impacted by rain and/or wind.

Given that those aren't exactly high-octane passing attacks to begin with, the pass-catchers on those teams carry added risk in Week 5.

With both McConkey (foot) and Quentin Johnston (chest) expected to be sidelined Sunday against the Broncos, Tre' Harris has some plug-and-play appeal against a Denver secondary short Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss at cornerback.