Week 5 Fantasy Football Start Em Sit Em: Curtis Painter and 3 Desperation Plays

When you're in a deep 12 to 16-team fantasy football league, bye weeks can wreak havoc on your lineup and directly cost you victories. Most teams are without considerable depth in bigger leagues and there is usually nothing desirable on the waiver wire.

Still, there is likely somebody available that is in for a big week, but it's just a matter of guessing right. If you're in a desperate situation this week because of bye weeks, injuries or a combination of the two, here are three desperation plays that can save your bacon in Week 5.

Clay Harbor—Philadelphia Eagles

Most fantasy owners don't carry a backup tight end on their roster, so with the likes of Jason Witten, Chris Cooley and Fred Davis on bye weeks, it may be time to go shopping on the waiver wire. Plenty of serviceable tight ends should be available, but you won't find anybody spectacular.

If you're looking for a high-ceiling play, though, the Philadelphia Eagles' Clay Harbor makes plenty of sense. Not only does Harbor seem to have surpassed Brent Celek on the depth chart in terms of pass-catching options, but quarterback Michael Vick has looked for him.

Harbor made three catches for 55 yards last week and scored a touchdown. He has an ideal matchup in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have been much improved this season, but they continue to struggle to cover tight ends. Harbor should be open down the seam often on Sunday.

Michael Jenkins—Minnesota Vikings

He certainly isn't an exciting option, but Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins has been a marginally productive player in the NFL for quite a while now. He seems to be quarterback Donovan McNabb's favorite target, so there is definitely upside this week.

Jenkins will benefit from facing the Arizona Cardinals' porous secondary this week and has a great chance to be open all day long. With Cardinals likely worrying about running back Adrian Peterson, McNabb will likely be dared to beat them with the pass.

Wide receiver Percy Harvin's health is spotty, so Jenkins will serve as McNabb's most reliable pass catcher. Jenkins had nine catches for 88 yards two weeks ago, so there is certainly a chance that McNabb will go to him often if they establish early success.

Curtis Painter—Indianapolis Colts

In deep leagues, nearly every starting quarterback in the league is usually on a roster. One such quarterback who may still be available, though, is the Indianapolis Colts' Curtis Painter. Regardless of Kerry Collins' health, Painter seemed to earn at least one more start with his performance on Monday night.

Painter certainly wasn't spectacular as he completed just 43.3 percent of his passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he found Pierre Garcon for two long touchdowns and wound up with 281 yards while throwing no interceptions.

The Colts have a favorable matchup on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have been a mess this season and are vulnerable deep down the field due to losing safety Eric Berry for the season. With that in mind, Painter may be able to find his favorite target Garcon deep and tight end Dallas Clark down the middle of the field for big plays.