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Dynasty $125 - FFL: Week 5 | NFL: Week 5

Week 5 NFL Capsules

Fri Oct 3 11:04am ET
Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) vs. Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, London

FanDuel odds: Vikings -3.5, Total 35.5

Series Rewind: This is the first meeting between the teams since 2021, when Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb led the Browns to a 14-7 win in Minneapolis.

Inside Edge intel: The Vikings have allowed fewer than 350 total yards in five consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Juggling quarterbacks is nothing new to these franchises, who will start players who began the season as backups in Week 5. Rookie Dillon Gabriel will take over under center when Cleveland kicks off against the Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, previously offensive coordinator of the Vikings, decided to make the change after his team lost 34-10 against the Detroit Lions a week ago. He benched Joe Flacco, a 40-year-old veteran who leads the NFL in turnovers. In comes Gabriel, whom the Browns drafted at No. 94 overall, for a stern test against blitz-heavy Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Gabriel has appeared in two games in backup duty, completing three of his four passes for 19 yards and one touchdown. Minnesota is on the second leg of a two-week international tour that began with a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland last week. Carson Wentz is slated to make his third start of the season and has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 523 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is progressing from his high ankle sprain but is expected to remain out. Wentz has the confidence of Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the staff. Justin Jefferson is Wentz's clear-cut No. 1 target in the passing game. Jefferson has 22 catches for 326 yards and one touchdown in four games, which is considerably more than No. 2 target T.J. Hockenson, who has 13 catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.

Houston Texans (1-3) at Baltimore Ravens (1-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Texans -1.5, Total 40.5

Series Rewind: The Ravens nearly pitched a Christmas Day shutout at Houston last season, winning 31-2. Baltimore also defeated the Texans in the postseason in January 2024, 34-10, and has won six of the past seven meetings.

Inside Edge intel: Houston is 5-1 when passing for at least 250 yards since the 2024 season began. During the same timeframe, the Ravens have allowed 248.6 passing yards per game.

Houston didn't get to wrapped up in whether or not Lamar Jackson's hamstring would keep him on the sideline this week, knowing the challenge runs deeper because of Baltimore's trove of weapons. RB Derrick Henry has 284 yards on the ground with three touchdowns and plowed through Houston's run defense 27 times for 147 yards and a touchdown on Christmas Day when these teams last met. Cooper Rush was 4-4 last season with the Dallas Cowboys, throwing the ball well on play-action but rarely attacking defenses over the top the way Jackson can with a subtle snap of the wrist. The Texans blanked the Titans last week to win for the first time this season and don't want to drop a fourth game with Indianapolis and Jacksonville going strong atop the AFC South. They might have found something in RB Woody Marks, who tallied 118 yards from scrimmage and scored two TDs last week. Houston is trying to open up the passing game with WR Nico Collins, but pass protection hasn't been perfect. The Ravens are banged up on defense, too, but Baltimore sacked QB C.J. Stroud five times in the meeting last season. Stroud threw a pick and had a QB rating of 59.2.

Las Vegas Raiders (1-3) at Indianapolis Colts (3-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Colts -6.5, Total 47.5

Series Rewind: Sunday's winner seizes the lead in a series knotted at 11-11, including a 1-1 split in the playoffs. The Colts have momentum with three wins in the last four meetings. Eight of the last 10 were decided by eight or fewer points.

Inside Edge intel: The Colts have a point differential of plus-16 in the first quarter this season. Las Vegas allowed a touchdown in the first quarter in three of its first four games.

This week's sudden retirement of decorated Colts cornerback Xavien Howard removes at least one threat facing Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, who tossed three of his NFL-leading seven interceptions in last weekend's painful 25-24 setback against the Bears. He also threw two touchdown passes to Ashton Jeanty, whose historic day against Chicago made him just the third rookie running back in NFL history with 100-plus rushing yards, one rushing TD and two TD catches in a game. He also leads the league with 15 broken tackles. Losing Howard hurts, but Indy's best defense is an offense that ranks fourth in the NFL with 30.8 points per game behind a resurgent Daniel Jones (third in NFL with 1,078 passing yards). Jonathan Taylor has 100-plus scrimmage yards and a rushing TD in all four career games against the Raiders. First-round pick Tyler Warren leads all tight ends with 263 receiving yards and all rookies with 19 catches.

Denver Broncos (2-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-0)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Eagles -4.5, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: Philadelphia has won three of the past four meetings to lead 9-5 in the all-time series. Two of their last three clashes saw the winner put a 50-piece on the board: The Broncos won 52-20 in 2013, and the Eagles won 51-23 in 2017.

Inside Edge intel: The Broncos are 2-8 since the start of the 2024 season when allowing 100-plus rushing yards.

The X's and O's will be flying in this showdown of veteran play-callers, as Sean Payton's Denver offense will attempt to find cracks in Vic Fangio's defense in Philadelphia. Arkadelphia-born quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos racked up a season-high 512 yards in Monday's 28-3 beating of the Bengals, while the Eagles have yet to allow more than 376 in a game. Philadelphia has held each of its first four opponents to two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts and Co. have not lost at home since Week 2 last season and haven't lost to an AFC foe at home since Nov. 7, 2021 (Chargers). The defending champs are trying to start 5-0 for the third time in four seasons. They'll try to get Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown going against a Denver defense led by All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II and ex-Eagle LB Alex Singleton, who has 32 tackles in his last three games.

Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1) at New York Jets (0-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Cowboys -2.5, Total 47.5

Series Rewind: Dallas won the last meeting 30-10 at home in 2023 after the Jets won the previous three matchups.

Inside Edge intel: The Cowboys are worst in the NFL preventing touchdowns to wide receivers: 1.4 per game since the start of the 2024 season.

The Jets are one of three teams buried under a 0-4 start and are the only squad in the league not to force a turnover. First-year coach Aaron Glenn may have earned raves in the past as a defensive coordinator but his team is tied for 28th in scoring defense (30.0) and ranks last with a minus-7 turnover ratio. QB Justin Fields has gone five consecutive games without throwing an interception and is a threat to run, which presents a new challenge to Dallas' drop zone defense. The Cowboys also having plenty of trouble stopping teams, ranking last in total defense (420.5 yards per game) and 31st in scoring defense (33.0 points). Maybe missing that Micah Parsons guy? Dallas' Dak Prescott leads the NFL with 1,119 passing yards while throwing six touchdowns against three interceptions. Receiver George Pickens has 21 catches for 300 yards and four touchdowns and was a top target for Prescott with CeeDee Lamb (ankle) sidelined for last Sunday's 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers. New York's Breece Hall (238 rushing, 108 receiving) is solid but backup Braelon Allen (knee) was placed on injured reserve after being hurt in Monday's 27-21 loss at Miami. Star wideout Garrett Wilson has 27 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.

New York Giants (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (0-4)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Saints -1.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: The Saints have won three of their last four and seven of the last 10 against the Giants, but New York holds a 17-16 lead in the all-time series.

Inside Edge intel: The Giants have lost 14 consecutive games when trailing at halftime, all in the past two seasons.

Fresh off becoming the first NFL QB since 2002 to win his first career start against a team with a 3-0 record or better, Jaxson Dart now leads the Giants into his first road start at winless New Orleans. Dart wasn't particularly productive in his first career start but was quite effective, throwing for 111 yards and a touchdown, running for 54 and a score and leading a turnover-free offensive performance. With another sack last week, Giants defensive end Brian Burns already has five on the season, his seventh straight season with five-plus sacks. New Orleans QB Spencer Rattler is hoping to snap an 0-10 skid as a starter to begin his NFL career, tied for the sixth-longest streak in NFL history. The Saints passed on Dart with the ninth overall pick, winding up with Tyler Shough, who lost a QB battle to Rattler, in the second round of this year's draft. With two more catches, Saints RB Alvin Kamara (586 career catches) can leap into the top five in NFL history in catches by a running back.

Miami Dolphins (1-3) at Carolina Panthers (1-3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Dolphins -1.5, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: This will be the first matchup of these teams in Charlotte since a 45-21 Panthers win in 2017. The Dolphins have won the two games since by a combined margin of 75-31 and lead the series 6-2.

Inside Edge intel: In 13 games with at least one turnover the past two seasons, the Dolphins are 3-10.

Miami plays its first game without star receiver Tyreek Hill, out for the season with dislocated knee and multiple torn ligaments sustained in Monday's win over the Jets, this weekend at Carolina. There's optimism about how Jaylen Waddle (4,314 yards and 22 catches in five seasons) can replace Hill's production. Tight end Darren Waller could also help out after recording two touchdown catches in his first game back from a one-year retirement. Carolina followed up a convincing win over Atlanta with a 42-13 dud of a loss last week at New England. Bryce Young is looking for his third straight interception-free start after throwing three in the first two games of the season, but he also ranks 31st out of 33 eligible QBs in yards per pass attempt (5.2). He keeps building chemistry with Tetairoa McMillan, who ranks second among rookies in receiving yards (278) and catches (18) but is still looking for his first career touchdown.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Seahawks -3, Total 44.5

Series Rewind: Tampa Bay has lost its last two games at Seattle, last winning there in 2009. The Seahawks lead the series 9-6, but the Buccaneers have won five of the last seven.

Inside Edge intel: Seattle has allowed one rushing touchdown in the past 11 games. The Seahawks have prevented a rushing TD on 128 consecutive drives, best in the NFL.

Tampa Bay nearly pulled off its fourth straight comeback victory to begin the season, but dug itself too big a hole after falling behind 24-3 vs. Philadelphia last week, losing 31-25. QB Baker Mayfield has been exceptional on the road of late, throwing two-plus touchdowns in each of his last four road starts. However, he may be down a few weapons for this game at Seattle with Mike Evans (hamstring) still not practicing and RB Bucky Irving (237 rushing yards, 193 receiving yards) also sidelined in practice with foot/shoulder injuries suffered last week. The Buccaneers do possess the NFL's longest active streak with 100-plus rushing yards in 13 consecutive games. The Seahawks have allowed less than 100 rushing yards in each of their past three games. Seattle is coming off a mini-bye after beating Arizona on a last-second field goal last Thursday. The Seahawks have won three straight games since losing their season opener. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is one of just two players with 90-plus scrimmage yards in all four games this season and RB Kenneth Walker has five carries for 15-plus yards. Seattle's defense ranks sixth with 12 sacks, including six in the Arizona win. However, it could be a bit depleted with cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) and safety Julian Love (hamstring) each not practicing Wednesday or Thursday.

Tennessee Titans (0-4) at Arizona Cardinals (2-2)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Cardinals -8.5, Total 41.5

Series Rewind: Kyler Murray threw four touchdown passes and rushed for a score in the most recent matchup, the Cardinals' 38-13 win in Nashville in 2021.

Inside Edge intel: Arizona's Trey McBride has been targeted more than any tight end in the NFL -- 9.1 times per game -- since the start of the 2024 season.

The Titans are one of three 0-4 teams in the NFL and have been outscored by a staggering 69 points. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward sharply criticized the team after Tennessee was outclassed 26-0 by the Houston Texans last week. The Titans had just 175 offensive yards and Ward set season lows for completion rate (38.5 percent) and passing yardage (108). It has been a bumpy start for the No. 1 overall pick. Ward is completing a league-worst 51.2 percent of his throws (among qualifiers) for 614 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Arizona dropped consecutive games by four total points to NFC West rivals San Francisco and Seattle the past two weeks. The Cardinals overcame a 14-point deficit against the Seahawks before falling on a field goal as time expired. Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught six passes for 66 yards and one TD in that contest but also had a ball roll off his hands into those of Seattle's Ernest Jones IV for an interception. The Cardinals lost running back as Trey Benson (knee) and placed him on injured reserve after losing standout James Conner to a season-ending foot injury in the previous game. Either Michael Carter or Emari Demercado will start at RB on Sunday.

Detroit Lions (3-1) at Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Lions -10.5, Total 48.5

Series Rewind: Cincinnati has won 10 of the past 11 games in the series.

Inside Edge intel: Lions WR Jameson Williams is averaging 8.0 yards per catch this season, third in the NFL. The Bengals are 29th in the NFL, allowing an average of 5.4 yards after catch this season.

Detroit is No. 1 in the NFL with 34.3 points per game as the Lions shrug off outside concern the offense might veer off the rails without coordinator Ben Johnson. QB Jared Goff leads the NFC with nine TD passes and has been pristine on the road with a completion percentage over 70 percent in nine of his last 10 road starts. The Bengals are standing by Jake Browning at quarterback, but he's generated only one touchdown in eight quarters over the two starts since Joe Burrow's toe injury. Browning is 3-1 in four career starts at home. Turnovers are breaking the Bengals' backs -- Browning has thrown a pick for every 10.67 completions -- and holding off the Lions' pass rush headed by Aidan Hutchinson (4.0 sacks this season) is highest priority. Without time to throw, Browning risks continuing to be a target of WR Ja'Marr Chase's frustration. They've connected five times in each of Browning's starts this season but for a grand total of 73 yards.

Washington Commanders (2-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Chargers -2.5, Total 48.5

Series Rewind: Different millennium, different results. The Chargers were 0-6 vs. Washington in the 20th century but are 5-1 since 2001, the only loss coming in overtime in 2013. Norv Turner coached Washington (1994-2000) and the Chargers (2007-12).

Inside Edge intel: Since Jim Harbaugh was hired in Jan. 2024, the Chargers have 10 games with 120-plus rushing yards. Last week (161 rushing yards at Giants) was the first loss under Harbaugh in a game where the team rushing total was over 120.

It's a California homecoming for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, who grew up in San Bernardino and has been cleared to return after missing two games with a left knee injury. Washington managed a split in his absence with Marcus Mariota at the controls but will need Daniels at his best against a stingy Chargers defense that ranks third in the NFL, allowing 270.0 yards per game. The Washington D has been more generous, ranked 27th against the pass. That could be just the tonic Justin Herbert needs, as the L.A. QB has seen his completion percentage drop each week: 73.5 to 70.4 to 59.6 and down to 56.1 in last week's humbling loss to the previously winless Giants. Both sides are rolling with rookie running backs, the Chargers with first-rounder Omarion Hampton (270 rushing yards, two TDs) and the Commanders with seventh-round surprise Jacory Croskey-Merritt (172 rush yards, two TDs).

New England Patriots (2-2) at Buffalo Bills (4-0)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Bills -8.5, Total 49.5

Series Rewind: Buffalo has won eight of the past 11 meetings after New England won 35 of the previous 39 matchups.

Inside Edge intel: The Bills have a streak of eight consecutive games over 100 rushing yards.

Buffalo is one of two 4-0 teams and has racked up 133 points, second-highest in the league behind the Detroit Lions (137). The Bills are vying for their first 5-0 start since 1991, a season in which they reached the Super Bowl. Buffalo also is seeking its 15th consecutive regular-season homefield victory as the club continues to enjoy one of top atmospheres in the sport. New England receiver Stefon Diggs remembers how it works in Orchard Park after spending four seasons - making the Pro Bowl each time - with the Bills. This will be his first trip in as a visiting player since he was traded to the Houston Texans following the 2023 campaign. Diggs had six catches for 101 yards in last week's 42-13 thumping of the Carolina Panthers. That also marked the first time New England reached the 40-point mark since 2021. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye is developing well and has completed 74 percent of his passes for 988 yards, seven touchdown and two interceptions. He also has rushed for two scores. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen of the Bills has thrown for 964 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for three scores. James Cook is the NFL's second-leading rusher with 401 yards and has a league-best five rushing touchdowns. New England allowed an opening-drive touchdown in three of its first four games.

Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)

Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

FanDuel odds: Chiefs -3, Total 46.5

Series Rewind: Kansas City has won the last eight games against Jacksonville, including a 27-20 playoff win in the 2023 divisional round.

Inside Edge intel: The Chiefs are 11-0 when possessing the ball longer than their opponent the past two seasons. The Jaguars allowed an average time of possession of 32 minutes since the start of the 2024 season, second-highest in NFL.

The Chiefs are back to .500 after their first 0-2 start in 11 years. Patrick Mahomes threw four touchdowns to four different players in last week's 37-20 win over Baltimore, more than the three TDs he threw in the first three games combined. Xavier Worthy, in his first game back from a dislocated shoulder, led the team in receiving (83) and rushing (38) yards. The Chiefs have turned the ball just once this season, something that will be tested by a Jaguars defense which leads the league in forced turnovers (13) and turnover differential (plus-nine). With a win last week at San Francisco, the Jaguars are 3-1 for just the second time in 15 years. After ranking 26th last season in rushing offense, Jacksonville ranks fourth this season under new coach Liam Coen, averaging 144.0 rushing yards per game. Travis Etienne Jr. is third in the NFL in rushing yards (394) and is averaging a league-best 6.1 yards per carry among players with 25 or more rushes.

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The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 5

Player Notes
Darren Waller Oct 3 11:30am ET
Darren Waller

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip, rest) projects to become a more prominent figure in the team's pass attack following the injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee). Waller made his season debut in Week 4's win over the New York Jets, hauling in two touchdowns on 3-of-4 receiving in his first appearance since Week 18 of 2023. The veteran's volume should increase as the Fins continue ramping up his workload, but even more promising was his work in the red zone. Despite logging just 16 snaps on Monday, Waller's two targets inside the 20-yard line match him with two other players on the team behind Jaylen Waddle (five). Miami hasn't had a big, imposing target like the 33-year-old in recent history, making him an asset to monitor ahead of their outing with the hosting Carolina Panthers this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Davis Oct 3 11:20am ET
Isaiah Davis

New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis is set to operate in an increased capacity moving forward due to the injury to teammate Braelon Allen (knee). Unfortunately, news surrounding Allen suggests that he'll miss more than the minimum of four games while on injured reserve. While he's out, Davis will operate as the primary handcuff to running back Breece Hall. With teammate Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) also battling injury, Davis is likely to see more volume than usual in their matchup against the Cowboys, considering Khalil Herbert only joined the team on Thursday. The 23-year-old was out there for a third of New York's snaps during their loss to the Dolphins in Week 4, and is worthy of a pickup -- at least for the Hall owner.

From RotoBaller

Justice Hill Oct 3 11:10am ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill had his best game of the 2025 season in Week 4, recording 117 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on eight touches. Hill has just eight carries through four games this season and should not be expected to steal much rushing work away from Ravens RB1 Derrick Henry. However, Hill has 12 catches for 107 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets, and appears locked in as the team's primary passing-downs back. With Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (hamstring) potentially facing a multi-week absence and the team's defense struggling, Baltimore could be chasing points more frequently over its next few games than in years past. That would unquestionably be a good thing for Hill's fantasy outlook. He profiles as a low-end flex option in PPR leagues heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans.

From RotoBaller

Emari Demercado Oct 3 11:00am ET
Emari Demercado

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado served as the team's RB2 in Week 4 behind Trey Benson (knee). However, with Benson now on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, it does not appear that Demercado is a lock to assume Arizona's RB1 role. Demercado has appeared in 31 games for the Cardinals since the start of 2023, but he has not recorded more than four carries in a game since October of his first season with the team. That could indicate that Arizona feels comfortable with Demercado as the team's passing-downs back, but that veteran back Michael Carter could assume the bulk of the early-down work. Heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Demercado profiles as a decent flex option for fantasy managers, but Carter should be the preferred play.

From RotoBaller

Malik Washington Oct 3 10:50am ET
Malik Washington

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington could be in line to step into the team's WR2 role alongside Jaylen Waddle after Miami lost Tyreek Hill (knee) to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Washington has been used in a gadget role so far this season, recording eight catches for 47 yards on 15 targets and eight carries for 60 yards through four games. He's a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, as evidenced by his 74-yard punt return touchdown in Week 2 against the New England Patriots. With Hill sidelined, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel could place an even greater emphasis on manufacturing touches for Washington. He profiles as a low-end flex option in deep leagues heading into a Week 5 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

From RotoBaller

Michael Carter Oct 3 10:40am ET
Michael Carter

Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter could be in line to take over as the team's primary early-down back with running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) both currently on Injured Reserve. Carter figures to split touches in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans with Emari Demercado and possibly Bam Knight, but earlier reporting has indicated that Carter could be the team's preferred choice to assume the majority of the rush attempts. Carter has recorded 2,131 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 439 touches across 49 career NFL games (22 starts). He profiles as a high-end RB3/flex option in a favorable Week 5 matchup against Tennessee.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Oct 3 10:30am ET
Noah Fant

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Noah Fant (concussion) practiced in full on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday as he attempts to return from a concussion for his team's Week 5 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Fant has recorded 12 catches for 80 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets across three games so far in 2025. The Bengals' offense has struggled in the two full games it has played without Joe Burrow (toe), scoring a combined 13 points over the last two weeks against the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos. That could limit Fant's fantasy appeal even if he is healthy enough to play in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Oct 3 10:20am ET
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot) is expected to miss his team's Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks and is "in danger" of missing Week 6 against the San Francisco 49ers as well, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Irving is currently battling a mid-foot sprain that is not expected to be a long-term injury, but it appears it could lead to a multi-week absence. With Irving sidelined, Buccaneers running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker should be expected to handle the majority of the backfield workload, with rookie Josh Williams potentially mixing in as well. White has recorded 142 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown so far this season and profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2 in Week 5. Tucker has not seen much work yet in 2025, but he's been an efficient rusher when given the opportunity in his career and could be a decent deep-league flex play while Irving is out.

From RotoBaller

Dyami Brown Oct 3 10:20am ET
Dyami Brown

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday. Brown missed Week 4 due to the shoulder injury, but his limited status early in the week could mean he's trending towards playing in his team's Week 5 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night. Brown has recorded 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets across three games so far this season. If he returns to the lineup in Week 5, it could mean less playing time for Jaguars wideouts Travis Hunter and Parker Washington. All three of Brown, Hunter, and Washington should be avoided by fantasy managers this week in a tough matchup against the Chiefs.

From RotoBaller

Bhayshul Tuten Oct 3 10:10am ET
Bhayshul Tuten

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice Thursday, as he has been dealing with a shoulder injury for the last few weeks, but has suited up for each game since suffering the injury. He will have two more practice days to log full practice time to avoid missing Monday's matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. At this time, Tuten is nothing more than a high-upside handcuff or bench stash, so fantasy managers are unlikely to be relying on him as a starter in their starting lineups at this time. However, the shoulder issue could explain part of the reason why we haven't seen his snap percentage increase much from Week 2. He has also seen his touches go down from 10 to seven to five in the last three weeks. Lead back Travis Etienne has been solid, but Tuten remains a top bench stash as he provides top-20 running back potential should Etienne experience any setbacks. When given the chance, Tuten is averaging 4.19 YPC on his 21 rush attempts and has contributed 40 yards through the air on three receptions to go along with two touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk Oct 3 9:50am ET
Brandon Aiyuk

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday Night Football that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), coming off a significant knee injury, is "still weeks away" from returning. Aiyuk was placed on the PUP list to start the season, which required him to miss at least the first four games of the year. It appears he will miss more time, with an uncertain timetable for his return. Fantasy managers who have the room to continue to hold him on their IR should, but with the number of injuries that have transpired over the last two weeks, fantasy managers who need to make room on their team for players closer to returning might want to consider that, as Aiyuk is looking like he won't return anytime in the next few weeks.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Etienne Oct 3 9:40am ET
Trevor Etienne

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne is seemingly set to see some additional touches in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, with Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out for Week 5. Etienne saw his snap percentage and workload increase in Week 4 with the Panthers getting blown out by the Patriots 42-13, but now with Hubbard out, Rico Dowdle will be the lead back, and Etienne will back him up. Etienne will likely see anywhere between five and 10 touches. On the season, he is averaging 4.63 YPC and has 37 rushing yards with one reception. He did have a fumble in Week 3 on his only touch, which happened on a kick return. In deeper leagues, he might be worth a stash in case he breaks out during his limited opportunities and starts to challenge the team a bit to give him more touchdowns down the stretch.

From RotoBaller

Rico Dowdle Oct 3 9:30am ET
Rico Dowdle

Carolina Panthers running back and former Dallas Cowboy, Rico Dowdle, is set to be the lead back in the Panthers' backfield in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins, with Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out for Week 5. Hubbard is considered week-to-week, so Dowdle isn't expected to be a hot commodity for a season-long play, but he immediately rises in the Week 5 ranks and becomes a top-25 running back against the Dolphins defense, which allows the seventh most fantasy points to the running back position. Dowdle is no slouch either; last year with the Cowboys, he accumulated 1,328 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. Rookie running back Trevor Etienne becomes the team's RB2 and should also be in line for additional carries.

From RotoBaller

J.J. McCarthy Oct 3 9:20am ET
J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) has officially been ruled out for their Week 5 contest against the Cleveland Browns. McCarthy has been sidelined since suffering this high ankle sprain during their Week 2 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Carson Wentz to receive his third-straight start. Wentz threw for just 173 yards but tacked on two TD passes in his Minnesota debut in Week 3. In Week 4, he took a loss to the Steelers but enjoyed a productive fantasy day, totaling 350 yards with another two touchdown passes. Wentz carries solid QB2 value this weekend, despite facing a potent Cleveland defense. Given McCarthy's uncertain timetable, he is only worth stashing in deeper one-QB leagues while he remains sidelined. McCarthy will look to return to action in Week 7 when they host the Eagles, following their Week 6 bye.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Oct 3 9:20am ET
Chuba Hubbard

According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, Carolina Panthers running back Chubba Hubbard (calf) will miss Sunday's home game against the Miami Dolphins, according to a league source. The Panthers consider Hubbard to be week-to-week but do not plan to place him on injured reserve, the source said. The silver lining is that Hubbard's injury appears to be minor and not long-term, allowing fantasy managers to treat this situation as a bye week for Hubbard, as it seems possible he will return for Week 6. Rico Dowdle becomes an immediate must-add in 12-team formats and becomes a low-end RB2 in Week 5; meanwhile, Trevor Etienne will be in line for additional touches. Hubbard has been okay this season, averaging 4.09 YPC and 217 rushing yards to go along with 13 receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Chuba Hubbard Oct 3 8:10am ET
Chuba Hubbard

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) is not expected to play on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Rapoport noted that Hubbard has not practiced this week and is unlikely to turn the corner in time. As a result, the team's No. 2 running back Rico Dowdle is slated to serve in the lead role. Hubbard was dealing with this calf injury before last week's contest, but was unable to suit up. However, in this game, the running back was given his smallest workload of the season as he took just 10 carries for a modest 49 yards and was only targeted three times through the air. Dowdle was the lead back in Dallas last season and posted his first 1,000-yard campaign. Given his projected volume, he carries RB2 upside facing the Dolphins, who have allowed the 10th-most PPR points to opposing RBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Oct 3 3:03am ET
Davante Adams

Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams had five catches (on 11 targets) for 88 yards versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.

Fantasy Spin: Adams carried a three-game scoring streak into Thursday night, and while that was snapped, the veteran's 88 yards marked his second-highest output since joining the Rams. While you'd like to see more consistent usage for Adams, who has less than half as many receptions as Puka Nacua, his overall production is solid, setting a 17-game pace of 1,214 yards receiving and 10 TDs. If defenses start sliding to Nacua, it could open things even more for Adams, who rates as a solid WR2 that offers WR1 upside each week.

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Matthew Stafford Oct 3 2:03am ET
Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford completed 30 of 47 passes for 389 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.

Fantasy Spin: Make it back-to-back weeks with over 350 yards and 3 TDs for Stafford, who is currently on pace for 5,110 yards and 37 TDs -- that's close to what he did during his first season in LA when he had 4,886 yards and 41 TDs. He hasn't come close to matching that in three seasons since, but adding Davante Adams to go with Puka Nacua has elevated the passing game after Cooper Kupp deteriorated physically in recent years. The ongoing issues with LA's backs and fumbling might also play to Stafford's advantage, as head coach Sean McVay could decide his best path forward is putting the ball in Stafford's hands as often as possible. It's suddenly not far fetched that Stafford, who began the year as a fringe top-20 candidate, could legitimately push into weekly QB1 territory as the season wears on. He's already a viable QB1 in plus matchups.

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Fred Warner Oct 3 1:53am ET
Fred Warner

San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner was credited with 12 tackles, including seven solo, in Week 5 against the Los Angeles Rams.

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Demarcus Robinson Oct 3 1:23am ET
Demarcus Robinson

San Francisco 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson had three receptions (on seven targets) for 39 yards versus the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5.

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