Who Should I Start for Fantasy Football Week 5? Tetairoa McMillan, Deebo Samuel Sr., Chase Brown, Chuba Hubbard, J.K. Dobbins, Alvin Kamara, David Montgomery, DeVonta Smith, Rhamondre Stevenson

After missing practice on Wednesday and logging two "limited" sessions on Thursday and Friday, Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (calf) played through a calf injury, hauling in just four of eight targets in Sunday's 42-13 loss to the New England Patriots.

He did, however, maximize his opportunities, averaging 15.5 yards per reception for a team-high 62 yards in the Panthers' Week 4 loss to the Patriots. Shadowed for much of the afternoon by Patriots All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, who returned from injury, the connection with Bryce Young was productive but inconsistent.

Despite the Panthers' struggles offensively in 2025, McMillan continues to play a pivotal role, leading the team in season-long receiving yards and targets. The Panthers' offense should have an easier time putting points on the board in Week 5 against a struggling Miami defense, which bodes well for McMillan's outlook.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel (undisclosed) missed Wednesday's practice, adding to the team's injury woes with Terry McLaurin also sidelined. If both top receivers are unavailable, the Commanders will likely lean heavily on Zach Ertz, while backups Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, and Chris Moore could see increased target shares.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been dealing with his own injuries, practiced fully on Wednesday for the first time since Week 2, providing some relief to the offense. Fantasy managers should monitor Washington's injury report closely, as the availability of Samuel and McLaurin will directly impact target distribution and opportunities for both starters and secondary receivers.

With multiple pieces of the passing game in flux, planning for potential boom-or-bust performances is crucial heading into Week 5.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) did not practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable for Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. Hubbard has had a strong start to the season, totaling 53 carries for 217 yards and adding 13 receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

His absence could create an opportunity for Rico Dowdle to see increased touches, making him a handcuff to target in fantasy leagues, especially in deeper formats. The matchup is favorable for the Panthers' ground game, as Miami ranks 30th in rushing defense, allowing 158 yards per game.

Fantasy managers should monitor Hubbard's practice status late in the week, as Dowdle's potential for an expanded role makes him a valuable speculative option if Hubbard is forced to miss the game.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara had another solid workload in Week 4 against the Bills, turning 19 touches into 72 yards. Over the last four seasons, Kamara has averaged 20.3 touches and 97.7 yards per game.

So far in 2025, he is averaging 19.5 touches for only 76.3 yards. While the decline in production can be attributed to poor offensive line play and a struggling offense overall, fellow running back Kendre Miller had a strong outing in Buffalo with 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Kamara looks to be an RB2 with upside against the Giants, and is worth monitoring if Miller continues to eat away from his usual workhorse load.

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson continued to play a significant role on offense in Week 4 despite speculation about a potential reduced workload after he fumbled twice in the previous game.

Stevenson's usage didn't falter one bit as he played 57 percent of the snaps and carried the ball nine times, which led the team and was his second-highest mark of the season. He is far from an every-down back, and we should continue to see TreVeyon Henderson get more and more involved every week.

However, as it stands, Stevenson remains the favorite to handle north of 50 percent of the running back snaps in any given contest. He is still a viable fantasy option on the waiver wire or off the bench.