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Jake Bates a Solid Starting Kicker Option in Week 5
Across four games in 2026, Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates has connected on all seven of his field goal attempts and all 14 of his extra point tries. Bates had his best game of the young season in Week 4, converting four field goal attempts in Detroit's loss to the Carolina Panthers. In Week 5, Bates and the Lions will take on the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has struggled to keep its opponents off the scoreboard in recent weeks, allowing at least 31 points in each of its last three games. Detroit has also been one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses so far, averaging 29.8 points per game. In a potentially high-scoring Week 5 affair against the Cardinals, Bates profiles as a steady top-12 kicker for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Sam LaPorta Looking to Build on Recent Success in Favorable Week 5 Matchup
Four weeks into the 2026 season, Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has recorded 22 catches for 228 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets. The 25-year-old had his best game of the young season in Week 4, hauling in eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets against the Carolina Panthers. In Week 5, LaPorta and the Lions will take on an Arizona Cardinals defense that has allowed 11 receiving touchdowns through four games and ranks dead last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (9.1). Detroit has also operated in extremely pass-heavy game scripts due to its struggling defense, with quarterback Jared Goff averaging over 40 pass attempts per game. As long as both the Cardinals and Lions defenses continue their recent performances, LaPorta could be poised for a big game on Sunday. He profiles as a high-end TE1 option in Week 5 against Arizona.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Isaac TeSlaa Continue Recent Production Surge in Week 5?
Across four games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa has recorded nine catches for 187 yards on 17 targets. While TeSlaa's overall production may not leap off the page, he's coming off his best game of the season in Week 4, recording four catches for 95 yards on eight targets against the Carolina Panthers. As long as Lions wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams remain healthy, TeSlaa may struggle to see consistent target volume. However, Detroit's defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season, which has led to Lions quarterback Jared Goff averaging over 40 pass attempts per game. In Week 5, the Lions are set to take on an Arizona Cardinals defense that has allowed 11 touchdown receptions through four games and ranks dead last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (9.1). If Detroit is forced into another pass-heavy game script, TeSlaa could end up being a worthwhile flex option in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jameson Williams a Boom/Bust WR2 Option in Week 5
Across four games so far in 2026, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has recorded 16 catches for 229 yards on 25 targets. While the 25-year-old has largely underperformed preseason expectations, he had his best game of the season in Week 4 with six catches for 102 yards against the Carolina Panthers. Williams could be poised to build on his Week 4 performance in Week 5, when the Lions take on the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona's pass defense has had issues this season, allowing 11 touchdown receptions through four games and ranking dead last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (9.1). The Lions have also been extremely pass-happy due to their struggling defense, with quarterback Jared Goff averaging over 40 pass attempts per game. All in all, Williams profiles as a low-end WR2 option for fantasy managers in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Amon-Ra St. Brown Could Be Poised for Massive Game in Week 5
Across four games in 2026, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has recorded 31 catches for 303 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets. The 26-year-old currently ranks as the WR3 in overall PPR scoring and the WR4 on a per-game basis. In Week 5, St. Brown and the Lions will take on the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona has had major issues defending the pass so far this season, allowing 11 touchdown receptions through four games and ranking dead last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed (9.1). The Lions have also shown a tendency for playing high-scoring, pass-heavy games, as their defense has allowed at least 30 points in three out of four games and quarterback Jared Goff is currently averaging over 40 pass attempts per game. Between the matchup and the state of the Detroit defense, St. Brown remains a clear high-end WR1 option for fantasy managers in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Continues Seeing Reduced Role
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black got his career started great with 65 rushing yards on 14 attempts during the season opener. Since then, Black has carried the ball 17 times for 55 yards over the last three games. The rookie back has certainly taken a step back over the last few weeks. Fantasy managers were hopeful that Black would remain a 10-plus carry player every week, but that was unlikely to happen with Christian McCaffrey healthy right now. Black is still one of the better handcuffs to roster given McCaffrey's injury history. The 24-year-old isn't someone that should be started in fantasy formats given his recent struggles ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
J.K. Dobbins is Shaky Option with Backfield Split
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins hasn't been much of a fantasy option through the first four weeks of the season. Dobbins is getting the bulk of the rushing attempts right now, but he hasn't done much with it lately. The veteran back has rushed 28 times for 89 yards over the last two games. He continues to split up the workload with RJ Harvey, who gets a majority of the receiving work in the backfield. During that same two-game span, Harvey has recorded 16 receptions for 109 yards. Between the two, Harvey is the better fantasy option right now, especially in PPR formats. Dobbins doesn't carry much upside as anything more than a low-end flex option for the upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 5.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Calvin Ridley is Nearly Impossible to Trust in Week 5
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley has done almost nothing on offense through the first four games of the season. Heading into Week 5, Ridley has recorded three of his five targets for 48 yards and zero touchdowns. He'll now draw a tough matchup against the Houston Texans defense in Week 5. It's clear that Ridley isn't going to be a big part of the offense with Carnell Tate (back) and Wan'Dale Robinson being the primary options in the passing game. Ridley is probably worth holding in deep leagues, but he's not someone that should be trusted in starting lineups right now.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Josh Downs Needs a Bounce-Back in Week 5
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is hopeful that better days are ahead for him against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5. Downs was almost non-existent during last week's win over the Washington Commanders. He hauled in three of his four targets for 16 yards during the overseas victory. Before that game, Downs had posted back-to-back 70-plus yard performances. He'll draw a tough matchup against the Steelers secondary this weekend. It's hard to get excited about Downs as anything more than a flex option for this Week 5 road contest in Pittsburgh.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Dalton Kincaid is Seeing Reduced Role
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid is hopeful to bounce back against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 5. Over the last two games, Kincaid has finished with three receptions for 45 yards and zero touchdowns. This is odd given the fact that Kincaid was such a huge part of the offense during the first two weeks of the season. Now, the 26-year-old has only seen five targets over the last two games, but he saw eight in Week 2 alone. It's unlikely going to get better for him against a tough Rams defense on Monday Night. Despite some lackluster performances, Kincaid remains a high-end TE2 for this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Trey Hendrickson is Unavailable in Week 5
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Trey Hendrickson (finger) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, per Adam Caplan. Hendrickson has not practiced at all this week after having surgery on his finger late last week. He'll miss his second straight game while he recovers from surgery. The hope is that Hendrickson is ready to go for next week's matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Until then, Mike Green will operate as the ROLB, but the loss of Hendrickson will certainly hurt the pass rusher of this defense.
Source: Adam Caplan
Source: Adam Caplan
Derwin James Jr. is Ruled Out for Week 5
Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. James will remain on the sideline as he hasn't been able to practice since suffering this hamstring injury. He'll miss his second straight game and is currently considered week-to-week. It's unclear at the moment if James will be available to suit up for next week's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. His absence is certainly a downgrade for this secondary and this defense as a whole against the Broncos this weekend. Tony Jefferson, Elijah Molden, and Rodney Shelley will likely be asked to pick up the slack with James out.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Cam Skattebo Will Play in Week 5
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (shoulder) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders, Dan Salomone of the team's official website reports. Skattebo was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week while he nurses a shoulder injury. The second-year back is dealing with a little muscle tightness in his shoulder, but that won't stop him from suiting up for this weekend. He'll continue to operate as the workhorse back as he has recorded 118 yards on 38 carries over the last two games. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable plugging him in as a solid RB2 play against the Commanders this weekend.
Source: Dan Salomone
Source: Dan Salomone
Mike Evans is Ready to Suit up in Week 5
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. The veteran wideout continues to battle through a rib injury that he suffered during the Week 3 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He was limited during Wednesday's practice session before sitting out on Thursday. He returned to practice on Friday and will suit up for this important divisional matchup on Sunday. It doesn't sound like Evans is back to 100 percent yet, but that didn't stop him from making an impact last week. He recorded five receptions for 76 yards in the win over the Denver Broncos. He should remain a key factor in their offensive gameplan.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Jeremiyah Love is Cleared to Play in Week 5
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) has been cleared to suit up for Sunday's Week 5 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Love picked up an ankle injury during last week's loss to the New York Giants. The rookie back was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before getting in a full practice session on Friday. It sounds like Love is back to full health in time for this weekend's home matchup versus Detroit. The rookie back has rushed for over 150 yards during each of the last two games. He'll be a strong RB2 against a shaky Lions defense this weekend.
Source: Theo Mackie
Source: Theo Mackie
Jayden Daniels is Not at 100 Percent
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that while Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) has been cleared to return in Week 5 against the division-rival New York Giants, he is not at 100 percent after dislocating his left (non-throwing) elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders might be rushing the former first-round signal-caller back a bit early after veteran backup Marcus Mariota (knee) suffered an MCL sprain in the Week 4 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London. On top of Daniels not being 100% health-wise, he could be without his top two receivers in Terry McLaurin (hamstring) and Stefon Diggs (hamstring). Diggs has already been ruled out, and McLaurin is trending toward being a game-time decision. There are a lot of questions as to whether Daniels will be able to take a hit, and without all of his weapons, he becomes a dicey fantasy starter this weekend in his return. At best, Daniels should be looked at as a low-end QB1 as the Commanders take on the Giants.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Lamar Jackson Could Miss Week 6 As Well
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) has been ruled out for the Week 5 tilt on the road in Atlanta against the Falcons on Sunday Night Football, and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Ravens do not know if Jackson will be ready to play in Week 6 against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. Jackson suffered a unique ankle sprain in the Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans and did not practice all week before being ruled out for this Sunday's game in Atlanta. The Ravens are not going to rush one of the best all-around dual-threat quarterbacks in the league, so his ankle injury could end up sidelining him for multiple weeks. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. In the meantime, backup Tyler Huntley will make his first start of 2026 in a road matchup in primetime against the Falcons. Expect head coach Jesse Minter to lean heavily on veteran battering-ram running back Derrick Henry. Through four weeks in 2026, Jackson is the QB10 in fantasy scoring with 967 passing yards, six touchdowns, and an interception, while adding 144 rushing yards and one score with his legs.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Justin Jefferson "Plans to Play" in Week 5
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) "plans to play" and "wants to play" this Sunday in a Week 5 matchup on the road at the New Orleans Saints. Jefferson was held out of last week's win over the Miami Dolphins. He was limited in practice this week and is pushing to play as he returns to his hometown of New Orleans. Fellow wideout Jordan Addison (hamstring) is also questionable, so quarterback Kyler Murray could be down two of his top wideouts on the road in a tough environment. Fowler thinks both Jefferson and Addison could be game-time decisions on Sunday morning. It appears that Jefferson is trending in the right direction this weekend, but fantasy managers are going to have to come back this weekend for an update on his status. If Jefferson is active, he is an absolute must-start in all traditional fantasy football leagues. The 27-year-old former LSU star would love nothing more than to return to his hometown and put on a show. In three games so far in 2026, Jefferson has caught just 13 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Sione Vaki Carries Shaky Standalone Value in Week 5
Across four games in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki has recorded 92 scrimmage yards on 13 touches. The 25-year-old saw a season-high seven touches in Detroit's Week 3 win over the New York Jets, but he logged just one catch and did not earn a single carry in the Lions' Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Vaki is stuck on the Detroit depth chart behind superstar back Jahmyr Gibbs, who currently leads the NFL in touches. With Gibbs healthy heading into Detroit's Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, Vaki remains highly unlikely to see a fantasy-relevant workload. Arizona also currently ranks 32nd in the NFL in yards per pass attempt allowed, which could lead to lower rush volume in general for the Lions. Vaki is worth stashing as a handcuff running back, but he remains tough for fantasy managers to trust as a starter in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jahmyr Gibbs Remains a High-End RB1 Option in Week 5
Across four games in 2026, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for 353 yards and five touchdowns on 80 carries while also hauling in 22 receptions for 187 yards and two scores on 28 targets. While the 24-year-old's rushing efficiency is slightly down from his career norms this year, he currently leads the NFL in total touches and ranks as the RB1 in both per-game and total PPR scoring. In Week 5, Gibbs and the Lions will travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. Arizona's defense has been a mid-pack unit against the run, ranking 20th in the NFL in total rushing yards allowed (470). Even if Detroit's offense is once again forced into a pass-heavy game script by the porous Lions defense, Gibbs' work in the passing game gives him a safe production floor for fantasy managers. In Week 5 against Arizona, Gibbs remains a must-start RB1 option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST Can Be Started Despite Injuries in Week 5
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense surrendered 27 points in a loss to the Cleveland Browns last week but recorded two sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery to salvage its fantasy performance. In Week 5, the Steelers will host the Indianapolis Colts in a contest that could be impacted by heavy rain. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has lost three fumbles over the past two weeks and thrown an interception in each of his four starts this season. Even without cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle), safety DeShon Elliott (knee), and defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (foot), Pittsburgh's DST should be a relatively safe option this week, with enough turnover upside to remain in fantasy lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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