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Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Rachaad White, Michael Carter, Ollie Gordon II in 2025. Read their waiver wire outlooks for fantasy football.
Numerous injuries have hit the running back position over the past two weeks. In Week 3, fantasy managers saw James Conner and Najee Harris both suffer severe injuries.
In Week 4, Bucky Irving and Trey Benson both walked away from their respective games with an injury, which puts their status for Week 5 in doubt. As a result, several backup running backs have seen their stock begin to rise.
So, should you pick up Rachaad White, Michael Carter, or Ollie Gordon II in your fantasy football leagues for Week 5 of 2025? Let's dive in.
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Rachaad White Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered: 40% of Leagues
Baller Move: Add in all leagues
As reported by Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Irving's status is in doubt for Week 5 due to an apparent ankle injury. This is a situation that is worth closely following during the week, as the team's practice reports will provide clarity on his availability.
#Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving is still gathering medical opinions on what’s being termed an ankle and/or foot injury, sources tell me and @RapSheet. No one has ruled Irving out vs. the #Seahawks but he’s sore and his status is up in the air as the Bucs return to practice tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/3kTSbcqYfT
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 1, 2025
He suffered this injury during their Week 4 loss to the Eagles. While he was not given a smaller workload and was able to play through this injury, it is clearly affecting him and will likely limit his participation during the week's practices.
In this contest, Irving logged 15 carries for 63 yards but did most of his damage through the air, catching all five of his targets for 102 yards and a touchdown. During the first three games of the campaign, Irving has averaged a strong 15.5 PPR points per game, with 58.0 rushing yards and 39.3 receiving yards per game.
However, with Irving's status in question, White becomes a must-roster. White has operated as the clear RB2 in Tampa Bay this season and would likely take over the lead role if Irving misses time. Through four games, White has logged 5.8 attempts per game and seen 2.3 targets per game. He has also posted a promising 4.7 YPC during this stretch, which would be the highest mark of his career.
Given Irving's questionable status, White is a must-stash leading up to a Week 5 title against the Seahawks. If Irving sits out, White becomes a high-floor must-start RB2.
Michael Carter Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered: 1% of Leagues
Baller Move: Add in 12-Team Leagues
The other running back injury to keep a close eye on is Trey Benson of the Arizona Cardinals. Benson was not participating with the team during their early-week practices, which could suggest he may be in danger of missing Week 5. Managers should pay close attention to the practice reports as they will likely provide clarity on the severity of his injury.
While Emari Demercado was promoted as the No. 2 option behind Benson last week, it appears the Cardinals may shift to Carter to lead their backfield if Benson misses time. While Demercado will have a larger role as a receiver, Carter figures to see most of the rushing work and will carry the highest floor.
The Cardinals signed Carter to their active roster on Monday as a depth option, but this could also suggest that the team is slightly concerned about Benson's availability this weekend. In 2024, Carter spent time with the Cardinals and carried the ball 35 times for 131 yards and a score.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Cardinals officially placed Benson on IR, which will keep him sidelined for at least four games. While Demercado figures to still have a role, Carter could eventually take the lead role as the primary short-yardage and goal-line option. He is worth adding in all 12-team leagues ahead of Week 5.
Michael Carter Next in Line in Cardinals' Backfield? https://t.co/Ua3qcoIwui
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 1, 2025
Ollie Gordon II Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered: 15% of Leagues
Baller Move: Add in 12+ team leagues
While the Dolphins running back escaped their Week 4 contest without an injury, they did lose their top WR, Tyreek Hill, lto a season-ending knee injury. This will allow Jaylen Waddle to operate as the team's WR1 and will likely also push starting running back De'Von Achane to the "No. 2 WR" role, in terms of target share.
As a result, rookie running back Gordon could be given more opportunities on the ground if Achane is deployed even more in passing situations. After logging just three attempts over the first two games of his debut season, Gordon has begun to carve out a somewhat prominent role.
In Weeks 3 and 4, Gordon logged nine attempts in each contest but posted a modest 3.2 YPC. In Week 3, he found the back of the end zone for the first time. However, during this stretch, Gordon was not once targeted in the passing game.
Even though Gordon does not have a clear path to taking over the RB1 job (unless Achane misses time), he has established himself as the clear handcuff in Miami, which makes him worth rostering in 12-team leagues going forward. If the Dolphins lean on Achane more in the passing game, they could ease his workload in the red zone or in short-yardage situations, opening the door for Gordon to push for double-digit attempts every week.
He is a top handcuff to stash with the upside to carry low-end FLEX value on a weekly basis if his role continues to grow.
Rookie Ollie Gordon II finds the end zone for his 1st NFL TD!
MIAvsBUF on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MrxKlhdcGa— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2025
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