Week 5 Fantasy Football News & Notes From Around the NFL

“Extra! Extra! Read all about it! A local man delivers on the promise of another rousing edition of “Fantasy Whiplash,” with all the fantasy football news and notes you need for the week!”

That’s right, football degenerates… it’s time to “turn and burn” through all the knowledge you need headed into Week 5 of the NFL season. Buckle up as we hug the turns and floor it down the straightaways. We’ll look at what you need to know for Week 5 while ruminating on Week 4. Along the way, you just might catch a glimpse of waivers while learning what to talk about in social settings since you got blackout drunk and missed a lot of Sunday’s action.

Leave your attention span in the trunk and strap it in. Let’s burn this down.

Fantasy Football News & Notes for Week 5

Fantasy Football News

Bye, Bye, Bye

“It might sound crazy, but it ain’t no lie”: It’s already time for bye weeks. As if fantasy managers everywhere are not already pulling their hair out trying to put a starting lineup on the field between injury concerns and underperforming duds, another wrinkle comes into play. For those of you who are bye-curious, we’ll have no players at our disposal from Detroit, Tennesee, Philadelphia or the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s critical to keep that in mind when attacking your waivers for this week. Don’t grab a depth running back with your only droppable player only to realize you’ve got two wideouts off this week.

And speaking of schedule abnormalities, A wild LONDON GAME appeared! The Jets fly to London to meet up with the Vikings, who… sailed in (I guess?) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It’s the second entry in the NFL’s International Series and pops off bright and early at 9:30 a.m. ET on NFL Network. So, if you’re not keen on getting up early, make sure you set those lineups on Saturday night. I’m sure every analyst and their mother on the Tweet machine will remind you.

Chief Concern

The Kansas City Chiefs are 4-0 but have only beaten their opponents by an average of five points per contest. Now, there is worry that they’ve lost top receiving threat Rashee Rice to an ACL injury, although further testing is needed to determine the injury’s severity, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

After further testing on Rashee Rice’s knee today, there remains uncertainty over the extent of his injury, per sources. After consulting with team doctors and receiving second opinions, more tests are required to determine the full extent of Rice’s injury and his recovery… pic.twitter.com/vfOHw0OMb5

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 1, 2024

At the time of the injury, it certainly looked like an ACL and MCL issue, likely including a tear. Now there is word that it may not be a tear at all, which would be good news and suggest a possible return in 2024. If not, one has to wonder if Rice could potentially miss two seasons as he still has a pending legal case on top of his recovery. Either way, the Chiefs now find themselves shorthanded of playmakers and could hit the trade market.

Water-Cooler News Items Speak Knowledgeably at the Bar

Don’t be that person who just says “uh-huh” to everything while others flex their brain muscles at the work happy hour about the weekend’s happenings. You’re going to have to seem like you know your shit if you’re going to keep the attention of either Lisa or Rick from accounting, desperate as though they might be. Here are a few fun subjects; don’t say I never gave you anything.

Just when the Buffalo Bills were looking like a steamroller gathering speed, they went into Baltimore and ran right into the real wrecking ball in the form of Derrick Henry. “King Henry” averaged a ridiculous 8.3 Yards Per Carry (YPC) en route to a 199-yard effort on the ground. For good measure, he tossed in three catches putting him over 200 total yards from scrimmage while adding a touchdown on the ground and through the air. The dude is 30 years old out here, mowing people down. The Bills totaled a paltry 236 yards of total offense for the game, almost being beaten by Henry alone in the 35-10 Ravens shellacking.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is bruised, battered and flat-out bad. The saving grace for Joe Burrow (who is having a good campaign) and Co. is that when the offensive line does its job, they can beat anyone with their offense. Amarius Mims, the 18th overall pick in the draft, is the real deal at right tackle, and the skill positions are loaded. They just can’t stop anyone on defense and it’s likely to be their undoing eventually. This week, the Bengals welcome *checks notes* Henry and Lamar Jackson to the Queen City. Cincinnati had better eat their Wheaties.
The Washington Commanders don’t have what you’d call a “rough and tumble” schedule in 2024. They are already 3-1 after beating the tar out of Arizona, have three of their next four at home (Cleveland, Carolina and Chicago) and Jayden Daniels is already turning heads, regardless of how bad the offensive line often looks. After starting the season at +1200 to win the division, bettors can still get them at +700. With a manageable schedule and other NFC East teams having issues of their own, it’s not far-fetched to bet on the rookie to take them there.

What to Watch for Around the NFL

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The Hits Just Keep On Coming

As noted, the bye weeks ahead only compound the toll that injuries and inconsistent play already have fair managers feeling like they got a raw deal. Pay special attention to a few bumps and bruises in particular, though. The Eagles might not have been thrilled with an early-season bye initially, but get a much-needed one. DeVonta Smith (concussion) and A.J. Brown (hamstring) desperately need a week to heal after both missed the Eagles’ 33-16 defeat at the hands of the Buccaneers. The only pass-catcher to find paydirt was Akron, Ohio’s own Parris Campbell.

Christian McCaffrey may or may not come back for the 49ers. OK. I’d suggest you make other plans, but if you weren’t quick enough to get Jordan Mason, you’re probably already stinking up the joint. In leagues with deeper benches, Isaac Guerendo is worth a stash by virtue of being the next man up.

Anthony Richardson suffered a hip pointer on Sunday but is expected to return for Week 5. For one brief shining moment, you could believe in Colts receivers again with elite Joe Flacco at the helm.

Take a Flier

Malik Nabers (concussion) must clear protocol before taking the field for the Giants on Sunday. Players do not typically turn it around in time to get back out there, but he was injured on Thursday, which is a plus. Wan’Dale Robinson (38 targets in four games) was already going to be in demand at waiver time, doubly so now. The same goes for Trey Sermon, who will take over first-team reps if Jonathan Taylor (high ankle sprain) is out against the Jaguars.

The return-to-practice window is not yet open for Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks or Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, although the latter was said to be a Week 7 targeted return by the Vikings. There’s no reason to activate him yet as the team heads to London. Ironically, the window has opened for Browns running back Nick Chubb. Ironic because Chubb’s torn ACL and meniscus was probably the most dastardly injury (two surgeries) of the trio and will likely take the longest to return from.

I do not expect Brooks to be the league-winner everyone is hoping for. He’s on a bad team and Chuba Hubbard has held his own with Andy Dalton. Brooks will more than likely be eased into service, making him a prime trade candidate for your roster. Wait for that window to open and ship him off to some sucker for that third dependable wide receiver you covet.

Go Buy a Lottery Ticket Instead

In Redraft, Is Mark Andrews Droppable?

4 Games
6 Receptions
65 Yards
0 Touchdowns

Week 1: 1.4 pts
Week 2: 5.1 pts
Week 3: 0 pts
Week 4: 0 pts pic.twitter.com/nRv4LHkEad

— Dave Heilman NFL (@DynastyDorks) September 30, 2024

It seems like you’ll have better luck winning the Powerball or the Mega Millions than finding a reliable tight end. However, the sword has two edges; you can dump Kyle Pitts or Mark Andrews for some rando who might score five or six points, but wouldn’t it just be the same as keeping the one you already have and hoping for better things to come? I bet if we all complain hard enough something will change. No? I hope you’re the one in your league who stashed Hockenson, who will have the opportunity to return soon.

Quick Hits

After Rachaad White and Bucky Irving had matching 10-carry/49-yard efforts, Dave Kluge of Footballguys took note.
Thanks to the Rams, D’Andre Swift bought himself another week as the starting running back in Chicago. He will revert to being completely ‘blah’ again, while Roschon Johnson is eagerly awaiting his shot. Johnson already looks like the stronger, more explosive back. Lucky for Swift, they’ve got the Panthers and Jaguars next. Stash Johnson if you’ve got room.
Can Kirk Cousins perform again under the lights? Will he throw to Kyle Pitts? More importantly, will they feed Bijan Robinson in a big divisional clash with Tampa Bay? Atlanta is favored by two points on “Thursday Night Football.”
Aaron Rodgers is 17-11-1 against the Vikings, but London’s Calling, and it sounds like “SKOL! SKOL! SKOL!”
Outside of quarterbacks, between injuries and byes, I see no less than seven fantasy starters worth playing in Chicago when the Bears host the Panthers: Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Chuba Hubbard, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and Swift. Dalton and Caleb Williams are nothing to sneeze at, and Johnson will also get some carries for the Bears.
“King Henry” just might go for another two bills against Cincinnati’s injury-riddled defensive front four.
The Denver Broncos are playing the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Saints will try to bounce back by knocking off a Kansas City team suddenly searching for an identity. The Chiefs’ backfield is one to avoid, even though it stands to reason they’ll run. If you want to gamble on Mahomes finding throws, watch out for (no laughing, please) Juju Smith-Schuster.

Sunday Funday

The weekend will be here before you know it. Get your waiver claims in and know that sometimes the best move is not to make one. Not to mention, it’s a devastating flex that will leave your league mates in awe. Watch the waivers for players who are dropped for replacements. Upgrade, upgrade!

Brick-by-brick we build. “Fantasy Whiplash!” will be back next Tuesday for Week 6! Mount up and defend your good name from the shit-talking for another day. Play your best lineup, never tinker and when in doubt, go with your killer instinct.

If you need last-minute help, I’ll see you on X/Twitter from 10 a.m. ET until the games start to answer your start/sit questions. If you have decisions to make about the London game, my DMs are open, or @ me for assistance.

Check out all of our Week 5 fantasy football content:

Thanks for checking out my Week 5 fantasy football news and notes! Track me down on Twitter/X @BuyAndSellYou for more redraft and dynasty fantasy football content.

*Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaf – USA TODAY Sports*

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Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 5 News & Notes (2024)