Week 5 RECAP: Injuries, RB Snaps, Team Notes
Week 5 Recap
PME Week 5 Recap is ALREADY OUT!!!! So watch it. Or listen, I suppose…
WATCH: Week 5 Recap, Week 6 Spreads
DIRECT LINK: Week 6 PME DraftKings Listener League
Week 5 Injury Cheatsheet
RB
Rashaad Penny (Ankle) — Out for season
Damien Harris (Hamstring) — Left Game
Jonathan Taylor (Ankle) — Missed Week 5
D’Andre Swift (Shoulder) — Missed Week 5
Justice Hill — Missed Week 5
Boston Scott (Ribs) — Missed Week 5
Gus Edwards (Knee) — Missed Week 5
WR
Tyreek Hill (Foot) — Left Game
Tee Higgins (Ankle) — Barely played
Chris Olave (Concussion) — Left Game
Nelson Agholor (Hamstring) — Left Game
Jahan Dotson (hamstring) — Missed Week 5
Jamison Crowder (ankle) — Missed Week 5
Kenny Golladay (knee) — Missed Week 5
Treylon Burks (Foot) — Placed on IR
Michael Thomas (Toe) — Missed Week 5
DJ Chark (Ankle) — Missed Week 5
Kennan Allen (hamstring) — Missed Week 5
Kadarius Toney (Hamstring) — Missed Week 5
Rashod Bateman (foot) — Missed Week 5
Quintez Cephus (Foot) — Missed Week 5
Wan’Dale Robinson (Knee) — Missed Week 5
Jake Kumerow (ankle) — Missed Week 5
Isaiah McKenzie (Concussion) — Missed Week 5
TE
Darren Waller (hamstring) — Left Game
Pat Freiermuth (concussion) — Left Game
Kyle Pitts (hamstring) — Missed Week 5
Brevin Jordan (Ankle) — Missed Week 5
Cameron Brate (Concussion) — Missed Week 5
Jonnu Smith (Ankle) — Missed Week 5
QB
Baker Mayfield (Ankle) — OUT multiple weeks
Teddy Bridgewater (Concussion) — Left Game
Brian Hoyer (Head) — Missed Week 5
Mac Jones (Ankle) — Missed Week 5
Tua Tagovailoa (back/ankle) — Missed Week 5
Jameis Winston (Back) — Missed Week 5
Week 5 RB Snap Counts
Week 5 Team Notes
Giants: Saquon Barkley had a 40-yard catch AND a 40-yard run in a game for the first time since December 2019. Can he keep it up? Well placed Week 8 bye, a soft vs HOU/vs DET scheduling coming off the bye and a nice mini-bye after playing on Thanksgiving. Sure looks like elite Saquon is back!
Packers: 100 yards or a TD in all 4 games this season for Allen Lazard (and in 7 straight regular season games dating back to last season).
Steelers: The Steelers can’t score and that makes Najee Harris a fantasy benchwarmer until otherwise noted. Consecutive 8-target showings for George Pickens, however, and he might well be their only fantasy option ROS. Like I said, the lack of scoring equity is a problem, but the rookie seems to be a worthwhile flex option.
Bills:
Chargers: Josh Palmer’s time as a worthwhile fantasy stash may be coming to an end. Consecutive dud games and Keenan Allen’s return is only getting closer.
Browns: Nick Chubb is one of a kind … 1 target and 0 catches, but he continues to pay off in this age of versatility. He’s always a viable DFS option, but don’t go around assuming other players with a similar profile are capable of doing as much.
Lions: The GOOF vs Belichick … how did we not see this coming? The Lions go on bye this week and then return for some aggressive defenses … not a good month coming for the team that entered the week tops in offense.
Patriots: Damien Harris left with an injury and, predictably, Rhamondre Stevenson (25 carries for 161 yards) showed out. Harris will be a touchdown vulture when active, but this looks like Stevenson’s backfield and it’s on an offense that does not want to throw the ball.
Seahawks: Another week goes by and Metcalf/Lockett were both great again. Remember 2 months ago when we were worried about SEA being able to sustain two pass catchers post-Russell Wilson? They are FAR more likely to do it than Russell Wilson’s current team. What a world.
Saints: Taysom Hill balled out. No doubt. Good luck picking what we he deserves to be a viable fantasy option, especially when Jameis and Michael Thomas come back. He’s a fine waiver add, but don’t go nuts.
Dolphins: Raheem Mostert is great and has earned the lead role in this backfield, but he is still over a month away from a week of rest by way of bye. Talented player, but not betting on health. He makes for a good sell sooner than later.
Jets: Michael Carter cashed in the two short scores, Braxton Berrios ran for one and so did Zach Wilson … Breece Hall broke out and was taken down on the 1-yard line twice. Dude is a lineup lock and because of his bad scoring luck in Week 5, he could still be a value on DraftKings.
Falcons: Mariota leads the team in rushing and no Falcon goes for 40 receiving yards. They cover and are an interesting team to bet on … not one to put fantasy dollars on.
Bucs: Rachaad White is a fine player, but 24 touches and a pair of touchdowns for Uncle Lenny. White is insurance … he’s not a threat.
Titans: Derrick Henry. That’s the only player on the Titans you can play with any sort of confidence and that includes opposing defenses. They are boring and not very good, but they don’t put opposing defenses in enough good spots to pay off.
Commanders: Brian Robinson figures to only gain steam with time, but you’re crazy if you’re counting on a single C-Word on any sort of consistent basis.
Texans: Dameon Pierce is essentially proving to be productive independent of game script. 26 of 29 RB carries in this one and five targets. Sometimes the overhyped rookie in August … turns out to not be overhyped.
Jags: Etienne and Robinson had 10 carries apiece … Etienne’s 30-yard run was more than all 10 of Robinson’s carries put together. HE also held a 5-2 target edge. Robinson is a sell option based on his decent season numbers, can’t see his value improving with time.
49ers: This San Fran ground game is always dangerous, but even moreso when playing with a lead … so it’s worth noting that when the fantasy chips are in the middle of the table (Weeks 15-17), the Niners play Seattle, Washington and Vegas. League-winner potential for whoever their lead back is at that point in time (Wilson, Mitchell … hell, me if they ask me to try out)
Panthers: DJ Moore is rostered in over 95% of ESPN leagues and is on pace for 670 receiving yards.
Cowboys: Further proof that Tony Pollard is the best runner in Dallas. And further proof that they don’t give a damn. No real issue if you want to use the highlight run to move on from him to some sucker that thinks he can work into a bellcow role.
Rams: Back to Cam Akers? Maybe? Hopefully? The snap count doesn’t reflect that he is the featured guy, but maybe that’s good? His per snap touch rate was high, implying to me that he is the future here. That said, not cutting Darrell Henderson.
Eagles: Jalen Hurts has 15 rush TD in his past 16 games. He’s fantastic, but maddening if you’re trying to stack.
Cardinals: Hollywood has been nothing short of great and gets the Seahawks next week. That’s the good. But we are approaching scary SZN for Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins will be back one week from Thursday. If you have some holes in your lineup, wouldn’t mind cashing in this chip.