Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford: start in Monday's 54.5-point shootout vs Buffalo
BUF @ LAR has the week's highest total, and Stafford ranks third in the NFL in passing yards. CBS lists him as a QB1 this week.
Source: cbssports.com · cbssports.com
Week 5 Fantasy Football Start/Sit & Waiver Wire Pickups (2026)
Updated October 11, 2026, 8:26 AM ET
Public Week 5 notes for the 2026 season: starts, sits, injuries, waivers, matchups, and trades. Each line is from this week's briefing, with the source it came from. Not a promise of results.
Starts · Sits · Injuries · Waiver targets · Matchups · Trades · FAQ
Week 5 start 'em: who to start
Vikings D/ST
Vikings D/ST: auto-start at New Orleans and hold through the Week 6 bye
Minnesota is the top fantasy defense, with a top-11 finish every week, and draws Tyler Shough. FantasyPros says the unit is worth a bench spot during its Week 6 bye.
Source: fantasypros.com
TreVeyon Henderson
TreVeyon Henderson: flex at worst vs LV, must-start if Stevenson (knee) sits
Stevenson was limited Wednesday and Thursday with a knee issue. If he is ruled out, Henderson is a must-start; otherwise he is still a solid flex.
Source: cbssports.com · dknetwork.draftkings.com
Drake Maye
Drake Maye: ride the hot hand at home vs Las Vegas
Maye was a full participant Wednesday and Thursday and took AFC Offensive Player of the Week. NE is a 3.5-point home favorite, though A.J. Brown is still out.
Source: cbssports.com · sports.yahoo.com
Braelon Allen
Braelon Allen: every-down RB2 with Breece Hall out
Allen played 94% of snaps and got every RB touch in his first game without Hall. Cleveland has allowed 13+ PPR points to an RB in each of the last three games.
Source: cbssports.com · rotoballer.com
Week 5 sit 'em: who to bench
Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews: sit-lean with Lamar Jackson (ankle) not practicing Wed or Thu
Jackson has not practiced and is not expected to play, so Tyler Huntley (under 160 passing yards per game as a starter) would cap Andrews. Treat him as a low-end TE1 at best.
Cam Skattebo
Cam Skattebo: risky RB2 at Washington after two sub-10 point games
He turned 18 carries into 58 yards last week and has been under 10 PPR points in two of three games. The matchup in Washington is tough.
Source: bleacherreport.com
Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara: TD-dependent flex vs the Vikings, and he missed Wednesday (back)
Minnesota has allowed one rushing TD all season, and Kamara managed only 23 rushing yards in his 22.8-point Week 4. With the back injury and a DNP, treat him as a bench or deep flex.
Source: cbssports.com · sports.yahoo.com
Week 5 fantasy injury report
Ja'Marr Chase
Ja'Marr Chase: full practice Friday, lean start unless Sunday news changes it
Chase cleared concussion protocol steps and logged a full Friday practice. Check the 1pm ET inactives; if he sits, Dohnte Meyers is the flex fallback.
Source: playerprofiler.com · bengals.com · wlwt.com
Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson: limited Wed and Thu (ankle), plan is to play Sunday
Jefferson practiced on a limited basis both days and has said he plans to play. Start him if active; if he sits, Jordan Addison (also limited) becomes a borderline WR2 and T.J. Hockenson a must-start.
Source: espn.com · dailynorseman.com
Saquon Barkley
Saquon Barkley: ruled OUT for London (hamstring), bench him this week
The Eagles listed Barkley among Sunday's inactives for the 9:30am ET game in London. Will Shipley is the lead back, though Jacksonville's run defense limits him to flex.
Source: nfl.com · nbcsports.com · nfl.com
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson: no practice Wed or Thu (ankle), plan on Tyler Huntley at Atlanta
Jackson has not practiced since the Week 4 ankle sprain and analysts expect Huntley to start. Zay Flowers stays a WR2 but the offense gets a lower ceiling.
Brock Bowers
Brock Bowers: full practice Thursday after a knee issue, start vs New England
Bowers went from limited Wednesday to full participation Thursday, which is a strong sign for Sunday. Confirm no Friday designation before kickoff.
Source: sports.yahoo.com · raiders.com
DeVonta Smith
DeVonta Smith: ruled OUT for London (hamstring), start a replacement
Smith and Hollywood Brown are both inactive for Philadelphia, so Jalen Hurts' targets funnel to Goedert and Dontayvion Wicks.
Source: nfl.com · nbcsports.com · phillyvoice.com
Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins: full practice Friday, lean start; Meyers is the fallback if he sits
Higgins returned to a full Friday practice after missing Wednesday and Thursday. Confirm with the 1pm ET inactives.
Source: playerprofiler.com · sportsfly.cbsistatic.com · footballnationusa.com
Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson: limited Wed and Thu (knee), watch Friday's designation
Stevenson left Week 4 hurt and has stayed limited. A Friday designation decides whether TreVeyon Henderson is a must-start.
Source: raiders.com · sportsfly.cbsistatic.com
Week 5 waiver wire pickups 2026
Will Shipley
Will Shipley: last healthy Eagles RB with Barkley out and Bigsby on IR
Barkley is officially out and Bigsby is on IR, so Shipley leads the Eagles backfield in London. JAX allows the fewest RB rushing yards per game, so he is a flex at best this week; the role can last a few weeks.
Source: nfl.com · espn.com · fantasypros.com · nbcsports.com
Dohnte Meyers
Dohnte Meyers: next man up if Chase and Higgins sit at Miami
Meyers caught 7 for 82 after Chase left in Week 4, and both Chase (concussion) and Higgins (adductor) missed Wednesday practice. Value drops fast if either returns, so bid modestly.
Source: fantasyfootballdesk.com · tsn.ca
Keaton Mitchell
Keaton Mitchell: out-snapped Hampton in Week 4, high-end flex vs Denver
Mitchell played 26 snaps to Hampton's 25 at Seattle and has 11+ PPR points in back-to-back games. His passing-game role could grow with McConkey (foot) hurt.
Source: cbssports.com · sports.yahoo.com
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson: bye-week QB stream at the Jets
Watson adds about 30 rushing yards per game and draws a Jets defense that has been soft through the air. He fills in for Mahomes or Bryce Young this week, and the Week 6 byes (CIN/DET/MIA/MIN) keep him useful.
Source: rotoballer.com · fantasypros.com
Jets D/ST
Jets D/ST: home streamer in a low-total game vs Cleveland
CLE @ NYJ has a 39.5 total, one of the week's lowest, and Watson has already taken 11 sacks. Cleveland's D/ST is the slightly better stream if it is available.
Source: fantasypros.com · espn.com
Week 5 matchups to target
Jalen Hurts
Jalen Hurts in London: Jaguars' No. 2 D/ST and a depleted Eagles line
Lane Johnson retired and Cam Jurgens was traded, and Barkley and Smith are both banged up. JAX is a 7-point favorite in a 42.5 total, so lower expectations to low-end QB1.
Source: philadelphiaeagles.com · fantasypros.com
Puka Nacua
Puka Nacua: BUF @ LAR is Monday night's 54.5-point game, the week's top total
Opposing QBs have hit 24.9+ fantasy points against Buffalo, and the Rams are 3-point home favorites. Nacua is the top target in what projects as the week's best passing environment.
Source: cbssports.com · espn.com
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr.: DET @ ARI is tied for the top total (54.5), a spot flex
His season has been bleak, but Detroit's defense is the league's worst statistically and should allow plenty of points. He's a deep flex this week and a possible flip after a big game.
Source: sports.yahoo.com · espn.com
Week 5 fantasy trade targets
Tetairoa McMillan
Sell high on Tetairoa McMillan after his 192-yard game, during the bye
His WR1 week came against the league's worst pass defense with Jalen Coker out, and Coker returns after Carolina's Week 5 bye. Try to turn McMillan into Zay Flowers or a similar steadier WR1.
Source: rotoballer.com · sports.yahoo.com
Emanuel Wilson
Sell Emanuel Wilson's two-TD week, buy Zach Charbonnet before he returns
Wilson has 190 yards on 53 carries. Charbonnet (knee) is the likely lead back once healthy, maybe by Week 6. Start Wilson vs SF first if you can, then sell to an RB-needy team.
Source: sports.yahoo.com · cbssports.com
Week 5 fantasy football FAQ
Who are the best Week 5 waiver wire pickups in 2026?
Our top Week 5 waiver targets, by priority: Will Shipley (RB, PHI), FAAB 15%; Dohnte Meyers (WR, CIN), FAAB 6%; Keaton Mitchell (RB, LAC), FAAB 5%; Deshaun Watson (QB, CLE), FAAB 2%; Jets D/ST (DST, NYJ), FAAB 0%. Each one has its reason and source above.
Who should I start in Week 5 of fantasy football?
This week's calls: Matthew Stafford (QB, LAR): BUF @ LAR has the week's highest total, and Stafford ranks third in the NFL in passing yards. CBS lists him as a QB1 this week; Vikings D/ST (DST, MIN): Minnesota is the top fantasy defense, with a top-11 finish every week, and draws Tyler Shough. FantasyPros says the unit is worth a bench spot during its Week 6 bye; TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE): Stevenson was limited Wednesday and Thursday with a knee issue. If he is ruled out, Henderson is a must-start; otherwise he is still a solid flex; Drake Maye (QB, NE): Maye was a full participant Wednesday and Thursday and took AFC Offensive Player of the Week. NE is a 3.5-point home favorite, though A.J. Brown is still out.
Who should I sit in Week 5 of fantasy football?
This week's calls: Mark Andrews (TE, BAL): Jackson has not practiced and is not expected to play, so Tyler Huntley (under 160 passing yards per game as a starter) would cap Andrews. Treat him as a low-end TE1 at best; Cam Skattebo (RB, NYG): He turned 18 carries into 58 yards last week and has been under 10 PPR points in two of three games. The matchup in Washington is tough; Alvin Kamara (RB, NO): Minnesota has allowed one rushing TD all season, and Kamara managed only 23 rushing yards in his 22.8-point Week 4. With the back injury and a DNP, treat him as a bench or deep flex.