Lineup Rx · Week 5 · 2026
The Buccaneers beat the Cowboys 24-16 on Thursday night, so 14 games remain: 13 on Sunday and Bills at Rams on Monday night. Kansas City and Carolina are on bye. Below is a start/sit call for every fantasy-relevant player in each game, built for 12-team half-PPR leagues, with a note where full PPR changes the answer. Lines are early DraftKings numbers and books differ by a point or so. Injury designations are the final Friday reports plus what was public by Saturday noon Pacific.
The Eagles and Jaguars kick off in London at 9:30 AM ET, so set that part of your lineup Saturday night. Several big names are still unresolved as of this post, including Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Ashton Jeanty. The Borderline row covers players who depend on the rest of your roster or on a late status call.
This week’s prescriptions
Warren averaged 7.6 yards on 40 touches while Rico Dowdle was out, and Dowdle is questionable with a dislocated toe after limited practices all week. Even if Dowdle plays, Warren is an RB2.
He ranks last among qualified backs in yards per carry (2.7) and success rate (23.4%), and Tennessee allows the seventh-fewest yards per carry to running backs.
Detroit has allowed the most passing yards (1,308) and 11 passing touchdowns. Brissett scored 25.6 points against San Francisco in Week 3. His left tackle, Paris Johnson Jr., has a biceps tear.
Both are questionable at 1:00 ET. Chase is still in the concussion protocol and Higgins has an adductor injury. Check Saturday news, then have Mike Gesicki ready.
Injury watch
| Player | Status | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lamar Jackson, BAL | Out (ankle) | Tyler Huntley starts. He has averaged under 160 passing yards in 16 career starts. Zay Flowers is a WR2 at best, and Mark Andrews is a sit. |
| Saquon Barkley, PHI | Out (hamstring) | Will Shipley leads the backfield and Dameon Pierce was elevated. DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown are out too. |
| Kyle Monangai, CHI | Out (toe) | D’Andre Swift is a must-start with about 20 touches projected. Roschon Johnson moves into the RB2 role. |
| Breece Hall, NYJ | Out | Braelon Allen takes the lead job. Start him as an RB2. |
| Stefon Diggs, WAS | Out | Terry McLaurin is a game-time call. Antonio Williams is a flex either way. |
| Quentin Johnston, LAC | Out | Tre Harris becomes the top receiver. Oronde Gadsden II is a streamer. |
| Michael Pittman, IND | Out (multiple weeks) | Josh Downs and Tyler Warren carry the passing game. |
| Caleb Douglas, MIA | Out (ankle) | Malik Washington and Chris Bell pick up targets. Washington is the better bet. |
| Caleb Williams, CHI | Questionable (hamstring) | Practiced Friday, but next week looks likelier. Do not plan around him. |
| Ja’Marr Chase, CIN | Questionable (concussion protocol) | Full practice Friday, but he must clear the protocol. Start him only after he is cleared. |
| Tee Higgins, CIN | Questionable (adductor) | Reports conflict on his practice load. Treat him as a flex with real risk. |
| Justin Jefferson, MIN | Questionable (ankle) | Back at practice and leaning toward playing. Jordan Addison is also questionable. Hockenson is the pivot if both sit. |
| Ladd McConkey, LAC | Questionable (foot) | Reaggravated it last week and is not expected to be at full strength. Tre Harris is the safer bet. |
| Terry McLaurin, WAS | Questionable (hamstring) | Headed in a good direction, but it is a game-time call at 1:00 ET. |
| Ashton Jeanty, LV | Questionable (ankle, foot) | Missed Friday’s practice. Coach Klint Kubiak says he will do his best to play. Mike Washington Jr. is the handcuff. |
| Rico Dowdle, PIT | Questionable (toe) | Limited all week. Jaylen Warren is the back to own. |
| Rhamondre Stevenson, NE | Questionable | He says he is ready, though coach Mike Vrabel was less definite. TreVeyon Henderson rises if Stevenson sits. |
| Alvin Kamara, NO | Questionable (back) | Expected to play. Kendre Miller is the handcuff. |
| Zay Flowers, BAL | Questionable | Sunday night game, so you can wait on inactives. Rashod Bateman is the pivot. |
| Carnell Tate, TEN | Questionable (back) | Coach Robert Saleh expects him to play. Elic Ayomanor is the fallback. |
| D.J. Moore, BUF | Not expected to play (shoulder) | Missed practice again Friday. Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir get more work Monday. |
| Jayden Daniels, WAS | Cleared (elbow) | Back in a brace after a full practice Wednesday. Start him against the Giants. |
| Dallas Goedert, PHI | Cleared (MCL) | No designation after missing two games. Start him as a TE1. |
Eagles at Jaguars (London)
The diagnosis: Philadelphia is without Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown, and the offensive line is down to Jake Majors at center. Jacksonville allows just 14.25 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, and Jalen Hurts has seen his rushing production fall from 9.5 to 5.3 points per game since last season. That makes him a sit in one-QB leagues. Shipley has to handle most of the carries and ranks around RB30, so he is a volume-only flex. Goedert is back, and Dontayvion Wicks is cleared after a Thursday hamstring scare. Trevor Lawrence is a must-start, and Bhayshul Tuten has 59% of the snaps and 68% of the designed carries against a defense that gives up yards after contact.
- StartTrevor Lawrence, Bhayshul Tuten, Dallas Goedert
- BorderlineJakobi Meyers (flex), Parker Washington (WR3), Will Shipley (volume-only flex), Dontayvion Wicks (PPR flex)
- SitJalen Hurts (one-QB leagues), Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper (deep leagues only), Brian Thomas Jr., Brenton Strange
Raiders at Patriots
The diagnosis: New England is missing Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis and two other cornerbacks, and A.J. Brown is on IR, so the Raiders’ passing game gets a soft draw. Kirk Cousins is averaging 256.5 passing yards with multiple touchdowns every week, and Brock Bowers has a strong matchup. The big variable is Jeanty. He missed Friday’s practice with ankle and foot injuries, so keep Mike Washington Jr. on your roster if you have him. On the New England side, Stevenson is questionable and Henderson has scored under five points in each of the past two weeks. Neither is a reliable start. Mack Hollins is out, which makes Romeo Doubs a streamer.
- StartKirk Cousins (low-end QB1), Brock Bowers
- BorderlineAshton Jeanty (RB2 if active), Mike Washington Jr. (start if Jeanty sits), Romeo Doubs (WR3)
- SitRhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson (RB2 only if Stevenson sits), Tre Tucker
Bengals at Dolphins
The diagnosis: Cincinnati is the second-biggest favorite on the board, and Joe Burrow and Chase Brown are starts regardless of who catches the ball. Chase was a full participant Friday but is still in the concussion protocol, and Higgins is questionable with an adductor injury. If both miss, Mike Gesicki is a strong TE play against a Miami defense that allows yardage to tight ends. Colbie Young (knee) is also in doubt, which leaves Dohnte Meyers with real volume. Miami is down to Ollie Gordon II, who has 155 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 31 touches since Week 3. Jaylen Wright is a flex in a pinch, and Caleb Douglas is out.
- StartJoe Burrow, Chase Brown, Mike Gesicki, Ollie Gordon II (RB2), Ja’Marr Chase (once cleared)
- BorderlineTee Higgins (flex with risk), Dohnte Meyers (only if both starters sit), Malik Washington (PPR flex), Jaylen Wright (flex in a pinch)
- SitChris Bell, Malik Willis
Texans at Titans
The diagnosis: This is the lowest total of the 1:00 slate except Browns-Jets, and the Texans can lean on a pass defense that allows high yards per attempt. Nico Collins has no designation, and Tennessee safety Amani Hooker is out. C.J. Stroud has a clean pocket against a team with a low pressure rate. The Houston backfield is the problem. Montgomery and Woody Marks split work behind a line with several questionable starters. On the Tennessee side, Carnell Tate is questionable with a back injury but is expected to play, and Tony Pollard needs a touchdown against a stout run defense.
- StartNico Collins, C.J. Stroud, Carnell Tate (WR3, if active)
- BorderlineWan’Dale Robinson (PPR flex), Tony Pollard (flex), Dalton Schultz (TE streamer), Jaylin Noel (boom or bust)
- SitDavid Montgomery, Woody Marks (touchdown-or-bust), Cam Ward
Browns at Jets
The diagnosis: This game has the lowest total of the week, but both sides have usable skill players. Quinshon Judkins gets rising target volume against a Jets defense that gives up plenty to running backs, and Denzel Boston has been efficient and consistent. For New York, Hall is out, so Braelon Allen is the lead back. Adonai Mitchell is out too, which concentrates targets on Garrett Wilson. Deshaun Watson has some rushing value, but the Jets just allowed 268 passing yards to Tyson Bagent, so he is a QB2 in one-QB leagues.
- StartQuinshon Judkins, Denzel Boston, Braelon Allen (RB2)
- BorderlineGarrett Wilson (WR2, low total), Deshaun Watson (superflex)
- SitDeshaun Watson (one-QB leagues), Adonai Mitchell (out)
Colts at Steelers
The diagnosis: Jaylen Warren is one of three backs with 300 rushing and 100 receiving yards this season, ranks third in rush yards over expected per carry, and has no touchdown yet. Dowdle is questionable, so Warren is a start whether or not he returns. On the Colts side, Michael Pittman is out for multiple weeks, and Josh Downs is a low-end WR2 despite a quiet Week 4. Keenan Allen practiced fully Friday, which would push Downs toward WR3 if he plays. Tyler Warren is a start either way, with more value in full PPR.
- StartJaylen Warren, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, Tyler Warren
- BorderlineKeenan Allen (WR3 if active)
- SitRico Dowdle, Michael Pittman (out)
Vikings at Saints
The diagnosis: New Orleans has allowed a league-high nine touchdowns to running backs, and Aaron Jones is averaging 108.3 scrimmage yards with more fantasy points each week. Justin Jefferson returned to practice and is leaning toward playing, and Addison looks minor. If both sit, T.J. Hockenson becomes a must-start. Kyler Murray has stayed under 12 fantasy points in every game, so he stays on the bench. Alvin Kamara is expected to play but needs receptions to pay off against the defense that allows the fewest points to running backs. Chris Olave is off the injury report.
- StartAaron Jones, Justin Jefferson (if active), Chris Olave
- BorderlineJordan Addison (WR2 or WR3), T.J. Hockenson (must-start if both WRs sit), Alvin Kamara (reception-dependent), Juwan Johnson (TE2)
- SitKyler Murray, Kendre Miller (unless Kamara sits)
Giants at Commanders
The diagnosis: Jayden Daniels returns in a brace and takes on a Giants defense that does not scare anyone. Diggs is out and McLaurin is a game-time call, which gives Antonio Williams flex value in both outcomes. Washington added Austin Ekeler and Jacory Croskey-Merritt averages 6.0 points over the past three weeks in a committee, so he is a sit. Jameis Winston faces a Washington defense that allows 22.52 points per game to quarterbacks and is building chemistry with Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely. Likely has a high target share and is due for better efficiency.
- StartJayden Daniels, Isaiah Likely, Malik Nabers (WR3)
- BorderlineTerry McLaurin (WR2 if active), Antonio Williams (flex), Jameis Winston (QB2)
- SitJacory Croskey-Merritt
Bears at Packers
The diagnosis: Monangai is out with a toe injury, so D’Andre Swift is a must-start RB1 against a Packers defense that has allowed 113.8 rushing yards per game and eight scrimmage touchdowns to running backs. Roschon Johnson takes the RB2 role and ranks as a top-30 option. Caleb Williams practiced Friday and has an outside shot, but Tyson Bagent is the safer assumption. Jordan Love ranks last in completion rate over expected (-6.9%) and faces a Chicago defense that has tightened up since Week 1. Chris Brooks is out, and MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson split the Green Bay backfield without much to like.
- StartD’Andre Swift
- BorderlineRoschon Johnson (flex), Christian Watson (WR3)
- SitJordan Love, Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson
Broncos at Chargers
The diagnosis: The Chargers are thin and banged up. Quentin Johnston is out, Ladd McConkey is questionable after reaggravating his foot, and tackles Rashawn Slater (high-ankle sprain) and Joe Alt (neck) are both hurt. That is why Justin Herbert is a sit. Tre Harris becomes the top receiver as a boom-or-bust WR3, Oronde Gadsden II is a streamer, and Keaton Mitchell is a fine flex. Omarion Hampton lost must-start status to a committee and now depends on touchdowns. Bo Nix has the third-lowest completion rate over expected (-5.3%) and has finished as a top-12 QB once, so stream elsewhere. Jaylen Waddle remains the Denver receiver to trust.
- StartJaylen Waddle (WR2), Tre Harris (WR3), Oronde Gadsden II (TE streamer)
- BorderlineLadd McConkey (only if active, expect a limited role), Keaton Mitchell (flex), Omarion Hampton (RB3)
- SitBo Nix, Justin Herbert, Quentin Johnston (out)
Lions at Cardinals
The diagnosis: This is the highest total of the week, tied with Bills-Rams. Detroit ranks bottom-four in passer rating and EPA per dropback, which is why Jacoby Brissett is a QB1 this week. Jared Goff is the other side of it: he ranks top five in passer rating (108.6) and success rate (51.1%) against a Cardinals defense that has given up the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Jeremiyah Love scored under eight points in two of his last three games but has 41 touches in the last two, and a game script this friendly gives him room. Brian Branch may return from an Achilles injury, which helps the Detroit secondary slightly. Both defenses are sits in a game with this total.
- StartJared Goff, Jacoby Brissett, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jeremiyah Love, Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta
- BorderlineJameson Williams (flex), Michael Wilson (WR3)
- SitLions D/ST, Cardinals D/ST
49ers at Seahawks
The diagnosis: San Francisco has held three of its four opposing quarterbacks under 14 fantasy points and allows 5.9 yards per attempt, third-fewest in the league. That sinks Sam Darnold, who completed 13 passes for 168 yards against the Chargers, and it pulls Brock Purdy down too. Purdy is the QB9 on paper but Seattle’s pass defense makes him a tougher start than that. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the reliable pieces. Deebo Samuel is a low-end WR2 because his rushing role makes him more matchup-proof. Emanuel Wilson is a mid-range RB2 after a run-friendly script last week, though that may not repeat.
- StartChristian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Deebo Samuel (low-end WR2)
- BorderlineEmanuel Wilson (RB2), Brock Purdy (QB2 range this week)
- SitSam Darnold
Ravens at Falcons (Sunday Night Football)
The diagnosis: Lamar Jackson is out with an ankle injury and Tyler Huntley starts, so the Ravens’ ceiling drops sharply. Derrick Henry is still a start because the offense will run through him. Zay Flowers is a WR2 with Huntley under center and is questionable, but a Sunday night game means you can wait on inactives. Rashod Bateman is the pivot if Flowers sits. Mark Andrews is a sit. Atlanta is the better fantasy offense in this game: Bijan Robinson and Drake London are starts against a Ravens team that will lean on its running game.
- StartBijan Robinson, Drake London, Derrick Henry
- BorderlineZay Flowers (WR2 if active), Rashod Bateman (WR3 if Flowers sits)
- SitTyler Huntley, Mark Andrews
Bills at Rams (Monday Night Football)
The diagnosis: Matthew Stafford has averaged 344.7 passing yards over his last three games and faces a Buffalo defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. D.J. Moore did not practice again Friday and is not expected to play with his shoulder injury, which opens targets for Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. Coleman is the better of the two, though both are cautious plays against the Rams. Josh Allen and James Cook stay in your lineup no matter the matchup, and Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams are starts on the other side.
- StartMatthew Stafford, Josh Allen, James Cook, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Kyren Williams
- BorderlineKeon Coleman (flex), Khalil Shakir (PPR flex)
- SitD.J. Moore (not expected to play)
Before you lock your lineup: Inactives come out 90 minutes before each kickoff. That’s 8:00 AM ET for the London game, 11:30 AM ET for the 1:00 games, 2:35 PM ET for Broncos-Chargers, 2:55 PM ET for the 4:25 games, 6:50 PM ET for Sunday night and 6:45 PM ET for Monday night. If you’re starting Chase, Jeanty or McLaurin, put your backup in a later slot so you can still swap him in.
About Lineup Rx: FFD posts start/sit calls for every Sunday and Monday game each Saturday at noon Pacific, after the final Friday injury designations. For live statuses, check the FFD Injury Report.
Leave a Reply