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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is trending toward a Week 6 return from injured reserve. Kittle strained his hamstring in Week 1 after posting four catches for 28 yards and a touchdown, all in the first quarter. His return will be a major boost for San Francisco's offense, both as a pass catcher and as a blocker. Once active, Kittle should immediately reclaim his role as a high-end TE1, though fantasy managers should be more concerned about his health risks and the 49ers' crowded target distribution.

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With the Minnesota Vikings once again facing major issues on the offensive line in Week 5, the team is likely to craft a game plan similar to last week, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. From a fantasy perspective, that would be a good thing for wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who drew a season-best 11 targets, 10 catches, and 126 receiving yards in the Vikings' loss against Pittsburgh. Minnesota will have to find a way to neutralize the Cleveland Browns' excellent defensive line without starting left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist), starting center Ryan Kelly (concussion), and starting right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee), and scripted targets to their best player would seem to be on menu once again.

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New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams is still waiting for his breakout opportunity. Through four weeks, Williams has seen just two targets while playing only 16% of the team's snaps, slotting in as the fifth receiver in the rotation. The rookie has remained patient, saying, "I feel like I can do everything. At this point, it's just waiting for my turn." Encouragingly, Williams logged a season-high 31% snap share in Week 4, which suggests he may have leapfrogged DeMario Douglas, who regressed from 37% in Week 3 to 16% in Week 4. Williams will look to carve out a larger role in Week 5's primetime matchup against the undefeated Buffalo Bills.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is eligible to return in Week 7 after serving a six-game suspension stemming from hit-and-run charges before the 2024 season. Rice has already rejoined the team for meetings, although he cannot practice until he's reinstated by the NFL. The Chiefs leaned on Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, Tyquan Thornton, and JuJu Smith-Schuster during his absence, but Rice should immediately slide back into his role as Patrick Mahomes' top target once active. The third-year wideout profiles as the WR1 in Kansas City's offense and is a strong buy-low candidate ahead of his return in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn is drawing praise from the coaching staff despite being a healthy scratch through the first four weeks. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik highlighted Horn's "work ethic and explosiveness," noting that the rookie has impressed behind the scenes. However, Horn's path to playing time remains crowded with multiple receivers nearing a return. Jalen Coker (quad) is eligible to return in Week 5, and Xavier Legette has resumed practicing. For now, Horn is not on the fantasy radar, but his name is worth keeping in mind as a potential late-season stash if opportunities open up.

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New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis is set for a possible increase in playing time with fellow Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) headed for injured reserve. Allen, as reported by Rich Cimini of ESPN, will be placed on IR on Thursday and will be out for longer than the minimum four weeks, and possibly could miss the rest of the season. While running back Breece Hall is slated to get the majority of carries out of the Jets' backfield, Davis could see an increased work load as well. He played 33% of snaps after Allen departed Monday's game, which included two catches. He'll warrant some consideration, especially in deeper PPR formats.

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New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) will be placed on injured reserve later Thursday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Allen sustained the injury during the Jets' Monday Night Football loss at Miami and did not return to the game. Cimini said the club isn't certain if the injury will be season-ending, but it certainly will be more than the minimum four weeks required for an IR stint. Without Allen, it seems highly likely fellow running back Breece Hall will receive the vast majority of work out of the Jets' backfield for the time being.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller said Wednesday that his snap count is likely to increase in the coming weeks, according to Miami reporter Barry Jackson. The veteran tight had quite a debut for the Dolphins in Week 4, catching three passes for 27 yards and two touchdowns on just four targets and 16 total snaps. Miami has eased Waller back into action this season, but he figures to keep gaining more time after Monday night. With receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) out for the foreseeable future, Waller could quickly become one of the team's top pass-catching options alongside receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De'Von Achane.

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Coming off a monster Week 4, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens could be an even more active part of the Week 5 game plan, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The offseason trade acquisition had his best game of the season last week against Green Bay, going for eight catches, 134 yards, and two touchdowns in Dallas' first full game without CeeDee Lamb (ankle). This week, with a matchup against the New York Jets and cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner looming, Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said the club plans to move Pickens all over formations to create favorable matchups. That should sound good to managers who roster Pickens, who figures to continue as the top option in Dallas as long as Lamb is out.

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The Cleveland Browns could be turning more to rookie running back Quinshon Judkins now that the team has formally made a change at quarterback, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Cleveland's offense has been one of the very worst in the league, prompting the club to bench quarterback Joe Flacco in favor of rookie Dillon Gabriel for this week's game against Minnesota, which will be played in London. Judkins looks to be a benefactor of the switch, as the Browns likely will look to their running attack to give the first-time starting quarterback some help against a good defensive line. Judkins has drawn 19 and 25 touches, respectively, during the past two weeks, opening the possibility he's going to get feature-back work as long as he's healthy.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter is a suddenly relevant fantasy name who is sending managers rushing to the waiver wires this week ahead of a matchup against the lowly Tennessee Titans. The fifth-year back told reporters on Wednesday that he's poised to start the game after the Cardinals lost their top two runnings backs, James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee), in back-to-back weeks. While Benson should return this year, the Arizona Republic reports the Cards could turn to a committee approach with Carter, Emari Demercado, and Zonovan Knight, but it was Carter who took snaps first at Wednesday's practice. Carter was a top-30 fantasy running back in 2021, and the opportunity gives him the chance at becoming a valuable fantasy add, especially during bye weeks.

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San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro recovered well from his introduction to the team back in Week 2. In his first scoring opportunity after replacing the volatile Jake Moody, Pineiro hooked an extra point attempt. He has since made each of his subsequent tries - four extra points, and seven field goals, one of which came as time expired to give the 49ers their Week 3 win over the Cardinals. Known more for his accuracy than for his range, Pineiro makes for a reliable floor play. He's no lock to drive home the 50-yarders that can really make a difference in fantasy football, but he can be counted on to convert the kicks he makes in his opponent's territory. In 2025, he ranks eighth in the league in fantasy points per game. In Week 5, he is a serviceable streaming candidate against the Rams.

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San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges has emerged as the team's preferred pass-catcher at the position in the absence of George Kittle (hamstring). Through four weeks, Tonges has the edge on Luke Farrell in targets (16 to six) and has run nearly twice as many routes (96 to 52). Quarterback Brock Purdy (toe), who connected with Tonges for both of the tight end's touchdowns this season, will be out in Week 5 and replaced by Mac Jones for the third time in four weeks. Tonges' target share held steady in Purdy's previous absence, and might even grow with both Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) also declared out. Tonges projects as a low-end TE2 in Week 5. While his stock may be improving, tight end streamers should look elsewhere rather than gamble on another touchdown coming his way on Thursday night.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) has been ruled out for their Week 5 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Watkins, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason, has yet to make his regular-season debut. Watkins had been cleared to play in Week 2, but was ultimately a healthy scratch from that game and thereafter has stayed on the shelf with lingering discomfort in his calf. The rookie's injury is especially unfortunate this week, as both Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) are dealing with injuries of their own that will bar them from playing when the 49ers face the Rams on Thursday Night Football. Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson are expected to move into the starting lineup as a result.

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In Week 5, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne will once again ascend to the top of the depth chart thanks to injuries to both Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs). Bourne started alongside Pearsall in Jennings' absence in Week 3, and came away with four catches and 38 yards on six targets. Hardly the boom some were hoping for, but with Pearsall also sidelined this time around, Bourne could see more work. As in Week 3, Bourne's former Patriots teammate, quarterback Mac Jones, will take the place of Brock Purdy (toe). It should be noted that their shared history didn't garner the receiver any special attention then, however. Bourne projects as a WR4 in Week 5, and with the 49ers playing on Thursday night, it is a risky bet to start the week with him occupying a starting WR slot in fantasy lineups.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson is expected to slide into a starting role with Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) out for Week 5. Robinson made his season debut in Week 4 after serving a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy in the offseason. San Francisco eased Robinson into action with a 25% snap share, and he saw just two targets, catching one pass for 20 yards. Robinson should see more action this week, though his lack of conditioning might see him lose snaps to Skyy Moore or Marquez Valdes-Scantling. It is worth noting that quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) will also be sidelined, with Mac Jones getting the start. As a projected WR5, it would be inadvisable to plug him into starting fantasy lineups, especially with the 49ers playing on Thursday, in the first game of the week.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. still ranks second on the team's depth chart and is, in theory, their change-of-pace back to relieve Christian McCaffrey. The problem for Robinson is that the 49ers have shown little desire to get away from the superstar lately. In the first two weeks of 2025, Robinson got in on nearly one quarter of San Francisco's snaps. However, in Week 3, his share plummeted to 9% and rebounded slightly to a 15% share in Week 4. On the season, Robinson has a total of 22 rushing attempts for 96 yards and has seen just three targets, catching two for two receiving yards. Even with bye weeks underway, Robinson should not be considered a viable fantasy starter in Week 5, especially with the 49ers being featured on Thursday Night Football.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will be relied on to carry the team's offense in Week 5. This is not unusual, but the load will be even heavier (metaphorically, but likely also literally) on Thursday, with wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) declared out due to injuries. Quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) will also be on the sidelines, and cede starting duties to Mac Jones for the third time in four games. McCaffrey has been a force regardless of who is under center, starting the season with four straight top-10 PPR finishes at running back. He has been especially productive through the air, ranking second in the league in targets (43) and eighth in yardage (305). The rest of San Francisco's offense might be falling apart, but for as long as McCaffrey is healthy, he has RB1 potential and should be locked into starting fantasy lineups.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) will draw another start when the team kicks off Week 5 on Thursday against the Rams. Purdy is still dealing with soreness related to the turf toe that kept him out of Weeks 2 and 3. In those two games, Jones completed 66.3% of his passes for 563 yards and four touchdowns. Jones was serviceable in those spot starts, but this time around will be without the services of both Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs), who have been ruled out due to injuries of their own. Missing his top wide receivers and facing a stifling Rams defense, it would be unwise to turn to Jones in the first game of Week 5.

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington continues to see his snap share increase ahead of Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. Whittington played 80 percent of the snaps in Week 4, which was not only his highest mark of the season but was also just three percentage points lower than Davante Adams and one percentage point lower than Puka Nacua. The second-year Texas product is seeing the field nearly as much as his superstar teammates, but it hasn't amounted to much production. He caught just one pass for seven yards last Sunday and ranks outside the top 100 fantasy receivers. As long as both Adams and Nacua are healthy, Whittington will remain off the fantasy radar despite being third on the depth chart and playing the vast majority of offensive snaps.

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