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Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne is expected to see additional carries in the backfield in Week 5. The Panthers are going to be without Chuba Hubbard (calf) for this weekend. That being said, Rico Dowdle will be the lead back with Etienne as the primary backup. The 21-year-old hasn't done much early in the season. Last week, Etienne rushed the ball seven times for 33 yards in the loss to the New England Patriots. It was a limited workload, but the 4.71 yards per carry is nice to see. His workload will likely also be dependent on the game flow as the Panthers could abandon the running game if it becomes a blowout. The hope is that Etienne gets about 10 touches, which might be able to give him deep league value for this game against the Miami Dolphins.

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has led the backfield in carries and rushing yards over the last two weeks, compiling 98 yards on 18 attempts. Rodriguez has served as an early down hammer back this season, with him being brought up to the active roster after Austin Ekeler was lost for the season in Week 2. Rodriguez has tied for the lead in snaps with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the past two weeks and should continue to be involved on early downs and in short distances. He faces a tough test against a Chargers defense that has given up the fewest amount of fantasy points to running backs this season. Rodriguez is best left out of lineups for Week 5.

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Carolina Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow has been off to a slow start to begin the season. Renfrow had a breakout performance in Week 2 with seven receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Outside of that, Renfrow has been held to two receptions and 11 yards or less in every game. The return of Xavier Legette this week isn't going to do him any favors. Sooner rather than later, the Panthers are going to lean on their younger players and push Renfrow further out of the rotation. Last week, Renfrow played less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps. He's worth holding in deep leagues, but Renfrow shouldn't be trusted in Week 5.

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Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo posted a dud during last week's loss to the Houston Texans. He hauled in one of his three targets for four yards in the blowout defeat. This was a frustrating performance after Okonkwo hauled in five receptions for 66 yards in Week 3. The 26-year-old is still building chemistry with quarterback Cam Ward early in the season. This whole offensive unit has been struggling early in the season. The hope is that Okonkwo bounces back during the upcoming Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a TE2.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has been one of the few bright spots for this offense through four games. It has been a tough beginning to the season for the Titans offense. However, Ayomanor has been decent with 12 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns through four games. The rookie wideout saw seven targets last week, but only hauled in two of them for 44 yards. The Titans offense is a complete mess, but Ayomanor has good upside. He should be in the conversation as a flex option for the upcoming Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (knee, elbow) is currently considered questionable for the upcoming Week 5 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Ridley didn't practice for back-to-back days before getting in a limited practice session on Friday. When healthy, Ridley hasn't been much of a fantasy option anyway. Ridley has three receptions for 57 yards over the last two games. The Titans offense is a mess right now, so it's tough to trust anyone on this offense. If healthy, Ridley should be considered a low-end flex option for Week 5.

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Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has weekly upside because he's been so efficient and dynamic on his touches, but the role is still murky as part of a three-man committee in the Washington backfield. Croskey-Merritt is tied with third-year back Chris Rodriguez Jr. in snap share over the past two weeks without Austin Ekeler, each playing 37.4% of the snaps and earning 18 touches apiece. Veteran back Jeremy McNichols has filled in primarily on late downs, playing 11 of 19 third and fourth-down plays over the past two weeks. Croskey-Merritt's role should continue to increase as he gets more experience. The rookie has been one of the most efficient runners in the league over his first month of NFL games. His 5.8 yards per carry ranks second best, while his 58.6% success rate is the best among all running backs. That may not continue in a tough Week 5 matchup against the Chargers, as they have been the stingiest defense against the run. They've allowed just 10.6 PPR points per game on the season. That leaves Croskey-Merritt as a low-end flex play in Week 5.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) practiced in full every day this week and will return as the starter in Week 5 against the Chargers. Daniels banged up his knee in Washington's Week 2 loss at Green Bay and missed the following two weeks, where veteran Marcus Mariota filled in admirably. Daniels will be without his top two outside receivers as Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) and Noah Brown (groin) are both ruled out again for Sunday's game. And Daniels will reportedly be wearing a brace on his injured knee, perhaps limiting how often he runs. The star second-year quarterback faces a tough matchup in his return to play, facing a Los Angeles Chargers defense that has allowed the fourth-fewest total points scored and third-fewest yards allowed. Daniels still ranks as a solid QB1 for Week 5.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown (shoulder) was limited in practice on Friday for the second straight day this week. Brown was held out of the Week 4 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with his shoulder injury, and his status for the Monday night showdown in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs is up in the air. The 25-year-old pass-catcher will likely need a full practice on Saturday to avoid a questionable tag going into Monday night. Even if Brown ends up being active on Monday night, he'll be a much too risky flex play in deeper fantasy leagues against a stingy and experienced Chiefs defense. Brown was surprisingly involved in the first two weeks, catching eight of 11 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown, but fantasy managers can't realistically expect that kind of production to continue while he shares targets with Brian Thomas Jr., rookie Travis Hunter, and Parker Washington.

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Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Friday with a shoulder ailment. Tuten hasn't missed any time yet in his rookie campaign, but if he doesn't put in a full practice on Saturday, he could be questionable to play on Monday night in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 23-year-old feels safe to be active on Monday night, but his final injury status is worth watching on Saturday. Travis Etienne Jr. is the Jags' No. 1 back, but Tuten has been involved and has already shown his big-play ability early on. Tuten has averaged seven touches a game and 39 scrimmage yards while finding the end zone two times in the last three games. Against a stout Chiefs run defense, though, Tuten will merely be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy managers if he's active.

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Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) was removed from the final Week 5 injury report on Friday and will play on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts on the road. Crosby was added to the injury report after being limited on Thursday with a knee injury. However, he was able to practice in full on Friday and is in no danger of missing this weekend's contest. The 28-year-old pass-rusher needs to be in all starting lineups in IDP formats against the Colts as he looks for his third sack of the year against quarterback Daniel Jones. The 28-year-old four-time Pro Bowler is an elite pass-rusher in the NFL and has 19 tackles (11 solo), two sacks, seven tackles for loss, five QB hits, an interception, and a forced fumble in the first four games in 2025.

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out for the Week 5 game against the Houston Texans, while star cornerback Kyle Hamilton (groin) is considered questionable. The Ravens' defense is one of the most beat-up in the league early in the year. In addition to Smith being ruled out, cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie (hamstring) and Marlon Humphrey (calf) have also been ruled out. It will make life a lot easier on a struggling Texans offense looking for its second straight win this weekend. Smith is perhaps Baltimore's biggest defensive piece, but he's expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It's hard to trust the Ravens' defense/special teams unit in fantasy after their rough start, especially with more injuries knocking key players out. However, the friendly matchup against Houston puts them in streamer territory.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have no problem getting free against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Buccaneers are currently sixth against opposing wideouts in fantasy, but they have not exactly faced a potent passing offense to this point. The Seahawks have been relatively efficient passing the ball thus far this season. A great connection between JSN and quarterback Sam Darnold has anchored that efficiency. Smith-Njigba is currently the WR7 in fantasy with only one touchdown. He has been a target monster in an offense that has been able to move the ball up and down the field. The Buccaneers have an equally competent offense, which suggests that this game could be somewhat of a high-scoring game. If the Seahawks are airing it out consistently on Sunday, Smith-Njigba should produce as a WR1 again.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones (head) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and was removed from the final Week 5 injury report on Friday, according to Zach Gershman of AZCardinals.com. Jones will be able to suit up on Sunday versus the visiting Tennessee Titans. The 30-year-old veteran suffered a concussion in Week 3 and was forced to sit out last Thursday night's loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4. Now that he's back, he'll resume his role as the Cardinals' No. 3 behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Arizona's inconsistent passing attack has barely been able to support Harrison as fantasy relevant through four weeks, let alone Wilson and Jones. In three games into his second season with the Cards, Jones has a measly three receptions on four targets for 29 scoreless yards. Continue to ignore him in fantasy in his return.

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Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers has been one of the better fantasy kickers thus far this season. His accuracy and the Seahawks' offensive effectiveness have resulted in a K3 standing with two outings of at least 13 fantasy points. That should not change in Week 5 when Seattle hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have a solid, but not unmovable, defense. The Seahawks should enjoy solid offensive output on Sunday, which will afford Myers several opportunities for field goals and extra points. There is a chance that Myers is still on waivers in your league, given that he is not always viewed as an elite fantasy option. He is likely one of the few set-and-forget kickers for as long as the Seahawks' offense continues to play at a high level. Start Myers with confidence in Week 5.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III will look to continue his efficient running in Week 5. Walker will have a tough task ahead of him as the Seahawks will host a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team allowing less than three yards per carry to opposing running backs. Additionally, the Seahawks are deploying a running back committee with Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Both players are taking opportunities from the other. Walker's saving grace is his pass-catching and big-play ability. He is not receiving goal line opportunities, which suggests that he will need to score between the 20s. You may feel compelled to start Walker in Week 5, but he is not a smash play by any means. However, he provides a decent fantasy floor this week and can be deployed as a low-end RB2.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet is a flex option in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Charbonnet continues to split backfield duties with Kenneth Walker III. However, Charbonnet's lack of participation in the passing game is hurting his fantasy value. Charbonnet has scored double-digit fantasy points each time he has found the end zone this season. However, he scored one fantasy point in Week 2 when he did not score. The Seahawks trust Charbonnet as their short-yardage back. Given that this offense has demonstrated its ability to get into scoring position, Charbonnet is always a threat to score. However, he is too inconsistent to be considered for your RB2 spot. Additionally, the Buccaneers boast one of the better defensive fronts in the NFL. They have been middle-of-the-road against opposing running backs in fantasy, but opposing running backs are averaging less than three yards per carry. Charbonnet is a fine flex play, especially given that bye weeks have begun, but his upside is capped in Week 5.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton saw his snap percentage dip to its lowest of the season in Week 4. That was puzzling, considering Horton's monster performance the week prior. However, the Seahawks are playing a lot of 12 personnel as they attempt to run the ball. They led for much of their Week 4 win over the Cardinals, which would have been conducive to a heavier run scheme. In Week 5, the Seahawks will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers likely have the best offense the Seahawks have seen to this point in the season. If the Bucs can push the Seahawks' defense, Horton's services may be necessary in what could be a heavier passing offense. If you have a spot on your bench, Horton is still a worthy stash as we observe how his usage will play out. He is still a rookie ramping up in this offense, so the opportunity for a second-half breakout is in the cards. For now, all we can do is keep an eye on Horton's snap counts and targets.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp has entered the bench stash phase of his career. He is not a viable option in Week 5 when the Seahawks host the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers have an untested passing defense, but Kupp has been too inconsistent to this point in the season. Kupp has only surpassed 6.6 fantasy points one time this season. Additionally, the Seahawks' passing volume is low. Quarterback Sam Darnold is averaging 25 passing attempts per game, and 8.5 of those passes are going to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Some of that has been due to game script. The offense has been relatively efficient, and the defense has been elite, resulting in a lower passing volume. If the Buccaneers' offense challenges Seattle in Week 5, the passing volume could increase. However, Kupp is too risky a player to deploy right now. He still has talent, but as of now, he is a better wide receiver for the Seahawks than he is for fantasy.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (collarbone) is listed as questionable to play in Week 5 on Sunday against the winless Tennessee Titans. Dortch was limited in practice all week and could be a true game-time decision for Sunday's contest in the desert. The 27-year-old wideout had his best game of the season in last Thursday night's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, catching four of his five targets for 35 yards and no touchdowns. He carried the ball one time for a pickup of four yards. Dortch is more of a gadget player for the Cardinals than a true receiver that should be taken seriously in fantasy. At best, he's a bench stash in much deeper leagues. He will most likely have a smaller role this weekend against Tennessee with Zay Jones being cleared from his concussion. Dortch has only eight catches on nine targets for 47 yards and no scores through four weeks in 2025.

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