| | Sunday, October 10, 2021 | Good morning and welcome to Sunday, Week 5. We're getting the newsletter out to you earlier than normal today ahead of the 9:30 a.m. game between the Jets and Falcons, and in case you haven't heard the Falcons aren't going to have Calvin Ridley available for that one. Make sure you've got him out of your lineups ahead of the earlier kickoff. | Today's newsletter has updates on all of the injuries you need to know about Sunday, with my analysis of how you should avoid each player as of early Sunday morning. One injury that doesn't matter for Sunday but will have big repercussions moving forward is Russell Wilson's broken right middle finger. We learned Saturday that he underwent surgery for the injury suffered Thursday to repair a ruptured tendon and fracture-dislocation, and the fear is he will miss a month of action and possibly as much as 6-8 weeks, though he is expected to return this season. We'll have more on what that injury means after Sunday's games. | Obviously, because we've had to send this newsletter out a few hours earlier than usual because of the 9:30 kickoff, you'll want to make sure you're up to date on the latest injury news that may break Sunday before the games. Adam Aizer and Heath Cummings updated you on the latest news and answered some start/sit questions on this morning's FFT podcast, and Jamey Eisenberg, Dave Richard, and Heath are on CBS Sports HQ from 9 a.m. ET to kickoff of the 1 p.m. games to answer your questions and keep you updated on all of the news you need to know on the FFT live show. | Make sure you check both out, but if you want more direct answers to your questions and other news updates, I've got two more ways for you to win: Go to Twitter and use the hashtag "#AskFFT", where our whole team will be answering questions all morning; and go to the FFT YouTube channel to chat with Adam and I from 11:30 until kickoff . We'll be there right up until kickoff answering as many questions as we can, so make sure you're in the chat early to get your questions in. | Here's the rest of our preview content to get you ready, and check out my updated position rankings at the bottom of the newsletter to help with any early lineup dilemmas you may have: | | | Week 5 Injury Report | | | Quarterbacks | - Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) -- Bridgewater cleared the concussion protocol Saturday and is expected to start Sunday against the Steelers. That's good news for the Broncos pass catchers, but you would probably be better off not starting Bridgewater against this tough matchup if you can avoid it.
- Jimmy Garoppolo (calf) -- Garoppolo has been ruled out for Week 5 against the Cardinals, meaning Trey Lance will make his first NFL start Sunday. Lance might be a bit raw as a passer -- he looked to be so in Week 4 in relief of Garoppolo, at least -- but his rushing ability helped him to 20 Fantasy points in just one half of football. He's a risky start for Week 5, but a high-upside one.
| Running backs | - David Montgomery (knee) -- Montgomery was placed on IR Saturday. He is expected to be out until Week 9 against the Steelers at the earliest, if not Week 11 against the Ravens. Damien Williams will start in his absence and will be in the RB2 discussion as long as he's starting.
- Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) -- McCaffrey is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Eagles and seems unlikely to play as of this morning. Chuba Hubbard will start again for the Panthers and is in the low-end RB2 discussion despite a disappointing first start in Week 4.
- Dalvin Cook (ankle) -- Cook didn't practice at all this week and was called a "game-time" decision by coach Mike Zimmer. If Cook is healthy, you'll probably have to play him, but I'm not considering him a must-start after we saw him limited by the injury last week. If Cook doesn't play, Alexander Mattison is an obvious must-start option.
- Antonio Gibson (shin) -- Gibson is dealing with a stress fracture in his shin that he has been able to play through, and he should be able to play through it in Week 5 against the Saints. It's fair to downgrade him as a result of the injury, as well as the tough matchup he's facing, but it would be hard not to start Gibson, given his typical workload and the fact that the Saints probably won't run away with this one.
- Joe Mixon (ankle) -- Mixon went through a workout on Saturday and seems likely to play through his injury Sunday against the Packers. He was unable to practice prior to that due to the injury, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he was limited Sunday, but his presence will make Samaje Perine a fringe option at best for Fantasy. Mixon should be ranked ahead of Perine if he is active.
- Ezekiel Elliott (knee) -- Elliott is officially questionable for Sunday's game, but it would be a surprise if he doesn't play this week.
- Chase Edmonds (shoulder) -- Edmonds didn't practice all week and is a game-time decision for Sunday against the 49ers. Because the Cardinals play at 4:25, you'll want to make sure you have a late swap ready to go in case he can't play -- James Conner would obviously be the preference, but you might be better off just going with someone from one of the earlier games otherwise, because there aren't many viable waiver claims you could make for the late games.
- Eli Mitchell (shoulder) -- Mitchell is not featured on the injury report for the 49ers heading into Sunday's game against the Cardinals, so he figures to make his return from his shoulder injury. It remains to be seen whether he is going to start ahead of Trey Sermon or not, but they figure to split carries, making neither a reliable Fantasy option in this one. If you have to start one, I would go with Mitchell over Sermon.
- Jamaal Williams (hip) -- Williams is expected to play Sunday despite missing time at practice this week due to this injury. He'll continue to split time with D'Andre Swift in a somewhat frustrating timeshare that has seen Williams lead the team in carries in two non-consecutive games.
- Peyton Barber (toe) -- Barber is questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders after making it through a limited practice Friday, but I expect him to be inactive or at least limited while dealing with a turf toe injury. The fact that Jalen Richard was activated off IR Saturday makes it more likely. That's good news for Josh Jacobs, who should see the lion's share of the carries for the Raiders.
- Justin Jackson (groin) -- Jackson is doubtful for Week 5 and looks unlikely to play. Larry Rountree is likely to be Austin Ekeler's primary backup for this one, but we should see Joshua Kelley active for this one, too. Ekeler is the only Fantasy relevant one of the bunch as long as he's healthy.
- Giovani Bernard (knee) -- Bernard is questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, but given the fact that he was a full participant in practice Friday, I expect him to play. It complicates Leonard Fournette's value, with the Buccaneers likely to return to a three-way split in the backfield. Fournette should still be the lead back, but if Bernard is involved in the passing game, it could limit Fournette's upside.
| Wide receivers | - A.J. Brown (hamstring) -- Brown is expected to make his return to action after missing a game due to his injury, and should be a must-start Fantasy wide receiver against the Jaguars. Especially with ...
- Julio Jones (hip) -- Jones was ruled out after missing practice all week. He missed last week with the injury as well, and we'll see if he's able to return in time for Week 6 against the Bills.
- Amari Cooper (hamstring) -- Cooper is listed as questionable for this game, but he is expected to play against the Giants. The Cowboys have been less pass-heavy than expected of late, but Cooper remains a top-20 WR for me.
- Tee Higgins (shoulder) -- Higgins has been cleared to play in Week 5 against the Packers after a week of limited practices. It'll be interesting to see how Higgins is deployed, but when he's healthy, I do still consider him the Bengals No. 1 receiver and a No. 2 Fantasy WR alongside Ja'Marr Chase -- Tyler Boyd is a slightly lower-end option in PPR.
- Courtland Sutton (ankle) -- Sutton rolled his ankle during practice Friday and he is a game-time decision for Sunday's game. Make sure you have an alternative ready to go if Sutton is ruled inactive, and even if he does play, he's just a WR3 for this week.
- Sterling Shepard (hamstring) -- Shepard has been ruled out for Week 5 against the Cowboys, as has Darius Slayton, also with a hamstring injury. Kadarius Toney figures to see a larger role, as he did last week, while Kenny Golladay figures to be the lead receiver in a game where the Giants will probably have to pass a lot.
- DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring) -- Parker is questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, and he's worth keeping an eye on Sunday morning to see if he is able to play, because he could be in for a great performance against the Buccaneers with Will Fuller out. He'd be a top-30 wide receiver for me if he plays.
- Chase Claypool (hamstring) -- Claypool is expected to play in Week 5 against the Broncos after missing last week's game. It'll be tough to trust him, however, and I'm not viewing him or JuJu Smith-Schuster as top-40 WR at this point, given how Ben Roethlisberger is playing.
- Curtis Samuel (groin) -- Samuel only made it through Friday's practice on a limited basis this week, but he is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. Samuel remains worth stashing, but with this injury continuing to linger, you can't trust him as a starter yet.
| | Tight ends | - George Kittle (calf) -- Kittle was placed on IR Saturday and will miss the next three weeks as a result. Kittle has been dealing with this injury since Week 3, and while he was able to play through the injury in Week 4, he suffered a setback that necessitated the trip to IR. He might have been able to play through the injury, but according to NBC Sports, the team believes it would have been a nagging issue all season without taking the time off . The expectation is he'll be back for Week 9 against the Cardinals.
- T.J. Hockenson (knee) -- Hockenson is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Vikings, and he is expected to play per early Sunday reports. He's a must-start Fantasy TE in what should be another high-volume pass game for the Lions.
- Rob Gronkowski (ribs) --Unsurprisingly, Gronkowski is not going to play Sunday against the Dolphins. The Buccaneers opted not to put Gronkowski on IR despite his injuries, so there's still a chance he could be back in Week 6 against the Eagles.
- Albert Okwuegbunam (hamstring) -- Was placed on IR Saturday and will be out until at least Week 9 as a result of his injury. Noah Fant should see a larger role moving forward and remains a must-start Fantasy TE with the upside to become a true difference maker if everything clicks.
| Updated rankings | Here are my latest rankings as of Sunday morning: | Quarterback | - Josh Allen @KC
- Patrick Mahomes vs. BUF
- Lamar Jackson vs. IND
- Kyler Murray vs. SF
- Jalen Hurts @CAR
- Tom Brady vs. MIA
- Justin Herbert vs. CLE
- Dak Prescott vs. NYG
- Matthew Stafford @SEA
- Aaron Rodgers @CIN
- Russell Wilson vs. LA
- Derek Carr @LV
- Kirk Cousins vs. DET
- Daniel Jones @DAL
- Trey Lance @ARI
- Sam Darnold vs. PHI
- Ryan Tannehill @JAX
- Joe Burrow vs. GB
- Taylor Heinicke vs. NO
- Jared Goff @MIN
- Zach Wilson @ATL
- Matt Ryan vs. NYJ
- Mac Jones @HOU
- Trevor Lawrence vs. TEN
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Baker Mayfield @LAC
- Jacoby Brissett @TB
- Andy Dalton vs. CHI
- Ben Roethlisberger vs. DEN
- Carson Wentz @BAL
- Jameis Winston @WAS
- Davis Mills vs. NE
| Running back | - Derrick Henry @JAX
- Austin Ekeler vs. CLE
- Aaron Jones @CIN
- Najee Harris vs. DEN
- D'Andre Swift @MIN
- Saquon Barkley @DAL
- Ezekiel Elliott vs. NYG
- Alvin Kamara @WAS
- James Robinson vs. TEN
- Darrell Henderson @SEA
- Josh Jacobs @LV
- Jonathan Taylor @BAL
- Leonard Fournette vs. MIA
- Nick Chubb @LAC
- Mike Davis vs. NYJ
- Cordarrelle Patterson vs. NYJ
- Antonio Gibson vs. NO
- Dalvin Cook vs. DET
- Kareem Hunt @LAC
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. BUF
- Damien Williams vs. CHI
- Damien Harris @HOU
- Jamaal Williams @MIN
- James Conner vs. SF
- Chase Edmonds vs. SF
- Chuba Hubbard vs. PHI
- Miles Sanders @CAR
- Alexander Mattison vs. DET
- Melvin Gordon @PIT
- Michael Carter @ATL
- Tony Pollard vs. NYG
- Nyheim Hines @BAL
- Elijah Mitchell @ARI
- Myles Gaskin @TB
- Devin Singletary @KC
- Javonte Williams @PIT
- Latavius Murray vs. IND
- Trey Sermon @ARI
- Zack Moss @KC
- Samaje Perine vs. GB
- Brandon Bolden @HOU
- J.D. McKissic vs. NO
- Jeremy McNichols @JAX
- Kenneth Gainwell @CAR
- Mark Ingram vs. NE
- Kenyan Drake @LV
- David Johnson vs. NE
- Ty Johnson @ATL
- Le'Veon Bell vs. IND
- Sony Michel @SEA
- AJ Dillon @CIN
- Ronald Jones vs. MIA
- Royce Freeman vs. PHI
- Malcolm Brown @TB
- Darrel Williams vs. BUF
- Phillip Lindsay vs. NE
- Carlos Hyde vs. TEN
- Alex Collins vs. LA
- Peyton Barber @LV
- Salvon Ahmed @TB
| Wide receivers | - Davante Adams @CIN
- Tyreek Hill vs. BUF
- Stefon Diggs @KC
- Cooper Kupp @SEA
- D.J. Moore vs. PHI
- Justin Jefferson vs. DET
- D.K. Metcalf vs. LA
- Keenan Allen vs. CLE
- Diontae Johnson vs. DEN
- Terry McLaurin vs. NO
- Deebo Samuel @ARI
- CeeDee Lamb vs. NYG
- Mike Williams vs. CLE
- Chris Godwin vs. MIA
- Tyler Lockett vs. LA
- DeAndre Hopkins vs. SF
- Amari Cooper vs. NYG
- Brandin Cooks vs. NE
- Ja'Marr Chase vs. GB
- Tee Higgins vs. GB
- Mike Evans vs. MIA
- Marquise Brown vs. IND
- Tyler Boyd vs. GB
- Odell Beckham @LAC
- Cordarrelle Patterson vs. NYJ
- Kenny Golladay @DAL
- Adam Thielen vs. DET
- Antonio Brown vs. MIA
- Jakobi Meyers @HOU
- DeVonta Smith @CAR
- DeVante Parker @TB
- Courtland Sutton @PIT
- Jaylen Waddle @TB
- Robert Woods @SEA
- Michael Pittman @BAL
- Allen Robinson vs. CHI
- Cole Beasley @KC
- Corey Davis @ATL
- Emmanuel Sanders @KC
- Darnell Mooney vs. CHI
- Jamison Crowder @ATL
- Marvin Jones vs. TEN
- Laviska Shenault vs. TEN
- Hunter Renfrow @LV
- Sammy Watkins vs. IND
- JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. DEN
- Robby Anderson vs. PHI
- Chase Claypool vs. DEN
- Henry Ruggs @LV
- AJ Green vs. SF
- Brandon Aiyuk @ARI
- Rondale Moore vs. SF
- Tim Patrick @PIT
- Mecole Hardman vs. BUF
- Kadarius Toney @DAL
- Christian Kirk vs. SF
- Curtis Samuel vs. NO
- Jalen Reagor @CAR
- Nelson Agholor @HOU
- Zach Pascal @BAL
| Tight end | - Travis Kelce vs. BUF
- Darren Waller vs. CHI
- Kyle Pitts vs. NYJ
- T.J. Hockenson @MIN
- Mark Andrews vs. IND
- Noah Fant @PIT
- Dalton Schultz vs. NYG
- Mike Gesicki @TB
- Tyler Higbee @SEA
- Dallas Goedert @CAR
- Tyler Conklin vs. DET
- Dawson Knox @KC
- Anthony Firkser @JAX
- Evan Engram @DAL
- Jonnu Smith @HOU
- Jared Cook vs. CLE
- Robert Tonyan @CIN
- C.J. Uzomah vs. GB
- Austin Hooper @LAC
- Zach Ertz @CAR
- Hunter Henry @HOU
- Dan Arnold vs. TEN
- Cole Kmet @LV
- Blake Jarwin vs. NYG
- Tommy Tremble vs. PHI
- David Njoku @LAC
- Cameron Brate vs. MIA
- Ross Dwelley @ARI
- Mo Alie-Cox @BAL
- Maxx Williams vs. SF
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