UPDATE: 10:36 a.m. Sunday
The big news of the morning, out of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, is the rapidly deteriorating talents of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers … but we digress.
Most of the fantasy headlines deal with tight ends. San Francisco’s George Kittle, Arizona’s Trey McBriade and Cleveland’s David Njoku are all cleared to play in Week 5, though the latter two are likely to be limited to some degree. But Jacksonville’s Evan Engram is out.
As expected, Indy QB Anthony Richardson is inactive, so Joe Flacco rides again for the Colts.
Houston RB Dameon Pierce is out again, so look for another busy week for Cam Akers.
UPDATE: 10:50 p.m. Saturday
The big news Saturday is that the Green Bay Packers removed all doubt about the status of disgruntled Romeo Doubs by suspending the wide receiver for “conduct detrimental to the team.” So you can expect Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks to be busy.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is considered very doubtful, so Joe Flacco will likely be the starter Sunday in Jacksonville. Using him as a streaming option is not entirely out of the question if you’re desperate.
As for the ranks of the middlin’ running backs, Washington’s Brian Robinson has been cleared to play, but the Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire probably won’t be. And a pseudo running back, Saints tight end Tayson Hill, has been ruled out.
One familiar face will be back for Week 5. Odell Beckham Jr. will make his Miami debut, but considering the Dolphins’ recent QB play, you should refrain from counting on OBJ.
UPDATE: 11:42 p.m. Friday
We’re not sure if Las Vegas’ all-pro receiver Davante Adams really does have a bum hamstring, or whether his impending trade status makes him too risky of a start for the Raiders.
In any event, Adams has been ruled out of Sunday’s AFC West battle against Denver. Not a good sign for a Raiders offense that has been pretty mediocre anyway.
Another top pass catcher has already been ruled out: Giants rookie Malik Nabers, who’s in the concussion protocol. That means there are no Giants you’ll be starting Sunday against Seattle.
Three notable running backs have been shut down for Week 5: Indy’s Jonathan Taylor, Houston’s Joe Mixon and Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren.
As for receivers, Buffalo’s Khalil Shakir is out, and Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs is considered doubtful.
Washington got some good news in the expected return of RB Austin Ekeler, who may see expanded duty if Brian Robinson is unable to go.
And one final lineup note: New England is making a switch at No. 1 running back: Antonio Gibson is in, Rhamondre Stevenson is now second-string.
ORIGINAL POST: 9:00 a.m. Wednesday
The Loop has a big problem. So does one team in every fantasy football league on the planet.
How are we going to replace Rashee Rice?
The Kansas City speedster was off to a great start as Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 receiver. Then his season likely ended when he had his knee blown out by a diving … yes … Patrick Mahomes.
So we’re all scrambling for receivers, which makes this a great time to look at the deep pool of rookie pass catchers.
The Chiefs will obviously turn to Xavier Worthy to replace Rice as No. 1, but you probably are too late to grab him off waivers. We won’t even bother including Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers since they’re already must-start players you have no chance of adding.
But here are some of the first-year wideouts you might be able to snag:
Brian Thomas (Jaguars): The latest LSU receiving sensation has been arguably the only good player in Jacksonville the first four weeks. Seventeen catches for 275 yards and two touchdowns. And his quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has to eventually pull his head out of wherever it has been the past 10 games, right?
Ladd McConkey (Chargers): The L.A. offense has been limited along with Justin Herbert, but this former Georgia WR is off to a good start. His 15 catches for 176 yards and two TDs show what he is capable of with limited competition from other Chargers receivers.
Rome Odunze (Bears): Caleb Williams’ off-and-on start has been mirrored by his rookie wideout. Ten catches for 166 yards and one TD hasn’t been earth-shattering. But the former Washington standout is still a top talent.
Xavier Legette (Panthers): This South Carolina product has 12 receptions for 143 yards and a score. His totals could soar now that the Panthers have properly benched Bryce Young and installed Andy Dalton as the team’s gunslinger.
Keon Coleman (Bills): The former Seminole started to get more attention from QB Josh Allen last week in Baltimore, and he made some noteworthy catches. He only has eight for 126 yards and a touchdown so far, but he’s going to be a bigger part of the Bills’ offense going forward.
Sitting stars
Jets running back Breece Hall has been a bust with only 44 yards per game and will struggle again against the unbeaten Vikings.. … The Ravens’ tough run defense will keep in check the Bengals’ Zack Moss and Chase Brown. … Dallas won’t be able to run on Pittsburgh, even giving most of the chances to Rico Dowdle. … Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers is great, but he’ll be less than full speed vs. Seattle. … Houston wideout Stefon Diggs will be the focus of the Buffalo defense in their reunion showdown. … Vikings QB Sam Darnold will cool off a bit against the Jets’ still-solid defense, and Cardinals QB Kyler Murray will be kept mostly in check by San Francisco.
Matchup game
Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will get an even bigger share of the load against New Orleans. … Green Bay RB Josh Jacobs will have a big day against the Rams, if you assume the Packers won’t fall behind 28-0. … Jaguars RB Travis Etienne will finally break out against the Colts. … Bears RB D’Andre Swift will stay hot vs. the Panthers. … Jets WR Garrett Wilson will take advantage of the Vikings’ defensive deficiencies. … Browns receivers Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper will thrive in a shootout vs. Washington. … And two quarterbacks we expect good games from are the Bucs’ Baker Mayfield and the desperate-for-victory Bengals’ Joe Burrow.
Injury watch
Indy quarterback Anthony Richardson injured his hip last week against Pittsburgh, so he might be a risky choice even if he’s cleared to play. … His teammate Jonathan Taylor leads the list of questionable runners that includes Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, Houston’s Joe Mixon, Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren and Miami’s Raheem Mostert. … Packers receiver Christian Watson is out, and there are questions about a handful of other top WRs (Giants’ Nabers, Raiders’ Davante Adams, Tampa’s Mike Evans, Bills’ Khalil Shakir and Houston’s Tank Dell) … and standout tight ends (Arizona’s Trey McBride, Niners’ George Kittle, Cleveland’s David Njoku, Jacksonville’s Evan Engram and the Saints’ Taysom Hill).
Deepest sleeper
He’s strictly a journeyman who’s on his fifth NFL team in eight years, but Washington running back Jeremy McNichols is worth picking up, at least for this week. The former Boise State standout had 10 touches for 70 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday in place of Austin Ekeler, who was out with a concussion and could miss Week 5 as well. McNichols would be part of a nice tandem with Brian Robinson when the red-hot Commanders play host to Cleveland.
The Thursday pick
Buccaneers at Falcons (-1½):
Pick: Buccaneers by 3
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
