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| Sunday, October 11, 2020 |
| We learned Sunday morning that the Broncos and Patriots game scheduled for Monday night has been pushed back to Week 6, and that's not the biggest problem Fantasy players have to deal with for Week 5. Welcome to another NFL Sunday filled with uncertainty. |
| Obviously, you're taking your Patriots and Broncos out of your lineup, and luckily, there weren't too many must-start Fantasy options in that one anyway, so it shouldn't require too much shuffling. However, the Titans also had another positive test as part of their ongoing COVID outbreak Sunday morning, putting their scheduled game against the Bills Tuesday night very much in doubt . You should've already had contingency plans, but if not, I've got some replacements to look for on the free agent wire in today's newsletter, along with updates on the biggest injuries in Week 5 — because, yep, injuries are still a concern, too. Along with everything else. Why wouldn't they be? |
| Here's what you need to make any last-minute lineup changes: |
| Week 5 Injury Report Breakdown — The latest on every injury you need to know about Start 'Em & Sit 'Em: QB | RB | WR — Jamey Eisenberg's picks for Week 5 Starts and Sits, Sleepers and Risks — Dave Richard's picks for Week 4\5 Position previews: QB | RB | WR | TE — Heath Cummings breaks down every position Week 4 Cheat Sheets: PPR | Non-PPR — Matchup ratings for every player Matchup notes for every game — Breaking down every game on the schedule Week 5 Trade Values — Put together a last-minute trade this weekend |
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| DEN-NE postponed, BUF-TEN in doubt |
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| What you need to know about DEN-NE: The Patriots had another positive COVID test come up Sunday morning, eight days after their first one. The Broncos and Patriots will play next Sunday in Week 6. That is the Patriots regularly scheduled bye, but the Broncos were set to play the Dolphins next week, so that will likely end up being a bye week for Miami. Take all Broncos and Patriots out of your lineup. |
| What you need to know about BUF-TEN: This game is still technically scheduled for Tuesday, per reports, but it's hard to see them actually playing it. The Titans are still dealing with an outbreak that has led to nearly two weeks of positive tests, and while the NFL would surely prefer to avoid another rescheduling after the Titans already had an impromptu bye in Week 4 as a result of this outbreak, it's hard to see it happening. At this point, you absolutely cannot start anyone on the Bills or Titans unless you have a viable replacement option set to play for either the Chargers or Saints Monday night. And even then, given that the Titans could very well avoid a positive test Monday and then have another one come up Tuesday morning — a pattern we've seen before — your best bet is to probably just treat those two teams as if they are on a bye. There's no way we will have certainty around this situation by Monday night. |
| Here are some players rostered in 70% of CBS Fantasy leagues or less to consider as last-minute fill-in options to replace the likes of Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Stefon Diggs, and Jonnu Smith, among many others: |
| Quarterback |
| Jimmy Garoppolo 55% — Garoppolo is set to make his return from his ankle injury, he's got a great matchup against Miami, and he has Deebo Samuel back from IR and a full complement of weapons available to him. Kirk Cousins 54% — Great matchup against Seattle in a game where the Vikings might have to actually throw the ball. Daniel Jones 53% vs. DAL If you're really desperate: I would rather have Joe Flacco against the Cardinals than Kyle Allen against the Rams, but … woof. |
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| Running back |
| Justin Jackson 64% — There's a decent chance Jackson is the lead back over Joshua Kelley, and should get passing work in what could be a shoot out. If he's out there, pick him up and start him. Gus Edwards 28% — It's hard to see Edwards getting, say, 15 touches, but 10 efficient carries and a touchdown are well within the realm of possibility. Jordan Wilkins 5% — It hasn't gotten much attention, but Wilkins has nine carries in three straight and 10 touches in back-to-back games. He hasn't done much with it, but a touchdown isn't out of the realm of possibility. J.D. McKissic 18% vs. LAR Duke Johnson 49% vs. JAC Travis Homer 15% vs. MIN Wayne Gallman 9% vs. DAL |
| Wide receiver |
| Greg Ward 37% — Ward has 18 targets over the last two games and is by the most likely player who might be on waivers who could catch seven passes. He's a viable starter in PPR leagues even without accounting for him as an emergency option. Golden Tate 58% — Tate has done next to nothing with them (5.7 yards per target, but he does have 18 targets in three games and a great matchup against the Cowboys. Mecole Hardman 66% — Hardman is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, which makes him a high-upside bet if you really need boom potential. Keelan Cole 40% vs. HOU Curtis Samuel 49% vs. ATL James Washington 21% vs. PHI Clamide Zaccheaus 8% vs. CAR |
| Tight end |
| Ian Thomas 16% — It's against Atlanta. Simple enough. Logan Thomas 31% vs. LAR Irv Smith 12% vs. SEA |
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Sunday Injury Updates
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| Here's what we're watching for Sunday: |
| Quarterback |
Lamar Jackson (knee/illness) — Ready to play.
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| Running back |
| Raheem Mostert (knee) — Expected to play against Miami. Le'Veon Bell (hamstring) — Back from IR, expected to be the lead back. Joe Mixon (shin) — Expected to play against Baltimore. |
| Wide receiver |
| Michael Thomas (ankle) — Questionable, but trending upward. I'm still trying to figure out if I have the courage to start him, but I would have to sit James Robinson or Will Fuller to do it, and I don't think I can take the risk. If you want to, add Tre'Quan Smith or Jalen Guyton as last-minute fill ins if Thomas can't go. Julio Jones (hamstring) — Game-time decision despite not practicing this week. I wouldn't start him even if he plays. DeSean Jackson (hamstring)/Alshon Jeffery (foot) — Both out again for Week 5. Marquise Brown (knee) — Expected to play his usual role. Start him as a boom-or-bust WR3 Mike Williams (hamstring) — Questionable for Monday, but I wouldn't take the risk. Henry Ruggs (knee/hamstring) — Expected to return after getting two full practices in. A risky play, but one with some upside. |
| Tight end |
| Mark Andrews (thigh) — Expected to play his typical role. Jared Cook (groin) — Was able to get in three limited practices, but I wouldn't risk it if I have better options. |
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