Some key pass-catchers, including Calvin Ridley (personal), Julio Jones (knee), Sterling Shepard (hamstring), Rob Gronkowski (ribs), and George Kittle (knee) have already been ruled out for Week 5, and several more are “questionable.” Amari Cooper seems likely to play, but T.J. Hockenson, Curtis Samuel, DeVante Parker, and Courtland Sutton figure to be legit game-time decisions. While fantasy football owners check for the latest news ahead of finalizing your start ’em, sit ’em decisions, we’ll be here with updates below.
For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 5 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Is Amari Cooper playing Week 5?
Cooper (hamstring) got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday and is officially “questionable” for Sunday’s late-afternoon game against the Giants.
Earlier in the week, Cooper said he’s “good” and suggested there’s no reason to worry about his availability for Week 5. He remains a must-start if active. If Cooper is a surprise scratch, Cedrick Wilson would see more targets, but it doesn’t look like there’s a real cause for concern.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is T.J. Hockenson playing Week 5?
Hockenson (knee) practiced on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday and is “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
It sounds like Hockenson is a legit game-time decision, as coach Dan Campbell said his star TE has a “chance” to play. To be fair, Campbell has played fast and loose with injury information before this season, so it’s tough to say just how “questionable” Hockenson really is. If he plays, he’s worth starting. If he’s out, Darren Fells will start in his place, but he’s not worth using.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Curtis Samuel playing Week 5?
Samuel (groin) missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned for a limited session on Friday. He’s “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Playing time was limited for Samuel in his season debut last week, and given that he clearly still isn’t over his groin issue, he makes for a risky start if he’s active against New Orleans. If Samuel is out, Adam Humphries and DeAndre Carter will pick up some extra targets, but neither is fantasy relevant.
WEEK 5 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Is Courtland Sutton playing Week 5?
Sutton (ankle) practiced in full earlier in the week, but he tweaked his ankle on Friday and was downgraded to “limited.”
It looks like Sutton is another legit game-time decision ahead of Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. If he’s out, Tim Patrick gets a slight bump in value, and Kendall Hinton will also see more playing time. Patrick and TE Noah Fant are the only players in Denver’s receiving game worth considering.
MORE WEEK 5 DFS: Best stacks | Best values | Lineup Builder
Is DeVante Parker playing Week 5?
Parker (hamstring, shoulder) is dealing with multiple ailments, and after getting in limited practices all week, he’s “questionable” for Sunday’s game against Tampa.
If he’s active, Parker is a legit WR3/flex against the league’s worst pass defense. If he’s out, Jaylen Waddle gets a bump in value, but other than TE Mike Gesicki, it’s tough to trust any of Miami’s other secondary receivers.