PDAAs we approach Week 5, fantasy football owners need to monitor the potential returns of several key running backs who failed to suit up last week. Brian Robinson Jr.'s, D'Andre Swift's, David Montgomery's, Alvin Kamara's, and Gus Edwards' statuses for the coming weeks are trending in the right direction, and knowing the latest injury updates for these RBs is important as you ready your Week 5 RB rankings and waiver wire pickups.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these key RBs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 5 fantasy landscape. For news on banged-up WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown, Keenan Allen, and Michael Thomas, click here; for the latest on ailing RBs Jonathan Taylor, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Javonte Williams, go here; for more updates on injured WRs, like Isaiah McKenzie, Jahan Dotson, and Treylon Burks, click here.
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WEEK 5 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Brian Robinson Jr. injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Commanders' coach Ron Rivera said Tuesday that Robinson has a "very good chance to play" in Week 5.
Robinson Jr. (lower body) is set to be activated from the NFI list, giving the Commanders 21 days to place him on the active roster. He has a chance to make his regular-season debut this Sunday against Tennessee, which is great news for Robinson given what he's gone through after being shot in an attempted robbery just before the start of the season.
The third-round rookie from Alabama has a chance to assume early-down duties in Washington's offense, giving him flex appeal out of the gates. Despite Washington's early-season struggles, Robinson's season-long fantasy outlook appears promising given his potential workload. His return results in a rankings drop for fellow RBs Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic, but until we get a better sense of exactly how the Commanders will divvy up their backfield, all are worth no more than flex spots -- and even that might be optimistic.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
D'Andre Swift injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
Swift (shoulder) was inactive for the Lions' Week 4 home loss to the Seahawks after getting banged up in Week 3. We'll know more on his status for Detroit's Week 5 road test in New England once the Lions release their official injury report on Wednesday, but it seems unlikely Swift returns to the field this week after coach Dan Campbell initially suggested Swift could be out until after the Lions' Week 6 bye.
With Swift sidelined, Jamaal Williams remains a must-start RB1. Craig Reynolds played less than expected last week, ceding touches to Justin Jackson. Neither are fantasy considerations unless Williams also gets hurt.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
David Montgomery injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
Montgomery (ankle, knee) failed to suit up in the Bears' Week 4 road loss to the Giants. He was listed as "DNP" in practice last week but was seen working out on the field in New York this past Sunday.
Head coach Matt Eberflus called Montgomery "day-to-day" last week, and there's a chance he returns to practice and game action this week. His potential return muddies up the Bears' backfield, and we'll have a better sense of his Week 5 prospects once Chicago releases their initial injury report on Wednesday. As long as Montgomery is out, Khalil Herbert will be a must-start.
Alvin Kamara injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
Kamara (ribs) was a surprise inactive for the Saints' Week 4 matchup against the Vikings in London, coming as a shock for many fantasy owners who might have left him in their starting lineups.
Fellow RB Latavius Murray was elevated to the active roster ahead of last Sunday's game, as Kamara's status for Week 5 is unclear at the moment. If Kamara were to miss another week, Mark Ingram, who disappointed last week, has RB2 upside now that Murray is on the Broncos' practice squad.
Gus Edwards injury update, Week 5 fantasy outlook
Edwards (knee) will start practicing and is eligible to come off the PUP list this week. It's unlikely Edwards makes his season debut this Sunday night against the Bengals, but his return is nearing.
Edward's reinsertion to the Ravens' backfield certainly complicates things, as JK Dobbins was starting to see his workload ramp up and Justice Hill had carved out a role in the running game. Edwards might be worth a waiver claim as a potential handcuff for Dobbins.
