The state of running backs in fantasy football this year will have you running to the trade market, waiver wire, and desperately away from the league punishment you originally hoped to avoid. Typically the most reliable and important position in the game, running backs aren't living up to the hype yet in what's been a weird year. Look no further than a Week 5 injury report that includes Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Rhamondre Stevenson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Javonte Williams.
All of them were considered "must-starts" at one point, yet all five combined haven't outscored Kyren Williams and De'Von Achane in 2023. How wild is that? More important, how many of you had Williams and Achane on your radar as potential starting options before the season kicked off? Let that serve as a reminder of how wacky fantasy can be as we run down the list of key RB "questionables" ahead of Week 5.
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. Check back for updates until kickoff on Sunday.
WEEK 5 INJURY UPDATES: WRs | Aaron Jones | Davante Adams
Is Saquon Barkley playing Week 5?
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Barkley is NOT expected to play against Miami.
UPDATE 2: Barkley is officially OUT.
Barkley (ankle) continues to work his way back and eyes a return in Week 5, but he's officially listed as "questionable" ahead of the Giants 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday in Miami. The ankle sprain that has sidelined Barkley for the past two games appears to be improving, as the running back turned in another week of limited practices. Last week, Barkley earned a "doubtful" designation, making the upgrade to "questionable" this week a noteworthy development. Head coach Brian Daboll said that Barkley could be a game-time decision, making him one to monitor ahead of the early inactive reports.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
The Giants' offense has been a giant mess through the first four weeks, even with Barkley. However, if the star running back does play, he is someone that should be starting in your lineup. We don't know what kind of workload Barkley would get in Miami, but the ceiling is too high to ignore. If he were to sit out, you're looking at another week of Matt Breida as the Giants' RB1 and a flex in fantasy leagues.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Jonathan Taylor playing Week 5?
UPDATE: Taylor has been officially removed from the PUP list and is fully expected to play in Week 5 against Tennessee.
UPDATE 2: Taylor is officially ACTIVE.
Taylor (ankle) saw his ever-changing status evolve once again prior to the Colts clash with the Titans at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. The running back has been a full participant at practice all week, but head coach Shane Steichen said, "We'll see," when asked about Taylor's status for Week 5. After logging three full practices this week and signing a three-year deal with the Colts on Saturday, it seems likely that Taylor will suit up.
Even if Taylor suits up, he figures to split touches with Zack Moss. Against a dominant Titans' run defense, that limits both of their values. Consider both flexes, with Taylor having slightly more value and getting in a bump in PPR formats.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Rhamondre Stevenson playing Week 5?
UPDATE: Stevenson is officially ACTIVE.
Stevenson (thigh) was a surprise entrant to the Patriots' injury report in Week 5. It's not the first time the running back has popped up on the report this season, but it's the first time due to injury. Stevenson played despite battling an illness in Week 1 and will now have to deal with a thigh issue if he suits up for the team's 1 p.m. ET game against the Saints on Sunday. At the very least, the three consecutive limited practices are encouraging as the injury doesn't seem to be a major one.
The Patriots in 2023 haven't looked like the team that reigned over the NFL for almost 20 years, and Stevenson hasn't looked like the must-start RB1 many thought he would. He's yet to rush for 60 yards in a game this season behind a horrific offensive line. His backup, Ezekiel Elliott, hasn't been much better, illustrating the issue that plagues a bad offense with hardly any impact players. Stevenson's 2.7 yards per carry isn't going to make fantasy owners feel good heading into Sunday, but volume matters at the RB position. Start him, but don't feel good about it. If Stevenson is out, the same advice applies to Elliott.
WEEK 5 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Is Jahmyr Gibbs playing Week 5?
UPDATE: Gibbs was downgraded to "doubtful" on Saturday afternoon and will almost certainly be out.
UPDATE 2: Gibbs is officially OUT.
Gibbs (hamstring) was a late add to the Lions' injury report this week, practicing in a limited capacity on Friday after not being listed on the report all week. Considering the nature of hamstring injuries, this is a concerning development for Gibbs' owners, who were likely already regretting picking him in the first place.
If the hamstring injury sidelines Gibbs for Week 5, it will be a double feature of the David Montgomery show. Outside of the week that Montgomery missed, Gibbs has hardly heard his number called. The No. 12 overall pick is holding steady at around seven carries per game when Montgomery plays, putting his floor in the basement. You've likely tried to find other options than Gibbs and you should continue opting for the alternative until proven otherwise. If you can't avoid him, consider the rookie a high-risk flex option if he plays.
Is Javonte Williams playing Week 5?
UPDATE: Williams is officially OUT.
Williams (quad) will likely be a game-time decision as we count it down to the Week 5 kickoff between the Jets and Broncos at 4:25 p.m. ET. He's officially listed as "questionable,'' but he seemingly trended in the right direction all week long after suffering the injury against the Bears in Week 4. Officially, Williams began the practice week as a DNP on Wednesday before logging a limited practice on Thursday and a full practice on Friday, but he later told the Denver Gazette that he "didn't practice all week" because of the hip flexor injury. That's the same type of injury that sidelined Ja'Marr Chase for a month last year, and with the Broncos playing on Thursday night in Week 6, it seems likely they'll give Williams at least one week off.
The Broncos' running back is another one who hasn't lived up to expectations in 2023 as he continues to work back from a torn ACL. He's turned in respectable performances thus far, but he's yet to score a touchdown. Williams is a flex, at best, if he plays, as Denver sees a step up in class facing the Jets defense rather than the Bears, but given the late kickoff, fantasy owners shouldn't wait around for him. Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine would both see upticks in touches if Williams is out, with McLaughlin having the higher ceiling.
