As we turn the calendar to Week 5, there's good news that awaits fantasy football owners on this slate. Ambiguous injuries are relatively limited as it relates to fantasy's best wide receivers, and we'll even see the return of someone who would be inducted into the "Fantasy Football Hall of Fame" if such a thing existed. Fortunately, Cooper Kupp is still playing and will have to wait a few more years before his fake enshrining. Elsewhere, Tee Higgins, Josh Reynolds, Jameson Williams, and Odell Beckham Jr. are receivers to watch before lineups lock.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these key WRs 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 Tee Higgins playing Week 5?
UPDATE: The Athletics' Dian Russini reported Saturday afternoon that Higgins will NOT play on Sunday against Arizona.
UPDATE 2: Higgins is officially OUT.
Higgins (ribs) returned to practice on Friday after missing the past two days with a fractured rib. The participation in Friday's practice is a good sign for Higgins' potential availability going into Week 5, but it indicates that he is likely to be a game-time decision, at best. In a perfect world, the Bengals would probably sit their star receiver down for a week and let him recover, but the season is spiraling out of control as injuries and struggles mount with each passing game. Higgins alluded to his status being a call he'd make, according to ESPN's Ben Baby earlier in the week. The Bengals take on the Cardinals in Arizona, meaning they are in for a late-window kickoff.
WEEK 5 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start 'em, sit 'em
Higgins remains in must-start territory if he does play. It's unlikely you could replicate that potential production elsewhere, making this a risk worth taking. However, the biggest risk is waiting until inactive reports begin to trickle in 90 minutes before kickoff and missing out on replacement options from the early window of games. We believe Higgins is worth waiting around for, especially if you have Tyler Boyd. The team's current WR3 would receive a big boost in outlook for this week and is available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. Other good pivot options include Rashee Rice, Michael Wilson, Brandin Cooks, Rondale Moore, Marvin Mims Jr., Allan Lazard, and K.J. Osborn.
WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Cooper Kupp playing Week 5?
UPDATE: Kupp has been officially removed from the PUP and is fully expected to play against Philadelphia in Week 5.
UPDATE 2: Kupp is officially ACTIVE.
Kupp (hamstring) returned to the practice field this week and will play in Week 5, according to head coach Sean McVay. The star receiver has been listed as limited throughout the week despite McVay saying that status is only on paper. Barring a surprise setback, you won't have to worry about Kupp's status in advance of the Rams' 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff against the Eagles, meaning you can safely put him in your lineup.
The hamstring injury kept Kupp out for the first four weeks, which coincided with the emergence of the fifth-round rookie Puka Nacua. Expect Nacua to continue flourishing in the Robert Woods' role opposite Kupp, who remains a must-start himself. L.A.'s offense can support multiple 1,000-yard receivers as it has done in the past (2019). Tutu Atwell becomes a much riskier option, but he can still work as a deep-league flex against Philadelphia's 27th-ranked pass defense.
WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Josh Reynolds playing Week 5?
UPDATE: Reynolds is officially ACTIVE.
Reynolds (groin) has lived an interesting NFL life. He's been an afterthought at times, a complimentary piece at other stages, worked into and out of the rotation, become WR2 in Detroit, and is now poised to complete the climb to WR1 -- at least for one week. With Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) listed as "doubtful," Reynolds and his "questionable" status can dictate plenty of fantasy outcomes in Week 5. He's not alone, as second-year receiver Jameson Williams (not injury-related) is also "questionable" ahead of what could be his first game of the season. Solving Detroit's receiving room will be quite the challenge this week, but luckily for fantasy owners, they'll have an early answer since the Lions battle the Panthers at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
If St. Brown's status continues trending in the direction it's going, he'll be declared out. That's step one. Then we look to Reynolds and whether he is deemed ready to play. The receiver did have a groin issue that limited him in Week 3, but Reynolds eventually played. He was not targeted in the game, however. We expect that he'll play again this time around but have a better fate. Reynolds goes up to starting territory and should expect plenty of volume as a result. As for Williams, we don't recommend starting him this week given the uncertainty about his readiness and playing time, but he's a player to watch going forward as we see what kind of role gets carved out for him.
WEEK 5 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Is Odell Beckham Jr. playing Week 5?
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that OBJ is expected to play today against Pittsburgh.
UPDATE 2: Beckham Jr. is officially ACTIVE.
Beckham (ankle) was back on the practice field as the Ravens prepare to take on the Steelers at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. The receiver missed the past two games with the injury, but he said he's ready for a return in Week 5. Beckham recorded five catches for 66 yards through two games, something that won't inspire much confidence for fantasy purposes.
While it will be nice to see Beckham back on the field, the reality is that his name is worth more than the production at this point. The Ravens' offense has been fine without him as Zay Flowers has taken control of the receiver's room. On a team that isn't known for being pass-happy, feel free to avoid OBJ this week.
