With Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) viewed as day-to-day with the calf injury that kept him out of Sunday's win against the Dolphins, and Rico Dowdle coming off the first 200-yard game of his career, the Panthers' backfield situation is suddenly looking cloudy for fantasy managers. In speaking with reporters on Monday, head coach Dave Canales said the team has two good running backs and that, "It's a good problem to have." There were some fears that the 73% running back rush share that made Hubbard a fantasy darling in 2024 would be unsustainable, especially after the team signed Dowdle in free agency. Prior to Hubbard's injury, Dowdle had seen a steadily increasing involvement in Canales' offense. As long as Hubbard is out, Dowdle can be started with confidence, but fantasy managers who can afford to do so should take a longer-term approach to seeing how carries are divvied up when both backs are healthy.

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During his weekly radio appearance with 105.3 The Fan, Dallas Cowboys COO and Co-Owner Stephen Jones listed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (ankle) among a group of players who could return within the next two weeks. The All-Pro receiver suffered a high ankle sprain in the team's Week 3 loss to the Bears, and he has since missed high-scoring games against the Packers and Jets. The fact that he was not put on IR was a promising sign that he should be able to return before the Cowboys' Week 10 bye, and the narrative out of Dallas would indicate that the team might be eyeing a Week 7 divisional clash with the Commanders to put him back on the field. Whenever he makes his return, he should be plugged right back into fantasy lineups without hesitation.

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According to Joe Person of The Athletic, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) is slated to have his practice window opened prior to Wednesday's practice. This is an excellent sign for the second-year wideout, as he has been on the injured reserve since the beginning of the season. While he was unable to return in Week 5, it appears Coker will be in the mix to make his season debut this weekend when the Panthers face the Dallas Cowboys. As a rookie, Coker showed flashes of potential at times, catching 32 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns. This season, the Panthers have not had a reliable No. 2 option, opposite of star rookie Tetairoa McMillan, which could open up a large target share for Coker. When healthy, managers should expect Coker to be the primary slot option and carry FLEX value in PPR formats.

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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that the usage of running backs Nick Chubb and Woody Marks is game-plan dependent and also depends on the flow of the game, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Running backs coach Danny Barrett also has a lot of input on the usage between the two backs. After playing a season-high 56% of the offensive snaps in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, Marks dropped down to 39% in the blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. Marks' fantasy managers were probably hoping for a lot more against the Ravens' depleted defense, especially in a blowout. The rookie had seven carries for 24 yards, while Chubb finished with 11 carries for a team-high 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Chubb and Marks will continue to move forward in a timeshare and will be RB3/flex plays in fantasy, with Marks offering fantasy managers more upside and big-play ability.

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker didn't have an outstanding day by any means on Sunday, but he did lead the team in receiving in their 40-6 blowout loss on the road to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 5. Tucker caught four of his six targets on the day for 62 yards and also carried the ball once for a gain of nine yards. The 24-year-old did lead the Raiders in receiving yards, but fantasy mangers might have been expecting more production from him with star tight end Brock Bowers sidelined with a knee injury. Tucker was tied for second on the team in both targets and receptions on a day in which the Raiders could not find the end zone at all. The third-year wideout already has a career-best four touchdowns through five games in 2025 while adding 286 receiving yards on 19 receptions. Tucker isn't a bad WR4/flex as he continues to gain chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith. A big game could be coming in Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans.

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Carolina Panthers rookie running back Trevor Etienne was in line for a bigger workload in Week 5 against the visiting Miami Dolphins on Sunday with starter Chuba Hubbard (calf) ruled out due to injury. Etienne did play a season-high 20% of the offensive snaps in the 27-24 victory, but he only handled five touches (four carries and one reception), while Rico Dowdle had a career day with 23 rushing attempts for 206 yards and a touchdown. Dowdle also caught three of his four targets for 28 yards in the passing game. Etienne ran for 22 yards on his four carries and picked up seven yards on his lone reception against Miami. The 21-year-old could be right back to RB3 duties in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys if Hubbard is able to overcome his calf injury and get back on the field at practice this week. Even if Hubbard misses another game, Etienne isn't going to be in play as a starting flex option in fantasy lineups on Sunday.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne stepped up in a big way for the banged-up 49ers in their 26-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, catching a whopping 10 passes on 11 targets for a career-best 142 receiving yards. Bourne was a cutdown-day casualty in New England with the Patriots after training camp, but he latched on quickly with San Francisco and has been a big addition because of injuries to both Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. The 30-year-old veteran was quarterback Mac Jones' most reliable and productive target as the Niners pulled off the upset on the road at SoFi Stadium. "KB's been awesome for us, man," head coach Shanahan said. Seven of Bourne's 10 grabs came in the second half. Bourne and Jones clearly have chemistry, but Bourne's fantasy value moving forward will all depend on when Jennings and Pearsall return to action.

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According to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) was designated for return from the PUP list. The North Dakota State product has been working his way back from an ACL tear suffered earlier this year. It's excellent news for the Pack, particularly with teammate Jayden Reed (collarbone, foot) dealing with his own injuries. The team will now have 21 days to activate Watson before he's forced to miss the remainder of the season. Green Bay is in dire need of some downfield juice with rookie Matthew Golden still adjusting to the NFL, and Watson is capable of giving them just that. There will undoubtedly be a ramp-up period for the former second-round pick, but he's the team's most explosive pass-catcher. His practice status will be worth keeping an eye on over the coming weeks.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reports that running back Antonio Gibson (knee) will undergo further testing on Monday to determine the severity of his injury. Gibson exited Sunday night's 23-20 upset win over the Buffalo Bills in the second quarter after sustaining a knee injury and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest. Rookie backfield mate TreVeyon Henderson picked up marginally more work in his stead, and figures to split fairly evenly with Rhamondre Stevenson while Gibson is shelved with his injury. The 27-year-old was the team's third option out of the backfield, but with Henderson's inexperience and Stevenson's fumbling issues, he was getting a decent carry share. If Gibson is forced to miss extended time, Henderson would become an increasingly intriguing play.

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Per ESPN's Ben Baby, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor sounded "open to the possibility of a quarterback change" after another poor showing by veteran signal-caller Jake Browning. When asked if he still believes in Browning moving forward, Taylor replied, "After a game like that, we're going to look at all personnel to make sure we're doing the right thing." Taylor also noted that he still believes the 29-year-old can "win games for us," but it's fair to wonder if his time is running short after a third multi-interception performance in four outings. As for a potential replacement, Cincinnati currently boasts Brett Rypien on its active roster, along with Mike White and Sean Clifford on the practice squad. If the Bengals do opt to go in another direction, it wouldn't be surprising to see them do so from outside the organization. He won't be a recommended fantasy option until stringing together a few more promising outings.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton had an impressive outing in the win versus the Eagles on Sunday. While leading the team in targets, catches, and receiving yards, Sutton showed some dominant contested catches to help out the offense. Outside of his Week 2 dud, Sutton has posted fringe WR1 numbers in every other week. The developments of the rest of the receiver room should only help Sutton elevate his game as teams are forced to pay attention to more than one receiver. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and head coach Sean Payton clearly trust Sutton the most in crucial moments, which should secure Sutton as a high-upside WR2 going forward.

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Despite taking a loss, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel did not look overmatched in his NFL debut against a tough Brian Flores defense. The Vikings' coordinator is notorious for giving even veteran QBs trouble with his unit's exotic looks and pressures. Gabriel did an excellent job of protecting the ball and, for the most part, played smart, mistake-free football. Cleveland leaned on their ground game until late in the contest, understandably, as they'll aim to win many of their games with a strong rushing attack and solid defense. While the 24-year-old still has a way to go before becoming a suggested option in single quarterback leagues, he's an intriguing pickup in superflex formats and a decent stash in dynasty. Gabriel will get another tough matchup in Week 6 when his team takes on the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue rushed four times for seven yards in Sunday's 37-22 victory over the New York Jets. He added 32 yards on a lone kick return. The rookie saw his first action of the season in Week 5 with backfield mate Miles Sanders (knee, ankle) inactive while dealing with injuries. Blue didn't do much with his work, while teammate Javonte Williams ran wild (16/135/1) over a vulnerable Jets' defense. Sanders did not log even a limited practice session last week, but was initially deemed questionable for Sunday's contest, leaving his status for Week 6 unclear. If he can't suit up again, Blue will operate as the change-of-pace option for Williams for the second consecutive week. The former Texas Longhorn is nothing more than a temporary handcuff, but he holds more value -- and is worth holding onto -- in dynasty.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been on an absolute heater of late, recording 764 passing yards and six touchdowns over his last two games. The 37-year-old now gets an extremely favorable Week 6 matchup against the banged-up Baltimore Ravens, who have allowed 81 points over their last two contests. Stafford's lack of rushing ability limits his fantasy potential, but he leads the NFL in passing yards (1,503) through five weeks and has also thrown for 11 touchdowns. He should be rostered as a low-end starter for Week 6 in single-QB formats, and he profiles as a must-start player in two-quarterback leagues.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has been active for just two games this season and recorded his first five touches in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders, finishing with 19 yards from scrimmage. However, with Chargers RB1 Omarion Hampton (ankle) potentially facing missed time due to an ankle injury, Vidal could be battling with Hassan Haskins for the lead rushing role in Los Angeles. Both Haskins and Vidal played exactly 14 snaps in Week 5, with Haskins earning one more touch. That could suggest an equal split between the two backs going forward if Hampton does indeed miss game action. Still, Vidal is now worth rostering in fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams due to his potential to seize the RB1 role for the Chargers if Hampton is sidelined. Los Angeles has a very favorable matchup in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, who just allowed 239 rushing yards to the Carolina Panthers in Week 5.

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Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner recorded two touchdown catches in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, bringing his season-long total to four touchdown grabs in just five games. The 23-year-old has hauled in 14 catches for 134 yards this season on 16 targets. Barner's overall target volume (3.2 per game) is subpar, but there's little question that he's one of Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold's favorite end zone targets. Additionally, Barner has now played at least 80% of the offensive snaps in four out of Seattle's five games. It will be tough for Barner to be a consistent fantasy producer unless he starts commanding a high volume of targets more consistently. Still, he could be a decent low-end streaming option at tight end in deep leagues and is a waiver-wire name to monitor heading into a Week 6 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Hassan Haskins has just 17 yards from scrimmage on six total touches this season, all of which came in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. However, with Chargers' lead running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) potentially facing missed time after suffering an ankle injury in Week 5, Haskins could see a significant increase in workload. If Hampton does indeed miss game action, Haskins and second-year back Kimani Vidal are the lead candidates for backfield playing time in Los Angeles. Vidal had his first five touches of the 2025 season in Week 5, recording 19 yards from scrimmage. Pending more information coming out around Hampton's injury, Haskins is a waiver-wire name to monitor in deep leagues heading into a favorable Week 6 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.

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New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor has seen his role in the team's offense grow with each week of the NFL season so far. In Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, Taylor set season highs in targets (12), catches (nine), and receiving yards (67). The 21-year-old now has 20 catches for 175 yards on 28 targets through five games, and he appears to be the clear number two option in the Jets' passing game behind star wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Taylor should be rostered in all PPR leagues with 12 or more teams, although he does get a tough matchup in Week 6 against the Denver Broncos.

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New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis had a quiet game in Week 5 against the Dallas Cowboys, recording just one carry for five yards and three catches for 28 yards on four targets. It was New York's first game this season without running back Braelon Allen (knee), which bumped Davis up to the team's RB2 role. However, lead Jets' back Breece Hall dominated the backfield work, recording 155 yards from scrimmage on 18 total touches. Davis is worth rostering in deeper fantasy leagues as a handcuff to Hall, but for now, he does not appear to carry standalone value for fantasy managers.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter recorded 18 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown as well as five catches for 22 yards in his team's 22-21 Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans. In Arizona's first full game without both running backs James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee), Carter recorded 23 touches, compared to eight combined touches for fellow Cardinals backs Emari Demercado and Bam Knight. While Carter did not have his most efficient day as a rusher in Week 5, he looks like the clear number one option in the run game for Arizona. Additionally, Demercado broke a long run that should have been a touchdown but dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, which could put him in the dog house with Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. With Conner out for the season and Benson on Injured Reserve, Carter should be a priority waiver-wire addition in any league where he is not already rostered.

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