Fantasy football managers continued to be victimized by the injury bug in Week 4. Star contributors like Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Buffalo Bills receiver DJ Moore and Kansas City Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice went down with injuries.
None returned to action, and their fantasy managers will now have to look for potential replacements.
The silver lining? Many replacements for the injured players should be available on the waiver wire, giving fantasy managers a clear path to improve their depth.
USA TODAY Sports evaluated some of the biggest Week 5 breakout candidates most likely to be on fantasy waiver wires based on Yahoo fantasy league data.
Here are eight players worth claiming.
Week 5 fantasy football waiver wire targets
RB Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles (Rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues)
Saquon Barkley suffered a hamstring injury early in the Eagles' Week 4 loss to the Rams and did not return. Barkley's absence opened the door for Bigsby to emerge as Philadelphia's lead back. He racked up 55 yards on a team-high 14 carries but failed to catch his lone target.
A similar workload can be expected of Bigsby if Barkley is sidelined in Week 5 and potentially beyond. Will Shipley (rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues) could also be worth a speculative add, as Bigsby briefly exited against the Rams after getting banged up.
WR Darius Cooper, Philadelphia Eagles (Rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues)
Bigsby isn't the only Eagles player worth adding. Cooper led the team in targets with DeVonta Smith (hamstring) out of the lineup. The 24-year-old managed just three catches and 33 yards, but he also scored twice.
Cooper also had a touchdown in Week 2 and appears to be proving himself as a red-zone weapon. That will give him flex appeal, especially if Smith remains out of action.
WR Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills (Rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues)
For the second time in three weeks, Buffalo's No. 1 receiver DJ Moore went down with a shoulder injury. Coleman stepped into the void Moore left, catching six passes for 116 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.
Coleman and Khalil Shakir figure to serve as Buffalo's top pass-catching weapons as long as Moore is sidelined. And even if the 29-year-old returns in short order, Coleman could remain a red-zone threat because of his 6-4 frame.
RB Tyler Allgeier, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered in 36% of Yahoo leagues)
Allgeier took a backseat to Jeremiyah Love in the Cardinals' Week 3 game against the 49ers, but the veteran carved out a larger workload against the Giants. Allgeier turned his eight carries into 42 yards and a touchdown while also grabbing each of his two targets for seven yards.
Allgeier doesn't have the volume to be an every-week play, but he is a high-end handcuff you can trust as a matchup-based or touchdown-dependent flex. Feel free to stash him, especially if you're thin at running back.
RB Najee Harris, New York Giants (Rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues)
Harris is in a similar boat to Allgeier. He's clearly behind a younger running back (Cam Skattebo), but he still has a solid role. Harris got nine carries and turned them into 30 yards while he was also entrusted with a key, 2-point conversion carry.
Harris has clearly established himself as the No. 2 running back behind Skattebo, so he should be viewed as a top handcuff because of Skattebo's hard-hitting running style.
WR Dohnte Meyers, Cincinnati Bengals (Rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues)
Ja'Marr Chase suffered a concussion in the Bengals' Week 4 loss to the Jaguars. That allowed Meyers to step into a larger role, and he thrived, recording seven catches for 82 yards.
Meyers benefited from a pass-heavy game script and may see his role evaporate if Chase is only sidelined briefly by his concussion. Even so, Meyers is worth adding, as he could have a prominent role in a favorable Week 5 matchup against the Dolphins.
TE Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (Rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues)
Strange led the Jaguars in targets (8), receptions (7) and receiving yards (95) in their win over the Bengals. He had just seven catches combined across the first three games of the season, but the 25-year-old showed off his ceiling in a favorable matchup.
Given the dearth of talented tight ends in fantasy football, Strange could be a worthwhile addition for those seeking upside at the position.
QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders (Rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues)
Cousins has logged multiple touchdowns in all four of his starts this season and is averaging an impressive 256.5 passing yards per game. That included his 365-yard, two-touchdown outing in his team's 30-27 Week 4 loss to the Chiefs.
Cousins looks very comfortable in Klint Kubiak's offense and can be trusted as a strong streaming option amid his hot streak.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football waiver wire Week 5: 8 players to pick up
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