Injuries have seemingly come by position for fantasy football thus far during the 2026 NFL season. In Week 4, wide receivers were next to be decimated by the injury bug.
Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals),
Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers), DJ Moore (Buffalo Bills) and Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) were among the most prominent players to get banged up in Week 4. That, plus pre-existing injuries to DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and A.J. Brown (ankle), will thin the ranks of available receivers for Week 5.
As such, fantasy managers will be looking for flex streaming options to help replace those top options. They will also look for bye-week replacements for members of the Chiefs and Carolina Panthers, who will get an early respite from the grind of the NFL season.
Who can you start and sit in fantasy football for Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season? USA TODAY Sports outlines eight players to start and eight to sit:
Fantasy football players to start in Week 5
Quarterbacks
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (vs. Buffalo Bills)
Stafford has had an up-and-down start to the 2026 NFL season, but he looks poised to be productive in a favorable Week 5 matchup against the Bills. Buffalo has surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points per game (FPPG) to opposing quarterbacks this season and just allowed Drake Maye to snap out of a season-long funk. Stafford could enjoy a similarly strong performance through the air.
- Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Detroit Lions)
The Lions have struggled badly against opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing the most FPPG to the position and an average of 304 passing yards per game. Brissett has posted multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games and should have a high floor in what figures to be a high-scoring matchup.
Running backs
- Emanuel Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Wilson emerged as Seattle's clear-cut backfield leader in Week 4, racking up 120 total yards and two touchdowns on 24 touches. He should continue to remain the Seahawks' top option with Jadarian Price (chest) and Zach Charbonnet (knee) sidelined – at least until Joe Mixon gets up to speed – and the 49ers merely rank middle-of-the-pack against running backs this season.
- RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos (at Los Angeles Chargers)
Harvey has emerged as Bo Nix's favorite safety valve out of the backfield in recent weeks and racked up a whopping 10 catches for 68 yards in Week 4. Harvey also handled a season-high seven carries in that matchup, so his touch floor alone makes him a solid play. So too does playing a Chargers offense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards to running backs this season.
Wide receivers
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (vs. Detroit Lions)
We know, we know. Harrison hasn't been at all productive this season, posting just five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown across his first four games. Still, he has played 74.1% of the Cardinals' offensive snaps and gets a favorable matchup against a Lions defense that has allowed the third-most FPPG to receivers this season. If ever there was a time for the Cardinals to force-feed Harrison and for him to break out, now would be it.
- Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns (at New York Jets)
Boston has established himself as the favorite target of Deshaun Watson and has averaged an impressive 21.8 yards per reception to open the season. That, plus the 6-4, 215-pound rookie's touchdown potential, should make him a quality flex play against the Jets.
Tight end
- T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (at New Orleans Saints)
Hockenson showed excellent chemistry with Kyler Murray in the Vikings' Week 4 win over the Dolphins, racking up 13 catches for 119 yards. Murray will likely keep looking for his security blanket in Week 5 against a Saints team that has been leaky against tight ends, making Hockenson a nice play.
Defense/special teams
- Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)
The Texans have struggled far more defensively than anyone expected this season, but they get a nice matchup against the Titans in Week 5. Tennessee is averaging just 13.8 points per game, second-fewest in the NFL, and Cam Ward has tossed an interception in back-to-back games. Houston should be able to bounce back in this matchup and finally deliver a quality defensive performance.
Fantasy football players to sit in Week 4
Quarterbacks
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks have allowed the second-fewest FPPG to quarterbacks this season and an impressive average of just 161.3 passing yards per game to the position. Purdy has been on a hot streak to open the 2026 campaign, but he posted 404 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions across two games against the Seahawks last season. His ceiling is lower than usual in this matchup.
- Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (vs. Chicago Bears)
Since Week 2, the Bears have allowed an average of 112 passing yards per game while surrendering just one passing touchdown. Jordan Love has thrown two passing touchdowns in every game he has played thus far in 2026, but it may be difficult for him to find similar success against a Chicago defense that has performed well of late.
Running backs
- Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Denver Broncos)
Denver's defense hasn't been as strong as expected in 2026, but it's still hard to trust Hampton in this matchup. He has seen a relatively even snap split with Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal in recent weeks – Mitchell played 26 in Week 4 while Hampton and Vidal each played 25 – and is playing behind an injury-ravaged Chargers offensive line. Most of Hampton's value will come from touchdowns, so he has a lower floor than other potential flex plays.
- David Montgomery, Houston Texans (at Tennessee Titans)
Montgomery is averaging a paltry 2.7 yards per carry this season and hasn't scored since Week 1, when he racked up three touchdowns. Woody Marks has actually seen four red-zone carries to Montgomery's three dating back to Week 2, so it's hard to trust the 29-year-old will have the touchdown opportunities needed to be a quality RB2 or flex play.
Wide receivers
- DJ Moore, Buffalo Bills (at Los Angeles Rams)
Moore's shoulder injury isn't expected to be a long-term problem. However, it's worth noting he has now exited two of his four games with exactly 23 offensive snaps played, which is less than ideal for those trusting him as a flex play. Moore could remain limited if he plays in Week 5, so trusting him against a Rams defense that has allowed just 36 receptions to wideouts this year seems risky.
- Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots (vs. Las Vegas Raiders)
Doubs is coming off a two-touchdown outing against the Bills, but expecting him to repeat that production against the Raiders may not be wise. Like the Rams, the Raiders have allowed just 36 receptions to receivers this year. Doubs only averaged two receptions per game across his first three contests with the Patriots, so his floor will be lower than usual in this matchup.
Tight end
- Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Strange just posted seven catches for 95 yards against the Bengals, but Cincinnati is notoriously weak against tight ends. Philadelphia isn't, as the Eagles have allowed the fifth-fewest FPPG to tight ends this year. There are better streaming options to chase at this position, including Hockenson and Mike Gesicki.
Defense/special teams
- Dallas Cowboys (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Don't fall into the trap of starting a below-average defense just because it has a good matchup. Yes, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is expected to start for the Buccaneers on a short week, but the Cowboys are allowing 28 points per game, fourth-most in the NFL, and rank bottom-five in both sacks and takeaways. There's upside here, but the floor is far too low to trust.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: 16 players to start or sit in Week 5
Advertiser disclosure: USA TODAY may earn a commission when you sign up through links on this page. Commissions never influence our editorial coverage or rankings. Offers and odds were accurate at publication and are subject to change; terms apply — see the operator’s site. This is general information, not betting, legal or financial advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, USA TODAY is not liable for losses arising from your use of it.
Must be 21+ (18+ where permitted). Sports betting and casino gaming are not legal everywhere; complying with the laws where you are located is your responsibility. Gamble only with funds you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Help is available 24/7 — call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET. State helplines and responsible gaming resources.
