Looking back at Week 5 as good news on the injury front shows only one significant fantasy relevant player on the list. Omarion Hampton was seen in a walking boot after the Sunday game against the Commanders and has now been placed on IR meaning he will miss a minimum of four games. Keep reading to determine if I have a recommendation to fill in for Hampton moving forward. As awful as it feels to type this, I see Week 5 as a win as injuries are concerned. Through four weeks of the 2025 NFL season, we have seen unprecedented numbers of significant injuries. I heard a number, and have not confirmed it, that says 14 of the top 48 players drafted in 2025 fantasy drafts have either been lost for the season (Tyreek, Nabers, Burrow, etc.) or have missed / will miss multiple weeks (Lamb, Bucky, M. Evans, etc.). Add to those names the likes of Jordan Addison, Rashee Rice, and Chris Godwin who have missed games and you have the makings of a rough start to the season. Additionally, the injuries, suspensions, and byes (Week 8 is almost here) have created an virtually naked waiver wire in most leagues.
I just shake my head as each injury occurs because I know we are only five weeks in and there are bound to be additional ailments on the horizon. Stay the course and work your waiver wire and open some trade discussions. If you do not have an obvious drop this week, consider insulating your roster for the upcoming Week 8 byemageddon. Week 6 will see Minnesota and Houston on byes so make sure you cover down for players from those two teams. Also, look forward to Week 7 when both Baltimore and Buffalo will be on bye.
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WAIVERS:
ADD OF THE WEEK = Rico Dowdle – 58% rostered. There are some “if’s” associated with Dowdle moving into Week 6. The first “if” is the health of Chuba Hubbard. I was kidding. That is the only “if”. Hubbard is day-to-day to start Week 6. Dowdle is still available in 42% of leagues and must be added as he is staring down a matchup versus the Dallas defense ranking last against the run.
QB: Well, folks, the usual suspects are still on your waiver wire. Yes, even Jake Browning – 10% rostered is widely available. He looked awful for almost three quarters, then the fantasy managers favorite thing happened…garbage time! Some of the other waiver wire fodder looked good in Week 5 including Sam Darnold, Tua Tagovailoa, Carson Wentz, Bryce Young and even Cam Ward (at the end).
RB: I handed you Kenneth Gainwell – 36% rostered and he delivered for the Steelers and any fantasy managers that added him to cover down for Jaylen Warren who missed Week 4. Gainwell has been in the mix for Pittsburgh regardless of Warren’s health, so he is more than a speculative add at this point and just had his bye in Week 5. I think he is a must roster in all formats.
Honorable Mention/Cheaper Options:
Michael Carter – 39% rostered & Emari Demercado – 59% rostered both saw their roster percentage skyrocket heading into Week 5. Carter significantly out touched Demercado, and the boneheaded ‘fumble’ will not help Demercado gain favor with the coaching staff. I truly think Demercado is the better player but would lean toward Carter in fantasy moving forward.
Hasaan Haskins – 1% rostered & Kimai Vidal – 0% rostered are probably not names you had on your 2025 fantasy football bingo card. Alas, here we are. I do not love either player with the injuries on the Chargers offensive line, but healthy bodies must be discussed. Week 6 sees the Miami defense on tap. This is a good matchup. Of the two Chargers backs, I lean Vidal over Haskins. Do not be surprised to see our old friend Gus Edwards signed off the street considering he already knows the system and playbook.
Kendrick Bourne – WR – 4% rostered: Buyer beware. Bourne, though he looked like a true WR1 on Thursday Night Football, with a back-up QB, he may be relegated to a lesser role when George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall and Juaun Jennings are back from injury, not to mention Brandon Aiyuk is lingering out there as well, and we know Christian McCaffrey will garner the most touches in this SF offense. Your favorite fantasy writer (me) picked up Bourne ~15 minutes prior to kickoff in four separate leagues and started him with glee. Look at me making the right decision for once!
Honorable Mention/Cheaper Options:
WR: Romeo Doubs – 50% rostered: The reason Doubs was only added in 10% of leagues in Week 5 is due to it being his bye week. Do not expect another three TD game and recognize the Packers offense runs through Josh Jacobs. You can do worse than Doubs in your FLEX position during the bye weeks.
Xavier Legette – 7% rostered is just fun. He is an incredible interview if you have not had the pleasure of hearing him address the press. He is also a fan favorite. He flashed in Week 6 and should continue to get looks for an offense that will be playing from behind most weeks. Consider Legette a deep league, FLEX add only.
Sterling Shepard – 4% rostered: The Tampa Bay offense is still friendly for Shepard with the absence of Mike Evans. He did not stand out in Week 5 (4-24-1), except for the game tying TD in the 4th quarter. Mike Evans will be back soon, so Shepard is only a stop gap measure for you at this point.
Tutu Atwell – 1% rostered: Another fun player to watch. If you can handle 2-64-0 for eight PPR points with an outside chance at a long TD, then add Atwell. If you want consistency then look elsewhere.
TE: Darren Waller – 67% rostered, Mason Taylor – 13% rostered, Theo Johnson – 11% rostered, and AJ Barner – 2% rostered start and end the list. Roll the dice at the position and hope for a TD (or two if you roster AJ Barner).
As mentioned above, it has only been two weeks, so if you lost, got smashed even, relax. It will be OK. There is no need to rush to drop any specific player, unless you see the name in the opening paragraph.
Follow me @stiles08 on X and send questions comments at the bottom of this article. Make sure you jump around the Razzball site for all your fantasy football needs. We have a ton of free content to include our Slot Versus Wide tool additional articles from our crack team of writers.
-Stiles-
