Welcome to the injury apocalypse.
As we roll into Week 5, fantasy managers are limping—literally and emotionally—through what’s shaping up to be one of the most injury-ridden starts to a season in recent memory.
Malik Nabers and Tyreek Hill are now done for the year, joining fantasy favorites like Joe Burrow, James Conner, Austin Ekeler, and Najee Harris on the “IR All-Stars.” And that’s just the season-ending list.
Still out or injured this week: Lamar Jackson, Brock Purdy, J.J. McCarthy, Jayden Daniels (maybe back?), Bucky Irving, Aaron Jones, CeeDee Lamb, Mike Evans, Terry McLaurin, and many more—including kickers like Graham Gano (yes, even kickers are dropping).
And let’s not forget the bye-week black hole swallowing up studs like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, DK Metcalf, Josh Jacobs, Caleb Williams, and Jordan Love.
Bottom line? It’s a mess.
But Berry’s here (with stats from FantasyLife.com and analyst Dwain McFarland) to help you survive.
🧠 Here are 10 critical fantasy facts heading into Week 5:
1. Bills’ Defense vs. Mobile QBs Is… Bad
- No team is giving up more rushing yards or yards per carry to quarterbacks than the Buffalo Bills.
- Drake Maye has been a top-8 fantasy QB three weeks straight. He faces the Bills as an 8.5-point underdog, which means he’ll likely be scrambling a lot again.
2. Jaxson Dart Is Dangerous Near the Goal Line
- Last week, 3 of Dart’s 10 carries were in the red zone.
- 2 of those were goal-to-go situations.
- This week he plays the Saints, who are allowing the 5th-most points to QBs — and that’s despite facing Mac Jones and Sam Darnold.
3. Minnesota Can’t Stop the Run
- The Vikings rank bottom-10 in run defense vs. RBs.
- RBs with 15+ carries vs. Minnesota are averaging 18.9 fantasy PPG.
- Quinshon Judkins has had 44 touches over the past 2 weeks. Wheels up.
4. Woody Marks: Underrated Gem in Houston
- Led Texans in touches and snap rate last week.
- Saw an 18% target share including their only red zone target.
- His Utilization Score (86) was 12th-best among RBs.
- This week he faces Baltimore, who’ve allowed the most points to RBs this year.
5. Don’t Sleep on Isaiah Davis (NYJ)
- Last season, Davis had the best fantasy points per touch of any Jets RB.
- Jets rank 3rd in rushing yards per game.
- Cowboys (Jets’ opponent) allow the 6th-most RB fantasy points.
- Braelon Allen is on IR, and there’s chatter the Jets could trade Breece Hall.
- Davis could be a sneaky FLEX option.
6. Chris Godwin Is Back—and Dominant
- In his first game back:
- 25.6% target share (team leader).
- 91% route participation.
- 45% of team air yards.
- This week: faces Seattle, who are 8th-worst vs. slot WRs.
7. Jakobi Meyers in Prime Slot Matchup
- Colts are the 3rd-worst team vs. slot WRs, and their top slot CB Kenny Moore is out.
- Meyers has had 28%+ target share in all but one game this season.
- Expect a big day vs. Indy.
8. Malik Washington: Breakout Candidate
- Targeted on 20%+ of his routes in back-to-back weeks.
- 8.1 yards after catch per reception—3rd-best in the league.
- Has had multiple rushes in 3 straight games.
- Tyreek Hill’s injury opens up a 24% target share.
- Facing Carolina this week = fantasy gold.
9. Sam LaPorta vs. Bengals = Green Light
- Teams average 10 TE targets per game vs. Cincinnati (most in the NFL).
- Bengals are bottom-5 vs. TEs.
- LaPorta should feast.
10. Mason Taylor: Sneaky TE Streamer
- His target share has increased weekly—up to 26% last week.
- He’s had 70%+ route participation in every game.
- Playing the Cowboys, who are beatable defensively.
- If you’re desperate at TE (and let’s be honest, you probably are), Taylor is worth a look.
🏁 Final Thoughts:
- This isn’t just bad luck—it’s survival mode.
- Injuries + bye weeks = chaos, but there’s still value out there.
- Waiver wire depth, under-the-radar matchups, and utilization data are more important than ever right now.
- Keep grinding. Your fantasy playoffs won’t win themselves.