Patriots QB Mac Jones tried to play football in Week 5 vs. the Saints, but a pair of INTs and a lost fumble really got in the way of success. He completed just 12 of 22 passes for 110 yards before being benched for Bailey Zappe for the second week in a row. To make matters worse, one of Jones’ INTs was a pick-six TD, his third in 2023 alone. Jones started the year with some promising performances, but these last two weeks have to leave fantasy managers wondering how much longer it’ll be before New England makes a change at QB. We’ll see who’s under center in Week 6 vs. the Raiders.
Colts rookie WR Josh Downs caught all six of his targets for a team-high 97 yards in Sunday's win over the Titans. Downs actually had two other targets -- one completed, one not -- negated by offensive penalties. He made half of those receptions with each QB, in a game Anthony Richardson left early with a right shoulder injury. Downs remains third among Colts WRs in snaps and routes but continues to easily beat WR Alec Pierce in targets per route. He looks like a decent PPR WR3 for Week 6 at Jacksonville. Tougher matchups with Cleveland and New Orleans sit beyond that. WR Michael Pittman led Downs 7-6 in official targets against Tennessee, posting a 5-52 receiving line. No other Colt caught more than two passes.
Saints WR Michael Thomas hauled 4 of 7 targets for a team-leading 65 receiving yards in Week 5’s win vs. the Patriots. His teammate Chris Olave salvaged his 2-catch performance on Sunday was salvaged by finding the end zone but was otherwise nothing to write home about. Considering the Saints led this contest throughout and scored a defensive TD, there wasn’t a lot of offense to speak of. Week 6 vs. the Texans should be a much more competitive duel.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara shouldered a massive workload in Week 5, tallying 25 touches for 97 total yards vs. the Patriots. He didn’t see nearly as much receiving work in the game (3 catches), but that’s likely due to the fact that the Saints never trailed at any point in their 34-0 blowout win. Rookie Kendre Miller had a tremendous game, logging 37 rushing yards and contributing 4 catches for 54 receiving yards in the contest. With Jamaal Williams still sidelined with a hamstring injury, it’s conceivable that both Miller and Kamara will be solid options again next week vs. the Texans.
Saints QB Derek Carr completed 18 of 26 passes for 183 yards with 2 TDs in Sunday’s huge 34-0 victory over the Patriots. This isn’t the eye-popping production that’ll make fantasy managers excited, but it’s not bad considering Carr is still dealing with a shoulder injury on his throwing arm. We’ll continue to be cautious with him in Week 6 vs. the Texans.
Sunday's return by Colts RB Jonathan Taylor didn't stop RB Zack Moss from getting workhorse usage and posting big fantasy numbers against the Titans. Moss racked up 165 yards and 2 TDs on 23 carries, vs. just 6 attempts for Taylor. Moss added 30 yards on 2 receptions, with Taylor going 1-16 receiving on 1 target. Moss' big strike came from 56 yards out in the first quarter. but he also scored from the 3-yard line in the middle of the third quarter. We got indications before the game that Indy would ease Taylor back in. This drastic split in Moss' favor, though, has to make you wary of expecting too much for Taylor in Week 6 at Jacksonville. That said, the Colts didn't extend Taylor at $14 million a year to make him Moss' sidekick. So Taylor's slow start could extend the "buy" opportunity on the star back for at least one more week -- both in redraft and dynasty. Moss, on the other hand, looks like a potential "sell" across formats, especially if another manager in your league has Taylor and might be panicking.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill totaled 8 catches for 181 yards in Week 5. He added his fifth TD of the year. (Hill notched only 7 scores in 17 games last season.) The former Chief destroyed man coverage for a deep ball along the sideline for a 69-yard score. Hill also showed his run-after-catch wheels on a 64-yard gain later on. Entering a Week 6 date vs. Carolina, we’re not looking to sell high here.
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane broke off another long run in Sunday’s win over the Giants. Achane's 76-yard score showcased the latest example of his speed and acceleration to the edge. He matched Raheem Mostert in opportunities (12), while both backs fumbled. (Achane’s was lost.) In his current form, Achane will remain a must-start going forward. Next up is a cupcake matchup vs. Carolina.
Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson snagged 5 of 6 targets for 18 yards in Week 5. Robinson remained exclusively a short-range target – necessary given the amount of pressure put on Daniel Jones. The Giants went without an offensive score in this one and now own just 5 offensive TDs all season. We’ll see if Daniel Jones – who left late with a neck injury – can get cleared ahead of Week 6.
Giants TE Darren Waller woke up with 8 grabs for 86 yards in a blowout loss to Miami. Waller set a season-high with 11 targets. Game flow always projected favorably for the veteran, and sure enough, New York quickly faced a double-digit deficit. Now, we’ll need to check on the health of QB Daniel Jones, who left in the 4th quarter with a neck injury. If he’s unable to go for Week 6 (at Buffalo), Tyrod Taylor will start.
Patriots WR JuJu Smith-Schuster was knocked out of Sunday's game vs. the Saints with a concussion. It's his fifth documented concussion. We'll track his progress through the protocol, but Smith-Schuster is unlikely to be cleared to play Week 6.
Giants WR Wan'Dale Robinson left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Dolphins to be checked for a concussion.
Update: Robinson cleared concussion protocol and has returned to the game.
Giants QB Daniel Jones suffered a neck injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Dolphins and was quickly ruled out. Jones missed the final six games of the 2021 season with a neck injury. We'll update this current injury when we know more. QB Tyrod Taylor replaced Jones vs. Miami.
Patriots QB Mac Jones was benched in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Saints. New England was down 31-0 at that point, with Jones 12 of 22 for 110 yards, 0 TDs, two INTs, and fumble lost. QB Bailey Zappe will finish out the game for the Patriots. We'll see how he fares and who gets the Week 6 start vs. the Raiders.
Texans WR Tank Dell has been ruled out of Sunday's game vs. the Falcons with a concussion. We'll track his progress through the protocol this week. The vast majority of concussed players have not been cleared for the following week this season. The Texans have a Week 7 bye.
Chiefs LB Nick Bolton (ankle) is inactive for the third straight game. His absence boosts Drue Tranquill way up the Week 5 LB rankings.
X-rays on Colts QB Anthony Richardson came back clean, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That should rule out a broken collarbone. We'll see what kind of damage Richardson sustained to his shoulder. Stay tuned.
Bengals CB Chidobe Awuzie (back) is inactive for today's game against the Cardinals. CB Cam Taylor-Britt (concussion) and Edge Trey Hendrickson (back) are active, after entering the day questionable.
Texans WR Robert Woods is questionable to return to Sunday's game vs. the Falcons with a ribs injury. We'll update his status when we know more.
Jets WR Mecole Hardman is a healthy scratch for today's game vs. the Broncos. Hopefully you weren't counting on him. Hardman has one catch through four games.
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