The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 5: Last-minute moves

UPDATE: 3:25 p.m. Saturday

The big news this weekend is the absence of Baltimore MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, who injured his hamstring last week in Kansas City. So Cooper Rush will be in charge of getting the 1-3 Ravens out of the ditch.

Washington got better QB news, as last year’s rookie of the year Jayden Daniels will be back Sunday. But Commanders WR Terry McLaurin will still be out.

Three prominent running backs have been ruled out: Arizona’s Trey Benson, Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving and Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard. So now is the time to hit the waiver wire and see if you can grab the Buccaneers’ Rachaad White, the Panthers’ Rico Dowdle or the Cards’ Emari Demercado and Michael Carter.

Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb will be out again, so count on another busy day for George Pickens.

ORIGINAL POST: 6:00 a.m. Wednesday

It was a rough Week 4 for all-world pass catchers.

First, it was the Giants’ Malik Nabers who blew out his knee. This led New York fans to start imagining ways to blame the injury on Russell Wilson.

Then Miami’s Tyreek HIll dislocated his knee. The injury was so graphic and so nauseating that hall of famer Jason Taylor’s wife leapt back into her seat in the former Dolphin’s suite.

Week 5 is a bad time for this receiving void, as standouts on bye include Pittsburgh’s D.K. Metcalf, Chicago’s Rome Odunze, Atlanta’s Drake London and Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs.

So you’ll have to dig deep. Here are some of your options:

Darius Slayton (Giants) — Nabers’ immediate replacement had four catches for 44 yards after his exit. He’ll be needed to do much more going forward.

Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants) — Likely Jaxson Dart’s new favorite, Robinson had a 142-yard game in Week 2 in Dallas. Had 93 catches with three touchdowns last season.

Jalen Coker (Panthers) — Second-year wideout is coming off injured list. Will be rejoining an improved Carolina offense this week against a bad Miami defense.

Alec Pierce (Colts) — Averaged nearly five catchers per game before entering concussion protocol. Had seven TD catches in ‘24. Returns this week against Las Vegas.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (Chiefs) — Patrick Mahomes found him last week six times, one of them for a touchdown. Can be productive, at least until the return of Rashid Rice from suspension.

Sitting stars

Cleveland’s tough defense will travel well to London, so don’t expect great things from Vikings QB Carson Wentz or RB Jordan Mason. … Las Vegas RB Ashton Jeanty will cool off against Indy after his huge Week 4. … Same goes for Jaguars RB Travis Etienne versus K.C. … Chargers WR Ladd McConkey will remain underutilized against Washington. … Bench Cincy WR Tee Higgins, but not Ja’marr Chase, in Detroit. … Neither of the Eagles’ top WRs, A.J. Brown nor DeVonta Smith, will thrive against Denver. … That goes doubly for Broncos QB Bo Nix.

Matchup game

Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins could have his coming-out party against the Vikings. … As may Arizona’s Trey Benson versus lowly Tennessee. … Giants RB Cam Skattebo is a great bet for at least one touchdown against winless Saints. … Miami WR Jaylen Waddle will pick up the lion’s share of Hill’s workload in Carolina. … Texans’ Nico Collins, who faces injury-riddled Baltimore, is back to being a No. 1 receiver. … Tight ends we’re high on this week are Indy’s Tyler Warren and Miami’s rejuvenated Darren Waller. … And The Loop Team is having a hard time deciding between our two QBs: the Jets’ Justin Fields vs. Dallas and the Cardinals’ Kyler Murray against Tennessee.

Injury watch

Baltimore is in full panic with a 1-3 record and quarterback Lamar Jackson doubtful with an injured hamstring. But even a limited No. 8 is worth starting against Houston. … San Francisco QB Brock Purdy is hurt again and could give way to Mac Jones on Thursday night against the Rams. … Pittsburgh RB Jaylen Warren is iffy, and probably inferior to Kenneth Gainwell, anyway. … Three notable receivers were injured in Week 4: Atlanta’s Darnell Mooney, 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall and Cleveland’s Cedric Tillman. … We’re awaiting updates on Week 4 absentees: Washington QB Jayden Daniels and WR Terry McLaurin, and Dallas WR CeeDee Lamb. … Other questionables include Tampa RB Bucky Irving, Jets RB Braelon Allen, Niners WR Jauan Jennings and Titans WR Calvin Ridley.

Deepest sleeper

Houston running back Woody Marks appears to have taken over the Texans’ starting job over Nick Chubb. The rookie from Southern California had his coming-out party last Sunday in the victory over Tennessee. Twenty-one touches for 119 yards with a touchdown run and a TD catch. His matchup this week against injury-ravaged Baltimore is no longer considered daunting, even with the Texans’ leaky offensive line.

The Thursday pick

49ers at Rams (-5½)
Pick: Rams by 7

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.