Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Antonio Gibson, D’Andre Swift, more RBs affecting Week 5 start ’em, sit ’em calls

10/10/2021

Week 5 got off to a bad start for running backs when Chris Carson (neck) was ruled out for Thursday Night Football, and it looks like Christian McCaffrey (hamstring) will miss his second straight game, as he’s listed as “doubtful.” Several more key RBs, including Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Melvin Gordon, and Antonio Gibson are “questionable” for early-afternoon games (plus Ezekiel Elliott and Chase Edmonds in the late afternoon), and all will be causing start ’em, sit ’em headaches for nervous fantasy football owners on Sunday morning. We’ll be here throughout the day with the latest updates and news.

For news on “questionable” late-game RBs, including Ezekiel Elliott and Chase Edmonds, click here; for updates on banged-up pass-catchers Courtland Sutton, T.J. Hockenson, Amari Cooper, Curtis Samuel, and DeVante Parker, go here; for more on Josh Gordon‘s availability for Sunday night, click here. For the Week 5 weather forecast, go here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

Is Dalvin Cook playing Week 5?

Cook (ankle) said early in the week that he plans to play this week, but coach Mike Zimmer indicated later in the week that Minnesota’s star back will be a game-time decision. Cook is officially “questionable” after failing to get in anything more than a limited practice on Friday.

If Cook is out, Alexander Mattison will start and receive the bulk of the RB touches. He’s shown in the past he can have RB1 value in that role, so start him with confidence. If Cook is active, he remains a must-start against Detroit’s porous run defense.

Is Joe Mixon playing Week 5?

Despite missing practice all week, Mixon (ankle) is “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Packers.

It would seem as if Mixon is more “doubtful” than “questionable,” but if he’s active, he still has RB2/flex value against Green Bay’s middle defense. If Mixon is out, Samaje Perine would likely see the bulk of the carries, but Chris Evans would also be involved. Perine is a worthwhile RB2/flex, while Evans would have moderate flex value in deep PPR leagues.

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Is Antonio Gibson playing Week 5?

Gibson (shin) got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, which is technically more than he did late last week when he played through this same shin injury. Nonetheless, he’s considered a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against the Saints.

It seems likely Gibson will play, but if he’s out, J.D. McKissic will handle the bulk of the RB snaps with Jaret Patterson also getting some carries. McKissic would be a safe RB2 in PPR leagues and borderline RB2/flex in standard leagues. Gibson is a must-start if active, and McKissic would operate as a low-end flex in PPR leagues.

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Is Melvin Gordon playing Week 5?

Gordon (leg) was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, which is similar to his schedule last week. He’s once again “questionable.”

Given the matchup against Pittsburgh and Gordon’s timeshare with Javonte Williams, he’s merely a flex. If Gordon is out, Williams would be a low-end RB2.

Are D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams playing Week 5?

Swift (groin) and Williams (hip) were both limited in practice all week, and both are “questionable” Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

Swift has been “questionable” more often than not this year, and he’s yet to miss a game. It would be a surprise if he’s out. Williams has the “Q” tag for the first time, but he also seems likely to play. Swift is an RB2 and Williams a flex if both play. If one is out, the other is a solid RB2. If both are out, Jermar Jefferson would start and be worth a flex spot.

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