Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Latest news on Ezekiel Elliott, Chase Edmonds affecting Week 5 start-or-sit decisions

A host of key running backs, including Antonio Gibson (shin), D’Andre Swift (groin), Dalvin Cook (ankle), Joe Mixon (ankle), Melvin Gordon (leg), and Jamaal Williams (hip) are “questionable” for the early-afternoon games, so perhaps it feels like fantasy football owners are getting off easy with just two game-time decisions in the late-afternoon games. However, both Ezekiel Elliott and Chase Edmonds are important RBs who are likely penciled into starting lineups, so if either is out, fantasy owners will likely have to scramble to figure out who to start at the last minute. We’ll be here with the latest injury updates throughout the day. 

For news on “questionable” early-game RBs, including Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Antonio Gibson, D’Andre Swift, Melvin Gordon, and Jamaal Williams, 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.

WEEK 5 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

Is Ezekiel Elliott playing Week 5?

UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Elliott is expected to play. 

Elliott (knee) was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, but he’s already said he’s “not concerned” about his availability for Sunday’s game against the Giants. 

Assuming Elliott plays, he’s a must-start. Tony Pollard would be a safe RB2 if Elliott is a surprise scratch, but for now, it looks like Pollard is merely a fringe flex play.

WEEK 5 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is Chase Edmonds playing Week 5?

Despite missing practice all week, Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said Edmonds (shoulder) is a game-time decision for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.

WEEK 5 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Whenever a player misses an entire week of practice, it seems more likely that he’s closer to “doubtful” than “questionable,” but clearly Edmonds still has a chance to play. If he’s out, James Conner would handle the bulk of the RB touches and have RB2 value in both standard and PPR leagues. If Edmonds plays, both will be flex backs, with Edmonds having more value in PPR and Conner having more value in standard.